Abstract:
A joystick with improved performance, reliability and durability, that can be used as a cursor pointing device for computers, remote controls, web TV, TV guide browsers, VCR's video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, medical, automotive and other applications. An uninterrupted conductive curved elastomeric transducer can be deflected to positions on an electrical medium that results in the generation of a speed and direction signal to be interpreted by low cost available circuitry including microcontroller.
Abstract:
A control apparatus for determining the pitch of the sound produced by an electronic music synthesizer incorporates a conductive ribbon having a manually adjustable contact with a second conductive element, the second element comprising an elongate helically wound resistance element supported by being cemented in a groove in a base member.
Abstract:
A potentiometer having as an input a manually controlled, bearing supported conducting sphere which, when rotated simultaneously varies two resistances representative of an X coordinate and a Y coordinate. The potentiometer comprises a first stationary outer partial sphere on the inner surface of which is carried a continuous helical strip of conductive material. A stationary insulating ball surface is located interior of said outer sphere and carries a second strip of conductive material on its outer surface. A second sphere is supported for rotational movement intermediate the first sphere and ball surface on a plurality of ball bearings, two of which are made of a conductive material. By moving the second sphere either one of the resistances may be varied independently of each other, or both may be varied simultaneously.