Patent ID: 9417716
Filing Date: 2016-08-16
CPC Classification: G06F

Claim Text:
1. A user interface device for controlling an external device, the user interface device comprising: a user-removable module containing first and second user interface sensors, the user-removable module sized to be received within a compartment configured with the external device, the first user interface sensor configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate, only if the user-removable module is removed from the compartment, a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the user-removable module relative to two orthogonal axes, and the second user interface sensor configured with the user-removable module and configured to generate, regardless of whether or not the user-removable module is contained within the compartment, a second plurality of signals individually representing one of a plurality of different values responsive to user manipulation relative to two orthogonal axes; and a multiplex function providing an output signal responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors, wherein the first plurality of signals and the second plurality of signals permit control of respective first and second aspects of the external device, the first aspect being not controllable by any of the second plurality of signals, such that the output signal is received by a demultiplexer of the external device, the demultiplexer producing a plurality of first additional signals associated with the first plurality of signals, and a plurality of second additional signals corresponding to the second plurality of signals.