Wireless controller

• US 10,235,870 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MHL Custom, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MHL Custom, Inc.
• Inventors: Leason, Nicholas, Williams, Mark B., Marsden, Douglas, Beck, Benjamin J., Higgins, Colby J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Brian E
• Application Number:
  US15/483,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20180293881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/10 Motor-propelled water sports boards power-driven personal watercraft B63B34/10
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/60 Board appendages, e.g. fins, hydrofoils or centre boards
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/40 Body-supporting structures dynamically supported by foils under water
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/21 Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/97 using a magnetic movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units

Abstract

Various examples of a waterproof wireless controller using a unique trigger mechanism with unique waterproofing characteristics are disclosed. The wireless controller can be used in watersports or other activities and be completely submerged without water intrusion or loss of function.

Claims

1. A wireless controller comprising:

a housing with a water-tight cavity;

a computer comprising a processor and a memory disposed inside of the water-tight cavity;

a plurality of user profiles;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the computer; and

a throttle mechanism comprising a sensor coupled to the computer and a trigger, wherein the sensor is disposed inside of the water-tight cavity and the trigger is disposed outside of the water-tight cavity, the sensor being configured to wirelessly detect movement of the trigger, wherein the computer is configured to;

receive a first signal corresponding to movement of the trigger relative to the sensor; and

in response to the first signal, direct the wireless transmitter to transmit a second signal configured to change the output of a motor that is wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller;

wherein the housing is configured to cover the computer, the wireless transmitter and the sensor, thereby enclosing such components within the water-tight cavity; and

wherein the computer is further configured to limit the performance of the motor based on the plurality of user profiles.

2. The wireless controller of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor, and the trigger includes a magnet.

3. The wireless controller of claim 2, wherein movement of the magnet relative to the Hall-effect sensor produces a first signal.

4. The wireless controller of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor or an infrared sensor.

5. The wireless controller of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first part mated to a second part with a water-tight seal interposed between the first part and the second part, the water-tight seal forming a waterproof barrier that creates the water-tight cavity.

6. The wireless controller of claim 5, wherein the first and second parts mate along an interface perimeter, and the water-tight seal extends between the first and second parts along and entirety of the interface perimeter.

7. The wireless controller of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a shaft and the wireless controller further comprises a cap that is sealed to the shaft by way of a water-tight seal.

8. The wireless controller of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured to:

receive the first signal corresponding to movement of the trigger relative to the sensor and compute a motor output value; and

direct the wireless transmitter to transmit the motor output value to the motor that is wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller, wherein the motor output value is configured to change the output of the motor.

9. The wireless controller of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the computer is further configured to receive signal strength information from the wireless transmitter, and in response to signal strength information below a signal strength threshold, shutting off the motor that is wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller.

10. A method of operating a waterproof controller comprising:

providing a waterproof controller comprising;

a housing with a water-tight cavity;

a plurality of user profiles;

a computer having a processor and a memory disposed in the water-tight cavity; and

a throttle mechanism comprising a sensor coupled to the computer and a trigger, wherein the sensor is disposed inside of the water-tight cavity and the trigger is disposed outside of the water-tight cavity;

wirelessly detecting movement of the trigger by way of the sensor,

moving the trigger relative to the sensor, thereby causing the sensor to send a first signal to the computer;

in response to the first signal, transmitting a second signal via a wireless transmitter to a receiver coupled to a motor;

changing an output of the motor in response to the second signal; and

limiting the performance of the motor based on the plurality of user profiles,

wherein the housing is configured to cover the computer, the wireless transmitter, the sensor, and the wireless transmitter, thereby enclosing such components within the watertight cavity.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor, and the trigger includes a magnet.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving the magnet relative to the Hall-effect sensor, thereby causing the Hall-effect sensor to send the first signal to the computer.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor or an infrared sensor.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the housing comprises a first part mated to a second part with a water-tight seal interposed between the first part and the second part, the water-tight seal forming a waterproof barrier that creates the water-tight cavity.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second parts mate along an interface perimeter, and the water-tight seal extends between the first and second parts along an entirety of the interface perimeter.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a shaft and the wireless controller further comprises a cap that is sealed to the shaft by way of a water-tight seal.

17. A wireless waterproof controller comprising;

a housing with a water-tight cavity;

a plurality of user profiles;

a computer comprising a processor and a memory disposed inside of the water-tight cavity;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the computer; and

a throttle mechanism comprising a Hall-effect sensor coupled to the computer and a trigger having a magnet, wherein the hall effect sensor is disposed inside of the water-tight cavity and the trigger and magnet are disposed outside of the water-tight cavity, the Hall-effect sensor being configured to wirelessly detect movement of the trigger when the magnet is moved relative to the Hall-effect sensor, wherein the computer is configured to;

receive a first signal corresponding to movement of the trigger and magnet relative to the Hall-effect sensor; and

in response to the first signal, direct the wireless transmitter to transmit a second signal configured to change the output of a motor that is wirelessly coupled to the wireless controller;

wherein the housing is configured to cover the computer, the wireless transmitter and the Hall-effect sensor, thereby enclosing such components within the water-tight cavity; and

wherein the computer is further configured to limit the performance of the motor based on the plurality of user profiles.

18. The wireless controller of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a first part mated to a second part with a water-tight seal interposed between the first part and the second part, the water-tight seal forming a waterproof barrier that creates the water-tight cavity.

19. The wireless controller of claim 18, wherein the first and second parts mate along an interface perimeter, and the water-tight seal extends between the first and second parts along an entirety of the interface perimeter.

20. The wireless controller of claim 17, wherein the housing includes a shaft and the wireless controller further comprises a cap that is sealed to the shaft by way of a water-tight seal.