Abstract:
Methods of establishing a fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system for a model vehicle. The method includes the steps of transferring a model vehicle, including a receiver for receiving a control signal from a remote control signal source to control operation of the model vehicle, the transfer being from a first party to a second party, and the transfer taking place without the remote control signal source, and the second party providing the remote control signal source following transfer of the model vehicle to the second party to complete the fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system. The transfer from the first party to the second party may be a sale of the model vehicle with the receiver, but without the remote control signal source.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for remotely controlling model vehicles and, more particularly, to methods of completing a remotely controlled model vehicle system with a separate controller. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Prior art remotely controlled model vehicles, such as model aircraft, model helicopters, model cars, model trucks, and the like, are typically sold as a complete operating system, including a model aircraft, a plurality of servomechanisms for controlling the throttle and the control surfaces of the model aircraft, a controller for controlling the model aircraft, and a receiver for receiving control signals from the controller and for providing signals to the respective servos for controlling the flight of the model aircraft. 
         [0003]    Controllers and receivers have traditionally been matched in frequency, or have a plurality of selectable frequencies or channels. Both the controller and the receiver must be on the same channel or frequency for the receiver to receive control signals from the controller. For example, receivers/controllers are commonly available with between 2 to 50 channels. Due to such variances in the number of channels and the frequencies utilized, a controller for one model vehicle is generally not useable with a different model vehicle. Thus, each time that a model enthusiast wishes to purchase a new model vehicle, he/she has been required to purchase a complete system such that the controller and the receiver are a matched set and are capable of communicating with each other. 
         [0004]    Further, it is often necessary to change the initially selected operating channel or frequency when using the model vehicle near other users or model vehicles to avoid having two model vehicles which are operating on the same channel or frequency. Of course, when the channel or frequency is changed, the change may be to a channel or frequency already in use by someone else, thereby necessitating still further change such that all model vehicles in the vicinity are operating on different or distinct channels or frequencies. Similarly, the prior art 72 MHz frequency controllers need to use different frequency pins to assure that the controllers are operating on different frequencies to avoid interference. 
         [0005]    The controller is typically an appreciable portion of the cost of a completely packaged model vehicle. It is not uncommon for the controller to be the most expensive component of the system. Thus, the cost of the complete model vehicle system limits the number of model vehicles which many users can afford. In order to alleviate these affordability issues, Horizon Hobby, Inc. of Champaign, Ill. 61822 has previously marketed certain model aircraft under its Plug-n-Play trademark. One such model is the Mini Pulse XT PNP model airplane. These Plug-n-Play models were supplied with the motor and the micro-servomechanisms preinstalled on the model vehicle. However, a battery pack, controller, receiver and charger were not included. Since the controller and the receiver had matched frequency capabilities, the user could conveniently remove the battery pack and receiver from one Plug-n-Play model and quickly install the battery pack and receiver on a compatible Plug-n-Play model. Thus, the costs associated with owning multiple model vehicles were reduced since the same battery pack, receiver and controller could be used with multiple model vehicles. Nevertheless, some users would prefer not to incur the inconvenience in swapping the battery pack and receiver between different model vehicles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to methods of establishing a fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system for a model vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of transferring a model vehicle, including a receiver for receiving a control signal from a remote control signal source to control operation of the model vehicle, the transfer being from a first party to a second party, and the transfer taking place without the remote control signal source, and the second party providing the remote control signal source following transfer of the model vehicle to the second party to complete the fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system. For example, the transfer from the first party to the second party may be a sale of the model vehicle with the receiver, but without the remote control signal source. 
         [0007]    The remote control signal source may be a controller which transmits control signals to the receiver in the model vehicle, such as radio frequency signals or digital spread spectrum modulation signals. The receiver may have a preprogrammed globally unique identifier or code. 
         [0008]    The remote control signal source communicates with the receiver to bind the receiver to the remote control signal source with the code. After binding with the remote control signal source, the receiver only acts on signals from the remote control signal source which include the code. The remote control signal source may also bind to other model vehicles which utilize a different code. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art complete model vehicle system including a model vehicle and a controller; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system for controlling a radio controlled device by means of a digital radio frequency link; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of the frequency spectrum employed by a radio control system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a flow diagram of a process for locking a controller to a globally unique identifier of the receiver; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a flow diagram of a process for locking or binding a receiver to a globally unique identifier of the transmitter; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4C  is a flow diagram of a process for establishing a communication link after the process of locking or binding the controller to the receiver in  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is perspective view of a transmitter module and a receiver module for the radio controlled system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a controller which includes the transmitter module shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a process for binding a receiver module to a specific transmitter module; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of methods of completing a model vehicle system with a transferred model vehicle and a provided controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    It will be understood that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details presented herein. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a complete model vehicle system, generally designated  100 . As used herein, the expression “model vehicle” shall include all types of radio-controlled model vehicles, including model aircraft, model helicopters, model boats, model cars, model trucks, and the like. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a model vehicle  110  may include an engine or motor for driving at least some of the wheels, one or more servomechanisms for controlling the steering of the model vehicle, a receiver for receiving radio control signals from a controller  120 , and a battery pack for supplying electrical power to the receiver, to the engine or motor, and to the servomechanisms. Additionally, the model vehicle may include an electrical connector or jack for connecting to a source of electrical power to recharge the battery pack. 
         [0022]    If the model vehicle is a model aircraft, the engine or motor may drive one or more propellers or rotors, and a plurality of servomechanisms may move one or more control surfaces, such as ailerons, elevator and/or rudder. 
         [0023]    Illustrated in  FIG. 2  is a radio control system  200 , which may include a controller  210  and a radio controlled device  220 , such as the model vehicle  110  in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the radio controlled device  220  may be a motorcycle, a boat, an airplane, a helicopter, a military vehicle, or the like. Controller  210  may be coupled with a transmitter module, as further discussed below. 
         [0024]    A digital radio frequency link  230  provides a communication path between controller  210  and radio controlled device  220 . Preferably, the controller  210  sends coded signals to the receiver in the radio controlled device  220 , such as by digital spread spectrum modulation (DSSM) techniques. Digital spread spectrum technology has a high immunity to noise or other interference. In DSSM, a stream of information for transmission is divided into small pieces, each of which is allocated to a frequency channel across the spectrum. 
         [0025]    Alternatively, the digital radio frequency link  230  may employ frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology. With FHSS, radio signals are transmitted from transmitter  210  to controlled device  220  by rapidly switching a carrier signal over the frequencies associated with channels  304 - 308  by using a pseudorandom sequence known to both the transmitter and the controlled device. For example, the carrier signal may change channel frequencies about every 400 ms. FHSS transmission is relatively immune to many types of interference and the frequency spectrum  300  in  FIG. 3  may be shared with many other transmitters and controlled devices. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a frequency spectrum  300  suitable for use with DSSM radio controlled transmission techniques. For example, frequency spectrum  300  may extend between about 2.4 GHz to about 2.4835 GHz, or higher. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , this frequency spectrum  300  may be sub-divided into 79 separate 1 MHz channels  305 - 308 . This may allow up to 79 users to simultaneously and adjacently operate radio controlled systems without interference. Alternatively, a single user may use the available 79 channels to bind up to 79 different model vehicles with a single controller. 
         [0027]    A pair of flow diagrams  400  and  410  in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrates the process of binding or locking the receiver or controlled device  220  to the controller  210 , or, vice versa, binding or locking the controller  210  to the receiver or controlled device  220 . The process  400  starts at block  402  by scanning the 79 available channels  305 - 308  for a free channel to transfer data between controller  210  and radio controlled device  220 . When a free channel is detected, the receiver listens for a globally unique identifier (GUID) from the transmitter at block  404 . The GUID may be preprogrammed into the transmitter, or a separate code plug may be connected to an available port of the transmitter/controller  210 . The receiver may then lock onto the GUID of the transmitter at block  406 . Once a receiver is bound to a transmitter, the radio controlled system digitally encodes data and assigns data a unique frequency code. Data is then scattered across the frequency band in a pseudo-random pattern. The receiver deciphers only the data corresponding to a particular code to reconstruct the signal. Thus, the receiver only recognizes signals from the particular transmitter to which it is bound. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4B  is a flow diagram  410  which illustrates binding or locking of the controller  210  to the receiver or controlled device  220 . The process  410  starts at block  412  by scanning the 79 available channels  305 - 308  for a free channel to transfer data between controller  210  and radio controlled device  220  to initiate data transfer between controller  210  and radio controlled device  220 . When a free channel is detected, the transmitter listens for a globally unique identifier (GUID) from the receiver at block  414 . The GUID may be preprogrammed into the receiver, or a separate code plug may be connected to a port which may also be used for recharging the batteries of the model vehicle. The transmitter may then lock onto the GUID of the receiver at block  416 . Once a transmitter is bound to a receiver, the radio controlled system digitally encodes data and assigns data a unique frequency code. Data is then scattered across the frequency band in a pseudo-random pattern. The receiver deciphers only the data corresponding to a particular code to reconstruct the signal. Thus, the receiver only recognizes signals from the particular transmitter to which it is bound. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4C  illustrates how communication is established between the controller  210  and the receiver of the controlled device  220  where the receiver is bound to the GUID of the transmitter in accordance with the binding process  400  in  FIG. 4A . In block  422 , the transmitter in the controller  210  and the receiver in the controlled device  220  are powered up. The transmitter begins to scan the channels  305 - 308  for an open channel in block  424 . Upon finding an open channel, the transmitter begins broadcasting to the receiver at block  426 . At about the same time, the receiver is scanning the available channels  305 - 308  searching for the GUID of the transmitter at block  428 . When the receiver finds the transmitter with the correct GUID, the communication link between the transmitter and the receiver is established at block  430 . 
         [0030]    In some implementations, once the communication link is established at block  430 , the receiver may also be able to communicate with the transmitter, for example, with protocol standards, telemetry, and the like. 
         [0031]    If the transmitter is bound to the GUID of the receiver in accordance with the flow diagram  410  in  FIG. 4B , the operation of the transmitter and receiver will be similar upon power-up to the flow chart  420  of  FIG. 4C , except that the transmitter will be searching for the GUID of the receiver at block  428 . Upon finding of the GUID of the receiver to which it is bound, a communication link will be established at block  430 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  depicts a radio controlled system  500 , including a transmitter  510  and a receiver  520 . Transmitter  510  may be coupled with a controller  600  in  FIG. 6  and receiver  520  may be coupled with a radio controlled device such as vehicle  110 . Receiver  520  may contain several ports  525 - 528 . For example, first port  525  may be used for battery and telemetry options, second port  526  may be a steering channel, third port  527  may be a throttle channel, and fourth port  528  may be an auxiliary channel. Transmitter module  510  and receiver module  520  may both include a binding button  540 ,  545  and a visible alert  550 ,  555 , such as a light emitting diode. These visible alerts may be used during the binding process  400  to confirm that the process has successfully concluded. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates a controller  600 , which includes the transmitter module  510 . Controller  600  may include one or more controls, such as trigger button  610 , for receiving manual inputs from a user, which is translated into data received by transmitter module  510 , modulated and sent to receiver module  520 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a flow chart for a process  700  of binding the receiver module  520  to a specific transmitter module  510  is shown in greater detail shown in  FIG. 4 . The binding process  700  may be initiated after the transmitter module  510  is installed in a controller  600  and after the receiver module  520  is installed in a radio controlled device  110 . At block  710 , a binding button  545  of receiver module  520  is depressed and held for a period of time, for example, such as about 3 to 5 seconds. At block  720 , the radio controlled device  110  is turned on. When the visible alert  555  of receiver module  520  begins to flash, the binding button  545  may be released at block  730 . The binding button  540  of transmitter module  510  may then be depressed and held for a period of time at block  740 . The controller  600  may then be turned on at block  750 . When visible alert  550  begins to flash, binding button  540  may be released at block  760 . When both of the visible alerts  550  and  555  stop flashing and remain lit, the binding process  700  is complete at block  770 . 
         [0035]    During this binding process  700 , the transmitter module  510  may operate at reduced radio frequency (RF) power to avoid accidentally binding to another system in the area. Additionally, fail safe data may be transferred to the receiver module  520 , such as initial throttle setting and initial steering setting for the radio controlled device  110 . 
         [0036]    Controller  600  may have provision for binding to the receivers of other model vehicles, such that controller  600  selectively communicates with a plurality of different model vehicles. Thus, controller  600  may program itself for use with a plurality of model vehicles, each having a receiver that is taught to respond only to a specific GUID code. The user then only needs a single controller for use with a plurality of different model vehicles. The user may then purchase additional model vehicles, also without a controller, and complete the model vehicle systems by programming the receivers in each model vehicle to communicate with the single preexisting controller  600 . 
         [0037]    If or when desired, the user may decide to purchase a new controller  600  with additional features or capabilities, rather than purchasing a model vehicle which is dedicated to communication with only its original prepackaged and ready-to-fly controller. As a further example, if the single controller  600  experiences some type of malfunction or failure, a single replacement controller will satisfy the communication needs for a plurality of model vehicles  110 . 
         [0038]    Such a controller  600  is now commercially available from Horizon Hobby, Inc. of Champaign, Ill. as the model DX7 controller. This controller utilizes 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum modulation technology. The DX7 also has a 20 model memory such that its transmitted signals include the code learned by each of 20 different model vehicles. Each of the models and the associated code for the transmitted signals can be selected by scrolling on its display screen. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating the methods in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In block  810 , a first party, such as a seller or retailer, transfers a model vehicle, such as model vehicle  110  in  FIG. 1 , to the second party. The model vehicle  110  is transferred without a controller, such as controller  600  in  FIG. 6 . As shown in block  820 , the transfer from the first party to the second party may be a sale. At block  830 , the second party provides a controller  600  for the model vehicle  110  to complete, and to make operational, the radio controlled system including model vehicle  110  and controller  600 . The second party may then bind the receiver, such as receiver module  520  in  FIG. 5 , in the model vehicle to the provided controller  600  to make the radio controlled system operational. 
         [0040]    Thereafter, the second party may acquire additional model vehicles, also without any controller, and bind the additional model vehicles to the same controller. Thus, the second party completes, and makes operational, a plurality of model vehicle systems with a single controller. The second party may therefore be able to purchase or acquire a larger variety of model vehicles since the price for the model vehicles without a controller will be more affordable than a complete system including a controller. Also, the second party does not have to locate a matching controller for each model vehicle before using the desired model vehicle since the single provided controller will properly function with all model vehicles. 
         [0041]    Likewise, a user may provide another or substitute controller for communicating with receivers preinstalled in a plurality of model vehicles such that the user may upgrade to a controller with more features and/or capabilities without having to change the receivers already preinstalled in the plurality of model vehicles. The new controller can then learn to bind with each of the previously acquired model vehicles, thereby providing a single replacement or upgraded controller for use with a plurality of model vehicles. 
         [0042]    As used herein, the expression “remote control signal source” includes a controller, such as controller  600  in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0043]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.