REMOVABLE VEHICLE OPERATION INSTRUMENT WITH REMOTE CONTROL CAPABILITY AND RELATED METHOD

摘要

A system including an instrument and a vehicle control system is provided. The instrument can include a display and a vehicle controller in communication with the vehicle control system. The instrument can be docked in a docking station of the vehicle, for example in a driver space, and used as primary instrumentation for a driver to directly control the vehicle. The instrument can be undocked and removed physically from the vehicle and used to remotely control vehicle operations from a location distant from the vehicle. A method of using the system and instrument is also provided in which a user can directly or remotely operate a vehicle with the instrument in communication with the vehicle control system. A method of using the system and/or instrument to directly or remotely operate one or more vehicles is also provided.

主权项

1. A system for selective direct or remote operation of a vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle control system; a handheld, selectively portable instrument comprising a communication element in communication with the vehicle control system, the instrument including a sensor that detects relative movement of the instrument by a user, and a display; a vehicle dashboard including a docking station; and an imaging device mounted on the vehicle, the imaging device in communication with the display of the handheld instrument, wherein the handheld instrument is operable in a direct vehicle operation mode and a remote control mode, wherein in the direct vehicle operation mode, the handheld instrument is removably mounted to the docking station and in communication with the vehicle control system; wherein in the remote control mode, the handheld instrument is removed and distal from the docking station, and manually moveable about at least one axis, with the sensor detecting the relative movement of the instrument by the user about the at least one axis, and the instrument translating the relative movement into signals to control at least one of speed, acceleration, braking, gear selection, weapon activation and steering of the vehicle, wherein images captured by the imaging device are displayed on the display of the handheld instrument in the remote control mode, whereby the user can view an area through which the vehicle is traversing on the display due to the displayed images.