There is disclosed a multi-dimensional user interface controller apparatus for providing a multi-dimensional user input. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a disc adapted to be tilted to control at least two-axes, and depressible in a third axis, and an outer ring surrounding the disc, the outer ring adapted to rotate about the disc to control a fourth axis. In use, the disc and the outer ring are controllable to provide at least four-axes of simultaneous control inputs. In an embodiment, the multi-dimensional user interface controller apparatus further comprises a plurality of magnetic sensors to sense the tilt of the disc or a press on the disc. In another embodiment, the disc further comprises a touch-sensitive top surface adapted to sense one or more fingers touching the surface.

A control stick includes a control portion, a first electrical contact portion and a second electrical contact portion. The control portion has plural first moving contact points, the first electrical contact portion has a control board and plural first static contact points corresponding to the first moving contact points respectively, and a gap exists between the first moving contact point and the respective first static contact point. The first static contact points are electrically connected with the control board. When the control portion swings towards one of the first moving contact points, the first moving contact point is contacted and conducted with the first static contact point. This control stick is capable of achieving the control of a multiple of variables to meet the requirements of controlling a multiple variable in some occasions.

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.

A control stick includes a control portion, a first electrical contact portion and a second electrical contact portion. The control portion has plural first moving contact points, the first electrical contact portion has a control board and plural first static contact points corresponding to the first moving contact points respectively, and a gap exists between the first moving contact point and the respective first static contact point. The first static contact points are electrically connected with the control board. When the control portion swings towards one of the first moving contact points, the first moving contact point is contacted and conducted with the first static contact point. This control stick is capable of achieving the control of a multiple of variables to meet the requirements of controlling a multiple variable in some occasions.

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.

A human-machine interface comprising: a magnetic rocker rotatably movable between a rest position wherein an implement is maintained in a neutral position and a tilted position wherein the implement is in a reclined position, a magnetic assembly, attached to a frame, capable of cooperating with the magnetic rocker to generate a magnetic return force that constantly urges the magnetic rocker towards its rest position, a sliding connection comprising a flange and a slide, and the implement comprises one of the slides, and the flange and the magnetic rocker comprise the other of the slide and the flange such that the sliding connection transforms the movement of the implement towards the reclined position by moving the magnetic rocker towards its tilted position and vice versa.

A manipulation input device has a first detector and a second detector, disposed at different positions on a manipulative member, that detect the displacement of the manipulative member, the displacement being caused when the manipulative member receives a manipulation force, and also has a processor that performs processing to identify a position at which the manipulative member has received the manipulation force according to detection results obtained from the first detector and second detector and to the positions of the first detector and second detector on the manipulative member.

A joystick apparatus includes a handgrip connected to a hinge mechanism by a rigid bar. The hinge mechanism includes two living hinges that surround the bar and provide a restoring spring force in six degrees of motion. A third living hinge surrounds the bar and includes a disc member positioned between the center of the third living hinge and the bar. The third living hinge provides a restoring force in five degrees of motion, while rotation of the bar along its longitudinal axis causes the disc member to rotate relative the third living hinge. The rotation of the disc member relative to the third living hinge may be tracked with a Hall effect sensor. Other sensors may be provided on the hinge mechanism to track the motion of the bar and to cause a connected device to move in a fashion corresponding to movement of the joystick.