Method and system for controlling a remote controlled vehicle using two-way communication

Abstract

A method ( 700 ) and system ( 100 ) for remotely controlling a remote controlled vehicle ( 150 ) can include a wireless transceiver ( 154 ), at least one impact sensor ( 158, 160, 162, 164, 166 or 168 ) on the remote-controlled vehicle, and a processor ( 156 ) or processor ( 106 ) in a remote controller ( 102 ) operatively coupled to at least one impact sensor and the wireless transceiver. The processor can be programmed to sense ( 702 ) impacts to at least a portion of the remote-controlled vehicle, modify ( 704 ) operation of the remote-controlled vehicle in response to the at least one impact sensed, and transmit ( 706 ) information to a remote controller with respect to the at least one impact sensed. The system can further include another wireless transceiver ( 104 ) in the remote controller for controlling the remote-controlled vehicle and receiving communication from or originating from the remote-controlled vehicle or another remote-controlled vehicle in competition with the remote-controlled vehicle.

1 . A method of controlling a remote-controlled vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 sensing impacts to portions of the remote-controlled vehicle;   selectively modifying operation of the remote-controlled vehicle based on the impact to the portions of the remote-controlled vehicle; and   providing feedback relating to the impacts to a remote controller.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selectively modifying is based on a number of impacts to a specified portion of the remote-controlled vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of hits required for modifying an operation of the remote-controlled vehicle is different for different portions of the remote-controlled vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effect of impacts continues for a duration of a contest or a session and is re-enabled or reset at a conclusion of the contest or the session or by using a purchased or downloaded digital asset to provide a partial or a full repair. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of presenting an indication of the impact to the remote-controlled vehicle on a remote controller. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of presenting comprises modifying lights, a temperature, an odor, light emitting diodes, a display, a vibrating device, or a sound generating device on a remote controller or the remote-controlled vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of presenting an indication of the impact given to another remote-controlled vehicle in competition with the remote-controlled vehicle on a remote controller. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of transferring digital rights management media items from one remote controller to another as a result of a competition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of presenting an indication of imparting an impact to a predetermined portion of another remote-controlled vehicle on a remote controller. 
     
     
         10 . A remote controlled vehicle system, comprising:
 a wireless transceiver in a remote-controlled vehicle;   at least one impact sensor on the remote-controlled vehicle; and   a processor operatively coupled to the at least one impact sensor and the wireless transceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to:
 sense impacts to at least a portion of the remote-controlled vehicle using the at least one impact sensor; 
 modify operation of the remote-controlled vehicle in response to the at least one impact sensed; and 
 transmit information to a remote controller with respect to the at least one impact sensed. 
   
     
     
         11 . The remote-controlled vehicle system of  claim 10 , wherein the system further comprises another wireless transceiver in the remote controller for controlling the remote-controlled vehicle and receiving communication from or originating from the remote-controlled vehicle or another remote-controlled vehicle in competition with the remote-controlled vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The remote-controlled vehicle system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further programmed to modify operation of the remote-controlled vehicle based on a number of impacts to a specified portion of the remote-controlled vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The remote-controlled vehicle system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further programmed to continue the effect of impacts on the remote-controlled vehicle for a duration of a contest or a session and re-enable or reset at a conclusion of the contest or the session. 
     
     
         14 . The remote-controlled vehicle system of  claim 10 , wherein the system further comprises a presentation device among a light, a temperature, an odor, a light emitting diode, a display, a vibrating device, or a sound generating device wherein the processor is further programmed to present an indication of the impact on the presentation device. 
     
     
         15 . The remote-controlled vehicle system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further programmed to present an indication of an impact given to another remote-controlled vehicle in competition with the remote-controlled vehicle on a remote controller. 
     
     
         16 . A remote controller for a remote-controlled vehicle having at least one impact sensor, comprising:
 a wireless transceiver;   a presentation device; and   a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the presentation device, wherein the processor is programmed to:
 control the remote-controlled vehicle; and 
 present on the presentation device a representation of an impact sensed at the at least one impact sensor. 
   
     
     
         17 . The remote controller of  claim 16 , wherein the presentation device is a light, a temperature, an odor, a light emitting diode, a display, a vibrating device or a sound generating device. 
     
     
         18 . The remote controller of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further programmed to enable the transfer of digital rights management media items from one remote controller to another as a result of a competition. 
     
     
         19 . The remote controller of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further programmed to present an indication of imparting an impact to a predetermined portion of another remote-controlled vehicle on a remote controller. 
     
     
         20 . The remote controller of  claim 16 , wherein the remote controller is a portion of a cellular phone, two-way radio, palm computer, handheld game console or media player with wireless capability.