Patent Publication Number: US-2005119051-A1

Title: Dual-function remote controller capable of manipulating video game and method thereof

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a remote controller, and more particularly to a remote control system and a method for implementing computer games by connecting a remote controller for operating a model car or a model plane to a computer.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Radio remote control of model cars or model planes has been one of the most popular hobbies in the world. People take pleasure in operating and controlling miniaturized model cars or model planes by radio.  
      However, radio-controlled (RC) model cars or planes are often crashed when operated by an inexperienced person or improperly operated. If the operator operates an RC model after sufficient practice with an operating simulation game, it will be possible to prevent the RC model from being crashed or damaged.  
      In order to play an operating or aviation simulation game on a computer, a separate input device for operating the RC model, such as a joystick or an operating input, should be connected to the computer. It is inconvenient and incurs an additional expense to purchase the separate input device.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control system and a method for operating both radio-controlled models and computer games by connecting a remote controller for operating radio-controlled models to a computer device.  
      In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a remote control system for implementing computer games by connecting a remote controller for operating radio-controlled models to a computer device, said remote control system comprising a computer device with game programs installed therein to implement a game based on operation data inputted from the remote controller and a connecting means for connecting the remote controller to the computer device, wherein the remote controller transmits command data to the computer device according to a user&#39;s operation for the game offered by the computer device.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of implementing a computer game by connecting a remote controller for operating radio-controlled models to a computer device, said method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting the remote controller to the computer device; (b) changing the operation mode of the remote controller to a mode for implementing a computer game; (c) executing a computer game program through the computer device; (d) implementing the computer game using the remote controller; (e) transmitting operation data outputted from the remote controller to the computer device; and (f) controlling the computer game on the computer device based on the operation data transmitted from the remote controller.  
      According to the present invention, a remote controller for operating radio-controlled models, such as model planes or model cars, can be connected to a computer device to implement computer games. Thus, without the need to purchase a separate input device, users can play an operation or aviation simulation game on the computer with a sense of presence using the remote controller, thereby improving their ability to operate RC models. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  shows the configuration of a remote control system having a computer game operating function according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram roughly showing the inside configuration of a computer device connected to a remote controller;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram roughly showing the inside configuration of a remote controller connected to a computer device;  
       FIG. 4  is a view roughly showing the inside configuration of a potentiometer;  
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram showing the operation of a remote controller connected to a computer device according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram showing the operation of a computer device connected to a remote controller; and  
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are flow diagrams showing the operation of a remote controller connected to a computer device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 1  shows the configuration of a remote control system having a computer game operating function according to the present invention. The remote control system of the present invention will mainly be described in relation to the implementation of a computer game for a model plane operating simulation as an example.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , the remote control system according to the present invention comprises: a computer device  110  for implementing a simulation game of operating model planes or cars; a remote controller  120  for transmitting command signals to the computer device  110  according to a user&#39;s operation for a simulation game or other games offered by the computer device  110 ; and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable  140  for connecting the computer device  110  to the remote controller  120 .  
      The computer device  110  has various programs installed therein, including simulation game programs for practicing operation of radio-controlled models. The computer device  110  comprises: a mainframe  112  for implementing a simulation game or other games according to an operation command inputted from the remote controller  120 ; a keyboard  114  for selecting a game among a plurality of simulation games or inputting any other data; and a monitor  116  for displaying the state of a game implemented on the computer device  110 .  
      The remote controller  120  comprises: an operation key panel  122  connected to the computer device  110  through the USB cable  130  and having a plurality of operation keys for selecting an operation mode such as a radio control mode; a power switch  124  for turning on or off power; a steering stick  126  for moving an RC model right or left; a throttle stick  128  for moving the RC model forward or backward; an LCD display  130  for displaying the operation state of the remote controller  120 ; an antenna  132  for sending a radio control signal; and a battery box  134  containing a battery (not shown) for supplying power necessary for the operation of the remote controller  120 .  
      The battery box  134  contains a rechargeable battery from which power is supplied to each part of the remote controller through wires (not shown). The rechargeable battery is detachable.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram roughly showing the inside configuration of the computer device  110 .  
      The computer device  110  as shown in  FIG. 2  comprises: a central processing unit (CPU)  228  for controlling the computer device as a whole and the implementation of games, according to command data inputted from the remote controller  120 ; a main memory  210  for storing various data and programs relating to the operation of the computer device  110 ; a memory controller  212  for controlling an access to the main memory  210  based on address data transmitted from the CPU  228 ; a keyboard controller  214  for controlling a keyboard or a mouse; an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) slot  216  to which low-speed peripheral devices, such as a modem, a floppy disk drive and a printer, are connected; a PCI slot  218  to which high-speed peripheral devices, such as a hard disk driver and a CD-ROM, are connected; a PCI/ISA bridge  220  for controlling data receiving/transmission between the ISA slot  216  and the PCI slot  218 ; a game program storing section  222  for storing a plurality of game programs, including a simulation game program for operating a model plane or a model car; a USB port  224  connected to the USB cable  140 ; and a USB interface  226  for converting parallel data from the CPU  228  into serial data, outputting the serial data to the USB port  224  according to a clock frequency and converting the serial data received from the USB port  224  into parallel data.  
      The PCI/ISA bridge  220  includes a resistor for showing data input from the ISA slot  216  or the keyboard controller  214 . If there is no data input for a particular period of time, the PCI/ISA bridge  220  will set a flag representing absence of data in a corresponding register.  
      Although not shown in the drawings, the CPU  228 , the main memory  210  and the memory controller  212  are connected to each other through CPU buses, i.e., a CPU data bus and a CPU address bus. The keyboard controller  214 , the ISA slot  216 , the PCI slot  218  and the PCI/ISA bridge  220  are connected to each other through system buses, i.e., a system data bus and a system address bus.  
      Among the elements described above, the USB port  224 , which connects the remote controller  120  to the computer device  110  in order to enable a user to implement a computer game using the remote controller  120 , will be described below in more detail.  
      The USB port  224  was developed to unify interfaces widely applicable in general purpose computers to a single and standardized interface, thereby suppressing the development of unnecessary interfaces and solving the problem caused by the insufficient number of ports. The USB port is a serial port which drew special attention with the launch of Microsoft&#39;s Windows 98 system. Also, the USB port is a plug-and-play interface which connects peripherals, such as an audio player, joystick, keyboard, telephone, scanner and printer, to a computer.  
      Generally, the USB port supports hot-plug as well as plug-and-play. The “Plug-and-play” function enables a computer to automatically recognize peripherals connected to the mainframe  110  of the computer, while the “hot-plug” function enables peripherals to be connected to or disconnected from the mainframe  112  even during the operation of the computer, without the need to power off the computer.  
      It is often the case that a single still picture file has a size exceeding 100 megabytes. Further, a moving picture file or a music file generally consumes over hundreds of megabytes of storage space. It is difficult to receive or transmit large data files through existing serial or parallel ports. To solve this problem, a USB supports two transmission modes, i.e., low speed mode of 1.5 Mbps (megabyte per second) and high speed mode of 12 Mbps. The low speed mode is used for peripherals such as keyboards, mice and joysticks. The high-speed mode is used for hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs (digital video disks), digital cameras, zip drives, scanners, printers and so on.  
      A USB makes it possible to simultaneously use and connect up to 127 peripheral devices to a single bus. When existing serial ports or parallel ports are used, communication cables used to connect various peripheral devices to a computer are likely to be entangled with each other. A USB can clear up the back of the computer which is in a mess due to the entangled cables.  
      In order to connect up to 127 devices to a single bus, USB devices and a USB hub are used. Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, USB devices are connected to a USB hub through the USB cable  140  or directly to the USB port  224  of the mainframe of the computer. Up to 127 devices can be connected to a single USB bus. As stated above, different devices are used according to the transmission mode (low speed or high speed).  
      The USB hub is a device that enables a plurality of USB devices to jointly use a single output of a USB host. The USB hub determines whether any device is connected to a downstream port and detects the power amount required by each device. In addition, the USB hub determines whether the downstream port is set at low-speed mode or high-speed mode to process data.  
      The USB host is a center of all USB connections. As hardware, the USB host is termed a USB host controller. The USB host controller serves to manage and control a driver required by each peripheral device connected to the bus, software and data flow.  
      The USB cable  140  includes four physical communication cables. Two of these communication cables are used to transmit data between the remote controller  120  and the computer device  110 , while the other two are used to supply power. If power is supplied directly to a device consuming less power through the USB bus, it will be possible to operate the device using a current supplied from the USB bus, without an external source of power. However, to operate a device that requires more current than that supplied by the USB bus, a separate power adapter should be used.  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram roughly showing the inside configuration of a remote controller. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a detailed description of the same is omitted.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , a potentiometer  310  generates a voltage signal based on the resistance according to the operation of the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128 . The operation key panel  122  comprises a mode key  312  for selecting an operation mode of the remote controller  120 , an enter key  314  for inputting a selection of an operation key, a down key  316  for moving a selection bar down on each menu, an up key  318  for moving a selection bar up on each menu, a reduction key for reducing various values and an increase key for increasing various values.  
      A frequency oscillating section  324  generates an oscillating frequency signal according to the key operation at the operation key panel  122 . The frequency oscillating section  324  includes a crystal (not shown) required to generate the signal.  
      A radio transmitting section  326  removes noise from an oscillating frequency signal generated from the frequency oscillating section  324 , amplifies the signal and outputs the amplified signal. The antenna  132  sends an amplified signal outputted from the radio transmitting section  326  as a radio signal.  
      Although not shown in the drawings, the radio transmitting section  326  comprises a first filter circuit for removing noise from an oscillating frequency signal generated from the frequency oscillating section  324 , a second filter circuit for amplifying the frequency filtered at the first filter circuit and a third filter circuit for amplifying the frequency filtered at the second filter circuit.  
      A program memory  330  stores a program for operating the remote controller  120  as a game operator when power is supplied to the remote controller  120  from outside. When power is supplied through a USB connector  350 , the program stored in the program memory  330  converts the operation mode of the remote controller into a mode for controlling external devices and sends only the potentiometer conversion values of the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128  to the computer device  110 .  
      A mode storing section  340  stores a state flag, which represents a mode selected by the operation key panel  122 . A control section  360  controls various functions based on modes stored in the mode storing section  340 . Modes that can be stored as state flags in the mode storing section  340  include a system mode for setting the system of the remote controller  120 , a pit mode for setting functions required to operate a model car, and a circuit mode for setting functions required during the operation of the model car.  
      The USB connector  350  is connected to the USB cable  140  for connecting the remote controller to the computer device  110 . When power is supplied from outside, the control section  360  controls a voltage signal generated from the potentiometer  310  by the operation of the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128  to be outputted as operation data to the USB connector  350  according to the program stored in the program memory  330 .  
       FIG. 4  is a view roughly showing the configuration of the potentiometer  310 .  
      The potentiometer  310  is a variable resistor which is used to allow a change in the resistance by a slider moving between resistive terminals connected to the power and to generate a variable voltage signal. Potentiometers are usually divided into two basic types, rotary and slider, according to the structure driving the movable slider. The rotary type potentiometer provides a variable resistance output from 0 ohms to several K ohms according to the mechanical angle of rotation of the slider, whereas the slider type potentiometer provides a variable resistance output from 0 ohms to several K ohms according to the mechanical range of travel (displacement) of the slider.  
      The potentiometer  310  comprises: a steering slider  410  for changing a resistance by its movement according to the operation of the steering stick  126 ; a throttle slider  420  for changing a resistance by its movement according to the operation of the throttle stick  128 ; a first variable resistor  430  for generating a resistance corresponding to the left-right movement of the steering slider  410 ; a second variable resistor  440  for generating a resistance corresponding to the forward-backward movement of the throttle slider  420 ; a power supplying section  450  for supplying power necessary for the operation of the potentiometer  310 ; a first power interface  460  for generating a voltage signal corresponding to the resistance of the first variable resistor  430  at the power supplied from the power supplying section  450 ; and a second power interface  470  for generating a voltage signal corresponding to the resistance of the second variable resistor  440  at the power supplied from the power supplying section  450 .  
      In the potentiometer  310  having the above configuration, the steering slider  410  in the steering stick  126  or the throttle slider  420  in the throttle stick  128  moves to change the resistance of the first variable resistor  430  or the second variable resistor  440 , when a user moves the steering stick  126  or the throttle stick  128 . Accordingly, the first power interface  460  and the second power interface  470  generate voltage signals which are applied to the control section  360  through line a and line b, respectively. The control section  360  recognizes the voltage signals applied from the potentiometer  310  and outputs corresponding signals for left-right operation and forward-backward operation as digital signals to the USB connector  350 .  
      The operation of the remote control system having a computer game operating function will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7 .  
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram showing the operation of the remote controller  120  according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
      The user can connect the remote controller  120  to the computer device  110  by connecting one end of the USB cable  140  to the USB port of the computer device  110 , which is powered on, and the other end of the USB cable  140  to the USB connector  350  of the remote controller  120  (step S 502 ).  
      When the remote controller  120  is connected to the computer device  110  through the USB cable  140 , power is supplied to the remote controller  120  from the computer device  110  through a power line (not shown) of the USB cable  140  connected to the computer device  110  (step S 504 ).  
      The power is then supplied to all parts of the remote controller  120 . Accordingly, the steering stick  126 , throttle stick  128  and potentiometer  310  become an enable state. The control section  360  is changed to a mode for controlling external devices and goes into a waiting state for converting an operation signal applied from the potentiometer  310  into data and sending the data (step S 506 ).  
      The user implements a car-driving simulation game using the computer device  110 , and then inputs an operation key to play the simulation game by operating the steering stick  126  and throttle stick  128  of the remote controller  120 . When the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128  are operated, the steering slider  410  in the steering stick  126  and the throttle slider  420  in the throttle stick  128  slidably move to change the resistance of each of the first variable resistor  430  and the second variable resistor  440 . As a result, voltage signals are generated from the first power interface  460  and the second power interface  470  and applied to the control section  360  through line a and line b, respectively.  
      When the voltage signals, i.e., operation signals, applied from the potentiometer  310  are inputted (step S 508 ), the control section  360  generates corresponding signals for left-right operation and forward-backward operation as digital operation data (step S 510 ). The operation data is outputted to the USB connector  350  and then transmitted to the computer device  110  through the USB cable  140  (step S 512 ).  
      The CPU  228  of the computer device  110  implements a control function corresponding to the operation data received from the remote controller  120  based on the simulation program. After going through the above steps, the user can implement the simulation program for operating a model car.  
      When the user finishes playing the simulation game using the computer device  110 , the USB cable  140  is disconnected from the USB connector  350 .  
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram showing the operation of the computer device  110 .  
      The user can power the computer device  110  according to a general control operation.  
      After powering the computer device  110 , the user can select and implement a car-driving simulation game, among a plurality of game programs installed in the computer device  110 , using the mouse or the keyboard  114  (step S 602 ).  
      According to the command to implement the car-driving simulation game, which was inputted by the mouse or the keyboard  114 , the CPU  228  implements a simulation program ( 222 ) and outputs a picture of the car-driving simulation game through the monitor  116  (step S 604 ).  
      After selecting various functions necessary to play the car-driving simulation game according to the simulation program  222  in the computer device  110 , the user can operate the remote controller  120  connected to the computer device  110  to drive a car through the simulation game.  
      The operation data according to the car-driving is transmitted to the USB port  224  through the USB cable  140 . When the operation data is inputted from the USB interface  226  via the USB port  224  (step S 606 ), the CPU  228  implements the simulation game program according to the inputted operation data (step S 608 ).  
      More specifically, if the user moves the steering stick  126  of the remote controller  120  connected to the computer device  110  to the left, the car on the car-driving simulation game will make a left turn. If the steering stick  126  is moved right, the car on the car-driving simulation game will make a right turn. If the user slowly pushes the throttle stick  128  forward, the car will gradually speed up. If the user slowly pulls the throttle stick  128  downward, the car will gradually slow down.  
      The user can finish the car-driving simulation game using the mouse or the keyboard  114 . When a key for finishing the simulation game program is inputted from the mouse or the keyboard  114  (step S 610 ), the CPU  228  terminates the simulation game program and returns to a general computer control mode (step S 612 ).  
      If a key for any function other than computer games is inputted at step S 602 , for example, if a key for document preparation or Web access is inputted (step S 614 ), the CPU  228  will implement the function corresponding to the key input (step S 616 ).  
      According to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the remote controller  120  is connected to the computer device  110  through the USB cable  140 , power is supplied to the remote controller  120  from the computer device  110 . Then, only the steering stick  126  and throttle stick  128  of the remote controller  120  can be operated, while the other key input buttons of the remote controller  120  do not work. Operation data generated by the operation of the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128  is transmitted to the computer device  110  so that the remote controller  120  can be used to implement simulation games on the computer device  110 .  
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram showing the operation of the remote controller  120  according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
      According to the second embodiment, the operation key panel  122  comprises the mode key  312  for selecting a computer game operation mode. In system mode state, the computer game operation mode can be selected from various menus.  
      The program memory  330  stores a program for operating the remote controller  120  as a simulation game operator. The program memory  330  selects button operation values and potentiometer conversion values of the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128  and sends the values to the computer device  110 . Also, when power is supplied through a USB connector  350 , the program memory  330  converts the mode for controlling internal devices into a mode for controlling external devices.  
      When power is supplied to the remote controller  120  from the computer device  110 , the control section  360  is changed to a mode for controlling external devices and becomes a waiting state for controlling each function (step S 702 ).  
      Also, the control section  360 , when powered up, outputs an initial screen displaying the model number, model name, applicable power voltage, frequency, remaining power, etc. of a radio-controlled model car or plane through the LCD display  130  (step S 704 ).  
      Among items displayed on the initial screen, the model number matches each RC model operated by the remote controller  120  with a corresponding driving frequency. A unique model number assigned to each RC model is displayed when the RC model is operated. The model name is the name of an RC model corresponding to each model number. The remaining power is shown by a bar in order for the user to confirm the consumption of power necessary for the operation of the remote controller  120 . The power voltage refers to the voltage required to operate the remote controller  120 . The remaining power can be shown by a bar graph.  
      On the initial screen, the user can set a desired operation mode by inputting the operation keys provided on the operation key panel  122 . In the present invention, it is possible to set a system mode by simultaneously inputting the reduction key  320 , increase key  322  and enter key  314  according to the program stored in the program memory  330 . However, the system mode can be set by another key input, without using the reduction key  320 , increase key  322  and enter key  314 .  
      The system mode is a mode for model name input, trim rate and frequency setting, data copy, LCD brightness control or the like. Model name, which is a unique name assigned to each RC model, is used to select an RC model that the user wishes to operate from a list of inputted models.  
      If a list of all functions cannot be fully displayed on the LCD display  130 , the control section  360  generates a scroll bar on the right side of the display screen. The user can see the functions which are not displayed on the present display screen by moving down the scroll bar.  
      Trim rate setting is a menu for setting the unit of data input for adjusting the neutral position of the servo mounted within a model car at the neutral position where the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128  do not work. If the trim rate is set to be “1,” the neutral position will be moved by 1 each time when the reduction key  320  or the increase key  322  is pressed. If the trim rate is set to be one of “2 to 10,” the neutral position will be moved by the unit of said one of 2 to 10 each time when the reduction key  320  or the increase key  322  is pressed.  
      Data copy is a menu for copying the model name of an RC model which receives a signal outputted from the remote controller  120 . A model name that has been set and related data can be copied to another model number which is empty and idle.  
      If the user inputs a key to select a menu on the operation key panel  122  by inputting the enter key  314  while pressing the reduction key  320  and the increase key  322  simultaneously (step S 706 ), the control section  360  will output mode selection menus, such as model name selection, trim rate setting, data copy and game operation, on the LCD display  130  (step S 708 ).  
      If, for example, a car-driving simulation game is implemented by the computer device  110 , the user can select a computer game operation mode to use the remote controller  120  as a car-driving simulation game operator by positioning a selection bar at the computer game operation menu, among a plurality of menus displayed on the LCD display  130 , using the up key  318  and the down key  316 , and inputting the enter key  314 .  
      When the computer game operation mode is selected by the user&#39;s key input (step S 710 ), the control section  360  stores a state flag relating to the computer game operation, thereby changing the mode of the remote controller  120  to a computer game operation mode (step S 712 ).  
      The control section  360  controls all parts of the remote controller  120 , including the steering stick  126 , throttle stick  128  and operation key panel  122 , under the computer game operation mode based on the modes stored in the mode storing section  340  (step S 714 ).  
      In the computer game operation mode, operation data inputted by the operation of the steering stick  126  and the throttle stick  128  is transmitted to the computer device  110  through the USB cable  140  connected to the USB connector  350 . In this mode, the LCD display  130  displays the present state (computer game operation mode) of the remote controller  120 .  
      If the user moves the steering stick  126  to the left in the computer game operation mode, the car on the car-driving simulation game implemented by the computer device  110  connected to the remote controller  120  will make a left turn. If the steering stick  126  is moved right, the car on the car-driving simulation game will make a right turn.  
      In addition, if the user slowly pushes the throttle stick  128  forward in the computer game operation mode, the car will gradually speed up. If the user slowly pulls the throttle stick  128  backward, the car will gradually speed down.  
      To finish playing the simulation game using the computer device  110 , the user should input a key for disconnecting the USB cable  140  from the USB connector  350  and canceling the computer game operation mode using the operation key panel  122 .  
      When a key for canceling the computer game operation mode is inputted from the operation key panel  122  (step S 720 ), the control section  360  removes the game operation mode stored in the mode storing section  340  (step S 722 ).  
      If the user selects any other mode than the computer game operation mode at step S 710 , for example, if a pit mode for setting functions required to operate a model car before operation of the model car or a circuit mode for setting required functions during operation of the model car is inputted by the user&#39;s key input (step S 724 ), the control section  360  will set the selected mode and control each function of the selected mode (step S 726 ).  
      The pit mode refers to a mode for setting functions, such as a function of selecting a model of an RC model car, a function of selecting a level set for inexperienced beginners, a servo direction selecting function for moving a model car left or right or controlling the direction or speed of a turning car, and a sub trim function for designating the neutral position of a servo. The circuit mode refers to a mode for setting functions, such as an end point adjusting function for designating the maximum operational position of a servo, a response function for adjusting a rate reflecting the operation angle of the servo according to the operation of a handle, a steering speed function for setting the servo operation speed corresponding to the handle operation speed, and an ABS (anti-lock brake system) function for improving the braking function by repeating the operation that a brake pad locks and unlocks a lining according to an inputted value during braking by the servo.  
      According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the user can convert the operation mode of the remote controller  120  into a computer game operation mode using the function keys provided on the operation key panel  122  of the remote controller  120  so that the remote controller  120  can be used as a game operator for implementing a computer game.  
      After connecting the remote controller  120  for operating radio-controlled model cars or planes to the computer device  110  through the USB cable  140 , the user can play a computer game by operating the remote controller  120  according to the game implemented by the computer device  110 . The present invention provides a remote control system and a method for implementing a computer game using the remote controller.  
      As can be seen from the foregoing, the remote control system and method for implementing computer games according to the present invention can be utilized not only to operate radio-controlled model cars, planes or boats, but also to implement various software Internet games. The remote controller according to the present invention, if connected to a computer, can be used as a computer game operator.  
      While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and the drawings, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.