# US 7,607,961 B2 · Simulated degradation features for remotely controlled vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,961 B2 - Document ID: US7607961B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/331,734 - Filed: 2006-01-13 - Published: 2007-07-19 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-01-13 - Inventors: Marc Lorelli; Michael D. Turner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607961B2 ## CPC - A63H 17/02: convertible into other forms under the action of impact or shock, e.g. arrangements for imitating accidents - A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS ## Abstract Various degradation features are disclosed for a remotely controlled vehicle. Translatable body components are disclosed for simulating damage to a vehicle. Impact sensors may be provided for detecting an impact to the vehicle and modifying operation of the vehicle in response to an impact. A timer may be provided for hampering operations of the vehicle as a function of time for simulating real life conditions. Controls, and methods associated with these features are disclosed as well as games for utilizing the degradation features. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A remotely controlled vehicle comprising: a housing; a propulsion device provided on the housing for translating the vehicle; a receiver provided on the housing for receiving signals from a remote control and conveying the signals to the propulsion device; a controller in communication with one of the receiver and the remote control for controlling the propulsion of the vehicle; and an impact sensor provided on the housing in communication with the controller for sending a signal to the controller associated with an impact of the vehicle wherein the controller alters control of the propulsion device after receipt of the impact signal; wherein the controller alters the signals to the propulsion device to simulate operation of a vehicle requiring maintenance; wherein the propulsion device further comprises a motor for driving the vehicle, and control of the motor is altered by the controller after receipt of the impact signal; and wherein a maximum velocity of the vehicle is lessened by the controller after receipt of the impact signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the controller is provided in the housing in communication with the propulsion device and the receiver. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a timer for altering the control of the propulsion device after a predefined period of time. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 3 wherein the timer is resettable for non-altered control of the propulsion device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 further comprising at least one translatable body component in cooperation with the impact sensor, the at least one translatable body component being adapted for translation from a first position to a second position upon impact of the vehicle for simulating an appearance of a damaged vehicle that may require maintenance or for actuation of the impact sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the impact sensor further comprises a limit switch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a suspension system for suspending the housing relative to a medium upon which the housing travels, wherein the suspension system is in communication with the controller and the suspension system is altered after receipt of the impact signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein control signals to the motor are delayed after receipt of the impact signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the propulsion device further comprises steering of the vehicle, and control of the steering is altered by the controller after receipt of the impact signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 9 wherein a steering angle range is lessened after receipt of the impact signal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 9 wherein signals for controlling the steering are delayed after receipt of the impact signal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the controller further comprises a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising: receiving a signal associated with manually input controls for driving the remotely controlled vehicle; transmitting a signal to the propulsion device of the vehicle corresponding to the manually input controls; and transmitting a modified signal to the propulsion device associated with the manually input controls to simulate a vehicle requiring maintenance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 12 wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises receiving a signal associated with an impact of the vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 12 wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises: counting time for a predefined time interval; and transmitting a modified signal to the propulsion device of the vehicle associated with the manually input controls. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the signals are altered as a function of a distance of travel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 15 further comprising a scale for measuring the distance of travel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 15 wherein a maximum velocity of the vehicle is lessened by the controller as a function of the distance of travel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a scale for measuring amplitude of the signals from the remote control whereby upon the amplitude of the remote control signals reaching a predefined level, the timer is reset for non-altered control of the propulsion device.