Apparatus and method for remotely setting motion vector for self-propelled toy vehicles

A method for remotely setting a motion vector for a self-propelled toy, the method comprising:

• (a) selecting, by a remote controller via transmission of a signal towards a self-propelled toy, the self-propelled toy to which to send a command for a motion to be performed;
• (b) detecting, by a sensor of the remote controller, a displacement of at least a portion of the remote controller;
• (c) determining, by the remote controller responsive to the sensor, a motion vector corresponding to the displacement, the motion vector comprising a direction and a magnitude of the displacement of the remote controller;
• and
• (d) transmitting, by the remote controller, the motion vector to the selected self-propelled toy to request the self-propelled toy to perform the motion specified by the motion vector.

A method for receiving by a motion vector module of a self-propelled toy a motion vector transmitted remotely via a remote controller, the method comprising:

• (a) establishing, by a motion vector module of a self-propelled toy responsive to a direction of one or more signals from a remote controller, a control axis;
• (b) receiving, by the motion vector module, a motion vector via the one or more signals, a motion vector comprising a magnitude and a direction;
• (c) translating, by the motion vector module, the motion vector to a coordinate system of the motion vector module based on the control axis;
• and
• (d) communicating, by the motion vector module based on an orientation of the self-propelled toy to the coordinate system, commands to the self-propelled toy to execute motion corresponding to the motion vector.

A method for controlling a group of self-propelled toys, the method comprising:

• (a) selecting, by a remote controller, via transmission of one or more signals towards each of a plurality of self-propelled toys, a group of the self-propelled toys for which to send the same command for a motion to be performed;
• (b) detecting, by a sensor of the remote controller, a displacement of at least a portion of the remote controller;
• (c) determining, by the remote controller responsive to the sensor, a motion vector corresponding to the displacement, the motion vector comprising a direction and a magnitude of the displacement of the portion of the remote controller;
• and
• (d) transmitting, by the remote controller, the same motion vector to each self-propelled toy of the selected group of self-propelled toys to request each self-propelled toy to perform the motion specified by the motion vector.