Patent Description:
Joysticks are widely used in gaming consoles and personal computer (PC) controllers. To date, joysticks mostly operate using potentiometers. For example, a joystick typically includes a mid rod connected to a spring contact movable along a resistive element. When the mid rod is at rest, the spring contact is at a reference position approximately in a middle of the resistive element. As the mid rod moves, the spring contact moves with the mid rod away from the reference position. This causes a voltage change between the spring contact and one end of the resistive element. A calibration firmware is used to set the reference position as corresponding to a zero value and to create a map indicative of the relationship between the positions of the mid rod and the corresponding voltage changes. When the joystick is in use, the map is used to translate the measured voltage changes (in analogue form) to positions of the mid rod (in digital form). Thus, movement of the mid rod by a user may be determined. Such movement may represent directional movement in a game as desired by the user. For example, a user wanting to move a game character in a north or south direction or in an upwards or downwards direction may move the mid rod towards a positive or negative Y direction. As the mid rod may not always return to the initial rest position after it is moved, a circular area around the initial rest position may be set as a dead zone, where the map may translate the position of the mid rod as the initial rest position whenever the mid rod is within this dead zone.

Joysticks operating using potentiometers often suffer from component tolerance variations where the voltage changes between the spring contact and one end of the resistive element can vary over a range even when the mid rod is moved to a same position. This therefore causes inconsistencies and errors in determining the position of the mid rod. Another typical problem with joysticks operating using potentiometers is that they often have short lifespans. This is because such joysticks often use carbon as the resistive element which is prone to early wear and tear due to frequent contact between the resistive element and other components (e.g. the spring contact) causing abrasion to the resistive element. When carbon layers of the resistive element start to wear out, the resistance of the resistive element deviates from its original value. In turn, the voltage changes caused by the movement of the spring contact along the resistive element deviate from the values in the map originally registered by the calibration firmware. Accordingly, the translation of the voltage changes to the mid rod's movement using the map becomes inaccurate. In some cases, the originally created map may even translate the initial rest position of the mid rod as being out of the dead zone. Such a phenomenon (often known as joystick drifting) can adversely affect the user's experience. For example, a character in a game may move even when the user is not moving the mid rod.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved joystick which may have longer lifespans and lower component tolerance variations.

This object is solved by a joystick according to claim <NUM>. Relevant prior art is known from <CIT> and <CIT>. According to various non-limiting embodiments, there may be provided an inductive joystick. The inductive joystick may include a control structure that may include an elongate member movable along at least one direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the elongate member. The inductive joystick may further include a position sensing assembly that may include a printed circuit board and at least one metal dial. The printed circuit board may have at least one surface arranged adjacent to the control structure. The at least one surface may be substantially parallel with the length of the elongate member and with the at least one direction. The at least one metal dial may be arranged over the at least one surface. The control structure may be coupled with the position sensing assembly such that movement of the elongate member along the at least one direction may cause relative movement between the at least one surface and the at least one metal dial. The at least one surface of the printed circuit board may be provided with at least one transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. The at least one transmitter coil may be configured to induce at least one signal in the at least one receiver coil, and the at least one metal dial may be configured to interfere with the induction of the at least one signal such that relative movement between the at least one surface and the at least one metal dial may vary the at least one induced signal based on a position of the at least one metal dial.

According to various embodiments, there may be provided an inductive joystick. The inductive joystick may include a control structure that may include an elongate member movable along a first direction and a second direction; and a position sensing assembly that may include a printed circuit board, a first metal dial and a second metal dial. The first and second directions may be substantially perpendicular to a length of the elongate member. The printed circuit board may have a first surface and a second surface arranged adjacent to the control structure. The first and second surfaces may be substantially parallel with the length of the elongate member and with the first and second directions respectively. The first surface may be coupled with the second surface such that the printed circuit board may surround at least part of the control structure. The first metal dial may be arranged over the first surface and the second metal dial may be arranged over the second surface. Each of the first and second surfaces may be provided with at least one transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. The control structure may be coupled with the position sensing assembly such that movement of the elongate member along the first or second direction may cause relative movement between the surface parallel with the direction and the metal dial arranged over the surface. For each of the first and second surfaces, the at least one transmitter coil may be configured to induce at least one signal in the at least one receiver coil, and the at least one metal dial may be configured to interfere with the induction of the at least one signal such that relative movement between the surface and the metal dial may vary the at least one induced signal based on a position of the metal dial.

According to various embodiments, there may be provided an inductive joystick. The inductive joystick may include a control structure that may include an elongate member movable along at least one direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the elongate member; and a position sensing assembly that may include a printed circuit board and at least one metal dial. The printed circuit board may have at least one surface arranged adjacent to the control structure, and the at least one surface may be substantially parallel with the length of the elongate member and with the at least one direction. The at least one metal dial may be arranged over the at least one surface. The at least one metal dial may be connected to the control structure such that movement of the elongate member along the at least one direction may cause movement of the at least one metal dial over the at least one surface. The at least one surface of the printed circuit board may be provided with at least one transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. The at least one transmitter coil may be configured to induce at least one signal in the at least one receiver coil, and the at least one metal dial may be configured to interfere with the induction of the at least one signal such that movement of the at least one metal dial over the at least one surface may vary the at least one induced signal based on a position of the at least one metal dial.

In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:.

Embodiments described below in the context of the apparatus are analogously valid for the respective methods, and vice versa. Furthermore, it will be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, for example, a part of one embodiment may be combined with a part of another embodiment.

It should be understood that the terms "on", "over", "top", "bottom", "down", "side", "back", "left", "right", "front", "lateral", "side", "up", "down" etc., when used in the following description are used for convenience and to aid understanding of relative positions or directions, and not intended to limit the orientation of any device, or structure or any part of any device or structure. In addition, the singular terms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word "or" is intended to include "and" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Various embodiments generally relate to a joystick for communication with a processor-based device. The processor or the processor-based device may be a host computer running an application, and sending signals to and/or receiving signals from the joystick. The signals received from the joystick may be used to control another application such as a game, for example, control movement of characters in the game. In various embodiments, the joystick may be configured to use contactless sensing. In various embodiments, the joystick may be configured to use inductive positioning sensor technology. In various embodiments, the joystick may include an elongate member and a position sensing assembly configured to operate based on inductive coupling between coils. In various embodiments, the joystick may include at least one metal dial configured to interfere with the inductive coupling. In various embodiments, the at least one metal dial may be arranged over a surface on which the coils may be provided. In various embodiments, the at least one metal dial may not contact the surface. By using such contactless sensing, the amount of contact between components of the joystick may be reduced, in turn reducing wear and tear in the joystick and increasing the lifespan of the joystick.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of an inductive joystick <NUM> according to various embodiments and <FIG> shows an exploded view of the inductive joystick <NUM>.

As shown, in various embodiments, the inductive joystick <NUM> may include a control structure <NUM>. The control structure <NUM> may include an elongate member <NUM>. As shown, in various embodiments, the elongate member <NUM> may be movable along a first direction (X direction) and a second direction (Y direction), where the first and second directions may be substantially perpendicular to a length of the elongate member <NUM>. As shown, in various embodiments, the control structure <NUM> may further include a first shaft <NUM> that functions as an X shaft and a second shaft <NUM> that functions as a Y shaft. The first shaft <NUM> may be configured to rotate about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the first direction (X direction) and the second shaft <NUM> may be configured to rotate about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the second direction (Y direction). As shown, in various embodiments, the first shaft <NUM> may include a pair of arched elements 106a connected to each other via an intermediate element 106b. The arched elements 106a and the intermediate element 106b of the first shaft <NUM> may be arranged to define an opening at the top of the shaft <NUM> and a pair of circular holes at opposite sides of the shaft <NUM>. As shown, in various embodiments, the second shaft <NUM> may include a pair of arched elements 108a, each arched element 108a connected to an end element 108b. The arched elements 108a and the end elements 108b of the second shaft <NUM> may be arranged to define an opening at the top of the shaft <NUM>. In various embodiments, the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged with the elongate member <NUM> such that the elongate member <NUM> extends through the openings at the top of the shafts <NUM>, <NUM>. In various embodiments, the first shaft <NUM> may be arranged with the second shaft <NUM>, such that the arched elements 106a of the first shaft <NUM> are substantially orthogonal to the arched elements 108a of the second shaft <NUM>. Further, the ends of the second shaft <NUM> may be arranged to extend through the circular holes of the first shaft <NUM>. As shown, in various embodiments, the first shaft <NUM> may include a plurality of pins <NUM> at one end and the second shaft <NUM> may include a plurality of pins <NUM> at one end. However, in alternative embodiments, the first and second shafts <NUM>, <NUM> may each include only a single pin. In various embodiments, the pins <NUM>, <NUM> may be plastic pins, but other materials may also be used to form the pins.

As shown, in various embodiments, the inductive joystick <NUM> may further include a housing structure or a support structure <NUM> surrounding the control structure <NUM>. For example, the support structure <NUM> may include a top plate 110a and a plurality of side plates 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e arranged around the control structure <NUM>, where adjacent side plates 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e may be substantially perpendicular to each other. As shown, a first side plate 110b may include a dome-shaped recess to allow the end of the first shaft <NUM> including the pins <NUM> to extend through. The other end of the first shaft <NUM> may be pivotably connected to a third side plate 110d opposite the first side plate 110b, so that the first shaft <NUM> may be rotatable relative to the third side plate 110d about an axis substantially perpendicular to the first direction (X direction). Similarly, as shown, the second side plate 110c may also include a dome-shaped recess to allow the end of the second shaft <NUM> including the pins <NUM> to extend through. The other end of the second shaft <NUM> may be pivotably connected to a fourth side plate 110e opposite the second side plate 110c, so that the second shaft <NUM> may be rotatable relative to the fourth side plate 110e about an axis substantially perpendicular to the second direction (Y direction). In various embodiments, the support structure <NUM> may be in the form of a meta case.

In various embodiments, the inductive joystick <NUM> may further include a position sensing assembly <NUM>. The position sensing assembly <NUM> may include a printed circuit board <NUM>, a first metal dial <NUM> and a second metal dial <NUM>.

As shown, in various embodiments, the position sensing assembly <NUM> may include a printed circuit board <NUM> having a first surface 118a and a second surface 118b arranged adjacent to the control structure <NUM>. Each surface 118a, 118b may include a circular hole substantially in a middle of the surface 118a, 118b to allow the ends of the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> including the pins <NUM>, <NUM> to extend through. As shown, the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b may be substantially parallel with the length of the elongate member <NUM> and with the first and second directions (X and Y directions) respectively. The first surface 118a may be coupled with the second surface 118b such that the printed circuit board <NUM> surrounds at least part of the control structure <NUM>. For example, the printed circuit board <NUM> may include a connecting member 118e connecting the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b. As one example, the connecting member 118e may be curved (as shown in <FIG>) so that the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b are substantially perpendicular to each other. The printed circuit board <NUM> may be formed of a rigid material in some embodiments and may be formed of a flexible material in other embodiments. For example, the printed circuit board <NUM> may include a flex cable. In various embodiments, each of the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM> may be provided with at least one transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. In various embodiments, the at least one transmitter coil and the at least one receiver coil may be embedded on the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the at least one transmitter coil and the at least one receiver coil may be in the form of traces on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The at least one transmitter coil and the at least one receiver coil will be further discussed below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown, in various embodiments, the joystick <NUM> may further include a plurality of electrical components <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown, the plurality of electrical components <NUM>, <NUM> may include a first chip <NUM> and a second chip <NUM>. The first and second chips <NUM>, <NUM> may be sensor chips. The chips <NUM>, <NUM> will be further discussed below with reference to <FIG>. In various embodiments, the printed circuit board <NUM> may further include at least one extension member extending from at least one of the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b to hold the plurality of electrical components <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, as shown, the printed circuit board <NUM> may include a first extension member 118c extending from the first surface 118a to hold a first plurality of electrical components <NUM> and a second extension member 118d extending from the second surface 118b to hold a second plurality of electrical components <NUM>. The first plurality of electrical components <NUM> may be for use with the first surface 118a of the printed circuit board <NUM> and the second plurality of electrical components <NUM> may be for use with the second surface 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM>. However, the printed circuit board <NUM> may alternatively include only a single extension member extending from either the first surface 118a or the second surface 118b for holding the electrical components <NUM>, <NUM>. In various embodiments, the extension member 118c/118d may be substantially perpendicular to the surface 118a/118b from which the extension member 118c/118d extends.

As shown, in various embodiments, the position sensing assembly <NUM> may include a first metal dial <NUM> arranged over the first surface 118a of the printed circuit board <NUM>, and a second metal dial <NUM> arranged over the second surface 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM>. In various embodiments, the first and second metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may not contact the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b respectively. In other words, the metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may be contactless dials. As shown, in various embodiments, the first metal dial <NUM> may include a base portion 120a and an elongate element 120b extending from the base portion 120a, and the second metal dial <NUM> may include a base portion 122a and an elongate element 122b extending from the base portion 122a. However, in alternative embodiments, the metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may be of a different shape from that shown in the figures. The sizes and materials for forming the metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may also vary in different embodiments. Further, the metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may be referred to as pin dials in various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the control structure <NUM> may be coupled with the position sensing assembly <NUM> such that movement of the elongate member <NUM> along the first or second direction (X or Y direction) causes relative movement between the surface (118a or 118b) parallel with the direction and the metal dial (<NUM> or <NUM>) arranged over the surface (118a or 118b). For example, the first and second metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to the control structure <NUM> such that movement of the elongate member <NUM> along the first direction (X direction) causes movement of the first metal dial <NUM> over the first surface 118a and movement of the elongate member <NUM> along the second direction (Y direction) causes movement of the second metal dial <NUM> over the second surface 118b. In various embodiments, the base portions 120a, 122a of the first and second metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to the control structure <NUM>. In various embodiments, the first and second metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to the first and second shafts <NUM>, <NUM> respectively. For example, the base portion 120a of the first metal dial <NUM> may be connected to the first shaft <NUM>, and the base portion 122a of the second metal dial <NUM> may be connected to the second shaft <NUM>. In various embodiments, movement of the elongate member <NUM> along the first direction may urge the elongate member <NUM> against one of the arched elements 106a of the first shaft <NUM> to rotate the first shaft <NUM>. Rotation of the first shaft <NUM> may cause rotation of the base portion 120a of the first metal dial <NUM> to move the elongate element 120b of the first metal dial <NUM> over the at least one transmitter coil and the at least one receiver coil of the first surface 118a. Similarly, movement of the elongate member <NUM> along the second direction may urge the elongate member <NUM> against one of the arched elements 108a of the second shaft <NUM>. Rotation of the second shaft <NUM> may cause rotation of the base portion 122a of the second metal dial <NUM> to move the elongate element 122b of the second metal dial <NUM> over the at least one transmitter coil and the at least one receiver coil of the second surface 118b. However, the control structure <NUM> need not be coupled with the position sensing assembly <NUM> by connecting the metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> to the control structure <NUM>. Instead, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected to the control structure <NUM> such that movement of the elongate member <NUM> causes relative movement between the surfaces 118a, 118b and the respective metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> over the surfaces 118a, 118b.

In various embodiments, the pins <NUM>/<NUM> located at ends of the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> may connect the first and second metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> to the control structure <NUM>. As shown, the base portion 120a, 122a of each metal dial <NUM>, <NUM> may include holes at locations corresponding to the locations of the pins <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second shafts <NUM>, <NUM>. To connect the metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> to the control structure <NUM>, the pins <NUM> of the first shaft <NUM> may be arranged through the holes of the base portion 120a of the first metal dial <NUM> and the pins <NUM> of the second shaft <NUM> may be arranged through the holes of the base portion 122a of the second metal dial <NUM>. The pins <NUM>, <NUM> may then be heat staked to secure the first and second metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> to the first and second shafts <NUM>, <NUM> respectively.

As shown, in various embodiments, the inductive joystick <NUM> may further include a reinforcing member <NUM> connected between the printed circuit board <NUM> and the support structure <NUM>. In various embodiments, the reinforcing member <NUM> may be in the form of a flex bracket. The reinforcing member <NUM> may include a first surface 124a and a second surface 124b arranged substantially perpendicular to each other and connected to each other via a hinge. The reinforcing member <NUM> may further include a first extension member 124c extending from the first surface 124a and substantially perpendicular to the first surface 124a, and a second extension member 124d extending from the second surface 124b and substantially perpendicular to the second surface 124b. The first and second surfaces 124a, 124b of the reinforcing member <NUM> may each include a circular hole substantially in the middle of the surface 124a, 124b to allow the ends of the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> including the pins <NUM>, <NUM> to extend through. As shown, in various embodiments, the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM> may be arranged over the first and second surfaces 124a, 124b of the reinforcing member <NUM> respectively such that the circular holes of the overlapping surfaces (surfaces 118a and 124a or surfaces 118b and 124b) coincide. The first and second surfaces 124a, 124b of the reinforcing member <NUM> may be arranged over the first and second surfaces 110b, 110c of the support structure <NUM> such that the circular holes of the reinforcing member <NUM> coincide with the dome-shaped recesses of the support structure <NUM> to allow the ends of the shafts <NUM>, <NUM> including the pins <NUM>, <NUM> to extend through. Further, as shown, in various embodiments, the first and second extension members 118c, 118d of the printed circuit board <NUM> may be arranged over the first and second extension members 124c, 124d of the reinforcing member <NUM> respectively. In various embodiments, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected to the support structure <NUM> via the reinforcing member <NUM>. For example, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected to the reinforcing member <NUM> and the reinforcing member <NUM> may in turn be connected to the support structure <NUM>. In various embodiments, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected to the reinforcing member <NUM> via a pin and hole locator. For example, the first and second surfaces 124a, 124b of the reinforcing member <NUM> may include a plurality of pins <NUM>, and the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM> may include a plurality of holes <NUM> at locations corresponding to the locations of the pins <NUM>. To connect the printed circuit board <NUM> to the reinforcing member <NUM>, the pins <NUM> may be fitted through the holes <NUM>. In various embodiments, double-sided adhesive may be provided between the reinforcing member <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> to further secure them together.

As shown, in various embodiments, the inductive joystick <NUM> may further include a base <NUM> to which the elongate member <NUM> is coupled. In various embodiments, the base <NUM> may be in the form of a bottom case. As shown, the base <NUM> may be arranged at a level substantially in a middle of the side plates 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e of the support structure <NUM> (in other words, substantially in a middle of the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM> and substantially in a middle of the first and second surfaces 124a, 124b of the reinforcing member <NUM>). The base <NUM> may be coupled with the support structure <NUM> by securing protrusions on the base <NUM> with corresponding holes on the support structure <NUM>. In various embodiments, the inductive joystick <NUM> may further include a spring plate <NUM> coupled to the base <NUM> and a spring <NUM> arranged over the spring plate <NUM>. As shown, the elongate member <NUM> may be coupled to the base <NUM> via the spring <NUM> and the spring plate <NUM> to allow the elongate member <NUM> to be movable in the first and second directions (X and Y directions).

In various embodiments, the joystick <NUM> may further include a mid switch <NUM> in connection with the base <NUM> of the inductive joystick <NUM>. The mid-switch <NUM> may be an add-on feature of the joystick <NUM> to provide further input to the processor-based device the joystick <NUM> is in communication with. For example, a user may employ the joystick <NUM> to input commands to an air warfare game application running on the processor-based device. In this example, the elongate member <NUM> may be used to manoeuver a fighter plane in a similar manner as an actual joystick of the fighter plane, whereas the mid-switch <NUM> may be used as a push button to control weaponry of the fighter plane, for example, to fire missiles from the fighter plane.

<FIG> shows a side view of the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> and the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM> that each of the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM> may be provided with in various embodiments. <FIG> shows an example arrangement of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> with the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> and the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a schematic diagram of the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> and the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM> of <FIG>, together with the base portion 120b/122b of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> and the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM> may be arranged in a curvilinear manner. However, for simplicity, the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> and the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM> are shown in a linear manner in <FIG>.

As shown, in various embodiments, the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> may include a first transmitter coil <NUM> and a second transmitter coil <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments, the at least one transmitter coil may include only one transmitter coil or more than two transmitter coils. In various embodiments, the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> may include at least four turns. For example, as shown, the first transmitter coil <NUM> may include two curved portions 202a and two linear portions 202b between the ends of the curved portions 202a. Accordingly, the first transmitter coil <NUM> may include four turns, each turn at where a curved portion 202a is joined with a linear portion 202b. The second transmitter coil <NUM> may similarly include two curved portions 204a and two linear portions 204b between the curved portions 204a. In other words, the second transmitter coil <NUM> may also include four turns. As shown, the second transmitter coil <NUM> may completely surround the first transmitter coil <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM> may include a first receiver coil <NUM> and a second receiver coil <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments, the at least one receiver coil may include only one receiver coil or more than two receiver coils. In various embodiments, the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM> may include a sine coil and a cosine coil. For example, as shown, the first receiver coil <NUM> may include a sine coil and the second receiver coil <NUM> may include a cosine coil. As shown, in various embodiments, each receiver coil <NUM>, <NUM> may include at least one turn. For example, the first receiver coil <NUM> may include a first portion 206a in the shape of a first sine curve and a second portion 206b in the shape of a second sine curve, wherein the first and second sine curves may be <NUM> degrees out of phase. Further, the first and second sine curves may be joined at one end. Accordingly, the first receiver coil <NUM> may include one turn at where the first and second sine curves are joined. The second receiver coil <NUM> may similarly include a first portion 208a in the shape of a first cosine curve and a second portion 208b in the shape of a second cosine curve, wherein the first and second cosine curves may be <NUM> degrees out of phase. Unlike the first receiver coil <NUM>, the second receiver coil <NUM> may further include intermediate linear portions 208c between the first and second portions 208a, 208b. Accordingly, the second receiver coil <NUM> may include two turns, each turn at where the portion 208a, 208b in the shape of a cosine curve joins the linear portion 208c. As shown in <FIG>, in various embodiments, each transmitter coil <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to first contacts <NUM>, and each receiver coil <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to second contacts <NUM>. For simplicity, these contacts <NUM>, <NUM> are not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in various embodiments, when the elongate member <NUM> is at rest, the elongate element 120b/122b of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may lie over the axis A-A', where the axis A-A' may be through a centre of the base portion 120a/122a of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> and may be parallel to the first or second direction (X or Y direction). When the elongate member <NUM> is moved, the elongate element 120b/122b of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may move along a plane parallel to the respective surface 118a/118b of the printed circuit board <NUM>. In various embodiments, the elongate element 120b/122b of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may move without contacting the respective surface 118a/118b. In various embodiments, the elongate element 120b/122b of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may move either upwards at a positive angle <NUM> about the axis A-A' or downwards at a negative angle <NUM> about the axis A-A'. In other words, the position of the elongate element 120b/122b of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be represented by the positive angle <NUM> or the negative angle <NUM>. Alternatively, the position of the elongate element 120b/122b of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be represented by the angle <NUM> relative to the axis B-B', where the axis B-B' may be through a centre of the base portion 120a/122a of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> and may be perpendicular to the first or second direction (X or Y direction). In various embodiments, each of the first and second metal dials <NUM>, <NUM> may be movable between a first position and a second position. In various embodiments, the first position may be where the positive angle <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees (in other words, where the angle <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees) and the second position may be where the negative angle <NUM> is about -<NUM> degrees (in other words, where the angle <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees). Said differently, the range of movement of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be about <NUM> degrees. However, the first and second positions, and the range of movement of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be different in other embodiments. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the range of movement of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be less than <NUM> degrees, whereas in other alternative embodiments, the range of movement of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be more than <NUM> degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the first position may be where the positive angle <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees (in other words, where the angle <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees) and the second position may be where the negative angle <NUM> is about -<NUM> degrees (in other words, where the angle <NUM> is about <NUM> degrees).

<FIG> shows an example implementation of the chip <NUM>/<NUM>. As shown, in the example implementation, the chip <NUM>/<NUM> may include a first processing unit <NUM> that may be an analog front-end unit, a conversion unit <NUM> that may be an analog-to-digital convertor, a second processing unit <NUM> that may be a digital signal processing unit, an oscillator <NUM> that may be an inductor-capacitor (LC) oscillator, a power management unit <NUM>, a memory unit <NUM> that may be an EEPROM, a protection unit <NUM>, a test control unit <NUM>, a diagnosis unit <NUM> and an interface <NUM> in the form of a one-wire interface (OWI). However, the chip <NUM>/<NUM> need not include all of the units <NUM> - <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. For example, the oscillator <NUM> may not be part of the inductive joystick <NUM> and may instead be a separate unit connected to the joystick <NUM>. Similarly, the second processing unit <NUM> may not be part of the inductive joystick <NUM> and may instead be a separate unit connected to the joystick <NUM>. As shown, in various embodiments, the chip <NUM>/<NUM> may be electrically connected to the transmitter coils <NUM>, <NUM> and the receiver coils <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the oscillator <NUM> may be connected to the transmitter coils <NUM>, <NUM> and the first processing unit <NUM> may be connected to the receiver coils <NUM>, <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> may be configured to receive an alternating signal from the oscillator <NUM>. In various embodiments, a frequency of the alternating signal may be about <NUM>. In various embodiments, the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> may be configured to induce at least one signal in the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM>. For example, the alternating signal received by the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM> may generate a magnetic field in the at least one transmitter coil <NUM>/<NUM>. The magnetic field may induce secondary currents in various segments of the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM>. Accordingly, at least one signal including these secondary currents may be induced in the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM>. For example, the magnetic field generated in the first and second transmitter coils <NUM>, <NUM> may induce a first signal in the first receiver coil <NUM> and a second signal in the second receiver coil <NUM>. In various embodiments, the at least one metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be configured to interfere with the induction of the at least one signal in the at least one receiver coil <NUM>/<NUM>. For example, for each of the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM>, when the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> is positioned over a segment of the first receiver coil <NUM> and a segment of the second receiver coil <NUM>, the magnetic field generated in the transmitter coils <NUM>, <NUM> may induce eddy currents in the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> and may not induce secondary currents in the segments of the receiver coils <NUM>, <NUM> the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> is over. This may affect the induced signals in the receiver coils <NUM>, <NUM> and the manner in which the induced signals may be affected may depend on the segments of the receiver coils <NUM>, <NUM> the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> is over. Accordingly, for each of the first and second surfaces 118a, 118b of the printed circuit board <NUM>, relative movement between the surface 118a/118b and the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may vary the at least one induced signal based on a position of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM>. In other words, the at least one induced signal may be indicative of a position of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM>. For example, the at least one induced signal may include a first signal in the first receiver coil <NUM> and a second signal in the second receiver coil <NUM>, and the differential phases and amplitudes of the first and second signals may be indicative of the position of the at least one metal dial <NUM>/<NUM>.

In various embodiments, the at least one induced signal may include at least one analogue signal. For example, the at least one induced signal may include a first analogue signal induced in the first receiver coil <NUM> and a second analogue signal induced in the second receiver coil <NUM>. The analogue signals may include sine data values and cosine data values. For example, the first analogue signal induced in the first receiver coil <NUM> may include sine data values and the second analogue signal induced in the second receiver coil <NUM> may include cosine data values.

<FIG> shows an example of a first analogue signal <NUM> including sine data values and a second analogue signal <NUM> including cosine data values. In various embodiments, the first processing unit <NUM> may be configured to process the analogue signals. In various embodiments, the analogue signals including the sine and cosine data values may be converted into signals including values for the angle <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> further shows an example of signals <NUM>, <NUM> including values for the angle <NUM>, and a signal <NUM> that is a combination of the signals <NUM>, <NUM>. In various embodiments, the second processing unit <NUM> may be configured to process the at least one induced signal for each surface 118a/118b to determine the position of the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> over the surface 118a/118b using a predetermined map. For example, the conversion unit <NUM> may be configured to convert the processed analogue signals to digital signals, and the second processing unit <NUM> may be configured to process the digital signals to determine the position of each metal dial <NUM>, <NUM> using a predetermined map. In various embodiments, the output from the processing unit <NUM> may be received by the interface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the output from the processing unit <NUM> may be converted into analogue signals before being received by the interface <NUM>. In other embodiments, the output from the processing unit <NUM> may be received by the interface <NUM> in its digital form.

In various embodiments, the predetermined map may be calculated by the second processing unit <NUM> in a calibration process performed prior to using the inductive joystick <NUM>. In various embodiments, the predetermined map may describe a relationship between the values for the angle <NUM> (or alternatively, the sine and cosine data values) and the position of the at least one metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> in an alternative representation (for example, in decimal numeral). In various embodiments, the at least one metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be movable between a first position and a second position, and the predetermined map may indicate only the positions between the first and second positions. This may help increase the dynamic range and resolution of the predetermined map. In turn, the accuracy of the joystick <NUM> may improve and the size of the dead zone may be reduced.

<FIG> shows an example of a predetermined map <NUM> describing a relationship between values for the angle <NUM> (along the x-axis labelled "Electrical input range (degrees)") and the position of the at least one metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> in decimal numeral (along the y axis labelled "Output position (decimal)"). In this example, the metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> may be movable between a first position (corresponding to the point <NUM> along the x axis) and a second position (corresponding to the point <NUM> along the x axis). As shown, the map <NUM> may indicate only the positions between the first position and the second position. <FIG> further shows a map <NUM> indicating all the positions from where the angle <NUM> is <NUM> degree to where the angle <NUM> is <NUM> degrees. As shown, the dynamic range provided by the map <NUM> may be greater than the dynamic range provided by the map <NUM>. For example, as shown, when the at least one metal dial <NUM>/<NUM> moves between a position corresponding to the point <NUM> along the x axis and a position corresponding to the point <NUM> along the x axis, the dynamic range <NUM> provided by the map <NUM> is wider than the dynamic range <NUM> provided by the map <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An inductive joystick (<NUM>) comprising:
a control structure (<NUM>) comprising an elongate member (<NUM>) movable along at least one direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the elongate member (<NUM>); and
a position sensing assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a printed circuit board (<NUM>) having at least one surface (118a, 118b) arranged adjacent to the control structure (<NUM>), wherein the at least one surface (118a, 118b) is substantially parallel with the length of the elongate member (<NUM>) and with the at least one direction; and
at least one metal dial (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged over the at least one surface (118a, 118b);
wherein the control structure (<NUM>) is coupled with the position sensing assembly (<NUM>) such that movement of the elongate member (<NUM>) along the at least one direction causes relative movement between the at least one surface (118a, 118b) and the at least one metal dial (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized in that
the at least one surface (118a, 118b) of the printed circuit board (<NUM>) is provided with at least one transmitter coil (<NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one receiver coil (<NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein the at least one transmitter coil (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to induce at least one signal in the at least one receiver coil (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the at least one metal dial (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to interfere with the induction of the at least one signal such that relative movement between the at least one surface (118a, 118b) and the at least one metal dial (<NUM>, <NUM>) varies the at least one induced signal based on a position of the at least one metal dial (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the at least one metal dial (<NUM>, <NUM>) is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the inductive joystick (<NUM>) further comprises a processing unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to process the at least one induced signal to determine the position of the at least one metal dial (<NUM>, <NUM>) based on a predetermined map, wherein the predetermined map indicates the positions between the first and second positions.