Non-contact Hall effect joystick

Abstract

We provide control devices such as joysticks. [Solution] The joystick includes a shaft having an axis, an operating part, and a detection end to which a magnet is attached. The joystick further includes a movement mechanism configured to move the operating part of the shaft three-dimensionally relative to the axis of the shaft, the movement of the operating part causing a corresponding movement of the magnet, and the movement of the magnet can be detected non-contact by a magnetic sensor positioned opposite the magnet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross-Reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 636,822, filed on February 28, 2018 under the title Non-contact Hall Effect Joystick, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to control devices such as joysticks.

Background Art

[0003] In many control applications, a device such as a joystick can convert a user's control operation into a control signal. Such a control signal can be used to generate an effect corresponding to the control operation. Examples of such control applications include user input related to games, machine control, vehicle control, and the like.

Summary of Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a joystick device comprising a housing defining an internal volume having a bottom surface; a pivot cover having an opening and positioned above the internal volume of the housing; and a spring having a first end positioned above the bottom surface and configured to generate a spring force at a second end toward the pivot cover. The joystick device further includes a ball-shaft assembly having a ball comprising a first part, a second part, and a third part. The first part is attached to the shaft such that the first part of the ball extends outside the pivot cover; the second part of the ball is movably engaged with the pivot cover; and the third part is subjected to a spring force such that the ball is constrained by the pivot cover and the spring while allowing the shaft to move. The joystick device further includes a magnet at least partially positioned within the third part of the ball so as to move with the ball as the shaft moves. The joystick device further includes a sensor positioned opposite the magnet and configured to detect the movement of the magnet associated with the movement of the shaft.

[0005] In some embodiments, the joystick device may further include a cover structure that covers at least a portion of the housing. In some embodiments, the cover structure and the pivot cover may be integrally formed.

[0006] In some embodiments, at least a second portion of the ball may have a spherical shape. The opening of the pivot cover may have a circular shape, and a third portion of the ball may define a recess sized to receive a magnet.

[0007] In some embodiments, the joystick device may further include a spring carrier having a first side and a second side, the first side configured to engage with either or both of the magnet and a third portion of the ball, and the second side configured to restrain a second end of the spring so that the force provided by the spring is transmitted to the ball through the spring carrier. In some embodiments, the magnet may have a disc shape, and the recess in the third portion of the ball may have a depth dimension such that both the magnet and the third portion of the ball engage with the first side of the spring carrier. In some embodiments, the spring may be a coil spring. In some embodiments, the second side of the spring carrier may include a groove of a dimension that restrains the second end of the spring.

[0008] In some embodiments, the joystick device may further include a dome structure mounted between a spring carrier and the bottom of the housing, configured to deform when the shaft is pushed toward the bottom of the housing to produce a clicking sound and / or click sensation. The spring carrier may include a bump structure mounted on a second side to facilitate the deformation of the dome structure.

[0009] In some embodiments, the sensor may be at least partially embedded in the bottom surface of the housing. The movement of the shaft may be in a direction having one or more components parallel to the X, Y, and Z directions, where the Z direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0010] In some embodiments, the movement of the shaft may include rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis. The magnet may be configured as a disc-shaped magnet magnetized in the diametrical direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the sensor may include a plurality of Hall effect sensing elements arranged to detect the movement of a magnet. The magnet and the sensor may be arranged in a non-contact manner. The sensor may be implemented such that a spring is present between the sensor and the magnet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a user input system having a joystick that includes a housing defining an internal volume having a bottom surface, a pivot cover having an opening and positioned above the internal volume of the housing, and a spring having a first end positioned above the bottom surface and configured to generate a spring force at a second end toward the pivot cover. The joystick further includes a ball-shaft assembly having a ball comprising a first part, a second part, and a third part, wherein the first part is attached to a shaft such that the first part of the ball extends outside the pivot cover, the second part of the ball is movably engaged with the pivot cover, and the third part is subjected to a spring force such that the ball is constrained by the pivot cover and the spring while allowing movement of the shaft. The joystick further includes a magnet at least partially positioned within the third part of the ball so as to move with the ball when the shaft moves, and a sensor positioned opposite the magnet and configured to detect the movement of the magnet associated with the movement of the shaft. The user input system further includes electronic circuitry configured to generate an output signal representing the movement of the shaft based on the detected movement of the magnet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a control input device including a shaft having an axis, an operating section, and a sensing end. The control input device further includes a magnet attached to the sensing end of the shaft and a moving mechanism configured to move the operating section of the shaft three-dimensionally relative to the axis of the shaft. The movement of the operating section produces a corresponding movement of the magnet. The control input device further includes a magnetic sensor positioned opposite the magnet and configured to detect the movement of the magnet non-contact.

[0014] In some embodiments, the moving mechanism may be further configured to allow the operating portion of the shaft to rotate around its axis.

[0015] For the purpose of summarizing this disclosure, specific aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention are described herein. It should be understood that not all such advantages are necessarily achieved according to any specific embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention can be embodied or implemented to achieve or optimize one or a group of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other advantages, as may be taught or suggested herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is an exemplary perspective view of a joystick device. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary joystick device. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view of a joystick device similar to the example in Figure 2, but without a dome structure. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view of a joystick device similar to the example in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of joystick operation when the joystick shaft is pushed along the X direction. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows an example of joystick operation when the joystick shaft is pushed along the Y direction. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows an example of joystick operation when the joystick shaft is pushed along the Z direction. [Figure 8] Figure 5 shows an example of joystick operation when the joystick shaft is rotated around the Z direction. [Figure 9] This figure shows that in some embodiments, magnets and sensors may be used to support some or all of the control examples shown in Figures 2-8. [Figure 10] It is a side view of the arrangement configuration of the magnet / sensor in the example of Fig. 9. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing that, in some embodiments, the sensors of Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 may be a sensor having a plurality of Hall effect detection elements. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Where headings are provided herein, they are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or intent of the invention recited in the claims.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a joystick device 100, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joystick device. In some embodiments, such a joystick may include a shaft 102 attached to a ball 104, and the ball 104 is retained by a pivot cover 105 and is rotatable together with the shaft 102. The pivot cover 105 may define an opening (e.g., a circular opening) that accommodates the pivoting movement of the shaft / ball assembly. The inner surface of the pivot cover 105 generally matches the curvature of the ball 104, and can provide the aforementioned retaining function and pivoting function.

[0019] In the example of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the pivot cover 105 may be part of a cover structure 106 that partially or completely encloses a housing 108. Such an assembly of the pivot cover 105 and the cover structure 106 may be embodied as a single component (e.g., formed or pressed from a sheet metal), or may be assembled from separate components. In some embodiments, the cover structure 106 may include a plurality of mounting features 110 configured to enable attachment to the joystick device 100 platform structure, a circuit board, or the like.

[0020] Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, it can be seen that housing 108 defines an internal volume 124 dimensioned to accommodate a portion of ball 104, a magnet holder 112 having a magnet 114 therein, a spring carrier 116, and a spring 118. In the example of FIG. 2, the internal volume 124 may have a rectangular (e.g., square) shaped mounting area, and each of the spring carrier 116 and the spring 118 may have a circular shaped mounting area. For example, assuming the internal volume 124 has a square shaped mounting area, the spring carrier 116 may have a circular shape with a diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the side dimension of the square.

[0021] In some embodiments, the internal volume 124 may have a rounded (e.g., circular) shaped mounting area, and each of the spring carrier 116 and the spring 118 may have a circular shaped mounting area. For example, the spring carrier 116 may have a circular shape with a diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the circular shaped mounting area of the internal volume 124.

[0022] Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the spring 118 may be a coil spring configured such that one end thereof is placed on the bottom surface of the internal volume 124 and the other end is received in a circular groove on a corresponding side of the spring carrier 116. Accordingly, the spring 118 presses the spring carrier 116 against the assembly of the magnet 114 and the magnet holder 112. In turn, the assembly of the magnet 114 and the magnet holder 112 presses the ball 104 against the inner surface of the pivot cover 105, thereby enabling the shaft / ball assembly to be held under spring load while permitting pivoting movement of the shaft / ball assembly. As described herein, such pivoting movement can provide joystick control functionality in the X and Y directions. Examples of such X-direction and Y-direction control functionality are described in further detail herein.

[0023] As described herein, the aforementioned configuration of the joystick device 100 also allows for the movement of the shaft / ball assembly along the Z-direction. For example, when the shaft 102 is pushed toward the bottom of the housing 108, the shaft / ball assembly and magnet 114 move toward the bottom. When the pushing force is removed or reduced to less than the restoring force of the spring 118, the shaft / ball assembly and magnet 114 move away from the bottom until the ball 104 engages with the inner surface of the pivot cover 105. An example of such Z-direction control functionality is described in further detail herein.

[0024] As described herein, the aforementioned configuration of the joystick device 100 also allows for the rotation of the shaft / ball assembly. For example, the shaft 102 can be rotated around its axis, and such rotation can be facilitated by the engagement of the ball 104 with the pivot cover 105. In some embodiments, the engagement between the magnet (114) / holder (112) assembly and the spring carrier 116 may be configured to enable the aforementioned rotation of the shaft / ball assembly (e.g., to enable relative movement between the engaging surfaces). In some embodiments, even if the engagement between the magnet (114) / holder (112) assembly and the spring carrier 116 does not result in such relative movement between the engaging surfaces, the engagement between the spring 118 and the bottom surface of the internal volume 124 may be configured to enable the aforementioned rotation of the shaft / ball assembly (e.g., to enable relative movement between the engaging surfaces). Examples of such rotation control functions are described in further detail herein.

[0025] Referring to the cross-sectional view in Figure 2, the joystick device 100 may further include a sensor 122, for example, implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Such a sensor may be positioned along the Z-axis (for example, at least partially embedded within the housing 108) and configured to have magnetic sensing capabilities associated with the aforementioned X, Y, Z direction and rotational movements of the shaft / ball assembly and magnet 114. As described herein, such magnetic sensing capabilities may be implemented non-contact. Examples relating to such sensors are described in further detail herein.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the joystick device 100 may include a deformable dome structure 120 mounted between the spring carrier 116 and the bottom surface of the housing 108. Such a dome structure may be configured to deform to produce a clicking sound and / or click sensation when the shaft / ball assembly is pushed in a direction having a component parallel to the Z-axis. It will be understood that such a clicking function may or may not be implemented in a joystick device having one or more features as described herein.

[0027] For example, Figures 3 and 4 show side cross-sectional views of the joystick device 100 in Figure 3, which does not include a dome structure, and the joystick device 100 in Figure 4, which includes a dome structure 120. Figures 5-8 show examples of various joystick operations in the context of the joystick device 100 in Figure 4 (including the dome structure 120), but it will be understood that similar joystick operations can be performed with the joystick device 100 in Figure 3 (without the dome structure).

[0028] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the joystick device 100, which is substantially the same as the example in Figure 2, but without the dome structure (120 in Figure 2). Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the joystick device 100, which is substantially the same as the example in Figure 2. Therefore, most of the various parts related to Figures 3 and 4 are described above with reference to Figure 2.

[0029] Referring to the example in Figure 4, it should be noted that in some embodiments, a bump structure 128 may be provided on the surface of the spring carrier 116. Such a bump structure may be sized to facilitate deformation of the dome structure 120 and positioned relative to the dome structure 120. Examples of such deformations of the dome structure 120 are described in more detail herein.

[0030] Figures 5 and 6 show an example in which the joystick device 100 accepts and detects joystick movement in the X and Y directions. Based on these X and Y components, joystick movement in the XY plane is accepted and detected.

[0031] Figure 5 shows an exemplary joystick operation in which the shaft 102 is pushed along the X direction. With the ball 104 held by the pivot cover 105 and pressed against the pivot cover 105 by the spring 118, such pressing of the shaft 102 causes the shaft / ball / magnet assembly to rotate around the Y axis. The magnetic field resulting from the tilted orientation can be detected by the sensor 122.

[0032] In the example in Figure 5, a portion of the magnet 114 and the magnet holder (112 in Figure 4) are shown to engage with one side of the spring carrier 116, the engaging portion of the spring carrier 116 is shown to substantially maintain its structure, and the end portion of the spring carrier 116 is deformed in a way that allows it to return to a tilted position of the shaft / ball / magnet assembly. In Figure 5, it can be seen that the right-side portion of the spring 118 is compressed to accommodate the illustrated tilted position. Thus, when the shaft 102 is released from the tilted position, the spring 118 is returnable to its resting position (for example, the position where the shaft 102 is along the Z-axis and the ball 104 is pressed against the pivot cover 105).

[0033] Figure 6 shows an exemplary joystick operation in which the shaft 102 is pushed along the Y direction. With the ball 104 held by the pivot cover 105 and pressed against the pivot cover 105 by the spring 118, such pressing of the shaft 102 causes the shaft / ball / magnet assembly to rotate around the X axis. The magnetic field resulting from the tilted orientation can be detected by the sensor 122.

[0034] In the example in Figure 6, a portion of the magnet 114 and the magnet holder (112 in Figure 4) are shown to engage with one side of the spring carrier 116, the engaging portion of the spring carrier 116 is shown to substantially maintain its structure, and the end portion of the spring carrier 116 is deformed in a way that allows it to return to a tilted position of the shaft / ball / magnet assembly. In Figure 6, it can be seen that the right-side portion of the spring 118 is compressed to accommodate the illustrated tilted position. Thus, when the shaft 102 is released from the tilted position, the spring 118 is returnable to its resting position (for example, the position where the shaft 102 is along the Z-axis and the ball 104 is pressed against the pivot cover 105).

[0035] Figure 7 shows an exemplary joystick operation in which the shaft 102 is pushed along the Z direction so that the magnet 114 moves toward the sensor 122. Such pressing of the shaft 102 causes the bump structure 128 to push and deform the dome structure 120, providing a click function. The magnetic field resulting from the Z-direction pushed position can be detected by the sensor 122.

[0036] In the example in Figure 7, a portion of the magnet 114 and the magnet holder (112 in Figure 4) are shown to engage with one side of the spring carrier 116, and the engaging portion of the spring carrier 116 is shown to substantially maintain its structure. In Figure 7, it can be seen that the spring 118 is compressed approximately uniformly to adapt to the exemplary compressed position. Thus, when the shaft 102 is released from the compressed position, the spring 118 is recoverable to its resting position (for example, the position where the shaft 102 is along the Z axis and the ball 104 is pressed against the pivot cover 105).

[0037] Figure 8 shows an exemplary joystick operation in which the shaft 102 is rotated around the Z direction (arrow 130) so that the magnet 114 rotates relative to the sensor 122. The magnetic field resulting from this rotation can be detected by the sensor 122.

[0038] In the example in Figure 8, a portion of the magnet 114 and the magnet holder (112 in Figure 4) are shown to engage with one side of the spring carrier 116, and the engaging portion of the spring carrier 116 is shown to substantially maintain its structure. In Figure 8, the spring carrier 116 may rotate with the magnet 114, may partially rotate with the magnet 114, or may remain substantially fixed with respect to rotation. Similarly, the spring 118 may rotate with the magnet 114, may partially rotate with the magnet 114, or may remain substantially fixed with respect to rotation. In Figure 8, the spring 118 may remain in its resting position from the viewpoint of compression. In some embodiments, the spring 118 may be configured such that when rotation of the shaft occurs, the rotated orientation becomes the new resting position. In some embodiments, the spring 118 may be configured such that when rotation of the shaft occurs, the spring 118 twists in a restorable manner, and when the shaft is released, the shaft returns substantially to its original resting position (by a spring that releases the twist).

[0039] In the examples described herein with reference to Figures 2-8, it is generally assumed that the ends of the spring carrier (116) are deformable to accommodate the movement of the joystick in the X / Y directions. In such examples, the engagement of the magnet / magnet holder with respect to the spring carrier 116 is generally maintained even during such deformation of the ends. Such a configuration is an example, and it will be understood that other configurations of the spring carrier 116 and other configurations of the engagement between the spring carrier and the magnet / magnet holder are also possible.

[0040] For example, the spring carrier can be configured to not deform at all during the movement of the joystick in the X / Y directions. In some embodiments, such a configuration can be achieved by ensuring that the ends of the spring carrier do not interfere with the movement of the joystick, which is tilted.

[0041] In other examples, the spring carrier does not necessarily have to remain fully engaged with the magnet / magnet holder assembly during the X / Y movement of the joystick. For example, a portion of the magnet / magnet holder assembly may remain engaged with the spring carrier, while the other portion may detach from the spring carrier while the joystick is in a tilted position.

[0042] In the various examples shown in Figures 5–8, the X, Y, Z directions and rotational movements of the joystick are illustrated and described separately for clarity. It will be understood that a joystick device having one or more features as described herein can simultaneously accept and detect some or all of such joystick movements.

[0043] Figure 9 shows that in some embodiments, the magnet 114 in the examples of Figures 2-8 may be a diametrically magnetized disc-shaped magnet 114 positioned relative to the corresponding sensor 122. In Figure 9, the magnet 114 is shown without a magnet holder and the sensor 122 is shown without a housing, but it will be understood that the relative orientation of the magnet 114 and the sensor 122 can be easily achieved by a magnet holder and housing as described herein.

[0044] Figure 10 is a side view of the magnet / sensor arrangement configuration in the example shown in Figure 9. Figure 10 also shows an example of how the X,Y, andZ directions can be defined for the magnet 114 and sensor 122. For example, the plane divided in the diametrical direction of the magnet 114 may be approximately parallel to the ZY plane. In such a configuration, the sensor 122 as a whole can define a plane that is approximately parallel to the XY plane.

[0045] Figure 11 shows that in some embodiments, the sensor 122 in the examples of Figures 2-10 may be a sensor 122 having multiple Hall effect detection elements. In Figure 11, such a sensor is illustrated as being viewed along the Z axis, such that the individual Hall effect detection elements are arranged on the XY plane of the sensor 122.

[0046] In the example in Figure 11, the tilt of the magnet (114 in Figure 10) caused by the movement of the joystick in the X direction (for example, as in Figure 5) can be detected by Hall effect detection elements X1, X2, and X3. Each of these Hall effect detection elements can be oriented so that its normal plane faces the direction indicated by its respective arrow (for example, to the right in Figure 11). Similarly, the tilt of the magnet caused by the movement of the joystick in the Y direction (for example, as in Figure 6) can be detected by Hall effect detection elements Y1, Y2, and Y3. Each of these Hall effect detection elements can be oriented so that its normal plane faces the direction indicated by its respective arrow (for example, downward in Figure 11).

[0047] In the example in Figure 11, the variation in the separation distance (between magnet 114 and sensor 122 in Figure 10) resulting from the movement of the joystick in the Z direction (for example, as in Figure 7) can be detected by one or more Hall effect detection elements, collectively referred to as Z. Such one or more Z detection elements may have a normal plane oriented along the Z axis.

[0048] In some embodiments, the Z-detection element may also be configured to detect rotational movement of a joystick (e.g., as shown in Figure 8). In particular, an example relating to such detection of the angular position of a diametrically magnetized disc-shaped magnet is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,593,967, entitled HIGH-RESOLUTION NON-CONTACTING MULTI-TURN SENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and its disclosure should be considered as part of this specification.

[0049] In some embodiments, a sensor having one or more features as described herein (e.g., 122 in Figure 11) may include a 3D linear Hall effect sensor (e.g., Model ALS31300) available from Allegro Microsystems.

[0050] This disclosure describes various features, none of which are significant in themselves. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it will be understood that the various features described herein may be combined, modified, or omitted. Combinations and subcombinations other than those specifically described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to form part of this disclosure. Various methods are described herein in relation to various flowchart steps and / or phases. In many cases, it will be understood that certain steps and / or phases may be combined so that multiple steps and / or phases of a flowchart are performed in a single step and / or phase. Also, certain steps and / or phases may be divided into additional subcomponents that are performed separately. In some examples, the order of steps and / or phases may be rearranged, and certain steps and / or phases may be omitted entirely. Furthermore, the methods described herein should be understood to be open-ended so that additional steps and / or phases may also be performed beyond those shown and described herein.

[0051] Some aspects of the systems and methods described herein can be advantageously implemented, for example, using computer software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of computer software, hardware, and firmware. The computer software may include computer executable code, stored in a computer-readable medium (e.g., non-temporary computer-readable medium), which performs the functions described herein at runtime. In some embodiments, the computer executable code is executed by one or more general-purpose computer processors. Those skilled in the art will understand, in light of this disclosure, that any feature or function that can be implemented using software running on a general-purpose computer can be implemented using various combinations of hardware, software, or firmware. For example, such a module may be fully implemented in hardware using a combination of integrated circuits. Alternatively or additionally, such features or functions can be fully or partially implemented using a specialized computer designed to perform specific functions described herein by a general-purpose computer, rather than by such a computer.

[0052] Multiple distributed computing devices may be used instead of any of the computing devices described herein. In such a distributed embodiment, the functionality of one computing device is distributed (e.g., over a network) so that each of the distributed computing devices performs its respective functionality.

[0053] Several embodiments can be described with reference to formulas, algorithms, and / or flowcharts. These methods can be implemented using computer program instructions executable on one or more computers. These methods may be implemented as separate computer program products, or as components of devices or systems. In this regard, each formula, algorithm, block, step in a flowchart, and combinations thereof can be implemented by software, including one or more computer program instructions implemented in hardware, firmware, and / or computer-readable program code logic. As understood, such computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more computers, including but not limited to general-purpose computers or dedicated computers or other programmable processing units, so that such computers or programmable processing units implement the functions specified in the formulas, algorithms, and / or flowcharts. Furthermore, each formula, algorithm, and / or block shown in a flowchart, and combinations thereof, may be implemented in a special-purpose hardware-based computer system (performing a specific function or step), or in a combination of special-purpose hardware and computer-readable program code logic means.

[0054] Furthermore, computer program instructions, such as those implemented in computer-readable program code logic, may be stored in computer-readable memory (e.g., non-temporary computer-readable media), which may instruct one or more computers or other computer-programmable processing units to perform functions in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable media are embodied in the blocks of the flowchart. Computer program instructions may also be loaded into one or more computers or other programmable computing devices, resulting in a set of operational steps performed by those computers or other programmable computing devices, and creating a process performed by the computers, so that the instructions executed by the computers or other programmable processing units provide steps for performing the functions identified in the above expressions, algorithms, and / or blocks of the flowchart.

[0055] Some or all of the methods and tasks described herein can be fully automated by a computer system. In some cases, the computer system may include multiple different computers or computing devices (e.g., physical servers, workstations, storage arrays, etc., that communicate and interoperate over a network to perform the functions described). Such computing devices typically include a processor (or multiple processors) that executes program instructions or modules stored in memory or other non-temporary computer-readable storage media or devices. While the various functions disclosed herein can be performed by program instructions, some or all of the disclosed functions may, alternatively, be implemented in application-specific circuits of the computer system (e.g., ASICs or FPGAs). If the computer system includes multiple computing devices, these devices may, though not required, be located in the same place. The results of the disclosed methods and tasks may be persistently stored by changing physical storage devices, such as solid memory chips and / or magnetic disks, into different states.

[0056] Unless explicitly required by context, throughout the specification and claims, phrases such as “equipped with” or “possessing” should be interpreted in a comprehensive sense, i.e., “including” rather than “being limited to,” as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense. The term “combined” as used herein generally means that two or more elements are directly connected or connected through one or more intermediate elements. Also, the phrases “here,” “above,” “below,” and similar phrases, when used in this application, refer to the entire application and not any particular part of it. Here, where the context allows, words in the singular or plural form in the specification may each include plural or singular. The phrase “or” referring to a list of two or more items encompasses all of the following interpretations: any of the items in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list. The word “exemplary” is used exclusively in the sense of “something that serves as an example, case, or illustration.” Any practical use described as “exemplary” as used herein should not necessarily be interpreted as favorable or advantageous.

[0057] This disclosure is not limited to the implementations shown herein. Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied elsewhere without departing from the meaning or scope of this disclosure. The teachings of the present invention provided herein are not limited to the methods and systems described herein but are applicable to other methods and systems, and the elements and steps of the various embodiments described herein may be combined to provide further embodiments. Thus, the novel methods and systems described herein may be implemented in various other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and variations in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the meaning of the invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover forms or modifications that may be included in the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A housing that defines the internal volume having a bottom surface, A pivot cover having an opening and positioned above the internal volume of the housing, A spring having a first end positioned on the bottom surface and configured to generate a spring force at the second end toward the pivot cover, A ball shaft assembly having a ball comprising a first part, a second part, and a third part, wherein the first part is attached to the shaft such that the first part of the ball extends outside the pivot cover, the second part of the ball is movably engaged with the pivot cover, and the third part receives the spring force such that the ball is restrained by the pivot cover and the spring while allowing the shaft to move, A magnet is positioned at least partially within the third portion of the ball so as the shaft moves, A sensor positioned opposite the magnet and configured to detect the movement of the magnet associated with the movement of the shaft, A joystick device having a

2. The joystick device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover structure that covers at least a portion of the housing.

3. The joystick device according to claim 2, wherein the cover structure and the pivot cover are integrally formed.

4. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein at least the second portion of the ball has a spherical shape.

5. The joystick device according to claim 4, wherein the opening of the pivot cover has a circular shape.

6. The joystick device according to claim 4, wherein the third portion of the ball defines a recess having dimensions for receiving the magnet.

7. The joystick device according to claim 6, further comprising a spring carrier having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is configured to engage with either or both of the magnet and the third portion of the ball, and the second side is configured to restrain the second end of the spring so that the force provided by the spring is transmitted to the ball via the spring carrier.

8. The joystick device according to claim 7, wherein the magnet has a disc shape, and the recess of the third portion of the ball has a depth such that both the magnet and the third portion of the ball engage with the first side surface of the spring carrier.

9. The joystick device according to claim 7, wherein the spring is a coil spring.

10. The joystick device according to claim 9, wherein the second side surface of the spring carrier includes a groove sized to restrain the second end of the spring.

11. The joystick device according to claim 6, further comprising a dome structure mounted between the spring carrier and the bottom surface of the housing, configured to deform when the shaft is pushed toward the bottom surface of the housing to produce a clicking sound and / or a clicking sensation.

12. The joystick device according to claim 11, wherein the spring carrier includes a bump structure mounted on the second side surface to facilitate deformation of the dome structure.

13. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is at least partially embedded in the bottom surface of the housing.

14. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the shaft is in a direction having one or more components parallel to the X, Y, and Z directions, the Z direction being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the X, Y, and Z directions being orthogonal to each other.

15. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the shaft includes rotation of the shaft about the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

16. The joystick device according to claim 15, wherein the magnet is configured as a disc-shaped magnet magnetized in the diametrical direction.

17. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of Hall effect detection elements arranged to detect the movement of the magnet.

18. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet and the sensor are arranged in a non-contact manner.

19. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is mounted such that the spring is located between the sensor and the magnet.

20. A joystick comprising a housing defining an internal volume having a bottom surface, a pivot cover having an opening and positioned above the internal volume of the housing, and a spring having a first end positioned above the bottom surface and configured to generate a spring force at a second end toward the pivot cover, wherein the joystick further comprises a ball-shaft assembly having a ball comprising a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the first portion is attached to the shaft such that the first portion of the ball extends outside the pivot cover, the second portion of the ball is movably engaged with the pivot cover, and the third portion receives the spring force such that the ball is constrained by the pivot cover and the spring while allowing the movement of the shaft, and the joystick further comprises a magnet at least partially positioned within the third portion of the ball so as to move with the ball when the shaft moves, and a sensor positioned opposite the magnet and configured to detect the movement of the magnet associated with the movement of the shaft, An electronic circuit configured to generate an output signal representing the movement of the shaft based on the detected movement of the magnet, A user input system having

21. A shaft having a shaft, an operating part and a detection end, A magnet attached to the detection end of the shaft, A moving mechanism configured to allow the operating part of the shaft to move three-dimensionally with respect to the axis of the shaft, wherein the movement of the operating part causes a corresponding movement of the magnet, A magnetic sensor is positioned opposite the magnet and configured to detect the movement of the magnet in a non-contact manner. A control input device having the following features.

22. The control input device according to claim 21, wherein the moving mechanism is further configured to allow the operating portion of the shaft to rotate around the axis.

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