Remote control module for a vehicle

• US 6,931,775 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2002
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Burnett, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clement, M.
• Application Number:
  US10/162,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 42/90, 42/710.1, 42/72, 421/06, 89/14.2, 89/11.1, 89/11
• US Class Current: 42/72
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/02 using an independent line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/165 using a TV-monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle

Abstract

The invention is a remote control module for controlling the movement of a vehicle, the module for mounting on a rifle. The module includes a housing suitable for use as a forward handgrip for the rifle. A mechanism is included to mount the housing on the rifle in the location of the forward handgrip. An electronic control circuit for controlling the movement of the vehicle is mounted within the housing. Vehicle control devices are mounted on one side or both of the housing coupled to the electronic control circuit such that the operator of the module can simultaneously operate the rifle and control the motion of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling and monitoring the movement of a remote vehicle, comprising:

a remote control module operable to generate control signals to be transmitted to the vehicle, the module being mountable on a rifle, the module comprising;

a housing configured as a hand grip for the rifle;

an electronic control circuit mounted within the housing;

a vehicle control device coupled to the electronic control circuit and mounted on the housing such that the operator of the module can simultaneously operate the rifle and control the vehicle; and

a communication link operable to transmit signals to the vehicle and to receive signals generated by the vehicle.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a display screen mounted on the housing and movable from a stored position to a viewing position.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

an antenna mounted on the-apparatus, wherein the antenna is operable to transmit signals between the vehicle and the remote control module.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 comprising a laser designator mounted on the-housing and coupled to the-electronic control circuit.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the communication link between the module and the vehicle is operable to transmit guidance information to the vehicle.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

a rifle; and

a fastener for mounting the remote control module to the rifle.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signals from the vehicle include video signals representing images from a sensor on the vehicle.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the operator can control the speed and direction of the vehicle via the vehicle control device.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a power indicator to indicate the power remaining for the vehicle.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the communication link between the module and the vehicle is further used for transmitting video signals from the vehicle to the module.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle is wire guide via a wire dispensing system, and the electronic control circuit is coupled to the wire dispensing system.