Customizable joystick-based means for controlling the brake and throttle of a motor vehicle using a single hand

Abstract

A joystick-based hand control device establishes a method for an individual with a lower extremity mobility impairment to safely operate the brake and throttle in a car using only a single hand to manipulate said joystick (2). This device allows the operator to control the throttle by moving the joystick along the positive y-axis (3) (forwards from center). The brake may be controlled by moving the joystick along the negative y-axis (backwards from center), as well as along the x-axis (left or right from center) (5 and 6 respectively). This device also allows for customization of certain system parameters by the operator via the microcontroller (7), so that its function may be modified to better suit the operator's unique needs or driving style.

Claims

1. An electronic driving aid operable for controlling the brake and throttle of a motor vehicle without use of the operator's lower extremities comprising: a. a joystick mechanism (1 and 2) with position sensing in both the x (3 and 4) and y axis (5 and 6) by which the operator may control the brake and throttle using a single hand b. a central electronic system for processing information supplied by the joystick in order to determine the position of the x and y axis set by the operator c. a means for data transfer between the joystick and central electronic system (7) described in preceding claims.

2. A means for the user to customize the central electronic system described in claim 1 characterized in that the system's responses to inputs from the joystick may be modified to be more appropriate for the operator's unique anatomical range of motion and/or speed of reaction

3. A programmatic means for the central electronic system to determine the desired position of the brake and throttle based on the position of the joystick described in claim 1 consisting of: a. a mathematical equation relating the position of the joystick to the desired position of the brake and throttle b. a function to calculate the difference between current position of the throttle or brake and the desired position set by the operator

Description

VI. DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0008] FIG A:

[0009] Overview of proposed invention as it would be installed in the vehicle. A housing for the system comprised of a box made of plastic (1) contains the circuitry for the joystick mechanism and the primary microcontroller, which has a handle protruding out of the housing (2) that the user would grab in order to control the system. The throttle of the vehicle is controlled by moving the joystick forward from its home position, parallel to the y-axis (3). The brake is controlled by moving the joystick backwards from its home position, parallel to the y-axis (4). The brake may also be controlled by moving the joystick left (5) or right (6), parallel to the x-axis. These controls are adjustable as seen fit by the user. Wires (7) protrude from under the housing to allow the system to interface with the vehicle.

VIIII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0010] The invention described in this application comprises a joystick with complete freedom of movement in both the x-axis (5 and 6) and y-axis (3 and 4); a programmable microcontroller (1); and a means for interfacing with the throttle and brake of the motor vehicle (7) in which the invention is installed, the specifics of said interface are not within the scope of this application.

[0011] The invention allows the user to control the throttle of the motor vehicle by moving the joystick in the positive direction along the y-axis (3). The motor vehicle's brake may be controlled by moving the joystick in the negative direction along the y-axis (4), as well as either direction along the x-axis (5 or 6).

[0012] When the user moves the joystick, information about its new position is communicated to the microcontroller (1). The microcontroller uses this information to calculate the position of the throttle or brake desired by the user. If the user's desired position differs from the actual position of the motor vehicle's throttle or brake, the microcontroller, in order to produce the desired effect on the motion of the motor vehicle, makes the necessary adjustments to the interface (7) using a predetermined algorithm.