Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring of positions or movements of two objects relative to one another with a force and/or moment sensor and a conversion spring element, with the force and/or moment sensor being elastically connected with one of the objects at least via the conversion spring element. A force and/or moment sensor with the measuring apparatus. A joystick with the measuring apparatus or the force and/or moment sensor.

Abstract: A 3D input device (102) is used to generate control data (108) for electronic or electrical devices, and has: an actuation part (104), which is designed so that it can be manipulated indirectly or directly by at least one finger or hand of the user, a base plate (106), with respect to which the actuation part (104) is mounted so that it can be moved, the relative movement between the actuation part (104) and the base plate (106) being evaluated in order to generate the control data, and a display device with a touch screen (107), the touch screen (107) being integrated into the upper side of the base plate (106). Alternatively, the touch screen (107) may be integrated into the upper side of the actuation part (104). The touch screen (107) of the display device is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (118) of the actuation part (104).

Abstract: A method for mapping functions of a multi-dimensional input device is proposed, wherein a graphical representation of a button or an other degree of freedom of the input device (130, 140, 150) is displayed on a screen or monitor. Furthermore at least one available driver function for the input device (130, 140, 150) is displayed. A selected function can be mapped by a user to a button or other degree of freedom of the input device (130, 140, 150) by graphically associating the specific function with the button or degree of freedom.

Abstract: A position and/or movement sensor for measuring a position or movement of a first object relative to a second object comprises a measuring device including a first member coupled to the first object; a second member coupled to the second object; and one or more first spring elements coupled between the first and second members; one or more stop members for limiting movement of the first member relative to the second member in at least one linear direction and/or about at least one pivot axis; and one or more second spring elements coupled between the first member and the first object. A spring constant of the second spring elements is greater than a spring constant of the first spring elements in at least one linear direction or about at least one pivot axis.

Abstract: An arrangement for the detection of relative movements of two objects with four measuring cells as vertical measuring device for the detection of a relative movement perpendicular to an imaginary plane, with the measuring cells being arranged in such a manner that their vertical projections onto the plane are arranged at an identical angular distance from each other about a centre. Further, a force and/or moment sensor with a first board and a second board which are elastically connected with each other and movable relative to one another.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring of positions or movements of two objects relative to one another with a force and/or moment sensor and a conversion spring means, with the force and/or moment sensor being elastically connected with one of the objects at least via the conversion spring means. A force and/or moment sensor with the measuring apparatus. A joystick with the measuring apparatus or the force and/or moment sensor.

Abstract: A computer with a display unit, on which objects displayed in one of several discrete depth levels of display is provided with control signals that are generated by an input device with at least three degrees of freedom. Control signals are evaluated at least in two degrees of freedom for navigation of a cursor or an object on the display unit and control signals of a third degree of freedom are evaluated for choice of one of several discrete detail depth levels of presentation.

Abstract: A manually actuated input device for commanding machine- and/or computer-assisted control operations for kinematic motions of a real or virtual multipart object, including a force/moment sensor with which linear displacements in the form of translational movements in the direction of three axes (X, Y, Z), each standing perpendicular on the other, of a three-dimensional rectangular system of coordinates and/or rotational excursions in the form of rotational motions (A, B, C) about these three axes are sensed and converted into commanded motions of the object to be controlled is characterized by the commanded individual linear displacements and/or rotational excursions of the force/moment sensor being assigned specific kinematic motion patterns of parts of the real or virtual object thereby permitting manipulation or animation thereof as a transforming interlink and by the commanded velocities of the corresponding individual linear displacements and/or rotational excursions of the force/moment sensor being addi

Abstract: An input device (4) for driving computers, electronic or electrical devices has a two-dimensional position sensor (1) and a force and moment sensor (2) which detects forces and torques acting on an operating part (5) of the force and moment sensor (2). By manual manipulation of the input device (4) drive signals can be triggered by the two-dimensional position sensor (1) and/or the force and moment sensor (2).

Abstract: An optoelectronic arrangement for the detection of relative movements or relative positions of two objects, with the arrangement comprising at least four optoelectronic elements, characterized in that the optoelectronic elements are arranged in at least one first plane and in a second plane different from the first one in such a manner that at least three optoelectronic elements are arranged in the first plane and at least one optoelectronic element is arranged in the second plane. Further, a force and/or moment sensor provided with this arrangement with a first board and a second board, with the first board and the second board being elastically connected with each other and movable relative to one another. Finally, a personal computer keyboard which is provided with such a force and/or moment sensor.

Abstract: A position and/or movement sensor for measuring a position or movement of a first object relative to a second object comprises a measuring device including a first member coupled to the first object; a second member coupled to the second object; and one or more first spring elements coupled between the first and second members; one or more stop members for limiting movement of the first member relative to the second member in at least one linear direction and/or about at least one pivot axis; and one or more second spring elements coupled between the first member and the first object. A spring constant of the second spring elements is greater than a spring constant of the first spring elements in at least one linear direction or about at least one pivot axis.

Abstract: An optoelectronic arrangement for the detection of relative movements or relative positions of two objects, which comprises at least three light emitting means as optoelectronic elements, with the light emitting means being arranged on a closed, imaginary first surface which is plane or convex in each site in such a manner that their respective emission means face towards a first inner space which is defined by the first surface. Further, a force and/or moment sensor provided with this arrangement with a first board and a second board, with the first board and the second board being elastically connected with each other and movable relative to one another. Finally, a personal computer keyboard which is provided with such a force and/or moment sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manual input device (1, 1″) for the generation of drive signals for real and/or virtual objects. According to the invention, a microphone (3) for the recording and conversion of acoustic voice-control signals of a user is incorporated in the housing (2, 2′) of the manual input device. In this way, the user is relieved of manipulating an input device (1, 1′). The interface (8) of the input device (1, 1′) to a computer (7) can in this case also be used for the transmission of acoustic voice-control signals or their evaluation. In this way, the number of connections (6) occupied in the computer (7) is reduced.

Abstract: A force-moment sensor (1) is used as a switch, with which, depending on the introduction of forces and moments onto an operating part (5) of the force-moment sensor (1), various software or hardware functions of a device (2, 2′) to be controlled can be triggered. For this purpose, the output signals of the force-moment sensor (1) are analysed by comparisons with threshold values.

Abstract: A 3D input device (102) is used to generate control data (108) for electronic or electrical devices, and has:

Abstract: In a desktop manager program, it is possible to expand the graphical user interface (3) of conventional monitors and PCs by freely positioning the displayed sector of the user interface by means of a 3D input device (1, 1′) in such a way that the user can consequently determine himself the visible part of a user interface (3) of a monitor (6) and of a PC (4). Said visible part, a type of virtual window (2), can be selected with an input device (1, 1′) having at least three degrees of freedom. In this connection, two degrees of freedom serve to navigate a virtual window (2) on the user interface (3). A further degree of freedom is used to adjust an enlargement/reduction factor in regard to the objects on the user interface (3) inside the virtual window (2). It is consequently possible to define the virtual window only as a part of the entire display area of the display screen (6).

Abstract: To trigger technical control operations and/or to trigger the execution of technical functions, a manually operated input device with a torque-force sensor is used. Pressure is exerted onto a user interface of this input device and results in the generation of a pulse, which is measured with the aid of the force-torque sensor and converted into a pair of vectors formed by a force vector and a moment vector. This vector pair is then checked to determine whether certain predefined characteristic pulse conditions have been met. If these predefined pulse conditions are identified as having been met, at least one technical control operation that is to be performed by means of the input device and linked to a certain object, and/or at least one technical function to be executed by means of the input device, is triggered by switching to an activation state.

Abstract: An optoelectronic arrangement for the detection of relative movements or relative positions of two objects, which comprises at least two position sensitive detectors, with each position sensitive detector being illuminated by a light emitting means in order to form a measuring cell, and a light emitting means illuminates two detectors each in order to form two measuring cells with a common light emitting means. Further, a force and/or moment sensor provided with this arrangement with a first board and a second board, with the first board and the second board being elastically connected with each other and movable relative to one another. Finally, a personal computer keyboard which is provided with such a force and/or moment sensor.

Abstract: An optoelectronic arrangement for the detection of relative movements or relative positions of two objects, which comprises at least three light emitting means as optoelectronic elements, with the light emitting means being arranged on a closed, imaginary first surface which is plane or convex in each site in such a manner that their respective emission means face towards a first inner space which is defined by the first surface. Further, a force and/or moment sensor provided with this arrangement with a first board and a second board, with the first board and the second board being elastically connected with each other and movable relative to one another. Finally, a personal computer keyboard which is provided with such a force and/or moment sensor.