US 9,802,136 B2 · System and method for controlling labor in a model vehicle

Abstract

A system and method is provided for using load data to control a feature in a model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, a model vehicle includes a controller in communication with a remote control, a motor module, a smoke module, a sound module, and a memory device. While the model vehicle is operated under test conditions, calibration data is collected and stored in the memory device. While the model vehicle is operated under normal conditions, the controller receives a speed step instruction from the remote control and instructs the motor module to operate the motor at a corresponding speed. The data used to propel the model vehicle at the corresponding speed it then provided to the controller, where it is compared to the calibration data to identify a delta therebetween. The delta is then used by the controller to control, for example, the smoke and sound modules.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims20

Dependent claims

A model vehicle, comprising:

a motor for propelling said model vehicle in at least a forward direction;
a memory for storing calibration data comprising a plurality of pre-determined power levels, said calibration data linking at least one speed step representing a target speed to a pre-determined power level for propelling a first model vehicle at said target speed;
at least one motor module for controlling operation of said motor;
at least one feature module for controlling at least one feature of said model vehicle, said at least one feature being selected from at least one visual action, at least one audible action, and at least one tactile action;
and
a controller in communication with said memory, said at least one feature module, and at least one of said motor module and said motor, said controller being configured to:
receive first data from one of said motor module and a remote control on said speed step of said model vehicle, said speed step representing said target speed of said model vehicle;
receive second data from one of said motor module and said motor at a time when a speed of said model vehicle equals said target speed, said second data is an actual power level for propelling said model vehicle at said target speed;
using said target speed to identify said pre-determined power level from said plurality of pre-determined power levels in said memory;
identifying a delta between said actual power level and said pre-determined power level at said time when said speed of said model vehicle equals said target speed, wherein said delta is a difference between said actual power level needed to propel said model vehicle at said target speed and said pre-determined power level needed to propel said first model vehicle at said target speed;
using said delta to instruct said at least one feature module to correspondingly control said at least one feature of said model vehicle.

8 more elements

A method for controlling a feature in a model vehicle based on load of a motor, comprising:

storing calibration data in a non-volatile memory (NVM), said calibration data comprising a plurality of pre-determined power levels and linking at least one speed step representing a target speed to a pre-determined power level for propelling a first model vehicle at said target speed;
receiving by a controller a first set of data on a speed step of said model vehicle, said speed step corresponding to a target speed of said model vehicle;
receiving by said controller a second set of data at a time when a speed of said model vehicle equals said target speed, said second set of data is an actual power used to propel said model vehicle at said target speed;
receiving by said controller said calibration data from said NVM;
using by said controller said target speed to identify said pre-determined power level from said plurality of pre-determined power levels in said NVM;
identifying a delta between said actual power level and said pre-determined power level at said time when said speed of said model vehicle equals said target speed, wherein said delta is a difference between said actual power level needed to propel model vehicle at said target speed and said pre-determined power level needed to propel said first model vehicle at said target speed;
and
using said delta to control at least one feature of said model vehicle, said at least one feature being selected from at least one visual feature, at least one audible feature, and at least one tactile feature.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,569 words

Summary1,224 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to generating at least one feature in a model vehicle or, more particularly, to a system and method for using data related to a load of the model vehicle to generate a corresponding sound and amount of smoke, or the like.

#2. Description of Related Art

Brief description of the drawings5 figures

#FIG. 1 illustrates a model train system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates components of a model train in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 illustrates a graph that charts pulse width modulation versus speed steps during test conditions;

Detailed description2,245 words

#The present invention provides a system and method for using data relating to a load of a motor in a model vehicle to generate at least one feature in the model vehicle. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated in one or more figures.

#In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the model vehicle is a model train 120 operating on a model train track 110. A remote control 130 may be used to control various features of the model train 120. For example, a user may interact with the remote control 130 to instruct the model train 120 (e.g., via a receiver in communication with the model train track and/or model train) to move in a particular direction, to move at a particular speed, to produce smoke or steam, or to make a particular sound.

#It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of model vehicle, and all model vehicles (e.g., cars, boats, planes, etc.) are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of remote control, and includes all types of wired and wireless remote controls that are generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example, remote controls can vary in how they are used to control speed. Some remote controls include at least one user interface (e.g., button, lever or dial) for increasing or decreasing the vehicle's speed. Others include at least one user interface for selecting a new vehicle speed. And yet others include at least one user interface for selecting a new step, wherein each step corresponds to a particular speed. It should be appreciated that while the present application refers to the term “speed step,” that feature is used herein in its broad sense to encompass any interaction with a remote control that varies the speed of a model vehicle, regardless of whether the interaction is with a button, lever, dial, or the like, and regardless of whether the user is entering a particular speed or selecting a particular step that, in turn, corresponds to a particular speed.

Facts

Application

13/645,316Filed 4 Oct 2012

Published

US 2014/0100757 A110 Apr 2014

Granted

31 Oct 2017

Term ends

1 Nov 2034

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 758 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

A63H 19/24
Model railways: electric toy railways; Systems therefor
A63H
Toys

Timeline

4 Oct 2012Application filedUS 13/645,316
5 Oct 2012Assigned to Lionel L.L.C.assignment of assignor's interest
10 Apr 2014PublishedUS 2014/0100757 A1
4 Sep 2015Assigned to Wells Fargo Bank, National Associationamendment no. 1 to second amended and restated patent collateral assignment and security agreement
31 Oct 2017GrantedUS 9,802,136 B2
12 Oct 2020Assigned to Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A.grant of security interest in patent rights
12 Mar 2026Assigned to Lionel, L.L.C.release of security interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
1 Nov 2034Term endsEstimated, includes 758 days of adjustment

System and method for controlling labor in a model vehicle

Life of this patent

System and method for controlling labor in a model vehicle

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims20

Description3,569 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,569 words