Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for a trackball including an adaptive brake. In an aspect, an apparatus includes a trackball, a wheel coupled to the trackball and configured to rotate about an axis, and a brake system configured to apply a braking force to the wheel. In some aspects, the brake system includes a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) brake, such as an MRF rotational brake. The MRF brake may be configured to apply a braking force to the wheel.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device. In particular configurations, the device includes a shaft configured to couple to a user element, such as a joystick, a brake coupled to the shaft at a planar element of the shaft, and a piezoelectric element coupled to the brake. The piezoelectric element may be configured to apply different forces to the brake to adjust a resistance to movement of the shaft by the user. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of retracting or extending a button, such as a depressible button, pad, joystick, trigger, or bumper. The button can include a movable structure with magnets at two positions and a coil that can be energized to create a magnetic field. The button can be configured to retract when a current is applied to the coil, and to extend when a different current is applied to the coil. The button can include a magnetic core that can latch to a magnet when the button is retracted and that can latch to a different magnet when the button is extended. In some configurations, the button is configured to retract or extend relative to a printed circuit board, a housing, or both.

Abstract: A single user input element can be used in four different modes including a first mode in which the user input element mimics a single button by restricting input along multiple axes, a second mode in which the user input element restricts input to a first axis, a third mode in which the user input element restricts input to a second axis, and a fourth mode in which the user has no restrictions to user input. A rotational cam may be used to interact with shuttle pins that control the height of a surface (e.g., an up/down position) of the plurality of fill spacers to change a look and/or feel of the user input element. A rotational structure which has lockout tabs to prevent individual rotational axis from being rotated depending on the configuration of the input device. These aspects may provide a reconfigurable direction pad for a game controller.

Abstract: A method for adjusting input resistance includes determining, by an information handling system, one or more gaming context characteristics of a gaming application executed by the information handling system. The information handling system determines one or more adjustments to a resistance of a two-axis input device based, at least in part, on the one or more gaming context characteristics. The information handling system applies the one or more adjustments to the resistance of the two-axis input device.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to detect, during execution of a video game application, a gameplay event associated with the video game application. The processor is further configured to determine a mechanical resistance setting associated with an input device of a game controller and to determine one or more positions of the input device at which the mechanical resistance setting is to be applied. The mechanical resistance setting is associated with the gameplay event. The processor is further configured to send, to the game controller, a control signal indicating a configuration of the input device. The configuration is associated with the mechanical resistance setting and the one or more positions.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device, such as a joystick. In particular configurations, the device includes a joystick configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis and a first resistance mechanism coupled to the joystick. The first resistance mechanism can include a rotary damper configured to selectively resist rotation of the joystick about the first axis and a processor in communication with the rotary damper and configured to adjust a resistance torque of the rotary damper. The rotary damper may provide resistance through manipulation of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in the fluid damper.

Abstract: An input device for an information handling system may include a body and a plurality of three-input switches positioned on the body. Each of the plurality of three-input switches includes a first outer portion, pressable to enter a first input, a center portion, pressable to enter a second input, and a second outer portion, pres sable to enter a third input. The first outer portion is adjacent to a first side of the center portion, and the second outer portion is adjacent to a second side of the center portion.

Abstract: A user input device may provide variable (e.g., adjustable and/or adaptive) feedback. Some embodiments can include a controllable magnetic system that can be configured to selectively resist rotation of a control stick about a first and second axis. The resistance applied by the magnetic system can be adjusted based on a user input, adjusted based on an input from a computer application, dynamically based on events occurring in an application (such as feedback from events in a gaming application), or a combination of these and other feedback controls. In at least one aspect, an input device includes a shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis, the shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first magnet configured to emit a controllable magnetic field; and a second magnet interposed between the first magnet and the first end of the joystick.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a glitch detection and level detection method that use information contained in the signal itself to determine at which resolution or granularity the glitch detection and level detection operates. In particular, the glitch detection method comprises defining a glitch in terms of a change in the area under the waveform which can serve to disambiguate glitches from noises and other transient side effects of level transmissions. Likewise, the level detection method uses an entropy-based metric to identify levels that are significant in context of the entire signal and not in absolute terms.

Abstract: An integrated functional electrical stimulation (FES) system includes a component of a mobility assistance device, and an FES system mounted within the component. The FES system includes an FES stimulator that is embedded within the component, and a plurality of FES jacks that are electrically connected to the FES stimulator and are located on the component. The FES jacks are configured to receive a plurality of FES electrodes, and an electrical stimulation output from the FES stimulator is conducted through the FES jacks to the FES electrodes. In a wireless embodiment, the FES stimulator is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal for applying an electrical stimulation output to the plurality of FES electrodes, and the FES jacks are eliminated. The FES stimulator may be embedded within a back portion of the hip component of an exoskeleton device, and in the wired embodiment the FES jacks are located on wing portions of the hip component.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobility device and related device including at least one actuator component that drives at least one joint component is described. The control method may include executing a control application with an electronic controller to perform: receiving a command in the control system of the mobility device for initiating an automated assessment and adjustment protocol; controlling one or more mobility device components to perform the automated assessment; electronically gathering user performance data associated with the automated assessment and determining user performance metrics; and electronically controlling one or more of the mobility device components in accordance with the performance metrics. The automated assessment includes controlling mobility device components to perform a predetermined assessment activity related to performance of the mobility device and/or user.

Abstract: A self-laminating rotating cable marker label is constructed of a transparent film having a first adhesive area, an adhesive-free smooth area, and a second adhesive area. A print-on area forms one side of the transparent film, the print-on area adapted to receive indicia identifying the cable about which the marker label is applied. A perforation extends across the transparent film providing a line of separation of the transparent film. When wrapped around a cable, the second adhesive area overlies the print-on area such that the cable identifying indicia is visible through the transparent second adhesive area. As the transparent film is wrapped around the cable, the first adhesive area adheres to the cable. The remainder of the transparent film is rotated, breaking the perforation, whereby the smooth area of the film in contact with the cable provides smooth rotation of the label around the cable.

Abstract: An integrated functional electrical stimulation (FES) system includes a component of a mobility assistance device, and an FES system mounted within the component. The FES system includes an FES stimulator that is embedded within the component, and a plurality of FES jacks that are electrically connected to the FES stimulator and are located on the component. The FES jacks are configured to receive a plurality of FES electrodes, and an electrical stimulation output from the FES stimulator is conducted through the FES jacks to the FES electrodes. In a wireless embodiment, the FES stimulator is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal for applying an electrical stimulation output to the plurality of FES electrodes, and the FES jacks are eliminated. The FES stimulator may be embedded within a back portion of the hip component of an exoskeleton device, and in the wired embodiment the FES jacks are located on wing portions of the hip component.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device, such as a joystick. In particular configurations, the device includes a joystick configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis and a first resistance mechanism coupled to the joystick. The first resistance mechanism can include a rotary damper configured to selectively resist rotation of the joystick about the first axis and a processor in communication with the rotary damper and configured to adjust a resistance torque of the rotary damper. The rotary damper may provide resistance through manipulation of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in the fluid damper.

Abstract: A secondary display may be integrated into a form factor of an information handling system having a primary display in a manner that synchronizes movement of the secondary display with the primary display. The secondary display may move from a closed position to an open position along with moving of a primary display from a closed to an open position. A rack and pinion mechanism may synchronize the secondary display with the primary display through a first and second primary pinion coupling a primary shaft of the primary display to a rack. A secondary pinion may couple a secondary shaft of the secondary display to the rack. Movement of the secondary display may be synchronized with movement of the primary display through the rack and pinions.

Abstract: An integral toolless-installation Compression Attached Memory Module (CAMM) bolster plate has a generally flat, parallelepiped body portion configured to contact one surface of a CAMM Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and provide compression between the CAMM and a z-axis compression connector. The bolster plate body defines (a) ramped keyhole(s), each ramped keyhole converts lateral displacement of the toolless-installation CAMM bolster plate into vertical displacement, providing the compression between the CAMM and the z-axis compression connector, by the ramped keyhole(s) sliding along (a) bottom face(s) of (a) head(s) of (a) fixed standoff(s) extending from an information handling system (IHS) PCB, through the z-axis compression connector and the CAMM PCB. The integral toolless-installation CAMM bolster plate may lock in place, laterally displaced, to maintain the compression between the CAMM and the z-axis compression connector.

Abstract: An enhanced actuator assembly, such as for use in driving a joint member of a wearable robotic device, is characterized by electrical isolation of the motor from the transmission system output. An actuator assembly includes a motor and a transmission system that provides a speed reduction of a motor speed to an output speed. The transmission system includes a non-conductive material layer that electrically isolates the motor from an output of the transmission system. The transmission system may be a two-stage transmission system. A first stage of speed reduction of the transmission system may include a first rotating member, such as a first helical gear, attached to the output shaft of the motor that transmits power to a second rotating member, such as a second helical gear. The second rotating member has a diameter larger than a diameter of the first rotating member to form the first stage of speed reduction, and the non-conductive material layer is part of the second rotating member.

Abstract: A joint actuator assembly incudes a motor, a rotating driving member driven by the motor for driving a driven component, and a transmission assembly located between the motor and the rotating driving member that provides speed reduction from the motor to the rotating driving member. The rotating driving member includes a magnetic/electrical coupling comprising a magnetic coupling component configured to magnetically couple with an opposing magnetic coupling of the driven component, and an electrical element configured to provide an electrical connection to an opposing electrical element of the driven component. The actuator and driven component may be combined into a mobility device including a magnetic/electrical coupling system comprising a first magnetic/electrical coupling on the actuator assembly that magnetically and electrically couples to a second magnetic/electrical coupling on the driven component.

Abstract: A fingerprint reader/power button system includes a base member defining base leg apertures extending into the base member. A spring member engages the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the base member. Spring legs on the spring member define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures. A support member engages the spring member and includes support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures. A power actuator element connected to the support member is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force on the support member overcomes the spring force. A fingerprint reader connected to the support member is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.