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.

Disclosed is a multi-directional input device, including a pressing switch. Each of two opposite side surfaces of the pressing switch is provided with a first protrusion. The base includes two base side surfaces respectively opposite to the two opposite side surfaces of the pressing switch. Each of the two opposite base side surfaces is provided with a second protrusion respectively, and the second protrusion is engaged with the first protrusion to fix the pressing switch.

A remote control console or operator's station includes a proportional travel control joystick that effects continuous changes in machine travel speed through movement of the joystick away from a central-biased position, a sensor that measures progressively changing positions of the joystick, and an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the joystick. The electronic controller is programmed to perform a closed loop control including mapping the progressively changing positions of the joystick to corresponding desired machine travel speeds, and adjusting the speeds of an engine used to propel the machine and the amounts of service braking used to slow the machine to achieve desired machine travel speeds.

A gimbal support that senses rotational displacement and provides haptic feedback in one, two or three dimensions of a manually-operated control member used to generate control inputs using a single hand while also limiting cross-coupling.

A pointing device includes: a substrate; an operation member that is provided tiltably with respect to the substrate, and includes a protrusion protruded from one of an inner wall and an outer wall; and a rotation member that is provided rotatably on the substrate, and includes a hole which the protrusion enters when the rotation member overlaps the operation member; wherein the rotation member rotates in conjunction with the operation member when the protrusion contacts an edge of the hole according to rotation of the operation member, wherein the hole is formed in a range in which the protrusion is movable by tilt of the operation member.

A remote control console or operator's station includes a proportional travel control joystick that effects continuous changes in machine travel speed through movement of the joystick away from a central-biased position, a sensor that measures progressively changing positions of the joystick, and an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the joystick. The electronic controller is programmed to perform a closed loop control including mapping the progressively changing positions of the joystick to corresponding desired machine travel speeds, and adjusting the speeds of an engine used to propel the machine and the amounts of service braking used to slow the machine to achieve desired machine travel speeds.

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 for controlling a machine in multi-axes includes: a handle assembly allowed to rotate around a central axis extending along a longitudinal direction of the joystick, comprising a button body in which an upper circuit board having an upper sensor is provided; a control assembly having a lower body in which a lower circuit with an lower sensor is provided; and a control lever partly introduced to the handle assembly and mounted on a pivotal member for pivotal movement relative to the lower body. The control lever is at least partly made of plastic in an injection-molding operation and has an overmolded lower magnet provided in the proximity of the lower circuit of the a control portion, wherein the control lever has a further upper magnet provided in the proximity of the upper circuit of the handle assembly.

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.

A controller having a joystick which can be moved in three dimensions is disclosed. The joystick is connected by a Y (yaw) link which is, in turn, connected to a P (pitch) link, which is, in turn connected to an R (roll) link. The R link is rotatable about a fixed-position mounting base. Alternately, the joystick is connected by an R (roll) link which is, in turn, connected to a P (pitch) link, which is, in turn connected to an Y (yaw) link. The Y link is rotatable about a fixed-position mounting base. In either of these manners, one can rotate a joystick around any of three axes. When used to control a vehicle, rotation around the yaw and roll axes can steer (with one being more fine-tuned steering), and rotation around the pitch axis can control acceleration and deceleration.