Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controlled circuit
Patent
1982-10-06
1985-08-06
Nelms, David C.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controlled circuit
250221, H01J 4014
Patent
active
045338272
ABSTRACT:
Disclosed is a joystick apparatus for effecting a plurality of variable voltage changes using one or more partial spheres concentrically mounted on the joystick shaft having longitudinally or latitudinally variable, light-detectable surfaces. A first light emitter/detector combination senses a first Cartesian coordinate axis tilting movement of the joystick control shaft and a second light emitter/detector combination senses a second Cartesian coordinate axis tilting movement of the control shaft to produce corresponding first and second voltages indicative of joystick position in the respective Cartesian coordinate directions. A handle portion of the joystick is rotatable and connected for carrying, in the preferred embodiment, a second spherical surface concentric with the first, and having a latitudinally variable, light-detectable surface. A third light emitter/detector combination senses the rotational movement of the shaft to produce a corresponding third voltage output. A thumb control rod extending from the free end of the joystick handle may also be provided to achieve two Cartesian coordinate axes by tilting of the thumb rod with respect to a third axis and utilizes a miniature spherical surface of similar structure to the first spherical surface. Suitable orthogonal light emitter/detector combinations with respect thereto provide respective fourth and fifth voltage outputs. In a preferred arrangement, each of the emitter/detector combinations discussed above is preferably connected in a differential mode with another, in-line similar combination to minimize the effects of surface and component aging, eccentricities in initial mounting and the effects of wear in the mounting structures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2959060 (1960-11-01), Kunz
patent: 3071976 (1963-01-01), Kunz
patent: 3270567 (1966-09-01), Crampton
patent: 3328595 (1967-06-01), Todd
patent: 3521072 (1970-07-01), Wipson et al.
patent: 3679906 (1972-07-01), Myers
patent: 3745966 (1973-07-01), Seager
patent: 3886361 (1975-05-01), Wester
patent: 3915019 (1975-10-01), Zoltan
patent: 3940674 (1976-02-01), Gill
patent: 4161726 (1979-07-01), Burson et al.
Gatto J.
Nelms David C.
Texas A&M University
LandOfFree
Optical joystick does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical joystick, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical joystick will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-514217