Method and apparatus for setting or modifying programmable parameters in power driven wheelchair

Abstract

A collection of diagnostic and troubleshooting information associated with a power driven wheelchair is stored for access by a microcontroller to be displayed to a user to assist in troubleshooting the power driven wheelchair. A log of fault codes transmitted by various fault-detecting mechanisms is compiled. A user may request display of diagnostic information associated with a selected fault code. The operating instructions of a power driven wheelchair may be updated by using portable storage media onto which a latest version of operating instructions is loaded to transfer the updated operating instructions to wheelchair controller memory. The calibration of a power driven wheelchair can be simplified by providing functionality within the wheelchair controller to change calibration parameters or to transfer calibration parameters from portable storage media.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A method of calibrating one or more operating parameters of a power driven wheelchair comprising:
 providing a first non-volatile storage device storing one or more sets of calibration parameters associated with operation of the power driven wheelchair, wherein the first non-volatile storage device is adapted for modification of the stored calibration parameters and is disposed within a wheelchair controller coupled to the power driven wheelchair;   displaying an interactive screen that displays calibration parameters and prompts for changing one of more of the displayed values; and   receiving signals from one or more input devices adapted for interaction with the interactive screen, adjusting the calibration parameters in response to the signals, and storing the adjusted calibration values in the first non-volatile storage media.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of displaying an interactive screen is performed by displaying an interactive screen on the wheelchair controller. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals from input devices that are part of the wheelchair controller. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that assign a function to one or more external controller switches in response to signals from the one or more input devices. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that select a display convention according to which operating information is configured for display on the interactive screen. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that assign a relationship between a battery discharge display and an actual battery voltage. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that select one or more wheelchair motor outputs as wheelchair drive outputs. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that assign a relationship between operative control of first and second wheelchair motors. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that select a delay between cessation of operator control input and an activation of one or more wheelchair motor brakes. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that select timing related to the display convention. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the step of receiving signals from one or more input devices is performed by receiving signals that select an initial operating mode in which a wheelchair commences operation upon power up.