Patent ID: 8487873
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: A63F,G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A joystick apparatus comprising: a base; a graspable handle coupled to the base and moveable in a plurality of rotatable degrees of freedom with respect to the base; a sensor configured to sense movement of the handle relative to the base about the plurality rotatable degrees of freedom, the sensor configured to output a sensor signal to a processor; and an actuator comprising a stationary portion and moving portion, the stationary portion coupled to the base and the moving portion coupled to the handle, the moving portion configured to move between an extended and a retracted position relative to the stationary portion when activated to provide a force sensation to the handle along an axis oriented along a length of the handle, the actuator further comprising a spring coupled between the stationary portion and the moving portion, the spring configured to bias the moving portion to an extended position along the axis, and wherein the actuator is configured to be activated upon receiving a control signal from the processor in response to the sensor signal.