Simple Analogue
Micro switches are still used in high-level
controllers, but the large size and cost of them compared with simple contact
switches means that they are not popular in family game controllers any more.
Another reason for their demise is the appearance (from the mid of the 90s) of
buttons and the joystick can realize many degrees of movement of different
pressure instead of on/off report.
Inside micro switches
Micro switches work by connect two springs
together to control an electric contact, with a flat spring as contact role. In
resting state, the bent spring is over the flat spring; keep the contact (A)
close close and other contact (B) open. Using forces for an actuator (1) raise
the bend level on the flat spring till its efforts to be a brake win the ability
to keep the point in its position of the bend spring.
When the head of the flat spring begins to
move down, the geometry of the switch changes, reduces the efficiency of the
bend spring and makes the switch off simply. The release of the actuator (2) decreases
the bend level on the flat spring till it can’t pass the flat spring. When the
flat spring starts to move down, the bend spring becomes more effective, makes
the contact point turn back the original position. Closing between positions
for the switch is clear and ensure that each contact point always open or
closed.
Additional information received from
“analogue” controllers are valuable to drive and control more precisely or move
in other ways, enable to control games better.
Most analogue controllers really use
analogue devices to measure movement; one of the most common types is the
voltage meter. A typical voltage meter have input and output contacts and a
rotating shaft; voltage across contacts increase from minimum to maximum when
the shaft moves through Its road of motion. An analogue joystick as being used
in DualShock controllers of Sony has a voltage meter connected with its
horizontal and vertical shaft; measuring the voltage each shaft will reveal the
postion of joystick. However, the rudder control just needs a voltage meter on
shafts of the wheel and a voltage meter on each pedal.
Several popular hand controllers have
analogue buttons, some deploy the voltage meter. Another lightweight and
cheaper option, used on DualShock 2, transfers current through a conductible
strip with high electrical resistance. At bottom buttons arranged above the
strip, there is a lid made of materials with lower resistance. Pressing the
button will make the lid contact with the strip, allow the electricity to run
through the lid and pass a part of the strip which reduces the resistance from
this side to another of the strip. Pressing more will increase time of the
strip which the lid passes and reduce the resistance more as well. Measuring
the electrical current from a side to another of the strip shows that how
strong the button has been pressed.
Analogue signal gives precise control but
because contronllers have different designs and outputs, game joystick or PC
may not know what to do. Therefore, controllers often include
analogue-to-digital circuit to convert analogue signals to digital analogue
which can be processed before being sent to the server. In some cases,
“analogue” controllers use digital technology from the beginning. The analogue
bar in N64 controller of Nintendo uses motion models of LED and light sensor
and works in a similar way with the the ball mouse.
