System, method, and computer readable medium for a force-based wheelchair joystick
First Claim
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1. A processor implemented method for using an interface for use with a pressure-based wheelchair joystick, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) a microcontroller detecting a voltage signal sent from a calibration button located on a wheelchair interface and wherein the voltage signal is sent when a pressure-based wheelchair joystick is in a neutral state;
(b) the microcontroller initiating an idle state for a predetermined period of time upon detection of the voltage signal sent from the calibration button;
(c) the microcontroller pausing for the predetermined period of time, the microcontroller determining whether a calibration button is being pressed by determining if a voltage signal sent from the calibration button is detectable;
(d) the microcontroller detecting a neutral input signal sent from the pressure-based wheelchair joystick when the wheelchair joystick is in a neutral position, wherein the microcontroller stores the neutral input signal as an initial value for each axis of the pressure-based wheelchair joystick(e) the microcontroller determining a deadband using the detected input signal, wherein the deadband is a range including a minimum value that is defined as the input signal minus 24 milliVolts and a maximum value that is defined as the input signal plus 24 milliVolts;
(f) storing the deadband as a neutral range value;
(g) a microcontroller detecting a first input signal, the first input signal having a corresponding value, where the first input signal is received from the pressure-based wheelchair joystick;
(h) the microcontroller determining if the first input signal is outside the neutral range value;
(i) the microcontroller verifying that the value of the first input signal is outside the neutral range;
(j) the microcontroller transmitting an output signal to a wheelchair, the output signal corresponding to the value of the first input signal;
(k) the microcontroller verifying that the value of the first input signal is within a predetermined fault range;
(l) the microcontroller outputting a signal if the value of the first input signal is outside the fault range; and
(m) the microcontroller deactivating the wheelchair in response to the first input signal being within the predetermined fault range.
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Abstract
An interface for use with a pressure-based wheelchair joystick, which enables highly sensitive calibration of the pressure-based joystick, and allows the user to control the wheelchair.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A processor implemented method for using an interface for use with a pressure-based wheelchair joystick, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) a microcontroller detecting a voltage signal sent from a calibration button located on a wheelchair interface and wherein the voltage signal is sent when a pressure-based wheelchair joystick is in a neutral state; (b) the microcontroller initiating an idle state for a predetermined period of time upon detection of the voltage signal sent from the calibration button; (c) the microcontroller pausing for the predetermined period of time, the microcontroller determining whether a calibration button is being pressed by determining if a voltage signal sent from the calibration button is detectable; (d) the microcontroller detecting a neutral input signal sent from the pressure-based wheelchair joystick when the wheelchair joystick is in a neutral position, wherein the microcontroller stores the neutral input signal as an initial value for each axis of the pressure-based wheelchair joystick (e) the microcontroller determining a deadband using the detected input signal, wherein the deadband is a range including a minimum value that is defined as the input signal minus 24 milliVolts and a maximum value that is defined as the input signal plus 24 milliVolts; (f) storing the deadband as a neutral range value; (g) a microcontroller detecting a first input signal, the first input signal having a corresponding value, where the first input signal is received from the pressure-based wheelchair joystick; (h) the microcontroller determining if the first input signal is outside the neutral range value; (i) the microcontroller verifying that the value of the first input signal is outside the neutral range; (j) the microcontroller transmitting an output signal to a wheelchair, the output signal corresponding to the value of the first input signal; (k) the microcontroller verifying that the value of the first input signal is within a predetermined fault range; (l) the microcontroller outputting a signal if the value of the first input signal is outside the fault range; and (m) the microcontroller deactivating the wheelchair in response to the first input signal being within the predetermined fault range. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An interface for use with a pressure-based wheelchair joystick, the interface comprising:
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(a) a microcontroller to implement instructions in response to input signals received from the pressure-based wheelchair joystick, the instructions comprising the steps of; 1. detecting a voltage signal received when a calibration button on the pressure-based wheelchair is pressed, wherein the voltage signal is received when the pressure-based wheelchair joystick is in a neutral position; 2. initiating an idle state for a predetermined period of time; 3. determining whether the voltage signal is still being sent; 4. upon determining that the voltage signal is still being sent, receiving an input signal; 5. determining a deadband using the detected input signal; 6. storing the deadband as a neutral range value and wherein the neutral range includes a minimum value that is defined as the input signal minus 24 milliVolts and a maximum value that is defined as the input signal plus 24 milliVolts; 7. detecting a first input signal, the first input signal having a corresponding value, where the first input signal is received from the pressure-based wheelchair joystick; 8. determining if the first input signal is out of the neutral range value; 9. verifying that the value of the first input signal is outside the neutral range; 10. transmitting an output signal to a wheelchair, the output signal corresponding to the value of the first input signal; 11. verifying that the value of the first input signal is within a predetermined fault range; 12. outputting a signal if the value of the first input signal is outside the fault range; and 13. deactivating the wheelchair in response to a fault signal (b) a first filter coupled to an input of the microcontroller; (c) an amplifier coupled to an output of the microcontroller; and (d) a voltage divider circuit coupled to an output of the amplifier to feed an output signal back into the microcontroller.
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Specification