Rotational sensor mechanical limiter for automatic calibration

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to preventing calibration of a device to exceed the full design travel, for instance, during aggressive operation or play. A limiter is coupled to the rotational sensor to limit the full travel output signal to a fixed and repeatable maximum value no matter how aggressive the operation or play becomes. The limit is desirably set at such a point as normal operation or play will always reach. In this way, the automatic calibration of the device will not exceed the full design travel. In one embodiment, an input device comprises a user manipulable object configured to rotate around a rotational axis relative to a base. A rotational sensor includes a sensor body coupled with a sensor shaft which is rotatable relative to the sensor body around the rotational axis. The sensor shaft is connected with the user manipulable object to rotate with the user manipulable object around the rotational axis. An actuator is coupled with the user manipulable object to rotate with the user manipulable object. The actuator is configured to be coupled with the sensor body, after the user manipulable object has rotated to reach a preset limit, to rotate the sensor body with the sensor shaft and the user manipulable object beyond the preset limit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.