Looking for USB remote control ...

[Randall Lee Reetz]

I have been googling and googling and so far have not found a multi- 
channel Radio Control (RC) receiver with USB port.  There are plenty  
of solutions that go the other way (to control RC servos from your  
PC).  I'll bet my snooping around on this issue has put me on a few  
FBI and HomeLand Security lists.  Controlling a PC from a mile away  
presents some formidable security risks.  There are phone and cell  
phone controller solutions (control your PC via phone calls).  I once  
witnessed the result of a devastating crash when a 400 lb. model RC  
airplane (with a Volkswagen engine!) that resulted when two RC  
consoles were using the same frequency (there are a limited number of  
channels) at the same time.  That was a long time ago.  I don't know  
if the RC protocol has been modernized to a signature secured digital  
signal with a packet sending scheme.  If so, there would be less  
danger of signal crossover.  On the other hand, packet protocol com  
channels are notoriously bad for real time control (its is one thing  
if your love letter takes a few seconds to arrive, quite another if  
your remote vehicle doesn't turn right to avoid a mountain its left.

Randall

On Jul 18, 2008, at 3:27 PM, Randall Lee Reetz wrote:

>  Check out this IR USB remote (lots of buttons).  Though it is IR  
> and probably needs line of sight to USB port key fob (site doesn't  
> talk to range issue).
>
> http://www.bikudo.com/product_search/details/2238/ 
> usb_multi_remote_controller_rc_q105.html
>
> I have been looking for RC controller to USB RC receiver  
> solution... nothing so far. The advantage of RC (over local  
> wireless like wifi, bluetooth and IR) is much longer range (up to a  
> mile or two).
>
> Randall
>
> On Jul 18, 2008, at 2:45 PM, Randall Reetz wrote:
>
>> Jack, if you purchace a cheap wireless game controller, you can  
>> take it appart and solder some micro sswitches to the ic board  
>> where the contact switches touch.  There were something like 19  
>> switches on the one i took appart, plus some analog switches and  
>> directional ones as well.  You can build some pretty good input  
>> device prototypes on the fast and loose. Again, i dont know about  
>> the range.  That depends on the com medium used with your  
>> controller (wifi, IR, bluetooth, etc.).  I once tried to find a  
>> wireless numeric or functionkey keypad... That would be perfect.   
>> Ill bet if you got on a stage craft or movie special effects user  
>> group you could get some ideas.  What about the multi-channel RC  
>> controllers hobbiests use with their model airplains... i'll bet  
>> there are some cheap ones out there used in the low-end toy- 
>> crossover market.  Nerd heaven.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: "Jack Rarick" <jrarick at hpsk12.net>
>> To: use-revolution at lists.runrev.com
>> Sent: 7/18/2008 5:15 AM
>> Subject: Re: Looking for USB remote control ...
>>
>> Wow!
>>
>> I was hoping for an answer just like this one - and I have yet to  
>> be let down!  Randall you are the BEST as are all the other  
>> revolutionites!
>>
>> Jack Rarick
>> Braintree Athletic Systems
>>
>>>>> randall at randallreetz.com 7/18/2008 5:10 AM >>>
>> Jack,
>>
>> I use AirClick remote.  Then download and install the Proxy event
>> editor.  You can use the Proxy editor to turn AirClick remote button
>> clicks to keyboard stroke events.  Then capture these keystrokes with
>> your xTalk handlers... and you are in business.  I don't know what
>> the range is of the AirClick devise.  There is another USB devise
>> event re-director called USBOverdrive.  It might accept more
>> devises.  So long as you can get devise button events sent as
>> keystrokes, you can capture these with runrev handlers.
>>
>> Randall
>>
>> On Jul 17, 2008, at 7:38 PM, Jack Rarick wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all!
>>>
>>> I am looking for a programmable USB device that will allow me to
>>> designate up to six different buttons that will send mouse clicks
>>> to certain places on the screen. We do a lot with multimedia, and
>>> we want to give a user the option of using the remote in a large
>>> classroom to go to the next video, rewind the video, stop the video
>>> etc. There are buttons on the screen to accomplish that ... I just
>>> want the user to be able to stand 50 feet away with a remote. Am I
>>> dreaming?
>>>
>>> All help will be appreciated!
>>>
>>> Thank you,
>>>
>>> Jack Rarick
>>> Braintree Athletic Systems
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