Optical Joystick Chamber for Press and Shift Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical joysticks are limited by mechanical fatigue due to restricted operation gestures and fail to distinguish between edge pressing and lateral shifting operations, leading to inefficient control command outputs.
Innovation Solution
A joystick design incorporating a first and second structural component forming a chamber with a light emitter and optical sensor, where the processor analyzes the intensity distribution of illuminated surfaces to differentiate between oblique pressing and lateral shifting operations by projecting and capturing specific luminous regions and identification spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional mechanical joystick uses a lever arm and trackball mechanism, then it can output control signals, but it causes mechanical fatigue due to limited operation gestures and cannot distinguish between edge pressing and lateral shifting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever arm and trackball detection system with an optical detection system comprising a light emitter and optical sensor. The second structural component with identification elements is illuminated by the light emitter, and the optical sensor captures the illuminated surface to detect the state of identification elements. This optical system eliminates mechanical wear and fatigue while enabling precise detection of multiple operation types including edge pressing and lateral shifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical position to optical intensity distribution. By analyzing the intensity distribution of the illuminated surface captured by the optical sensor, the system can distinguish between different operation gestures (edge pressing vs. lateral shifting) based on how the identification elements' illuminated states change, thereby increasing adaptability without mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If the joystick uses a resilient structure to replace the lever arm, then it may reduce mechanical wear, but it still cannot distinguish between edge pressing operation and lateral shifting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing specific identification elements at predetermined locations on the second structural component. These identification elements have distinct spatial arrangements that create unique intensity distribution patterns when illuminated. The optical sensor captures these localized patterns, enabling precise differentiation between edge pressing (which affects specific local regions) and lateral shifting (which affects different regions), thereby achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the intensity distribution of the illuminated identification elements and using this information to determine the type of operation. The processor analyzes the captured image data in real-time, providing feedback that enables the system to distinguish between different gestures accurately, resolving the measurement precision issue.
3Measurement precision
If the joystick uses a light emitter and optical sensor to detect operation, then it can distinguish different operations, but it requires precise arrangement of light emitter to project luminous regions for distinguishing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emitter arrangement with the chamber structure. The light emitter is disposed inside the chamber formed by the first and second structural components, and the identification elements are formed on the second structural component. This integrated design ensures that the light emitter naturally projects luminous regions onto the identification elements at appropriate angles and positions, achieving precise operation distinction without requiring complex external optical arrangements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise differentiation between oblique pressing and lateral shifting, reducing mechanical fatigue and enhancing control command accuracy through the analysis of luminous region and identification spot distributions.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitter is disposed inside the chamber for illuminating one surface of the second structural component
Implementation Method 2
The optical sensor is disposed inside the chamber for capturing the illuminated surface of the second structural component
Data Source
AI summary
A joystick includes a first structural component, a second structural component, a light emitter, an optical sensor and a processor. The second structural component is assembled with the first structural component to form a chamber. The light emitter is disposed inside the chamber for illuminating one surface of the second structural component. The optical sensor is disposed inside the chamber for capturing the illuminated surface of the second structural component. The processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor and adapted to analyze an intensity distribution of the illuminated surface for determining if the joystick is obliquely pressed or laterally shifted in a relative manner.