Magnetic manual user interface devices

• US 10,528,074 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seescan, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Seescan, Inc.
• Inventors: Olsson, Mark S., Merewether, Ray, Heyenbruch, Loni M., Warren, Alexander L., Jessup, Amos H., Martin, Michael J., Jemmott, George L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Jr., Duane N
• Application Number:
  US15/811,509
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04707 with ball joint
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/05 Means for returning or tending to return controlling members to an inoperative or neutral position, e.g. by providing return springs or resilient end-stops G05G5/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

Various finger tip controlled manual interface devices that can be used as inputs to personal computers, electromechanical systems and video game consoles utilize concentrically arranged magnets. The polarities of the magnets are oriented to provide restoration forces on a one of the magnets to bias it toward a neutral position. A magnetic sensor including a plurality of sensing elements such as Hall effect devices generates output signals representative of direction and amount of movement of the magnet that is biased to the neutral position.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an actuator having an axis;

an annular magnet;

a magnet operatively coupled to the actuator; and

a three-axis integrated circuit magnetic sensor positioned to detect changes in a magnetic field due to movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator and generate signals representative of the direction and amount of movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator relative to a reference axis;

wherein the actuator comprises a pliant deformable element.

7. The device of claim 1, 2, 5, or 6, wherein the annular magnet is disposed on the PCB.

2. A device, comprising:

an actuator having an axis;

an annular magnet;

a magnet operatively coupled to the actuator;

a three-axis integrated circuit magnetic sensor positioned to detect changes in a magnetic field due to movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator and generate signals representative of the direction and amount of movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator relative to a reference axis; and

a ball-sleeve supporting the annular magnet.

3. A device, comprising:

an actuator having an axis;

an annular magnet;

a magnet operatively coupled to the actuator; and

a three-axis integrated circuit magnetic sensor positioned to detect changes in a magnetic field due to movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator and generate signals representative of the direction and amount of movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator relative to a reference axis;

wherein the three-axis integrated circuit magnetic sensor is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and the PCB is oriented in the device to be positioned below the annular magnet when the actuator is in an upright position.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the annular magnet is disposed on the PCB.

5. A device, comprising:

an actuator having an axis and comprising a compliant deformable material;

an annular magnet;

a magnet operatively coupled to the actuator;

a three-axis integrated circuit magnetic sensor positioned to detect changes in a magnetic field due to movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator and generate signals representative of the direction and amount of movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator relative to a reference axis; and

a mechanically actuated switch positioned to be actuated by a user'"'"'s digit.

6. A device, comprising:

an actuator having an axis;

an annular magnet;

a magnet operatively coupled to the actuator; and

a three-axis integrated circuit magnetic sensor positioned to detect changes in a magnetic field due to movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator and generate signals representative of the direction and amount of movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator relative to a reference axis;

wherein the magnet and the annular magnet are positioned so that the annular magnet provides a restorative force when the actuator is moved from a neutral state position.

8. A device, comprising:

an actuator having an axis and comprising a pliant deformable element;

an annular magnet;

a magnet operatively coupled to the actuator;

a three-axis integrated circuit magnetic sensor positioned to detect changes in a magnetic field due to movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator and generate signals representative of the direction and amount of movement of the magnet operatively coupled to the actuator relative to a reference axis; and

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and electronic circuitry to drive the LEDs in conjunction with a movement of the actuator.