System and method for converting radio control transmitter and joystick controller signals into universal serial bus signals

• US 6,842,804 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Horizon Hobby, Llc
• Original Assignee: Hobbico Incorporated
• Inventors: Williams, Mark D., Kemp, Scott, Cloud, Neal E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Kim
• Application Number:
  US10/354,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20030229729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 710/69, 710/65, 710/313, 345/161, 345/158, 273/148.R, 446/456, 463/47
• US Class Current: 710/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A device for converting joystick controller generated analog and digital signals into Universal Serial Bus (USB) format, or for converting imported pulse position modulated (PPM) encoded signals from an external radio control (RC) transmitter into USB format data. The device is used, in an embodiment, for controlling simulated RC model aircraft as displayed, for example on a personal computer screen through the use of computer software. In an embodiment, the device includes a pair of two-axis gimbals, an auxiliary channel control potentiometer, and various control key switches to generate analog and digital joystick type signals as a result of direct manipulation by a user. The device also includes microcontroller circuitry for importing PPM signals, such as PPM signals generated by a commercially available model aircraft RC transmitter, to a USB port signal for interface with a computer.

Claims

1. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) adapter system for converting an analog and a digital signal from a joystick into the USB format, the system comprising:

an analog port for receiving the analog signal from the joystick;

a digital port for receiving the digital signal from the joystick and supplying the digital signal to a bus;

an analog to digital converter for converting the analog signal received at the analog port into a converted signal and supplying the converted signal to the bus; and

a USB interface engine for receiving the digital signal and the converted signal from the bus, and for converting the digital signal and the converted signal into USB format data.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for encrypting and decrypting the digital signal and the converted signal supplied to the bus.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an input capture port connected to the bus, the input capture port being suitable for receiving an external control signal and for supplying the external control signal to the bus.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the external control signal is supplied by a radio control transmitter connected to the input capture port.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the radio control transmitter is a Mode 2 radio control transmitter.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the radio control transmitter is a Mode 1 radio control transmitter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is built into a joystick controller.

8. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) adapter system for converting an analog and a digital signal from a joystick into the USB format, the system comprising:

an analog port for receiving the analog signal from the joystick;

a digital port for receiving the digital signal from the joystick and supplying the digital signal to a bus;

an analog to digital converter for converting the analog signal received at the analog port into a converted signal and supplying the converted signal to the bus;

an input capture port connected to the bus, the input capture port being suitable for receiving an external control signal and for supplying the external control signal to the bus; and

a USB interface engine for receiving the digital signal, the converted signal, and the external control signal from the bus, and for converting the digital signal, the converted signal, and the external control signal into USB format data.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a means for encrypting and decrypting the digital signal and the converted signal supplied to the bus.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the external control signal is supplied by a radio control transmitter connected to the input capture port.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the radio control transmitter is a Mode 2 radio control transmitter.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the radio control transmitter is a Mode 1 radio control transmitter.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is built into a joystick controller.

14. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) adapter system for converting an analog and a digital signal from a joystick into the USB format, the system comprising:

an analog port for receiving the analog signal from the joystick;

a digital port for receiving the digital signal from the joystick and supplying the digital signal to a bus;

means for converting the analog signal received at the analog port into a converted signal and supplying the converted signal to the bus;

means for receiving an external control signal and for supplying the external control signal to the bus; and

means for receiving the digital signal, the converted signal, and the external control signal from the bus, and for converting the digital signal, the converted signal, and the external control signal into USB format data.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for converting the analog signal is an analog to digital converter.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for receiving an external control signal is an input capture port.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for receiving the digital signal, the converted signal, and the external control signal from the bus is a USB interface engine.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a means for encrypting and decrypting the digital signal and the converted signal supplied to the bus.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the external control signal is supplied by a radio control transmitter connected to the input capture port.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the radio control transmitter is a Mode 2 radio control transmitter.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the radio control transmitter is a Mode 1 radio control transmitter.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the system is built into a joystick controller.