A joystick assembly includes a joystick and pre-load centering springs coupled to the joystick for biasing the joystick to a neutral position. The joystick has a central free-play zone, a transitional zone surrounding the central free-play zone in which the pre-load centering springs begin to act upon the joystick, and a load zone surrounding the transitional zone in which the pre-load centering springs exert a relatively flat spring rate upon the joystick. An angular position sensor system generates a first signal indicative of a travel angle of the joystick. A force sensor system generates a second signal indicative of a force applied to the joystick. A controller receives the first and second signals and sets start/stop points for control by the joystick approximately synchronously with the joystick moving from the transitional zone to the load zone based upon the second signal.

A capacitive multipath force sensor module includes a movable actuator, first and second stationary capacitor plates, and a central capacitor plate connected to the actuator and positioned between the stationary plates. The central plate moves by a same amount toward one stationary plate and away from the other stationary plate when the actuator is moved. In multiple successive cycles, while the first stationary plate is held at ground, (i) the central plate and the second stationary plate are connected to a voltage and (ii) are then disconnected from the voltage with the central plate being connected to a capacitor having a known capacitance value to thereby enable a charge quantity stored on the central plate to be transferred to the capacitor. After a predefined number of cycles, a voltage of the capacitor, which is indicative of an amount of movement of the actuator, is measured.

A varistor type multi-directional input device, including an upper cover, a base, a rocker assembly, a reset assembly, an electrical component, a switch elastic piece and a terminal assembly. The conductive elastic piece of the electrical component is mounted in a cavity surrounded by the upper cover, the base and the varistor. The rocking bar is operated to swing the eccentric wheel of the upper rocker arm or the lower rocker arm, and the surface pressure of the varistor is different due to the different deformation of elastic piece caused by the change of the height of the eccentric wheel in the axial direction, so that the varistor outputs different resistance values to achieve control of the screen cursor. The present disclosure is provided with a rocker arm seat which is matched with the upper rocker arm and the lower rocker arm.

A control system for hazardous environments decreases flame paths, decreases punctures to the control system when installing interfaces, and increases safety. The control system may be characterized as a one size fits all controller that is able to automatically recognize a plurality of user interfaces. The controller has an enclosure to which the interfaces can be attached. The interfaces may interact with control electronics wholly contained in the enclosure using a variety of wireless mechanisms. Such mechanisms include reflecting light waves, infrared (IR) communication, radio-frequency identification, inductive coils, short-range wireless communication, camera images, piezoelectricity, and magnetism, and the like. The interfaces may include switches, indicator lights, smoke detectors, and the like.

A controller for operative connection to a power assisted transport vehicle that is at least partially directed by a human operator in physical contact with the vehicle, the controller including: a contact surface, a first sensor and a second sensor each responsive to manual actuation of the contact surface, each sensor having a respective first sensor output signal and a second sensor output signal, and a signal processing means adapted to process the first and second output signals, wherein force imparted to the contact surface in the Z-axis is adapted to provide Z-axis movement of the vehicle by processing the first sensor output signal and the second sensor output signal, and wherein force imparted to the contact surface in the X-axis is adapted to provide X-axis movement of the vehicle by processing the first sensor output signal and the second sensor output signal.

An operating device includes: an operating lever extending in a first direction and including a first end-side part in the first direction, the first end-side part being operable; a casing supporting a first-direction intermediate part of the operating lever; first and second sensors arranged in the casing so as to be spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and be adjacent to a second end-side part in the first direction of the operating lever; and third and fourth sensors arranged in the casing so as to be spaced apart from each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions and be adjacent to the second end-side part of the operating lever, wherein each of the first to fourth sensors outputs a signal in accordance with a load applied from the operating lever.

An active inceptor apparatus and method for operating a machine. The apparatus comprises a stick member having a grip portion, the stick member being pivotably mounted relative to a housing. It further comprises a position sensor responsive to, and for generating signals indicative of, stick member position. A force sensor is provided on the stick member responsive to, and for generating signals indicative of, force applied to the stick by a user. The apparatus also includes a control unit operable to receive the position and force signals from the position and force sensors respectively. The control unit is operable to process the signals according to a predetermined relationship to determine a value FD indicative of force applied to the stick member relative to displacement of the stick member. The control unit is also operable to generate machine control signals as a function of position signals and force signals in dependence upon the value FD, for communication to the machine.

A control system for hazardous environments decreases flame paths, decreases punctures to the control system when installing interfaces, and increases safety. The control system may be characterized as a one size fits all controller that is able to automatically recognize a plurality of user interfaces. The controller has an enclosure to which the interfaces can be attached. The interfaces may interact with control electronics wholly contained in the enclosure using a variety of wireless mechanisms. Such mechanisms include reflecting light waves, infrared (IR) communication, radio-frequency identification, inductive coils, short-range wireless communication, camera images, piezoelectricity, and magnetism, and the like. The interfaces may include switches, indicator lights, smoke detectors, and the like.

There is provided a pointing device fitting structure. The pointing device fitting structure includes a frame provided with a projecting portion, and a support member to which a pointing stick is attached. The frame is fixed to the support member via the projecting portion.

A control system for hazardous environments decreases flame paths, decreases punctures to the control system when installing interfaces, and increases safety. The control system may be characterized as a one size fits all controller that is able to automatically recognize a plurality of user interfaces. The controller has an enclosure to which the interfaces can be attached. The interfaces may interact with control electronics wholly contained in the enclosure using a variety of wireless mechanisms. Such mechanisms include reflecting light waves, infrared (IR) communication, radio-frequency identification, inductive coils, short-range wireless communication, camera images, piezoelectricity, and magnetism, and the like. The interfaces may include switches, indicator lights, smoke detectors, and the like.