Multichannel controller

Abstract

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computing device to execute operations comprising transitioning a displayed user interface presented on a display of the computing device from a first control mode for controlling a moveable device, to a second control mode for controlling the moveable device is presented. The user interface comprises a control mode selector and a functionality limitation setting mechanism. The control mode selector is configured to display a plurality of control mode selector icons, each corresponding to one of a plurality of control modes. The plurality of control mode selector icons includes a first control mode selector icon, corresponding to the first control mode, and a second control mode selector icon, corresponding to the second control mode. The control mode selector is configured to receive a user input selection of the second control mode selector icon. The control mode selector is configured to display the second control mode by displaying a user-controllable icon corresponding to the second control mode in a main portion of the user interface. The functionality limitation setting mechanism is configured to receive a user input selection of a functionality limitation applied to the second control mode. The user input is received through a touch screen interface of the computing device. The functionality limitation comprises a position lock function that is configured to, when actuated, lock a position of the controlled moveable device with respect to a selected axis of motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computing device to execute operations comprising transitioning a displayed user interface presented on a display of the computing device from a first control mode for controlling a moveable device, to a second control mode for controlling the moveable device, the user interface comprising:
 a control mode selector configured to:
 display a plurality of control mode selector icons, each corresponding to one of a plurality of control modes, wherein the plurality of control mode selector icons includes a first control mode selector icon, corresponding to the first control mode, and a second control mode selector icon, corresponding to the second control mode; 
 receive a user input selection of the second control mode selector icon; and 
 display the second control mode by displaying a user-controllable icon corresponding to the second control mode in a main portion of the user interface; and 
   a functionality limitation setting mechanism configured to:
 receive a user input selection of a functionality limitation applied to the second control mode, wherein the user input is received through a touch screen interface of the computing device; and 
 wherein the functionality limitation comprises a position lock function that is configured to, when actuated, lock a position of the controlled moveable device with respect to a selected axis of motion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the second control mode comprises a touchpad mode, wherein the touchpad mode displays, in the main portion of the user interface, a solid color or a video from the controlled moving device and enables a user to control the moveable device by making touch gestures in the main portion of the user interface. 
     
     
         3 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the second control mode comprises a trackball mode, wherein the trackball mode displays, in the main portion of the user interface, a user controllable trackball icon and enables a user to control the moveable device by rotating the trackball icon. 
     
     
         4 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the second control mode comprises a joystick mode, wherein the joystick mode displays, in the main portion of the user interface, a user controllable joystick icon and enables a user to control the moveable device by moving a position of the joystick icon. 
     
     
         5 . The user interface of  claim 2 , wherein the touchpad mode also comprises a displayed slider icon, in the main portion of the user interface. 
     
     
         6 . The user interface of  claim 2 , wherein the touchpad mode also comprises a displayed wheel icon, in the main portion of the user interface. 
     
     
         7 . The user interface of  claim 3 , wherein the trackball mode also comprises a displayed slider icon, in the main portion of the user interface. 
     
     
         8 . The user interface of  claim 3 , wherein the trackball mode also comprises a displayed wheel icon, in the main portion of the user interface. 
     
     
         9 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the functionality limitation setting mechanism further comprises a speed sensitivity setting mechanism for the moveable device. 
     
     
         10 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein the functionality limitation setting mechanism further comprises a zoom setting mechanism for the moveable device. 
     
     
         11 . A device comprising a controller coupled to one or more processors, a display, and a touchscreen interface on the display, the controller comprising:
 a display configured to display a plurality of control mode selector icons, each corresponding to a control mode for a controllable device, wherein one of the plurality of control mode selector icons comprises a first control mode and a second control mode;   a user input mechanism configured to receive a user selection of the second control mode, and an indication to change a selected control mode from the first control mode to the second control mode, wherein the second control mode comprises a position lock functionality mechanism configured to lock the moveable device into a position along an axis of motion;   a signal generator configured to receive a user input selection of a functionality limitation applied to an axis of motion of a controllable device, the functionality limitation selected on the second user controllable icon such that movement of the controllable device is limited with respect to movement of the second user controllable icon on the user interface; and   a processor that is configured to transmit the control signal to a motor of the controllable device.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the position lock functionality mechanism is selectable through the user input mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is a computing device. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is a phone. 
     
     
         15 . The user interface of  claim 11 , wherein the second control mode comprises a touchpad mode, wherein the touchpad mode displays, in the main portion of the user interface, a solid color or a video from the controlled moving device and enables a user to control the moveable device by making touch gestures in the main portion of the user interface. 
     
     
         16 . The user interface of  claim 11 , wherein the second control mode comprises a trackball mode, wherein the trackball mode displays, in the main portion of the user interface, a user controllable trackball icon and enables a user to control the moveable device by rotating the trackball icon. 
     
     
         17 . The user interface of  claim 11 , wherein the second control mode comprises a joystick mode, wherein the joystick mode displays, in the main portion of the user interface, a user controllable joystick icon and enables a user to control the moveable device by moving a position of the joystick icon. 
     
     
         18 . A method for controlling a moveable device, the method comprising:
 displaying a plurality of control mode selector icons on a touchscreen display of a computing device, each of the plurality of control mode selector icons corresponding to a control mode of a plurality of control modes;   receiving a user input selection of one of the plurality of control mode selector icons;   displaying a control mode corresponding to the selected control mode selector icon, wherein displaying the control mode comprises displaying, in the main portion of the user interface, a user controllable icon corresponding to the control mode;   receiving a user input selection of a position on an axis of motion for the moveable device, wherein the moveable device is locked in the selected position on the axis of motion;   receiving a user input indicative of a direction and speed of movement for the moveable device on the user controllable icon;   translating the received user input into a control signal comprising the indicated direction and speed, modified by the selected position on the axis of motion; and   transmitting the control single to the moveable device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the computing device is a tablet computer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the computing device is a phone.