A peripheral device for a computer is disclosed, including a housing including an interior to contain a fusion sensor in electrical communication with a one or more control elements, the control elements may include a thumb stick, an index pad, a trigger, and a first and second thumb button to each interface with the thumb. The fusion sensor includes a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a compass each to sense motion of the peripheral device, wherein the fusion sensor and control elements provide input to a cursor displayed on a computing device.

A mechanical controller provides four-axis control of a vehicle's position and movement. For example, the controller provides control of a vehicle's operations through a lateral axis, longitudinal axis, directional axis, and a grip axis (e.g., operating a thumbwheel of the mechanical controller that provides additional control inputs to the vehicle). The mechanical controller can provide independent force feel mechanisms in each of the lateral, longitudinal, and directional axes of movement. Additionally, the mechanical controller may provide a redundant force feel mechanism (e.g., for increased safety). For example, redundant springs and dampers may be incorporated in each axis's force feel mechanism. The mechanical controller may include a plunger and spring assembly to provide a force feel mechanism in the lateral and longitudinal axes. In addition to this spring force, surfaces of a contact region between the plunger and a plunger actuating plate may be shaped to produce force feel characteristics.

A control switch for operating, preferably in single-hand operation, a hoist or crane, having a device for manual actuation, preferably single-finger actuation, with a base element, which is preferably designed as a housing, and a control lever which can be pivoted relative to the base element and which can be pivoted by means of a pivot movement triggered by means of manual actuation, preferably single-finger actuation, from an unpivoted base position into an actuation position that is pivoted in relation to the base position, in order thereby to bring about a predefined movement of the hoist or crane.

Adaptors for positioning a force gauge relative to a control interface in a flight simulator or aircraft are disclosed where the control interface is moveable in at least one of a back-and-forth direction and a side-to-side direction. In some embodiments the adaptor comprises a housing positionable adjacent the control interface where the housing comprises a first surface configured to snugly receive a predetermined surface of the control interface and a second surface comprising a first housing connector configured for connection to the gauge connector such that pressure is exertable on the control interface by the force gauge in a first direction of measurement aligned with one of the back-and-forth direction and the side-to-side direction.

An apparatus for drilling with a drilling machine including a boom for supporting a drill and a feed for feeding the drill. A single joystick is adapted for controlling the movement of the boom and the feed independently or together, such as according to different protocols (e.g., for causing movement of the boom and feed in the same direction, or in different directions). Related methods are also disclosed.

A platform control system for boom lifts preferably includes a control panel, a left joystick and a right joystick. The left joystick includes a plurality of left ON-OFF-ON rocker switches and a plurality of left ON-OFF push button switches. The right joystick includes a plurality of right ON-OFF-ON rocker switches and a plurality of right ON-OFF push button switches. The left and right joysticks can be configured to work on a telescopic boom lift machine as well as on an articulating boom lift machine. The control panel preferably includes a display screen and a screen shroud. The display screen is mounted in a middle of the control panel. The display screen includes a plurality of proceed lights, warning lights and error lights pertaining to the functions of the left and right joysticks. The screen shroud partially covers the display screen to eliminate sun glare.

An apparatus for facilitating bucket movement of a material handling machine includes a joystick biased to a neutral position, movable away from the neutral position in a first direction along an axis to a first position, and movable away from the neutral position in a second direction along the axis, opposite the first direction, to a second position. The apparatus further includes an operator input movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position in which a bucket of the material handling machine is configured to automatically move in an oscillatory motion. When the operator input is in the engaged position, an intensity of the oscillation is dependent upon a position of the joystick along the axis, decreasing along the axis from the first position to the second position.

A control device consists of a handle with buttons and an on/off trigger, a sphere, an optical, electromagnetic or laser sensor, a fixed base with a half-sphere, and a part situated below said base. The device is designed to simulate a response from working mechanisms and can be used for controlling different manned and unmanned devices, air, land and underwater devices, as well as for working with computer equipment and also for controlling spacecraft.

Methods and apparatus provide for controlling an operating device, where the operating device includes: (i) a grip part to be gripped by a user; and (ii) an operation part for activation by a finger of the user gripping the grip part, and where the operation part includes: (i) a movable part capable of moving from a resting position toward another position in response to a force applied by the finger of the user, (ii) a biasing element operating to urge the movable part toward the resting position, and (iii) a motorized assembly operating to receive a drive signal and apply a force to the movable part in an opposite direction of the force applied by the finger of the user.

A joystick for controlling a machine in multi-axes includes: a handle assembly allowed to rotate around a central axis extending along a longitudinal direction of the joystick, comprising a button body in which an upper circuit board having an upper sensor is provided; a control assembly having a lower body in which a lower circuit with an lower sensor is provided; and a control lever partly introduced to the handle assembly and mounted on a pivotal member for pivotal movement relative to the lower body. The control lever is at least partly made of plastic in an injection-molding operation and has an overmolded lower magnet provided in the proximity of the lower circuit of the a control portion, wherein the control lever has a further upper magnet provided in the proximity of the upper circuit of the handle assembly.