Controller for remote vehicles and craft and for virtual subjects

Abstract

A control system which provides directional control over various real and virtual vehicles, craft and moveable subjects. The control system includes a housing, a controller in the housing having an electronic radio control PC board or an electronic video control PC board and tilt switches which are fixed relative to the housing at preferred orientations. The switches are connected to control terminals of the electronic control PC board. With the tilt switches fixed relative to the housing, orientation of the housing can result in the electronic control PC board transmitting signals to a remote vehicle, craft or virtual subject. Rather than tilt switches, the control system can include pots having shafts orthogonally arranged relative to the housing. The pots are connected to control terminals of the electronic control PC board. Pendulums are fixed to the shafts of the pots. With the pots having shafts orthogonally arranged relative to the housing such that the pendulums can swing responsive to gravity, orientation of the housing can result in the electronic control PC board transmitting signals to a remote vehicle, craft or virtual subject.

1. A control system for the remote operation of vehicles and craft, comprising
 a housing; 
 an RC controller including an electronic radio control PC board of the type having control terminals for receipt of actuated proportional control resistances for signal output control of the radio control PC board and an antenna; 
 pots having shafts orthogonally arranged relative to the housing, the pots being fixed relative to the housing and electrically connected to the control terminals of the electronic radio control PC board; and  
 pendulums fixed to the shafts of the pots, respectively, and movable relative to the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The control system of  claim 1 , the housing having the appearance of a realistic or fanciful control device for a vehicle or craft, an apparent orientation of neutrality and an apparent forward/aft direction, the pots including a first pot the shaft of which is rotatable about a first axis substantially transverse to the apparent forward/aft direction and a second pot the shaft of which is rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to the forward/aft direction. 
     
     
       3. The control system of  claim 2 , the first pot providing apparent variable forward motion, the second pot providing apparent left and right turns, respectively. 
     
     
       4. The control system of  claim 2 , the first pot providing apparent variable pitch, the second pot providing apparent left and right banks, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The control system of  claim 4  further comprising
 a variable apparent throttle switch operatively located on the housing and electrically connected to the control terminals. 
 
     
     
       6. A control system for the remote operation of vehicles and craft, comprising:
 a housing;   an RC controller including an electronic radio control PC board of the type having control terminals for receipt of control resistances for signal output control of the radio control PC board and an antenna;   a pot having a shaft being fixed relative to the housing, the pot being fixed relative to the housing and electrically connected to the control terminal of the electronic radio control PC board, the pot adapted to facilitate a proportional control; and   a pendulum fixed to the shaft of the pot, respectively, and movable relative to the housing.    
     
     
       7. The control system of claim 6, the housing having the appearance of a realistic or fanciful control device for a vehicle or craft, an apparent orientation of neutrality and an apparent forward/aft direction, wherein the pot fixed to the shaft is rotatable about an axis substantially transverse to the apparent forward/aft direction.  
     
     
       8. The control system of claim 6, the housing having the appearance of a realistic or fanciful control device for a vehicle or craft, an apparent orientation of neutrality and an apparent forward/aft direction, wherein the pot fixed to the shaft of is rotatable about an axis, substantially parallel to the forward/aft direction.  
     
     
       9. The control system of claim 6, wherein the pot provides apparent variable forward motion.  
     
     
       10. The control system of claim 6, wherein the pot provides apparent left and right turns, respectively.  
     
     
       11. The control system of claim 6 further comprising a variable apparent throttle switch operatively located on the housing and electrically connected to the control terminals.