System and method for an RC controller and software

• US 6,293,798 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2000
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IDEO Product Development, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Skyline Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Olefsky, Steven J., Boyle, Brendan J., Grant, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US09/660,729
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 434/29-33, 434/43, 434/44, 434/61-63, 434/65, 434/69, 434/307.R, 434/308, 434/365, 446/433, 446/437, 446/456, 446/466, 180/6.5, 180/22, 180/65.6, 180/167, 180/168, 246/5, 246/219, 246/393, 244/7.B, 244/48, 244/76, 244/81, 244/120, 701/2, 701/25, 700/28, 700/32, 700/168, 700/253, 700/255
• US Class Current: 434/29
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/16 Control of vehicles or other craft simulators G09B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/048 a model being viewed and manoeuvred from a remote point G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for a computer to perform a vehicle operation proficiency test and based upon the results, to transfer performance features upgrade data to a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller combines the functionality of an RC controller with that of a “joystick” within the same device by controlling an RC vehicle when used as an RC controller and controlling a computer virtual vehicle game when used as a “joystick.”

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium for storing instructions for a computer to perform a radio controlled (RC) vehicle operation proficiency test, comprising:

executing a proficiency test session to test a user'"'"'s skill in operating a virtual vehicle corresponding to a RC vehicle;

determining whether a proficiency level necessary to upgrade vehicle performance features has been achieved; and

operative when the necessary proficiency level is achieved, transferring vehicle performance features upgrade data to a RC vehicle controller for controlling movement of the RC vehicle.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the RC vehicle is a RC car.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 2 wherein the RC controller is capable of exchanging data with both the computer and the RC vehicle.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the RC controller can be temporarily coupled to the computer via a cable.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the RC controller sends and receives data to and from the computer via a wireless connection.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining whether the RC vehicle is turned on or off.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving vehicle identification data from the RC controller, the vehicle identification data indicating physical surface features of the RC vehicle.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7 further comprising displaying on a monitor a simulation of the RC vehicle with the physical surface features.

9. A method for a computer to perform a radio controlled (RC) vehicle operation proficiency test, comprising the steps of:

executing a proficiency test session to test a user'"'"'s proficiency in operating a virtual vehicle corresponding to a RC vehicle;

determining whether a proficiency level necessary to upgrade vehicle performance features has been achieved; and

operative when the necessary proficiency is achieved, transferring vehicle performance features upgrade data to a RC vehicle controller for controlling movement of the RC vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the RC vehicle is a RC car.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the RC controller is capable of exchanging data with both the computer and the RC vehicle.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the RC controller can be temporarily coupled to the computer via a cable.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the RC controller sends and receives data to and from the computer via a wireless connection.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of determining whether the RC vehicle is turned on or off.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of sensing which model of vehicle a user owns and thereby displaying a matching module on a monitor.

16. A radio controlled (RC) controller for use in operating a radio controlled (RC) vehicle, comprising

an input device for inputting RC vehicle control data;

memory for holding vehicle performance features data received form a computer;

a CPU for analyzing and modifying the RC vehicle control data according to the vehicle performance features data; and

a transceiver for transmitting modified RC vehicle control data to a RC vehicle, transmitting unmodified RC vehicle control data to the computer, and receiving vehicle performance features data from the computer.

17. The RC controller of claim 16 further comprising a retractable antenna coupled to the transceiver.

18. The RC controller of claim 16 wherein the memory is a flash memory.

19. The RC controller of claim 16 wherein the RC vehicle is a RC car.

20. The RC controller of claim 16 further comprising at least one PC Input/Output interface.

21. The RC controller of claim 20 wherein the input device comprises at least one joystick.

22. The RC controller of claim 16 wherein the RC controller functions to control the RC vehicle and a virtual vehicle on the computer.