Systems and methods for inertially-instituted binding of a RC vehicle

• US 10,094,669 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2015
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Horizon Hobby, Llc
• Original Assignee: Horizon Hobby, Llc
• Inventors: Haley, James, Hoyda, Damon, James, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peche, Jorge O
• Application Number:
  US14/927,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20170123416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/26 Details; Accessories drive mechanisms A63H29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 18/00 Highways or trackways for toys railway permanent way A63H19/30; for special railways A63H21/00; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/18 Stabilised platforms, e.g. by gyroscope
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device

Abstract

Example implementations may relate to an RC vehicle with a receiver and an inertial measurement unit. In particular, the RC vehicle may include vehicle controller circuitry that works together with the inertial measurement unit to instruct the receiver to enter a bind mode when the RC vehicle is rotated, oriented, or positioned in a certain way. In an example embodiment, the RC vehicle may instruct the receiver to enter a bind mode when the RC vehicle is first powered on and is rotated 180 degrees in a certain direction, such as from upright to upside-down.

Claims

1. A Radio Controlled (RC) vehicle with inertially-instituted binding comprising:

a receiver coupled to the RC vehicle;

a transmitter;

an inertial measurement unit coupled to the RC vehicle and configured to output inertial data; and

vehicle controller circuitry electrically connected to the receiver and the inertial measurement unit and configured to;

receive the inertial data;

compare the inertial data to a programmable threshold; and

when the inertial data meets or exceeds the programmable threshold, bind the receiver and the transmitter to mitigate interference with other transmitters.

2. The RC vehicle of claim 1, wherein the inertial measurement unit comprises at least one gyroscope sensor configured to output angular data.

3. The RC vehicle of claim 1, wherein the inertial measurement unit comprises at least one accelerometer sensor configured to output acceleration data.

4. A method of inertially-instituted binding implemented by a Radio Controlled (RC) vehicle comprising:

applying power to a receiver coupled to the RC vehicle, wherein the receiver is operable to bind to a transmitter;

receiving, via vehicle controller circuitry, inertial data from an inertial measurement unit coupled to the RC vehicle;

comparing, via vehicle controller circuitry, the inertial data to a programmed inertial value; and

when the inertial data equals, or exceeds, the inertial data, the programmed inertial value, instructing, via the vehicle controller circuitry, the receiver to enter a bind mode; and

binding, after entering into the bind mode, the receiver with the transmitter to mitigate interference with other transmitters.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the inertial measurement unit comprises at least one gyroscope sensor configured to output angular data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the inertial measurement unit comprises at least one accelerometer sensor configured to output acceleration data.