Patent ID: 6329771
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: A61G,B60L,B60Y,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A portable mobility device, comprising:(A) an actuator for providing at least one actuator output signal in response to movement of said actuator by a user of said device, said actuator being movable over a range of positions, said range of positions being bounded by a minimum speed actuator position at a first end of said range and a maximum speed actuator position at an opposite end of said range, said range of positions including a mid-point actuator position located on said range exactly midway between said minimum speed actuator position and said maximum speed actuator position, said actuator output signal having a magnitude linearly related to a position of said actuator on said range of positions; and(B) a first non-linear amplifier, responsive to said actuator output signal, for outputting a motor control signal, said motor control signal having minimum value when said actuator is located at said minimum speed actuator position, said motor control signal having a maximum value when said actuator is located at said maximum speed actuator position;wherein said motor control signal has a median value when said actuator is located on said range between said mid-point speed actuator position and said maximum speed actuator position, said median value of said motor control signal being exactly halfway between said maximum value of said motor control signal and said minimum value of said motor control signal.