Device for controlling a cursor of a graphical user interface of a flight unit, comprising a base structure; a graspable body shaped to be grasped by a hand of an operator and movable with respect to the base structure by the manual force provided by the operator by means of his/her hand; a force sensor coupled to the graspable body and designed to sense the movements of the graspable body with respect to the base structure along at least a first axis and a second axis; an interface circuit for converting the signals provided by the force sensor into control signal of the graphical user interface of the flight unit in order to move the cursor along a first axis and a second axis of the graphical user interface based on the force provided to the graspable body by the operator.

A keyboard switch includes a base (1), a resistance-type pressure sensor (5) installed on the base (1), a spring (3) arranged in the base (1) and capable of being pressed on the resistance-type pressure sensor (5), a button (4) which presses the spring (3) and is in sliding fit with the base (1), and an upper cover (2) which presses the button (4) and is adaptive to the base (1). The resistance-type pressure sensor (5) includes two terminals (53) and an elastic sensitive element (51), the elastic sensitive element (51) being internally provided with a resistance strain gauge (52), and two leads (54) extending outwards from the resistance strain gauge (52); one ends of the two terminals (53) are respectively connected to the two leads (54), and the other ends of the two terminals (53) are separately connected to a PCB (6).

A keyboard switch includes a base (1), a resistance-type pressure sensor (5) installed on the base (1), a spring (3) arranged in the base (1) and capable of being pressed on the resistance-type pressure sensor (5), a button (4) which presses the spring (3) and is in sliding fit with the base (1), and an upper cover (2) which presses the button (4) and is adaptive to the base (1). The resistance-type pressure sensor (5) includes two terminals (53) and an elastic sensitive element (51), the elastic sensitive element (51) being internally provided with a resistance strain gauge (52), and two leads (54) extending outwards from the resistance strain gauge (52); one ends of the two terminals (53) are respectively connected to the two leads (54), and the other ends of the two terminals (53) are separately connected to a PCB (6).

An output signal device and method that provides the operator force feedback similar to a pilot control joystick. These force feedback regions include free play, dead-band start of modulation, modulation, fore-warning bumper and hold near max angle. This output signal device may also vary the fore-warning feel and hold positions to be at any angle. This output signal device uses force sensing as the signal and has force slope changes used as auto-calibration of the output signal. This improves signal accuracy and provides a service prognostic signal. The prognostic signal may be used to activate redundant sensor. The variable force feedback may improve operation on rough terrain. The force feedback, may allow more productive operating positions to be learned. This enables productivity and other important job site criteria such as fuel usage to be optimized by interactive communication with this output signal 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.

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.

An input device is disclosed. In various embodiments, the input device includes a spring having a free end and a fixed end. A force transducer having a transducer beam is coupled to the free end of the spring in a manner such that a free end of the transducer beam extends away from the free end of the spring.

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 an operation device to further improve a user's operational feeling when operating a stick that can be moved in both positive and negative directions. The operation device includes: an operation unit that is moved by an operation of a user; a first movable unit that enables the operation unit to move within a predetermined range; a first drive unit; and a first driven unit that includes at least one component and is capable of moving an abutting portion of the first movable unit according to a driving force of the first drive unit.

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.