Provided is an input assistance device that generates multiple signals without removal of a hand from a rotating body. This input assistance device 10 is equipped with: an operation unit having a shaft 2 that tilts in multiple directions from a neutral position and a rotating body 3 that rotates with respect to the shaft 2; a first sensor 5 that detects the tilt direction of the shaft 2; a second sensor 6 that detects the rotational angle of the rotating body 3; and a signal generation unit 9 that generates signals using the detection result from the first sensor 5 and the detection result from the second sensor 6. Multiple signals can be generated by means of the signal generation unit 9 by selecting the type of signal on the basis of the tilt direction of the shaft 2 as detected by the first sensor 5 and adjusting the size of the signal on the basis of the rotational angle of the rotating body 3 as detected by the second sensor 6.

A controller is capable of controlling an asset or target in physical and/or virtual three-dimensional space using a single hand by generating control inputs in four or more degrees of freedom while also limiting cross-coupling (unintended motions). The controller includes a first control member is configured to be gripped in a user's single, second control member is disposed on or near a top end of the first member movable with at least one degree of freedom independently of the movement of the first control member, and a third control member positioned on the first member for displacement by one or more digits of the user's single hand and coupled with the second member to move in opposition to movement of the second control member.

A controller is capable of controlling an asset or target in physical and/or virtual three-dimensional space using a single hand by generating control inputs in four or more degrees of freedom while also limiting cross-coupling (unintended motions). The controller includes a first control member is configured to be gripped in a user's single, second control member is disposed on or near a top end of the first member movable with at least one degree of freedom independently of the movement of the first control member, and a third control member positioned on the first member for displacement by one or more digits of the user's single hand and coupled with the second member to move in opposition to movement of the second control member.

A surgical instrument includes a drive member movable by a drive motor between a home position and an end of stroke. A mechanical stop is disposed at or near the end of stroke and is structured to increase resistance to movement of the drive member from a first position to a second position. A control system detects a current spike associated with the increased resistance and interrupts power to the drive motor.

A display device including a display panel, a chassis configured to support the display panel, and an input device disposed on the chassis, wherein the input device includes a manipulator configured to be horizontally movable and vertically movable, the manipulator comprising a magnet, and a sensor configured to detect a change in a magnetic force due to a motion of the magnet as a result of a motion of the manipulator, and to receive an input command based on the detected change in the magnetic force.

An articulation joint for a surgical instrument. In at least one form, the articulation joint includes a proximal joint portion that is coupled to an elongate shaft assembly of the surgical instrument. A distal joint portion is movably coupled to the proximal joint portion and is configured to interface with a surgical end effector. A first gear train operably interfaces with a proximal firing shaft segment within the elongate shaft assembly and a distal firing shaft segment that is configured to operably interface with the surgical end effector for transmitting a rotary firing motion thereto from the proximal firing shaft segment to the surgical end effector. A second gear train operably interfaces with a proximal rotation shaft portion of the elongate shaft assembly for transmitting a distal rotational control motion to the surgical end effector to cause the surgical end effector to rotate relative to the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating articulation of the distal joint portion relative to the proximal joint portion.

A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein. The cover includes at least one electrically conductive pathway that extends from the distal end of the cover to form an electrically conductive pathway from the end effector conductor to a shaft conductor on the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating operation of the articulation joint. Various conductor arrangements facilitating the passage of electrical current between an end effector to a control system across the articulation joint are also disclosed.

An operation unit includes an operation part that is provided to be movable up and down along a movement axis, functions as a push-button switch at a first position, and functions as a joystick lever at a second position above the first position in the movement axis direction; and an operation part-detecting part that senses pressing of the operation part when the operation part is at the first position, and senses a direction in which the operation part has inclined when the operation part is at the second position.

A remote control includes a body, a first rocker device, a second rocker device, a processor, and a signal transmission device. The first rocker device and the second rocker device are installed on the body. The processor connects to the first rocker device, the second rocker device, and the signal transmission device. The first rocker device includes a joystick component. The second rocker device includes a second joystick component. When the first joystick component moves in parallel relative to the body, the processor generates a remote control instruction used to control a movable object to move in a horizontal plane. When the second joystick component moves straightly relative to the body along a first direction or a second direction, the processor generates a remote control instruction used to control the movable object to move upward or move downward in a vertical direction of the movable object.

In various forms, the modular motor control system may comprise one or more motor controllers each having an associated motor. The one or more motor controllers may be in communication with a master controller. The master controller is configured to provide control signals to the motor controllers to control the associated motors. In some forms, the one or more motor controllers and the associated motors may be located within a surgical module. The surgical module may provide a communications interface between the master controller and the one or more motor controllers.