Joystick

What it is A joystick is an input device that has a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. A joystick, is also the principle device in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or side-stick. It often has buttons/switches to control various aspects of the aircraft's flight or controls for games.

How it works The joystick has an input device, that has a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling, such as an aircraft or video game. It also has multiple buttons that can also communicate with the machine, such as the “a” button or “b” button that video games use for jumping, crouching, etc.

How it was invented The Joystick was invented by C. B. Mirick at the United States Naval Research Laboratory. The Germans also, developed an electrical two-axis joystick around 1944 for WW2 planes.

The first video game involved The earliest known electronic game that the joystick was used released by Sega as part of their 1969 arcade game, Missile.

For the disabled Joysticks are used to replace the computer mouse for people with severe physical disabilities. Rather than controlling games these joysticks plug into the USB port and control the pointer. They are often useful to people with crippling conditions, such as cerebral palsy, who find them easier to grasp than a standard mouse. Miniature joysticks are also available for people with conditions involving muscular weakness such as muscular dystrophy or motor neurone disease. They are also used on electric powered wheelchairs for control since they are simple and effective to use as a control method.

What ports joysticks use The game port is a port found on IBM computer compatible systems throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It was the main connector for joystick input devices until greatly out- matched by the USB in the 21st century.

GAME CONTROLLERS

What the controller is used for. The game controller is used to input actions into the game console, which then does a command. This are very useful for compact controls in a game. They have less macros then a normal keyboard, but are also reduced in size.

Where it was first seen. The third generation of video games were brought to console, majority of those consoles used controllers. Just like the Nintendo entertainment system (NES). The controller helped make an easier multiplayer community.

How it works. Older controllers used just buttons, which have a current and when the button is pressed down the current then makes a complete circuit imputing a command. Next we added analog sticks, how they work is with a current, moving each way to touch metal, Then the side that the metal has touched inputs that command. Vibration, this works, with the game telling the motor in the controller to rumble create a vibration.

Where are they seen now? They are seen everywhere, from all different consoles, to the computer, many different companies are building their own type of controller. Many have been modified to give the user an advantage to help them win the game. Companies like Razer, Logitech, Microsoft and Nintendo all make controllers for computers to use, with games that are universal.