Patent · US Expired

Handheld controller for vehicles

US7471216B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by
11References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 2005
Grant dateDec 30, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 14, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63F2300/8017
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A handheld controller allows a human operator to control various aspects of a vehicle's operation. The operator's fingers are used to manipulate various devices (e.g., buttons, switches, joysticks, levers, triggers, trackballs and the like) disposed on the handheld controller to control aspects of the vehicle's operation associated with these devices. The handheld controller may provide control signals to the vehicle by a cable, or by a wireless connection. The handheld controller allows the operator to freely move about the vehicle's compartment or to move outside the compartment, while still being able to control the various aspects of vehicle operation. Furthermore, the handheld controller allows the operator to control the various aspects of vehicle operation from a location away from potentially hazardous surfaces within the compartment, which helps to prevent the operator from contacting these surfaces in the event that the vehicle is struck by an object (e.g., enemy artillery, another vehicle, etc.) or otherwise jarred.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.