Mobile computing device for use in controlling wirelessly controlled vehicles
Methods and systems for utilizing a mobile computing device (e.g., such as a mobile phone) for use in controlling a model vehicle are described. Consistent with some embodiments, a mobile computing device provides various user controls for generating signals that are communicated to a radio transmitter device coupled with the mobile computing device, and ultimately broadcast to a receiver residing at a model vehicle. With some embodiments, the mobile computing device may be integrated with a controller housing which provides separate user controls, such that a combination of user controls present on the mobile computing device and the controller housing can be used to control a model vehicle.
1. A method comprising:
storing, on a client device, a radio-enabled vehicle instruction that instructs a movement of a radio-enabled vehicle;
displaying, on a touchscreen of the client device, a user interface element for moving the radio-enabled vehicle;
detecting, on the touchscreen of the client device, a selection of the user interface element;
determining that the selection of the user interface element corresponds to the radio-enabled vehicle instruction;
transmitting, by a wireless interface of the client device, the radio-enabled vehicle instruction that corresponds to the selection of the user interface element; and
displaying, on the touchscreen, an additional user interface element indicating that the radio-enabled vehicle is moving according to the radio-enabled vehicle instruction.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, from a server, the radio-enabled vehicle instruction.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates a direction of the movement of the radio-enabled vehicle.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates a range of the movement of the radio-enabled vehicle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates a vehicle control element of a control mechanism for moving the radio-enabled vehicle.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the vehicle control element is a virtual steering wheel.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional user interface element comprises a virtual navigational instrument of the radio-enabled vehicle.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates orientation information of the radio-enabled vehicle.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the radio-enabled vehicle receives the instruction through a vehicle wireless interface of the radio-enabled vehicle.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
causing, using a vibration device of the client device, the client device to vibrate during the movement of the radio-enabled vehicle.
11. A client device comprising:
a memory comprising instructions;
a touchscreen; and
one or more processors, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the client device to perform operations comprising:
storing, on the client device, a radio-enabled vehicle instruction that instructs a movement of a radio-enabled vehicle;
displaying, on a touchscreen of the client device, a user interface element for moving the radio-enabled vehicle;
detecting, on the touchscreen of the client device, a selection of the user interface element;
determining that the selection of the user interface element corresponds to the radio-enabled vehicle instruction;
transmitting, by a wireless interface of the client device, the radio-enabled vehicle instruction that corresponds to the selection of the user interface element; and
displaying, on the touchscreen, an additional user interface element indicating that the radio-enabled vehicle is moving according to the radio-enabled vehicle instruction.
12. The client device of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving, from a server, the radio-enabled vehicle instruction.
13. The client device of claim 11 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates a direction of the movement of the radio-enabled vehicle.
14. The client device of claim 11 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates a range of the movement of the radio-enabled vehicle.
15. The client device of claim 11 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates a vehicle control element of a control mechanism for moving the radio-enabled vehicle.
16. The client device of claim 15 , wherein the vehicle control element is a virtual steering wheel.
17. The client device of claim 11 , wherein the additional user interface element comprises a virtual navigational instrument of the radio-enabled vehicle.
18. The client device of claim 11 , wherein the additional user interface element indicates orientation information of the radio-enabled vehicle.
19. The client device of claim 11 , wherein the radio-enabled vehicle receives the instruction through a vehicle wireless interface of the radio-enabled vehicle.
20. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a client device, cause the client device to perform operations comprising:
storing, on a client device, a radio-enabled vehicle instruction that instructs a movement of a radio-enabled vehicle;
displaying, on a touchscreen of the client device, a user interface element for moving the radio-enabled vehicle;
detecting, on the touchscreen of the client device, a selection of the user interface element;
determining that the selection of the user interface element corresponds to the radio-enabled vehicle instruction;
transmitting, by a wireless interface of the client device, the radio-enabled vehicle instruction that corresponds to the selection of the user interface element; and
displaying, on the touchscreen, an additional user interface element indicating that the radio-enabled vehicle is moving according to the radio-enabled vehicle instruction.