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US 8,939,812 B2Granted
Two-sided toy vehicle
AssigneeThinking Technology, Inc.
InventorsAlbert Wai Tai Chan, Ka Hung (William) Ko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A slim, two-sided remote controlled toy vehicle with high speed, high maneuverability and high shock and crash resistance. A remote control scheme based on digital signals embedded in infrared beams allows improved control and high-speed terrestrial and aerial stunt capabilities. The toy intelligently implements infrared communication, on board micro-control units, flip sensors, sounds, lights and other pre-programmed actions. Various stunt accessories are also provided, to increase the play value of the toy.
Claims24
A toy comprising:
- a remote controller comprising:
- a first optical emitter controlled by a control unit and configured to emit a digitally modulated optical beam containing digital identification codes, said remote controller configured with a lens of collimation that focuses said digitally modulated optical beam from said first optical emitter to generate a target spot on a surface;
- a second optical emitter controlled by said control unit and configured to emit a modulated optical signal;
- and
- an infrared control scheme wherein said remote controller is further configured to send said digitally modulated optical signal to an on-board digital control unit of at least one controllable moveable object regardless of an angular position of said target spot relative to said at least one controllable moving object;
- the at least one controllable moving object, having
- a chassis including a first side of said chassis and a second side of said chassis opposite said first side of said chassis, said chassis having a chassis plane and a maximum height dimension in a direction perpendicular to said chassis plane;
- four wheels rotatably mounted relative to said chassis, each of said wheels having a diameter that is larger than said maximum height dimension of said chassis;
- a flip sensor configured to generate a flip signal based on which of said first or second side of said chassis faces upward;
- a plurality of optoelectronic sensors configured to receive the digitally modulated optical signals containing digital identification codes;
- at least one on-board digital control unit that receives, from said plurality of optoelectronic sensors, electrical signals containing the digital identification codes;
- propulsion and steering means controlled by said on-board digital control unit;
- wherein said on-board digital control unit computes distance to and angular position of said target spot relative to said controllable moving object, based on said electrical signals received from said plurality of optoelectronic sensors;
- wherein said on-board digital control unit controls said propulsion and steering means so that said controllable moving object is set in motion, follows and approaches said target spot on said surface;
- wherein said modulated optical signal causes the on-board digital control unit of the at least one controllable moveable object to control said propulsion and steering means on said at least one controllable moving object,
- wherein said on-board digital control unit controls a direction of rotation of said wheels based on said flip signal received from said flip sensor;
- and
- wherein said at least one controllable moving object is capable of being operable on said wheels when either of said first or second side of said chassis faces upward.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.