System for sensing the position of a joystick
Patent 5286024 Issued on February 15, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date: 
March 20, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
March 20, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3178600 3331972 3643148 Magnetic loops closure elements for electric motor Joystick mechanism Rotodynamic pump with spherical motor Finger control joystick utilizing Hall effect Controller unit for video game Game control apparatus Joystick controller using magnetosensitive elements with bias magnets InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 672361 filed on 03/20/1991US Classes:273/148B, All video game accessories338/128, Plural345/158, Including orientation sensors (e.g., infrared, ultrasonic, remotely controlled)345/161, Joystick463/38Pivotally-translatable handle (e.g., joystick, etc.)ExaminersPrimary: Harrison, Jessica J.Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassA63F 009/22AbstractA joystick position sensing device has a housing and a pivot ball movably mounted on said housing. The ball defines a prime axis, and a joystick is attached to the ball coaxially with the prime axis. The ball also defines two great circles which are orthogonal to each other and which intersect the prime axis. A groove is partially inscribed on the ball over a portion of each great circle, and a respective follower arm is slidably engaged with each groove. Also, each follower arm is rotatably engaged with a respective potentiometer. Motion of the joystick causes the ball (and grooves) to move, and the follower arms can slide in their grooves, or rotate relative to their potentiometers to adjust the setting of the associated potentiometer, in response to motion of the ball. The system generates a signal representative of the position of the joystick relative to the housing based upon the output signals of the potentiometers.Other References
| |
