MULTICHANNEL CONTROLLER

• US 20140298233A1
• Filed: 06/13/2014
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robotzone, LLC
• Original Assignee: Robotzone, LLC
• Inventors: Pettey, Brian T., Holt, Christopher L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,823,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Multichannel device controllers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multichannel device controller includes a plurality of user selectable control modes for controlling a multichannel device and a plurality of user configurable settings for adjusting parameters associated with the plurality of user selectable control modes. A touchscreen displays a user interface corresponding to a selected one of plurality of user selectable control modes and receives user input indicative of a command to send to the multichannel device. A processor generates the command to send to the multichannel device based at least in part on the user input and the plurality of user configurable settings.

Claims

1. A user interface on a computing device for controlling a pan/tilt device, the user interface comprising:

a control mode selector that receives a user input that is a selection of one of a plurality of different user interface mechanisms for selecting a direction of movement of the pan/tilt device; and

a functionality limitation setting mechanism that receives a user input that is a selection of a functionality limitation that is applied to the selected direction of movement so as to limit the functionally the way in which the pan/tilt device is to be moved in the selected direction of movement, wherein a user indicates a speed sensitivity that applies to the indicated direction of movement of the pan/tilt device.

2. The user interface of claim 1, and further wherein the user interface is accessed on a touch screen interface of the computing device.

3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the selected control mode comprises a touchpad.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the selected control mode is a trackball.

5. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the selected control mode comprises a joystick.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the functionality limitation setting mechanism further comprises a speed sensitivity setting mechanism.

7. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the functionality limitation setting mechanism further comprises a position lock setting mechanism.

8. The user interface of claim 7, wherein the position lock setting mechanism further comprises a user selection of an axis of movement of the pan/tilt device.

9. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the functionality limitation setting mechanism further comprises a maximum speed setting mechanism.

10. The user interface of claim 1, and further comprising:

a zoom setting mechanism, wherein a user indicates a zoom setting for the pan/tilt device.

11. The user interface of claim 1, and further wherein the user interface comprises a main portion and an icons portion.

12. A controller with a touchscreen interface for a pan/tilt device, the controller comprising:

a user input mechanism configured to receive a user selection of a control mode, wherein the user input mechanism comprises the user selection of the control mode from a plurality of images of control modes compatible with the controller;

a signal generator configured to receive an input from the user, using the selected control mode, wherein the input indicates a direction and speed of movement for the pan/tilt device; and

a processor that is configured to transmit the control signal to a motor of the pan/tilt device.

13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the controller is a phone.

14. The controller of claim 12, wherein the controller further comprises a zoom setting, wherein the zoom setting indicates a zoom level for a feed receiver of the pan/tilt device.

15. The controller of claim 12, wherein the controller further comprises a position lock setting.

16. The controller of claim 12, wherein the position lock setting locks a position of the pan/tilt device such that the pan/tilt device is unable to move along a locked axis.

17. The controller of claim 12, and further comprising:

a mode selector, wherein the user selects to operate the controller in an open-loop mode or a closed loop-mode.

19. The method of claim 13, and further comprising:

saving the indicated direction and speed of movement for the pan/tilt device.

20. The method of claim 13, and further comprising:

repeating the method for a plurality of pan/tilt devices.

18. A method for controlling a pan/tilt device, the method comprising:

selecting a control mode, wherein selecting a control mode comprises selecting an image of a control mode from a series of images of control modes;

receiving a user input indicative of a direction and a speed of movement for a pan/tilt device;

translating the received user input into a control signal; and

transmitting the control signal to the pan/tilt device.