Multi-axis joystick and transducer means therefore

• US 20050162389A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fritz R. Obermeyer, Henry K. Obermeyer
• Original Assignee: Fritz H. Obermeyer, Henry K. Obermeyer, Leslie R. Obermeyer
• Inventors: Obermeyer, Henry K, Obermeyer, Fritz H., Obermeyer, Leslie R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,474,296 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/285 using a movable mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35419 Four and more-DOF hand controller, joystick, manipulandum
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04759 Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric
• 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: G05G 9/04737 with six degrees of freedom
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

The invention relates to improved multi-axis joysticks and associated multi-axis optical displacement measurement means. The displacement measuring means may include one or more light emitters and one or more light detectors, preferably mounted in a planar hexagonal array. The relative position of an adjacent movable reflector assembly can be measured in six degrees of freedom by variations in detected light amplitude. Various ergonomic configurations of six axis joystick embodiments which may be facilitated by the compact design of the transducer means are disclosed. Means for dynamically adjusting coordinate transformations for construction machinery control are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A multi-axis input transducer apparatus comprising:

an at least quinary input element capable of input with respect to at least five frames of reference,

a reflective element responsive to radiation from a source capable of emitting radiation eventually incident upon said reflective element; and

at least one reflected radiation detector responsive to radiation from said reflective element.

2. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said at least quinary input element comprises an at least sextet input element capable of input with respect to at least six frames of reference.

5. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said source of radiation comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation.

7. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said at least five frames of reference comprises at least three translational frames of reference.

8. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said at least five frames of reference comprises at least three rotational frames.

9. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said at least five frames of reference comprise three translational frames of reference and two rotational frames of reference.

12. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 further comprising a comparatively non-reflective element upon which radiation from said source is eventually incident.

13. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said comparatively non-reflective element forms at least one abrupt border with said reflective element where there is an abrupt change from reflective to comparatively non-reflective.

14. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said at least one abrupt border comprises at least two abrupt borders.

15. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein said at least two abrupt borders comprises at least two substantially orthogonal abrupt borders.

17. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said at least one abrupt border comprises at least two abrupt borders.

18. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said at least two abrupt borders zig zag.

19. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said reflective element is established extra-radially of said source.

23. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said at least quinary input element comprises a joystick.

24. The multi-axis input transducer apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises an annular reflective element.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

20-22. -22. (canceled)

25-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A joystick comprising a radiation source, a reflector, and reflected radiation sensor, at least one of which is movable with respect to at least one other of said three elements in at least three degrees of freedom, wherein said radiation source projects radiation eventually incident upon said reflector, said reflector reflects a varying reflected optical signal to said reflected radiation sensor in a manner which varies in at least three degrees of freedom, and said reflected radiation sensor senses at least a portion of said varying reflected optical signal.

32. A joystick as in claim 31 wherein said source of radiation comprises a visible light source of radiation.

35. The joystick of claim 31 wherein the returned optical signal is detected as an image incident on an array of image sensing elements.

38. The joystick of claim 31 wherein said reflected radiation sensor comprises a photo detector and the radiation source comprises time sequenced light emitters.

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

39-100. -100. (canceled)

101. A multi-axis joystick comprising:

a finger operable first portion at least quinaxially responsively connected to a second portion; and

a hand operable second portion at least uniaxially responsively connected to a third portion, each movable connection generating a signal in response to relative movement.

102-120. -120. (canceled)