Single hand controller

A single hand controller including a front surface and a back surface, with a first and second side surface there between and an upper surface and bottom surface. The upper surface includes a joystick, and the front surface has a proportional plunger and one or more switches. The controller is grasped by placing a user's finger tips on the front surface, with user's index finger operating the proportional plunger and remaining fingers operating the switches. The thenar eminence group of muscles of the user's hand rests against the back surface, whereby the user's thumb is disposed so as to operate the joystick.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to controllers, and more particularly relates to a single hand controller.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

There exists many two-handed controllers which allow users to remotely control equipment. However, operation of these devices using two hands often interrupts the user's situational awareness. Such a loss of situational awareness can be dangerous in certain situations, such as military operations. Further, requiring two hands to operate prohibits military users from employing a weapon for self-defense.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed is a single handed controller (SHC). The controller body has a generally rectangular cross section when reviewed from above, with front and back surfaces which contour closer together towards a lower end to facilitate holding by a user. The controller has a thumb operated joystick, a proportional plunger operated by a user's index finger, and a series of switches. These controls permit operation of remote equipment, such as unmanned ground vehicles. The controller has a communication interface at a lower surface to allow interconnection with other devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described now is a first embodiment. With reference toFIGS. 1-6, Single Hand Controller101generally has an upper portion102and a lower portion103. Single Hand Controller101has a front surface104and back surface105. There is a first side surface106and a second side surface107opposite the first side surface. There is an upper surface108and a lower surface109. In the center of the upper surface108, there is a lanyard hole. In certain embodiments, front surface104, back surface105, first side surface106, upper surface108and lower surface109are formed as a unitary body, to which second side surface107is affixed via a plurality of fixtures110passing through holes in the controller body. The fixtures110may be coated with an anti-tamper chemical.

There is a communication interface111, which may be a push/pull connector. A push/pull connector can provide emergency separation to ensure user safety. Alternatively, the communication interface may be threaded or another persistent interconnection. There is a Hall Effect joystick112and a Hall Effect proportional plunger113. In certain embodiments, displacement of the proportional plunger produces a signal increasing linearly in strength with the amount of depression applied by the user. The proportional plunger may alternatively be any displacement taper, such as a logarithmic or custom taper. Other buttons may be employed, such as momentary switches or Single Pole Single Toggle (SPST), Double Pole Single Toggle (DPST), Double Pole Single Toggle (DPST) or Double Pole Double Toggle (DPDT). Switch114is positioned on upper surface102. Switches115and116are positioned on back surface105. In the embodiment, Switches115and116are recessed so as to be guarded from being accidentally actuated by the palm. Switches117,118, and119are disposed on front surface104. In certain embodiments, finger separating protrusions119provide positive separation of the user's fingers to prevent inadvertent activation of switches, and to provide easy identification by tactile feel without needing visual confirmation. In other embodiments, switches may be disposed in finger grooves. A protective lip120surrounds joystick112on three sides, so as to prevent inadvertent activation. Switches may be momentary press toggle, on-off toggle, rocker or spring-back toggle switches.

The joystick may be a one, two or three axis joystick. The output of the joystick may have a taper. For example, the joystick may have a region during initial displacement that provides fine motor control, while having beyond that a region that provides a large output for a given displacement. One of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application pertains will appreciate that other tapers may alternatively be employed.

In the embodiment, the single hand controller is used to control an unmanned vehicle as follows. The user grips the single hand controller101with the palm of the hand resting against the second side surface107, with the fingertips of the hand disposed against the front surface104. The index finger is configured to operate the proportional plunger switch113. Switch119is operated by the middle finger, Switch118is operated by the ring finger and Switch117is operated by the pinky finger. The thenar eminence group of muscles on the palm of the user's hand at the base of the thumb grasps the back surface105, whereby the user's thumb is disposed to operate joystick112.FIGS. 7-8depict the manner in which a user may grasp the single hand controller. It should be noted that the design of the single hand controller is symmetrical, and equally suited to left and right handed operation. With reference toFIG. 5, the single hand controller101tapers from the upper surface to the lower surface, which accommodates the decreasing size of the fingers of the user's hand, facilitating the ability of the user to grasp the control with a single hand.

The user may enter commands with the controller as follows:

Joystick: Forward/Aft and Right Side/Left Side (either rotation of the orientation or as a direction of movement)

Proportional plunger: Linear Pressure Brake

Switch119: Toggle Emergency Stop

Switch114: Toggle Emergency Stop

The above functions may be reassigned or reprogrammed to different functions or to operate with other unmanned vehicles or equipment. For example the controller could be used to aim and operate a weapon system. Further, the linear proportional plunger may be reprogrammed so as to have other than a proportional response, for instance a logarithmic response. The joystick and/or its output may optionally be locked when the proportional plunger is actuated, thereby preventing unwanted movements or outputs during plunger actuation. This may include locking the joystick and/or its output when the proportional plunger begins to be depressed or when the user's finger comes in contact with the proportional plunger.

Now described are characteristics of the operating characteristics of the switches for the embodiment.

Switch Operating Forces

Switches114-119require an activation force of 0.5-1.7 lbs and provide tactile feedback. The linear proportional plunger requires an activation force of 3.0-3.8 lbs to fully depress. The joystick requires 0.1-0.45 lbs to fully traverse.

Traverse Distances

The linear proportional plunger traverses 0.135-0.160 in. during full depression.

The joystick may be displaced 13° from the center in any direction.

One of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application pertains will appreciate that these numbers are for an embodiment. Other pressures, and displacement values may optionally be employed.

FIG. 9depicts internal control processing electronics, which may operate according to USB, RS422 and/or RS232 or any other physical or virtual data communications protocol over a any variety of electrical signaling mediums.

Exemplary USB Bit Table

In other embodiments, alternative interfaces from USB may be employed, for instance a CAN bus, ethernet, internet protocol, wireless, radio, etc.

The single hand controller may be contoured for single hand operation such that an operator, for example, can operate the joystick while simultaneously operating the proportional plunger to activate a brake/gas and power over trail obstacles. The single hand controller is also of a size so as to be easily concealed both when stowed or in operation. Further, a user may employ two single hand controllers, each in one hand, providing greater control of one piece of equipment or simultaneous control of multiple pieces of equipment. The single hand controller may mimic the stock of common weaponry used by military person so as to be recognizable and easy to grip. The single hand controller is contoured to allow a comfortable grip with the pinky, ring, and/or middle fingers, allowing full access to a joystick and proportional plunger with the thumb and pointer finger. A user may therefore operate three axes simultaneously.

FIG. 9details the internal structure of the single hand controller embodiment.

FIG. 10depicts a two piece construction for the single hand controller embodiment, wherein securement screws are inserted through the side of the controller depicted inFIG. 5and secured to side plate1001.

FIG. 11depicts a second embodiment single hand controller embodiment, having a housing1101containing a first indicator light1102and a second indicator light1103. The illuminated surfaces of the first indicator light1102and second indicator light1103may be recessed into the housing1101so they are visible to the operator of the unit but less or not visible from angles such as from the side of the unit. It should be appreciated that a different number of indicator lights may also be employed. In certain embodiments, the indicator lights may indicate one or of that a break has been employed or throttle has been employed.FIGS. 12-15depict additional views of the embodiment ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 16depicts a third embodiment having including a palm safety actuator1601. In certain embodiments, the palm safety actuator must be depressed by the user's palm to enable one or more functionalities, such that if the user drops or otherwise loses control of the single hand controller it those functionalities are automatically disabled. In other embodiments, the safety actuator may be a shield that must be flipped up to gain access to a switch or button underneath.FIG. 16also depicts indicator lights protruding from a housing rather than being recessed.FIG. 17is another view of the embodiment ofFIG. 16.

In a demonstrated embodiment, the width of the body of the single hand controller from one side to the other is 1.20 inches, the distance from the most extensive surface from the back of the single hand controller to the forwardmost proportional plunger is 3.52 inches, the height of the single hand controller from the uppermost surface to the bottom most surface excluding the communication interface is 4.47 and the height of the single hand controller from the uppermost surface to the bottom most surface of the communication interface is 5.18 inches.

The terms “bottom”, “below”, “top” and “above” as used herein do not necessarily indicate that a “bottom” component is below a “top” component, or that a component that is “below” is indeed “below” another component or that a component that is “above” is indeed “above” another component as such directions, components or both may be flipped, rotated, moved in space, placed in a diagonal orientation or position, placed horizontally or vertically, or similarly modified. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the terms “bottom”, “below”, “top” and “above” may be used herein for exemplary purposes only, to illustrate the relative positioning or placement of certain components, to indicate a first and a second component or to do both.

Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustrated with respect to embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged, etc., to produce additional embodiments within the scope of the invention, and that various other changes, omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.