Position transducer system for a joystick

A position transducer system comprising:

• a controller for receiving a counter output and for selectively providing first and second enable signal only one of which is active at any given time;
• a first oscillator, having a first variable tuning element therein, for producing a periodic first oscillator output signal at a frequency responsive to said first variable tuning element, said first oscillator being responsive to said first enable signal so that said first oscillator output signal is produced only when said first enable signal is active;
• a second oscillator, having a second variable tuning element therein, for producing a periodic second oscillator output signal at a frequency responsive to said second variable tuning element, said second oscillator being responsive to said second enable signal so that said second osciallator output signal is produced only when said second enable signal is active;
• means for outputting a reset signal in response to either of said first and second enable signals being active;
• and
• counter means for providing a counter output in response to being incremented to a predefined value, said counter means being reset to a predetermined count in response to said reset signal and being coupled to receive both said first and second oscillator output signals such that it is incremented in response to the oscillator selected by the active enable signal.

A position transducer system comprising:

• a controller for providing first and second reset signal outputs, and for receiving first and second counter outputs;
• a first oscillator, having a first variable tuning element, for providing an output at a frequency responsive to said first variable tuning element;
• a first counter means for providing a first counter output in response to being incremented to a first predefined value, said first counter means being reset to a predetermined count in response to said first signal and said first counter means being incremented in response to said first oscillator output;
• a second oscillator, having a second variable tuning element, for providing a second output at a frequency responsive to said second variable tuning element;
• a second counter means for providing a second counter output responsive to being incremented to a second predefined value, said second counter means being reset to a predetermined count responsive to said second reset signal and said counter means being incremented in response to said second oscillator output;
• means for communicating said first and second counter outputs to said controller;
• means for selectively inhibiting said second oscillator output and enabling said first oscillator output for a first time interval in response to a first inhibit signal;
• and
• means for selectively inhibiting said first oscillator output and enabling said second oscillator output for a second time interval in response to a second inhibit signal.