A handle is adapted to receive one or more fingers or a portion of the hand. A set of sensors is mounted on or near the surface of the handle. Each sensor associated with a different region of the handle. A detector is arranged to detect contact of one or more of the sensors, by one or more fingers or a portion of a hand, to generate an observed touch-point map for the handle for a respective sampling interval. A controller can generate a gain or control response ratio in the electrical signals outputted in response to the observed touch-point map matching or being substantially similar to a reference touch-point map, where the electrical signals are derived from movement or displacement of the handle by a user.

The present invention is relates to a user controller having a thumb sheath with an open side defined in the thumb sheath. Further embodiments relate to thumb presence sensors and sensory feedback components associated with the thumb sheath. Additional embodiments relate to an adjustable thumb sheath. Still other embodiments relate to systems comprising such user controllers.

A one-handed joystick for excavators allows an operator to make all necessary motions with a single hand and arm for manipulating an excavator tool. The one-handed joystick includes a rotatable cylinder bar, a rotatable ring and an industrial joystick base. The rotatable cylinder bar is grasped with a hand. The industrial base is moved front to back, or right to left. The following are preferable hand/arm motions. A downward hand curl is associated with a bucket digging motion; an upward hand curl is associated with a bucket dump; a forearm forward push is associated with a boom/stick extension; a forearm reward pull is associated with a boom/stick retraction; a left-hand movement is associated with swinging the excavator left; a right-hand movement is associated with swinging the excavator right; a clockwise hand twist is associated with a stick/boom extension; and a counter clockwise hand twist is associated with a stick/boom retraction.

An input device for an information handling system may include a body and a plurality of three-input switches positioned on the body. Each of the plurality of three-input switches includes a first outer portion, pressable to enter a first input, a center portion, pressable to enter a second input, and a second outer portion, pres sable to enter a third input. The first outer portion is adjacent to a first side of the center portion, and the second outer portion is adjacent to a second side of the center portion.

Methods and apparatus provide for controlling an operating device, wherein 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, 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, (iii) a sensor operating to measure the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part and produce a sensing signal therefrom, and (iv) a motorized assembly operating to receive a drive signal, and in response, apply an amount of force to the movable part in opposition to the force applied by the finger of the user, and where the drive signal is a variable dependent on variations in the sensing signal, such that the amount of force applied to the movable part in opposition to the force applied by the finger of the user provides the user with haptic feedback.

A shovel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body rotatably mounted on the lower traveling body, an operator's compartment provided to the upper turning body, a display device provided in the operator's compartment, and an input device provided in the operator's compartment. The display device is capable of displaying a setting screen for a construction support system using information and communication technology, and a function to switch a screen displayed on the display device to the setting screen is assigned to the input device.

A console for controlling a robotic manipulator having an end effector, the console comprising: a hand controller connected to a gimbal assembly; and an articulated linkage connected at its proximal end to a rigid support structure, and at its distal end to the gimbal assembly. The gimbal assembly comprises only three degrees of freedom provided by only three joints, a first joint of the three joints permitting the gimbal assembly to rotate relative to the distal end of the articulated linkage about a first axis. The articulated linkage and gimbal assembly are arranged such that in every configuration of the articulated linkage and gimbal assembly, the first axis has the same orientation relative to the support structure. The articulated linkage has a parallelogram profile thereby mechanically constraining the first axis to have the same orientation relative to the support structure in every configuration of the articulated linkage.

A one-handed joystick for cranes allows an operator to make all necessary motions with a single hand and arm for manipulating various components of a crane. The one-handed joystick includes a rotatable cylinder bar, a rotatable ring, an industrial joystick base, a rocker switch and at least two push button switches. Motions of the rotatable cylinder bar, the rotatable ring, the industrial base and the rocker switch are used to raise and lower the auxiliary hoist; raise and lower the telescopic boom for luffing a hoist; raise and lower the main hoist; slew the boom base in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; and extend or retract the telescoping boom. The speed of main and auxiliary hosts may be changed with the two push button switches. A Deadman's switch may be installed on a back side of the rotatable cylinder bar.

A one-handed joystick for excavators allows an operator to make all necessary motions with a single hand and arm for manipulating an excavator tool. The one-handed joystick includes a rotatable cylinder bar, a rotatable ring and an industrial joystick base. The rotatable cylinder bar is grasped with a hand. The industrial base is moved front to back, or right to left. The following are preferable hand/arm motions. A downward hand curl is associated with a bucket digging motion; an upward hand curl is associated with a bucket dump; a forearm forward push is associated with a boom/stick extension; a forearm reward pull is associated with a boom/stick retraction; a left-hand movement is associated with swinging the excavator left; a right-hand movement is associated with swinging the excavator right; a clockwise hand twist is associated with a stick/boom extension; and a counter clockwise hand twist is associated with a stick/boom retraction.

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.