WIRELESS CONTROLLER SYSTEM

• US 20120265369A1
• Filed: 10/10/2011
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shur-Co LLC
• Original Assignee: Shur-Co LLC
• Inventors: Knight, Steven J., Gilmore, Timothy Jack, Dangler, Wade Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 9,088,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/4471 General means for controlling movements of the loading platform, e.g. hydraulic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters

Abstract

A transportation system comprising a vehicle having a first electrically operated component, a second electrically operated component and a wireless controller system. The wireless controller system is used for selectively controlling the operation of the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component.

Claims

1. A transportation system comprising:

a vehicle having a first electrically operated component and a second electrically operated component that are used in conjunction with the vehicle; and

a wireless controller system comprising;

a communication mechanism that is operably connected to the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component;

a display mechanism comprising;

a first identifier that identifies the first electrically operated component, wherein the first identifier includes a first indicator of an operational status of the first electrically operated component; and

a second identifier that identifies the second electrically operated component, wherein the second identifier includes a second indicator of an operational status of the second electrically operated component;

at least one component selection mechanism is capable of selecting at least one of the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component;

at least one component operation mechanism that is capable of controlling the operation of the selected at least one of the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component; and

at least one component operation identifier associated with the at least one component operation mechanism, wherein the at least one component operation identifier is changeable based upon at least one of the selected at least one of the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component.

2. The transportation system of claim 1, wherein the wireless controller system further comprises a cover portion operably attached thereto, wherein the cover portion is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein when the cover portion is in the closed configuration, the cover portion at least partially covers at least one of the display mechanism, the at least one component selection mechanism and the at least one component operation mechanism.

3. The transportation system of claim 1, wherein the first indicator and the second indicator are in a graphical, numerical and/or textual format.

4. The transportation system of claim 1, wherein the display mechanism is capable of displaying operational instructions based upon an operational status of the selected at least one of the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component.

5. The transportation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component operation identifier is changeable based upon the operational status of the selected at least one of the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component.

6. The transportation system of claim 1, wherein the component operation identifier is proximate the component operation mechanism.

7. The transportation system of claim 1, wherein the component operation identifier is displayed on the display mechanism.

8. The transportation system of claim 1, wherein the communication mechanism is capable of sending transmissions to and receiving transmissions from the first electrically operated component and the second electrically operated component.

9. A transportation system comprising:

a vehicle having at least two electrically operable accessories associated therewith; and

a wireless controller system comprising;

a communication mechanism;

a component selection mechanism that enables at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories to be selected;

a component operation mechanism that is capable of causing the transmission mechanism to transmit a communication signal to the selected at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories; and

a display mechanism that identifies at least two electrically operable accessories that are associated with the wireless controller system and indicates an operational status of the at least two electrically operably accessories.

10. The transportation system of claim 9, wherein the display mechanism displays a function associated with at least one of the component selection mechanism and the component operation mechanism.

11. The transportation system of claim 9, wherein the display mechanism is capable of graphically, numerically and/or textually displaying an operational status of the at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories.

12. The transportation system of claim 9, wherein the communication mechanism is capable of sending transmissions to and receiving transmissions from the at least two electrically operable accessories.

13. A wireless controller system for use in controlling at least two electrically operable accessories that are associated with a vehicle, wherein the wireless controller system comprises:

a communication mechanism that is capable of sending transmissions to and receiving transmissions from the at least two electrically operable accessories;

a component selection mechanism that enables at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories to be selected;

a component operation mechanism that is capable of causing the transmission mechanism to transmit a communication signal to the selected at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories; and

a display mechanism that identifies at least two electrically operable accessories that are associated with the wireless controller system.

14. The wireless controller system of claim 13, and further comprises a cover portion operably attached thereto, wherein the cover portion is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein when the cover portion is in the closed configuration, the cover portion at least partially covers at least one of the display mechanism, the at least one component selection mechanism and the at least one component operation mechanism.

15. The wireless controller system of claim 13, and further comprising a video camera mounted to view operation of the selected at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories, wherein output from the video camera is displayable on the display mechanism.

16. The wireless controller system of claim 13, wherein the display mechanism displays a function associated with at least one of the component selection mechanism and the component operation mechanism.

17. The wireless controller system of claim 13, wherein the display mechanism is capable of graphically, numerically and/or textually displaying an operational status of the at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories.

18. A wireless controller system for use in controlling at least two electrically operable accessories that are associated with a vehicle, wherein the wireless controller system comprises:

a communication mechanism that is operably connected to the at least two electrically operated components;

a component selection mechanism that enables at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories to be selected;

a component operation mechanism that is capable of causing the transmission mechanism to transmit a communication signal to the selected at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories; and

a display mechanism that identifies and provides an operational status for each of the at least two electrically operable accessories.

19. The wireless controller system of claim 18, and further comprises a cover portion operably attached thereto, wherein the cover portion is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein when the cover portion is in the closed configuration, the cover portion at least partially covers at least one of the display mechanism, the at least one component selection mechanism and the at least one component operation mechanism.

20. The wireless controller system of claim 18, wherein the display mechanism displays a function associated with at least one of the component selection mechanism and the component operation mechanism.

21. The wireless controller system of claim 18, wherein the display mechanism is capable of graphically, numerically and/or textually displaying an operational status of the at least one of the at least two electrically operable accessories.

22. A wireless controller system for use in controlling at least two electrically operable accessories that are associated with a vehicle, wherein the wireless controller system comprises:

a communication mechanism that is operably connected to an electrically operated component that is controllable with the wireless controller system;

a display mechanism comprising an identifier that identifies the electrically operated component, wherein the identifier includes an indicator of an operational status of first electrically operated component; and

at least one component selection mechanism that is capable of selecting an electrically operated component;

at least one component operation mechanism that is capable of controlling the operation of the electrically operated component; and

at least one component operation identifier that is associated with the at least one component operation mechanism, wherein the at least one component operation identifier is changeable based upon the electrically operated component.

23. The wireless controller system of claim 22, wherein the wireless controller system further comprises a cover portion operably attached thereto, wherein the cover portion is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein when the cover portion is in the closed configuration, the cover portion at least partially covers at least one of the display mechanism, the at least one component selection mechanism and the at least one component operation mechanism.

24. The wireless controller system of claim 22, wherein the display mechanism is capable of displaying an operational status of the electrically operated component in a graphical, numerical and/or textual format.

25. The wireless controller system of claim 22, wherein the display mechanism is capable of displaying operational instructions based upon an operational status of the electrically operated component.

26. The wireless controller system of claim 22, wherein the component operation identifier is proximate the component operation mechanism.

27. The wireless controller system of claim 22, wherein the component operation identifier is displayed on the display mechanism.

28. The wireless controller system of claim 22, wherein the at least one component operation identifier is changeable based upon the electrically operated component.

29. The wireless controller system of claim 22, wherein the communication mechanism is capable of sending transmissions to and receiving transmissions from the electrically operated component.

30. A method of using a wireless controller system for operably controlling at least two electrically operable accessories that are associated with a vehicle, wherein the method comprises:

providing a wireless controller system comprising a display mechanism, a component selection mechanism, a component operation mechanism, a component operation identifier and a communication mechanism;

displaying on the display mechanism a list of the at least two electrically operable accessories and an operational status of the at least two electrically operable accessories;

selecting using the component selection mechanism one of the at least two electrically operable accessories;

displaying on the component operation identifier an available operational function associated with the component operation mechanism, wherein the component operation identifier is determined by the selected electrically operable accessory;

pressing the component operation mechanism to initiate the available operational function; and

sending a first communication signal to the selected electrically operable accessory using the communication mechanism.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the component operation identifier is proximate the component operation mechanism.

32. The method of claim 30, and further comprising polling to determine what electrically operable accessories are available to be controlled with the wireless controller system.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein polling comprises:

sending a second communication signal using the communication mechanism; and

sending a third communication signal from the electrically operable accessory to the communication mechanism in response to receiving the second communication signal by the electrically operable accessory.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the polling is performed when the wireless controller is turned on.

35. The method of claim 30, and further comprising

operating the wireless controller system in an express mode in which the first communication signal is sent to initiate the express mode;

and

terminating the express mode by pressing at least one of the component selection mechanism and the component operation mechanism.

36. The method of claim 30, and further comprising sending a second communication signal from the selected electrically operable accessory that is indicative of an operational status of the selected electrically operable accessory, wherein the operational status is displayed on the display mechanism in at least one of a graphical, numerical and textual form.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the graphical operational status includes a line of varying length that is indicative of the current position of the selected electrically operable accessory.

38. The method of claim 37, and further comprising displaying a secondary position indicator that is positioned proximate an end of the line that varies in length.

39. A method of using a wireless controller system for operably controlling at least two electrically operable accessories that are associated with a vehicle, wherein the method comprises:

providing a wireless controller system comprising a display mechanism, a component selection mechanism, a component operation mechanism, a component operation identifier and a communication mechanism;

displaying on the display mechanism a list of the at least two electrically operable accessories;

selecting using the component selection mechanism one of the at least two electrically operable accessories;

pressing the component operation mechanism to initiate an express mode;

sending a first communication signal to the selected electrically operable accessory using the communication mechanism; and

terminating the express mode by pressing at least one of the component selection mechanism and the component operation mechanism.

40. The method of claim 39, and further comprising sending a second communication signal from the selected electrically operable accessory that is indicative of an operational status of the selected electrically operable accessory, wherein the operational status is displayed on the display mechanism in at least one of a graphical, numerical and textual form.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the graphical operational status includes a line of varying length that is indicative of the current position of the selected electrically operable accessory.

42. The method of claim 41, and further comprising displaying a secondary position indicator that is positioned proximate an end of the line that varies in length.

43. The method of claim 39, and further comprising polling to determine what electrically operable accessories are available to be controlled with the wireless controller system.