Rotary control knob

A rotary knob control system, comprising:

• a rotating assembly;
• a static stem receiver including a receptacle configured to receive the rotating assembly;
• a magnetic suspension system configured to suspend the rotating assembly magnetically within the receptacle without mechanical support and to allow rotational movement of the rotating assembly;
• and
• a sensor system configured to generate electrical signals indicative of position and movement of the rotating assembly within the receptacle.

A dual control rotary knob control system, comprising:

• a rotating assembly, including an inner knob portion, an outer knob portion;
• the inner knob portion including an inner stem structure, the outer knob portion including an outer stem structure, the inner stem structure supporting first and second inner magnetic rings or sets of magnets surrounding a periphery of the inner stem structure, wherein the inner and outer knob portions, and the inner and outer stem structures are formed of a non-magnetic material;
• the outer stem structure supporting third and fourth magnetic rings or sets of magnets surrounding a periphery of the outer stem structure;
• wherein the third and fourth rings or set of magnets are of opposite polarity as the first and second rings or sets of magnets;
• a static stem receiver including a receptacle configured to receive the inner and outer stem structures, and an inner cylindrical structure arranged to fit between the inner and outer stem structures, wherein the static stem receiver is formed of a non-magnetic material;
• the inner cylindrical structure of the stem receiver supporting fifth and sixth outer magnetic rings or sets of magnets disposed around the receptacle;
• a suspension system configured to suspend the rotating assembly within the receptacle and to allow rotational movement of the rotating assembly;
• wherein the inner knob portion and the outer knob portion are suspended so that each is rotatable with respect to the other;
• and
• a sensor system configured to generate electrical signals indicative of position and movement of the rotating assembly within the receptacle, the sensor system including a first sensor system to generate electrical signals indicative of position and movement of the inner knob portion, and a second sensor system to generate electrical signals indicative of position and movement of the outer knob portion wherein the sensor system uses electromagnetic (EM) field coupling to detect a rotation or press.