Multiple axis data input apparatus and method

In a multiple axis data input apparatus, a method of generating spatial orientation data, comprising:

• positioning a source of magnetic flux;
• coupling the magnetic flux to a swash plate positionable in an orientation having a predetermined number of axes, the predetermined number being at least four;
• distributing multiple sensors in proximity to the swash plate such that each sensor receives an amount of the conveyed magnetic flux that depends on an orientation-induced spacing between the swash plate and the sensor;
• generating in each sensor a signal in response to the amount of magnetic flux received;
• and
• processing the signals to generate spatial orientation data corresponding to the orientation of the swash plate in each of the predetermined number of axes.

A multiple axis data input apparatus, comprising:

• providing a source of magnetic flux;
• a suspension cage positionable by an actuator handle in an orientation having at least four axes, at least three of the axes being substantially mutually perpendicular;
• a swash plate coupled to the magnetic flux and positioned within and mechanically coupled to the suspension cage;
• and
• multiple sensors positioned within the suspension cage in proximity to the swash plate and distributed such that each sensor receives an amount of the magnetic flux that depends on an orientation-induced spacing between the swash plate and the sensor and in which each sensor generates a signal in response to the amount of magnetic flux received.

A multiple axis data input apparatus, comprising:

• a source of magnetic flux;
• a swash plate having four radial arms each with an associated end and a periphery, the swash plate coupled to the magnetic flux and positionable by an actuator handle in an orientation having a predetermined number of axes, the predetermined number being at least four;
• four arrays of discrete inductors positioned in proximity to the swash plate and positioned such that each array of discrete inductors is separated from the periphery of the associated end of each arm of the swash plate by an orientation-induced spacing that causes each inductor to receive an amount of the magnetic flux that depends on the orientation-induced spacing, each inductor generating a signal in response to the amount of the magnetic flux received;
• and
• a controller that receives and processes the signals and generates spatial orientation data corresponding to the orientation of the swash plate in each of the predetermined number of axes.

In a multiple axis data input apparatus, a method of generating spatial orientation data, comprising:

• positioning a source of magnetic flux;
• coupling the magnetic flux to a swash plate having four radial arms each including an associated end and a periphery, the swash plate positionable in an orientation having a predetermined number of axes, the predetermined number being at least four;
• distributing four arrays of discrete inductors such that each inductor is separated from the periphery of the associated end of each arm of the swash plate by an orientation-induced spacing that causes each inductor to receive an amount of the magnetic flux that depends on the orientation-induced spacing between the periphery of the associated end of each arm of the swash plate and the inductor;
• generating in each inductor a signal in response to the amount of magnetic flux received;
• sampling the signals with a multiplexer;
• detecting a peak amplitude of each of the sampled signals;
• converting the peak amplitude of each of the sampled signals into distance data;
• and
• processing the distance data with a microprocessor and a lookup table to generate the spatial orientation data.

A multiple axis data input apparatus, comprising:

• a source of electromagnetic flux;
• a plate having at least four radially separated surfaces, the plate coupled to the source of electromagnetic flux and positionable by an actuator handle in an orientation having a predetermined number of axes, the predetermined number being at least four;
• at least four sensors positioned in proximity to the radially separated surfaces such that each of the sensors is separated from an associated surface of the plate by an orientation-induced spacing that causes each sensor to receive an amount of the electromagnetic flux that depends on the orientation-induced spacing, each sensor generating a signal in response to the amount of the electromagnetic flux received;
• and
• a controller that receives and processes the signals and generates spatial orientation data corresponding to the orientation of the plate in each of the predetermined number of axes.

In a multiple axis data input apparatus, a method of generating spatial orientation data, comprising:

• positioning a source of electromagnetic flux;
• coupling the magnetic flux to a plate having at least four radially separated surfaces, the plate positionable in an orientation having a predetermined number of axes, the predetermined number being at least four;
• distributing at least four sensors such that each sensor is separated from an associated surface the swash plate by an orientation-induced spacing that causes each sensor to receive an amount of the electromagnetic flux that depends on the orientation-induced spacing;
• generating in each sensor a signal in response to the amount of electromagnetic flux received;
• and
• processing each signal with a lookup table to generate the spatial orientation data.