US 8,013,550 B1 · Model train remote control system having realistic speed and special effects control · patentgrep

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Abstract

The model train control system includes a remote control device that receives user input with respect to various train functions such as desired speed and effects, and that generates commands based on that input in order to cause the model train to perform in a desired manner. In an embodiment of the invention, the model train controller comprises control input devices that permit user control over corresponding control features of the model train. A touch screen display may be coupled to the housing and adapted to receive user selections regarding the control features. A processor is operatively coupled to the control input devices and the touch screen display. The processor is adapted to generate at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on a user input received from either one of the control input devices or the touch screen display.

Claims90

Dependent claims

A model train controller comprising:

a housing;
a plurality of control input devices coupled to the housing, the plurality of control input devices permitting user control over corresponding plural control features of the model train;
a touch screen display coupled to the housing and for displaying information concerning at least one of the plural control features of the model train and for receiving user selections regarding the at least one control feature;
a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the plurality of control input devices and the touch screen display, the processor generating at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on a user input received from either at least one of the plurality of control input devices or the touch screen display;
and
a transmitter for communicating the at least one model train command to the train;
wherein, the at least one model train command causes performance of at least one of said plural control features of said train in a manner corresponding to the received user input;
wherein the plurality of control input devices includes a linear slider biased in a neutral position, such that movement of the slider away from the neutral position in a first direction produces a first effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement in the first direction, and movement of the slider away from the neutral position in a second direction produces a second effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement in the second direction, wherein the first effect being different than the second effect.

5 more elements

A model train controller comprising:

a housing;
a plurality of control input devices coupled to the housing, the plurality of control input devices permitting user control over corresponding plural control features of the model train;
a touch screen display coupled to the housing and for displaying information concerning at least one of the plural control features of the model train and for receiving user selections regarding the at least one control feature;
a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the plurality of control input devices and the touch screen display, the processor generating at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on a user input received from either at least one of the plurality of control input devices or the touch screen display;
a transmitter for communicating the at least one model train command to the train;
and
a graphic display for indicating both a target speed and a commanded speed;
wherein, the at least one model train command causes performance of at least one of said plural control features of said train in a manner corresponding to the received user input;
wherein the plurality of control input devices includes a user throttle input for selecting the target speed for the model train, the processor determining the commanded speed based at least in part on the selected target speed, the at least one model train command including the commanded speed;
wherein the graphic display further illustrates the target speed as a line that is selectively moveable along a dimension of the graphic display in correspondence with changes of the user throttle input.

7 more elements

A model train controller comprising:

a housing;
a plurality of control input devices coupled to the housing, the plurality of control input devices permitting user control over corresponding plural control features of the model train;
a touch screen display coupled to the housing and for displaying information concerning at least one of the plural control features of the model train and for receiving user selections regarding the at least one control feature;
a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the plurality of control input devices and the touch screen display, the processor generating at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on a user input received from either at least one of the plurality of control input devices or the touch screen display;
and
a transmitter for communicating the at least one model train command to the train:
wherein, the at least one model train command causes performance of at least one of said plural control features of said train in a manner corresponding to the received user input;
wherein the plurality of control input devices includes an effects input device for controlling production of at least one effect, the processor generating the at least one model train command to cause the model train to produce the at least one effect responsive to user operation of the effects input device;
wherein the effects input device further comprises a linear slider biased in a neutral position such that selective movement of the slider away from the neutral position produces the at least one effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement away from the neutral position;
wherein the neutral position is disposed substantially in a center of travel of the linear slider, and selective movement of the slider in a first direction away from the neutral position produces a first effect and selective movement of the slider in a second direction away from the neutral position produces a second effect different than the first effect.

7 more elements

A model train controller comprising:

a housing;
a sound effects input device coupled to the housing for controlling production by a model train of at least one sound effect, the sound effects input device providing plural distinct input signals in response to selective user actuation;
a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the at least one sound effects input device to receiving the input signals therefrom, the processor generating at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on the input signals, the at least one model train command causing the model train to produce the at least one sound effect having a characteristic responsive to the selective user actuation of the sound effects input device;
and
a transmitter for communicating the at least one model train command to the train;
wherein the sound effects input device further comprises a linear slider biased in a neutral position such that selective movement of the slider away from the neutral position produces the at least one sound effect having the characteristic corresponding to an extent of movement away from the neutral position;
wherein the neutral position is disposed substantially in a center of travel of the linear slider, and selective movement of the slider in a first direction away from the neutral position produces a first sound effect and selective movement of the slider in a second direction away from the neutral position produces a second sound effect different than the first sound effect.

4 more elements

A model train controller comprising:

a housing;
a plurality of control input devices coupled to the housing, the plurality of control input devices permitting user control over corresponding plural control features of the model train;
a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the plurality of control input devices, the processor generating a series of successive model train commands to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on a single user input received from one of the plurality of control input devices;
and
a transmitter for communicating the successive model train commands to the train;
wherein, the series of successive model train commands causes performance of corresponding control features of said train;
wherein the plurality of control input devices includes a linear slider biased in a neutral position, such that movement of the slider away from the neutral position in a first direction produces a first effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement in the first direction, and movement of the slider away from the neutral position in a second direction produces a second effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement in the second direction,
wherein the first effect being different than the second effect.

5 more elements

A model train controller comprising:

a housing;
a plurality of control input devices coupled to the housing, the plurality of control input devices permitting user control over corresponding plural control features of the model train;
a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the plurality of control input devices, the processor generating a series of successive model train commands to be transmitted to the model train based at least in part on a single user input received from one of the plurality of control input devices;
and
a transmitter for communicating the successive model train commands to the train;
wherein, the series of successive model train commands causes performance of corresponding control features of said train;
wherein the plurality of control input devices includes an effects input device for controlling production of at least one effect, at least one of the successive model train commands causing the model train to produce the at least one effect;
wherein the effects input device further comprises a linear slider biased in a neutral position such that selective movement of the slider away from the neutral position produces the at least one effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement away from the neutral position;
wherein selective movement of the slider in a first direction away from the neutral position produces a first effect and selective movement of the slider in a second direction away from the neutral position produces a second effect different than the first effect.

6 more elements

A model train controller comprising:

a housing;
a touch screen display coupled to the housing and for displaying icons corresponding to operable features of a model train layout;
at least one user input device coupled to the housing and permitting user control over the operable features of the model train layout;
a processor disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the touch screen display and the at least one user input device, the processor generating at least one digital command based on user settings of the at least one user input device and user selections on the touch screen display;
and
a transmitter for communicating the at least one digital command to the operable features of a model train layout;
wherein the at least one user input device includes a linear slider biased in a neutral position, such that movement of the slider away from the neutral position in a first direction produces a first effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement in the first direction, and movement of the slider away from the neutral position in a second direction produces a second effect having a characteristic corresponding to the extent of movement in the second direction,
wherein the first effect being different than the second effect.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.