Joystick sensor with two-dimensional image sensing

摘要

A manually-operated control for generating a vector signal comprises a handle (13) with an elongate axis pivotally mounted to the housing (11) for universal rotation about a pivot point (14) on the axis of the handle (13). An imaged surface moves in two directions with the rotation of the handle (13) about two perpendicular axes intersecting at the pivot point (14). A camera (23) and LED (26) are focused on the imaged surface. A microprocessor-based controller (25) inputs and processes images sequentially input from the camera (23) for detecting and quantifying the movement of the imaged surface in two directions and generates a vector signal indicative thereof.