MULTICHANNEL CONTROLLER
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.
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The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/303,894, filed Jun. 13, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/083,912, filed Apr. 11, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,791,911, which is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/441,113, filed Feb. 9, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUNDMultichannel controllers are commonly used to control a wide variety of systems. For example, a multichannel controller can be used to control a pan and tilt camera system. In such a case, one channel of the multichannel controller may be used to control pan motion of the pan and tilt camera system, and another channel of the multichannel controller may be used to control tilt motion of the pan and tilt camera system. One method of providing multichannel control has included using controllers with physical joysticks. Positioning of the physical joysticks causes signals to be sent to the system being controlled.
SUMMARYA 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.
These and various other features and advantages that characterize the claimed embodiments will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reviewing the associated drawings.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include multichannel controllers. In certain embodiments, multichannel controllers are used to control motion of pan and tilt camera systems. Embodiments are not however limited to any particular setting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although some embodiments are described in the context of pan and tilt camera systems, that embodiments are not limited to pan and tilt systems and can be used in other settings. Additionally, the present disclosure presents several examples of user interfaces that can be used to implement multichannel controllers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments are not limited to the specific user interfaces shown in the figures and may include any one or more combination of features shown in the example interfaces.
Embodiments of multichannel controllers are implemented using any suitable computing device. In one configuration, a controller is implemented using a smart phone such as an Android based phone or an iPhone. Alternatively, a controller can be implemented using a specially chosen device.
In one embodiment, a multichannel controller sends signals to pan and tilt motors to control pan and tilt motions of a camera. In one configuration, each motor is capable of receiving a signal that indicates a direction of rotation (e.g. clockwise or counterclockwise) and a speed of rotation (e.g. 0-100% of the maximum rotational speed of the motor).
One of the icons 108 is a Control Mode Selector icon. Upon the Control Mode Selector icon being selected (e.g. by being touched), a Control Mode Selector interface is displayed in the main portion 104 of the user interface.
Pan slider section 604 includes a moveable slider icon 608 that is able to be moved left and right within slider slot 610. Tilt slider section 606 includes a moveable slider icon 612 that is able to be moved up and down within slider slot 614. Movement of the pan slider icon 608 sends signals to the pan motor, and movement of the tilt slider icon 612 sends signals to the tilt motor. The rotational speed of the motors is dependent on how far the slider icons are moved from their center/home positions. Moving a slider icon further away from its center/home position causes faster rotation than a smaller move away from the center/home position. Additionally, similar to the joystick icon in the joystick mode, slider icons 608 and 612 move back to their center/home positions when touch is released.
Pan wheel icon 704 and tilt wheel icon 706 are able to be rotated in either direction. Rotation of pan wheel icon 704 sends signals to the pan motor to rotate, and rotation of tilt wheel icon 706 sends signals to the tilt motor to rotate. The speed and direction of rotation of the wheel icons determine the speed and direction of rotation of the pan and tilt motors. Fast rotation of the wheel icons sends signals to the motors to rotate quickly, and slower rotation of the wheel icons sends signals to the motors to rotate slower. The wheel icons have momentum such that the wheel icons will continue to rotate after a user has released touch of the icons.
Another one of the icons 108 in icons portion 106 in
As is shown in
In an embodiment, multichannel controller 1902 is able to control systems 1932, 1934, and 1936 in either an open loop mode or in a closed loop mode. In open loop mode, controller 1902 does not receive feedback from the controlled systems. For instance, controller 1902 does not necessarily know the position, speed, etc. of the controlled systems. However, in closed loop mode, controller 1902 does receive feedback from one or more of the controlled systems. Controller 1902 may for instance receive feedback indicating a position (e.g. angular position), speed, etc. of a pan and/or tilt motor. In such cases, controller 1902 is able to use the feedback in generating new commands for the systems. For instance, a user may wish to set a speed, position, etc. of a controlled system. Controller 1902 illustratively receives feedback from the controlled system indicating its current speed, position, etc., and the controller adjusts the command signal based on the current speed, position, etc. and based on the speed, position, etc. that is intended/desired by a user.
Finally, it is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. In addition, although certain embodiments described herein are directed to pan and tilt systems, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the teachings of the disclosure can be applied to other types of multichannel control systems, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
Claims
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 17, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 8, 2018
Applicant: ROBOTZONE, LLC (Winfield, KS)
Inventors: Brian T. Pettey (Winfield, KS), Christopher L. Holt (Edina, MN)
Application Number: 15/785,910