Removable vehicle operation instrument with remote control capability and related method
First Claim
1. A system for selective direct or remote operation of a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a vehicle control system associated with a vehicle;
a handheld, selectively portable instrument comprising a communication element in communication with the vehicle control system, the instrument including a sensor that detects relative movement of the instrument by a user, and a display;
a vehicle dashboard including a docking station; and
an imaging device mounted on the vehicle, the imaging device in communication with the display of the handheld instrument,wherein the handheld instrument is operable in a direct vehicle operation mode, a remote control mode, and a takeover mode,wherein in the direct vehicle operation mode, the handheld instrument is removably mounted to the docking station and in communication with the vehicle control system;
wherein in the remote control mode, the handheld instrument is removed and distal from the docking station, and manually moveable about at least one axis, with the sensor detecting the relative movement of the instrument by the user about the at least one axis, and the instrument translating the relative movement into signals to control at least one of speed, acceleration, braking, gear selection, weapon activation and steering of the vehicle,wherein at least one image captured by the imaging device is displayed on the display of the handheld instrument in the remote control mode,wherein in the takeover mode, the at least one image displayed on the display of the handheld instrument includes a takeover asset shown in the at least one image,wherein in the takeover mode, the handheld instrument is configured to allow a user to view and select the takeover asset shown in the at least one image, and thereby takeover, with the handheld instrument, the operation of the takeover asset.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system including an instrument and a vehicle control system is provided. The instrument can include a display and a vehicle controller in communication with the vehicle control system. The instrument can be docked in a docking station of the vehicle, for example in a driver space, and used as primary instrumentation for a driver to directly control the vehicle. The instrument can be undocked and removed physically from the vehicle and used to remotely control vehicle operations from a location distant from the vehicle. A method of using the system and instrument is also provided in which a user can directly or remotely operate a vehicle with the instrument in communication with the vehicle control system. A method of using the system and/or instrument to directly or remotely operate one or more vehicles is also provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for selective direct or remote operation of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a vehicle control system associated with a vehicle; a handheld, selectively portable instrument comprising a communication element in communication with the vehicle control system, the instrument including a sensor that detects relative movement of the instrument by a user, and a display; a vehicle dashboard including a docking station; and an imaging device mounted on the vehicle, the imaging device in communication with the display of the handheld instrument, wherein the handheld instrument is operable in a direct vehicle operation mode, a remote control mode, and a takeover mode, wherein in the direct vehicle operation mode, the handheld instrument is removably mounted to the docking station and in communication with the vehicle control system; wherein in the remote control mode, the handheld instrument is removed and distal from the docking station, and manually moveable about at least one axis, with the sensor detecting the relative movement of the instrument by the user about the at least one axis, and the instrument translating the relative movement into signals to control at least one of speed, acceleration, braking, gear selection, weapon activation and steering of the vehicle, wherein at least one image captured by the imaging device is displayed on the display of the handheld instrument in the remote control mode, wherein in the takeover mode, the at least one image displayed on the display of the handheld instrument includes a takeover asset shown in the at least one image, wherein in the takeover mode, the handheld instrument is configured to allow a user to view and select the takeover asset shown in the at least one image, and thereby takeover, with the handheld instrument, the operation of the takeover asset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An instrument adapted for selective direct or remote operation of a vehicle, the instrument comprising:
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a handheld, selectively portable instrument comprising a communication element adapted to communicate with a vehicle control system of a first vehicle, the instrument including at least one control input moveable by a user and a display, the instrument adapted for communication with an imaging device mounted on the first vehicle, wherein the handheld instrument is operable in a direct vehicle operation mode, a first remote control mode, a takeover mode, and a second remote control mode, wherein in the direct vehicle operation mode, the handheld instrument is removably mounted relative to a docking station in the first vehicle and in operative communication with the vehicle control system, the handheld instrument displaying via the display at least one of speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, electrical status, weapon status and oil pressure information while the handheld instrument is in the direct vehicle operation mode, wherein in the first remote control mode, the handheld instrument is removed and distal from the docking station and the first vehicle, and the control input is manually operable by the user, wherein the operation of the control input is translated into at least one of signals and commands to control at least one of speed, acceleration, braking, gear selection, weapon activation and steering of the first vehicle, wherein at least one image captured by the imaging device is displayed on the display of the handheld instrument, wherein in the takeover mode, the handheld instrument displays a second vehicle in the at least one image and the handheld instrument is configured to receive input from the user so that the handheld instrument can takeover operation of the second vehicle, wherein in the second remote control mode, the control input is manually operable by the user and the operation of the control input is translated into at least one of signals and commands to control at least one of speed, acceleration, braking, gear selection, weapon activation and steering of the second vehicle.
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14. A method for operating a vehicle comprising:
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providing a first vehicle, the first vehicle comprising a first handheld, selectively portable instrument, the first instrument including a first sensor that detects relative movement of the first instrument by a user and a first display, the first handheld instrument docked in a first docking station of the first vehicle, the first handheld instrument including a first display; providing a second vehicle, the second vehicle comprising a second handheld, selectively portable instrument, the second instrument including a second sensor that detects relative movement of the second instrument by a user and a second display, the second handheld instrument docked in a second docking station of the second vehicle, the second handheld instrument including a second display; and removing the first handheld instrument from the first docking station of the first vehicle, the first handheld instrument displaying an image of the second vehicle on the first display; providing input to the first handheld instrument to select the image of the second vehicle for operation of the second vehicle; commencing takeover of a vehicle control system of the second vehicle with the first handheld instrument; remotely operating at least one of speed, acceleration, braking, gear selection, steering and weapon operation of the second vehicle with the first handheld instrument after the vehicle control system of the second vehicle is taken over by the first instrument. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification