Thumb-actuated two-axis controller

Claim 2

A two-axis controller which produces at least an output signal in relation to pivotal displacement of a member with respect to an intersection of the two axes, which comprises a support and a member pivotally movable on a support with respect to the two axes, said support comprising a plate portion surrounding an elevated portion having a centrally disposed aperture and said member being in pivotal contact with said plate portion, a light source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct light through the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive light from said light source directed through the aperture, a light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor.

Claim 3

A two-axis controller which produces at least one output signal in relation to pivotal displacement of a member with respect to an intersection of the two axes, which comprises a support and a member resting and movable on the support with respect to the two axes, said support comprising a plate portion surrounding an elevated portion having a centrally disposed aperture, said member being in pivoted contact with said plate portion, a light source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct light through the aperture, and a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive light from said light source directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor.

Claim 4

A two-axis controller which produces at least one output signal in relation to pivotal displacement of a member with respect to an intersection of the two axes, which comprises a support and a member resting and movable on the support with respect to the two axes, said support comprising a plate portion surrounding an elevated portion having a centrally disposed aperture, said member being in pivoted contact with said plate portion, a light source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct light through the aperture, and a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive light from said light source directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor.

Claim 5

The two-axis controller of claim 2 additionally comprising a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable member for urging said pivotally movable member into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersecting axes.

Claim 6

The two-axis controller of claim 3 in which said biasing means is a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable member having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable member and a second fixedly mounted end.

Claim 7

The two-axis controller of claim 4 wherein said pivotally movable member includes an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable member causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar portion.

Claim 8

The two-axis controller of claim 5 in which said light source has a collimating lens positioned above the aperture to produce a collimated, circular cross section light beam and the aperture is circular cross shape, so that the light received on the light sensor is circular in shape for all positions of said pivotally movable member.

Claim 9

In combination, a first joystick controller movable by a hand of a user to provide a first level of two-axis control and a second joystick controller mounted on said first joystick controller, said second joystick controller being movable by a thumb of the user's hand while the hand is on said first joystick controller to provide a second level of two-axis control, said second joystick controller including a thumb-actuable button, a support comprising a plate portion surrounding an elevated portion with a centrally disposed aperture, a member resting and pivotally movable on said plate portion of said support with respect to said two axes of said second level, said axes intersecting one another orthogonally, said button being attached to one extremity of said member, a light beam source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct a light beam through the aperture, a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two second-level axes to receive said light beam directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor.

Claim 10

In combination, a first joystick controller movable by a hand of a user to provide a first level of two-axis control and a second joystick controller mounted on said first joystick controller, said second joystick controller being movable by a thumb of the user's hand while the hand is on said first joystick controller to provide a second level of two-axis control, said second joystick controller including a thumb-actuable button, a support comprising a plate portion surrounding an elevated portion with a centrally disposed aperture, a member resting and pivotally movable on said plate portion of said support with respect to said two axes of said second level, said axes intersecting one another orthogonally, said button being attached to one extremity of said member, a light beam source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct a light beam through the aperture, a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two second-level axes to receive said light beam directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 7 in which said second joystick controller additionally comprises a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable member for urging said pivotally movable member into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersecting axes.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 8 in which said biasing means is a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable member having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable member and a second fixedly mounted end.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 10 wherein said pivotally movable member includes an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable member causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar surface.

Claim 14

In combination, a hand-actuable control means for providing a first level of control, and a joystick controller mounted on said control means, said joystick controller being movable by a thumb of a user's hand while the hand engages said control means, the thumb movement of the joystick controller providing a second level of control, said joystick controller including a rocker pivotal with respect to first and second orthogonal axes, a support comprising a plate portion surrounding on elevated portion having a centrally situated aperture, a button adapted to receive the thumb of the user, said rocker having first and second extremities, said button being attached to said first rocker extremity and said second rocker extremity resting and being pivotally movable on said plate portion of said support adjacent said aperture, means on said pivotally movable rocker for directing a light beam through said aperture, a light sensor mounted adjacent the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive the light beam passing through the aperture, and means coupled to said light sensor for producing signals representative of the location of the light beam with respect to the intersection of the axes.

Claim 15

In combination, a hand-actuable control means for providing a first level of control, and a joystick controller mounted on said control means, said joystick controller being movable by a thumb of a user's hand while the hand engages said control means, the thumb movement of the joystick controller providing a second level of control, said joystick controller including a rocker pivotal with respect to first and second orthogonal axes, a support comprising a plate portion surrounding on elevated portion having a centrally situated aperture, a button adapted to receive the thumb of the user, said rocker having first and second extremities, said button being attached to said first rocker extremity and said second rocker extremity resting and being pivotally movable on said plate portion of said support adjacent said aperture, means on said pivotally movable rocker for directing a light beam through said aperture, a light sensor mounted adjacent the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive the light beam passing through the aperture, and means coupled to said light sensor for producing signals representative of the location of the light beam with respect to the intersection of the axes.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 11 in which said joystick controller additionally comprises a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable rocker for urging said pivotally movable rocker into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersecting axes.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 12 in which said biasing means is a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable rocker having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable rocker and a second fixedly mounted end.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 13 wherein said pivotally movable rocker includes an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable rocker causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar surface.

Claim 19

A two-axis joystick controller having an improved breakout comprising a shaft movable with respect to orthogonal X and Y axes, said shaft having a first end and a second end, a finger-actuable button fixed to said first end, said second end terminating in a circular knife edge, a support plate for said shaft, said support plate having a planar portion surrounding a raised portion, said circular knife edge fitting closely around said raised portion while resting on said planar portion, and means for biasing said circular knife edge of said shaft against said planar portion of said support plate.

Claim 20

A two-axis joystick controller having an improved breakout comprising a shaft movable with respect to orthogonal X and Y axes, said shaft having a first end and a second end, a finger-actuable button fixed to said first end, said second end terminating in a circular knife edge, a support plate for said shaft, said support plate having a planar portion surrounding a raised portion, said circular knife edge fitting closely around said raised portion while resting on said planar portion, and means for biasing said circular knife edge of said shaft against said planar portion of said support plate.

Claim 21

The two-axis controller of claim 15 additionally comprising a light source mounted in said shaft above the knife edge, in which the raised portion has an aperture through which a light beam from the light source may pass, and the joystick controller further comprises a photodetector positioned to receive the light beam through the aperture, said photodetector producing at least one output signal which is dependent on the position the light beam strikes said photodetector.

Claim 22

The joystick controller of claim 15 in which the raised portion is frusto-conical in shape.

Claim 23

The joystick controller of claim 15 in which said biasing means is a coil spring concentrically surrounding said shaft, having a first end fixedly connected to said shaft and a second fixedly mounted end.

Claim 24

A two-axis joystick controller requiring a step breakout force before displacement occurs comprising a rocker plate having a flat portion surrounding a tapered raised portion, a rocker having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, said first end having user-actuable means for rocking said rocker with respect to first and second orthogonal axes, said second end of said rocker terminating in a circular knife edge that is contained in a plane normal to said longitudinal axis, said knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of said tapered raised portion, biasing means surrounding said rocker for urging said circular knife edge of said rocker against said flat portion of said rocker plate whereby said circular knife edge completely touches said rocker plate before said rocker is rocked and said knife edge only touches said rocker plate at a single contact point when said rocker is rocked on said rocker plate.

Claim 25

A two-axis joystick controller requiring a step breakout force before displacement occurs comprising a rocker plate having a flat portion surrounding a tapered raised portion, a rocker having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends, said first end having user-actuable means for rocking said rocker with respect to first and second orthogonal axes, said second end of said rocker terminating in a circular knife edge that is contained in a plane normal to said longitudinal axis, said knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of said tapered raised portion, biasing means surrounding said rocker for urging said circular knife edge of said rocker against said flat portion of said rocker plate whereby said circular knife edge completely touches said rocker plate before said rocker is rocked and said knife edge only touches said rocker plate at a single contact point when said rocker is rocked on said rocker plate.

Claim 26

A joystick controller as set forth in claim 19 wherein said tapered raised portion is frusto-conical and has a centrally situated aperture.

Claim 27

A joystick controller as described in claim 20 further comprising means in said rocker for generating a light beam along said rocker longitudinal axis and through said aperture.

Claim 28

A joystick controller as in claim 21 wherein a two-axis photosensor is fixed adjacent said rocker plate and receives said light beam.

Claim 29

A joystick controller as in claim 22 further comprising means coupled to said photosensor for producing signals representative of the two-axis position of said light beam impinging on said photosensor.

Claim 30

The combination of claim 19 wherein said biasing means is a coil spring concentrically surrounding said rocker and said spring has a first end fixedly connected to said rocker and second fixedly mounted end.

Claim 31

A two-axis controller which produces at least one output signal in relation to pivotal displacement of a member with respect to an intersection of the two axes, which comprises the member pivotably movable on a support with respect to the two axes, a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable member for urging said pivotally movable member into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersection axes, said biasing means being a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable member and having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable member and a second fixedly mounted end, said support having a centrally disposed aperture, a light source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct light through the aperture, and a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive light from said light source directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor, said pivotally movable member including an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable member causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar portion.

Claim 32

A two-axis controller which produces at least one output signal in relation to pivotal displacement of a member with respect to an intersection of the two axes, which comprises the member pivotably movable on a support with respect to the two axes, a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable member for urging said pivotally movable member into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersection axes, said biasing means being a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable member and having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable member and a second fixedly mounted end, said support having a centrally disposed aperture, a light source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct light through the aperture, and a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive light from said light source directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor, said pivotally movable member including an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable member causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar portion.

Claim 33

The two-axis controller of claim 25 in which said light source has a collimating lens positioned above the aperture to produce a collimated, circular cross-section light beam and the aperture is circular in shape, so that the light received on the light sensor is circular in shape for all positions of said pivotally movable member.

Claim 34

In combination, a first joystick controller movable by a hand of a user to provide a first level of two-axis control and a second joystick controller mounted on said first joy-stick controller, said second joystick controller being movable by a thumb of a user's hand while the hand is on said first joystick controller to provide a second level of two-axis control, said second joystick controller including a thumbactuable button, a support with a centrally disposed aperture, a member pivotally movable on said support with respect to said two-axes of said second level, said axes intersecting one another orthogonally, said button being attached to one extremity of said member, a light beam source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct a light beam through the aperture, a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable member for urging said pivotally movable member into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersecting axes, said biasing means being a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable member and having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable member and a second fixedly mounted end, said pivotally movable member including an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable member causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar surface, a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two second-level axes to receive said light beam directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor.

Claim 35

In combination, a first joystick controller movable by a hand of a user to provide a first level of two-axis control and a second joystick controller mounted on said first joy-stick controller, said second joystick controller being movable by a thumb of a user's hand while the hand is on said first joystick controller to provide a second level of two-axis control, said second joystick controller including a thumbactuable button, a support with a centrally disposed aperture, a member pivotally movable on said support with respect to said two-axes of said second level, said axes intersecting one another orthogonally, said button being attached to one extremity of said member, a light beam source mounted on said pivotally movable member above the aperture to direct a light beam through the aperture, a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable member for urging said pivotally movable member into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersecting axes, said biasing means being a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable member and having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable member and a second fixedly mounted end, said pivotally movable member including an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable member causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar surface, a light sensor mounted below the aperture at the intersection of the two second-level axes to receive said light beam directed through the aperture, the light sensor producing at least one output signal related to a location on said sensor at which the light from said light source strikes the sensor.

Claim 36

In combination, a hand-actuable control means for providing a first level of control, and a joystick controller mounted on said control means, said joystick controller being movable by a thumb of a user's hand while the hand engages said control means, the thumb movement of the joystick controller providing a second level of control, said joystick controller including a rocker, pivotal with respect to first and second orthogonal axes, a support having a centrally situated aperture, a button adapted to receive the thumb of the user, said rocker having first and second extremities, said button being attached to said first rocker extremity and said second rocker extremity being pivotally mounted on said support adjacent said aperture, a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable rocker for urging said pivotally movable rocker into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersecting axes, said biasing means being a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable rocker and having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable rocker and a second fixedly mounted end, said pivotally movable rocker including an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable rocker causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar surface, means on said said pivotally movable rocker for directing a light beam through said aperture, a light sensor mounted adjacent the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive the light beam passing through the aperture, and means coupled to said light sensor for producing signals representative of the location of the light beam with respect to the intersection of the axes.

Claim 37

In combination, a hand-actuable control means for providing a first level of control, and a joystick controller mounted on said control means, said joystick controller being movable by a thumb of a user's hand while the hand engages said control means, the thumb movement of the joystick controller providing a second level of control, said joystick controller including a rocker, pivotal with respect to first and second orthogonal axes, a support having a centrally situated aperture, a button adapted to receive the thumb of the user, said rocker having first and second extremities, said button being attached to said first rocker extremity and said second rocker extremity being pivotally mounted on said support adjacent said aperture, a biasing means connected to said pivotally movable rocker for urging said pivotally movable rocker into a position orthogonally disposed relative to the intersecting axes, said biasing means being a coil spring concentrically surrounding said pivotally movable rocker and having a first end fixedly connected to said pivotally movable rocker and a second fixedly mounted end, said pivotally movable rocker including an enclosure portion defining a circular knife edge, said support having a raised frusto-conical portion surrounded by a planar portion, the knife edge having a circumference closely fitting the base of the frusto-conical portion, said light source being located within the enclosure portion above the frusto-conical portion, and the pivotal movement of said pivotally movable rocker causing a rocking motion of said knife edge on said planar surface, means on said said pivotally movable rocker for directing a light beam through said aperture, a light sensor mounted adjacent the aperture at the intersection of the two axes to receive the light beam passing through the aperture, and means coupled to said light sensor for producing signals representative of the location of the light beam with respect to the intersection of the axes.