Smartphone Controller for RC Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
RC model vehicle controllers often require multiple devices due to differing user controls for various types of vehicles, leading to increased costs and complexity, as advanced features like processors and touch-screen displays are typically found in separate, expensive controllers.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, is used in conjunction with a radio transmitter device to control model vehicles, providing user controls like touch screens, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, and storing configuration settings for different vehicles, allowing a single device to operate multiple models with advanced features without the need for multiple controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate controllers are used for different types of RC vehicles, then each vehicle type can have specialized user controls, but the overall system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal controller design that can operate multiple types of RC vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, airplanes, helicopters) through a single device. The controller uses a combination of traditional physical controls (joysticks, switches) and mobile computing device inputs (touchscreen, accelerometer, gyroscope) to provide versatile control across different vehicle types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges traditional RC controller functionality with mobile computing device capabilities into a single integrated system. The mobile computing device provides touchscreen display, accelerometer, gyroscope, and processor functions that complement traditional joysticks and switches, creating a unified controller that handles multiple vehicle types through combined input methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If advanced features like processors and touch-screen displays are added to controllers, then functionality is enhanced, but the cost and complexity of the controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mobile computing device as an intermediary that provides advanced processing and display capabilities without requiring these complex components to be built into the traditional controller housing. The mobile device acts as a mediator between the user and the RC vehicle, handling touchscreen input, accelerometer data, gyroscope information, and visual feedback while the traditional controller portion maintains simple physical controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces with electronic and software-based alternatives provided by the mobile computing device. The touchscreen substitutes physical buttons, the accelerometer and gyroscope replace mechanical position sensors, and the mobile device's processor handles complex control algorithms that would otherwise require dedicated controller electronics.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for utilizing a mobile computing device (e.g., such as a mobile phone) for use in controlling a model vehicle are described. Consistent with some embodiments, a mobile computing device provides various user controls for generating signals that are communicated to a radio transmitter device coupled with the mobile computing device, and ultimately broadcast to a receiver residing at a model vehicle. With some embodiments, the mobile computing device may be integrated with a controller housing which provides separate user controls, such that a combination of user controls present on the mobile computing device and the controller housing can be used to control a model vehicle.