Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
First Claim
1. A model train system comprising:
- a remote control unit that outputs commands;
a track interface unit that receives the commands; and
a train track layout coupled to the track interface unit;
wherein the track interface unit converts the commands into a modulated signal and outputs the modulated signal to the train track layout.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a model train operating, sound and control system that provides a user with increased operating realism. Disclosed is a novel remote control communication capability between the user and the model trains. This feature is accomplished by using a handheld remote control on which various commands may be entered, and a Track Interface Unit that retrieves and processes the commands. The Track Interface Unit converts the commands to modulated signals (preferably spread spectrum signals) which are sent down the track rails. The model train picks up the modulated signals, retrieves the entered command, and executes it through use of a processor and associated control and driver circuitry. Another novel feature disclosed is a speed control circuit located inside the model train that is capable of continuously monitoring the operating speed of the train and making adjustments to a motor drive circuit. The present invention also discloses circuitry for connecting the Track Interface Unit to an external source, such as a computer, CD player, or other sound source, and have real-time sounds stream down the model train tracks for playing through the speakers located in the model train. Novel coupler designs and circuits, as well as a novel smoke unit, are also disclosed.
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Citations
91 Claims
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1. A model train system comprising:
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a remote control unit that outputs commands;
a track interface unit that receives the commands; and
a train track layout coupled to the track interface unit;
wherein the track interface unit converts the commands into a modulated signal and outputs the modulated signal to the train track layout. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A speed control circuit for model trains comprising:
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a motor;
a motor drive circuit for controlling the motor'"'"'s speed;
a speed sensor for sensing a current speed of the model train; and
a processor coupled to the speed sensor for comparing the current speed to a desired speed, and for controlling the motor drive circuit so that the motor'"'"'s speed is adjusted to match the desired speed. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A sound system for model trains comprising:
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an external sound source for providing sounds;
a track interface unit coupled to said external sound source for receiving said sounds; and
a train track layout coupled to said track interface unit;
wherein the track interface unit converts the sounds into a modulated signal and outputs the modulated signal to the train track layout. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)
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18. An electrically operated model train coupler comprising:
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a knuckle assembly movable between an open position and a closed position;
a movable plunger assembly mechanically couplable to said knuckle assembly, wherein said movable plunger assembly includes a cap configured to engage said knuckle assembly at a locking position of said plunger assembly for locking said knuckle assembly in said closed position;
a solenoid assembly for driving said movable plunger assembly toward or away from said locking position; and
a guide member for guiding said cap toward and away from said locking position.
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21. A smoke unit for model trains capable of simulating steam or smoke emitting from said train comprising:
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a holding unit for holding a smoke-producing substance;
at least one resistor coupled to the holding unit for heating the smoke-producing substance until the smoke-producing substance begins to smoke; and
a fan for blowing the smoke. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29)
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26. A model train control system comprising:
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a track interface unit;
a remote control unit for communicating with the track interface unit;
a train track layout coupled to the track interface unit; and
an accessory interface unit coupled to the track interface unit and to one or more accessories located on or around the train track layout;
wherein the remote control unit has a memory for storing the identity of one or more of said accessories, such that a command entered on the remote control unit controls said one or more accessories.
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28. A model train comprising:
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a processor;
a speed control circuit;
a sound system circuit for playing sounds that simulate real-life train operation sounds; and
a smoke unit for producing smoke from the model train;
wherein the speed control circuit monitors the speed of the model train and provides the speed to the processor, which then controls the sound system circuit and smoke unit such that the train operation sounds and the smoke correspond to the speed of the model train.
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30. A model train control system for controlling model trains on a train track layout, comprising:
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a track interface unit coupled to said train track layout;
a remote control unit for communicating with the track interface unit; and
a model train comprising;
a processor;
a speed control circuit;
a sound system circuit; and
a smoke unit;
wherein a speed command entered on the remote control unit is communicated to the track interface unit, which passes the command to the model train via rails on the train track layout, the processor in the model train receiving the command and in turn commanding the speed control circuit to drive the model train to a speed indicated in the speed command, the processor further (1) controlling the sound system circuit to play sounds corresponding to the model train speed, and (2) controlling the smoke unit to produce smoke corresponding to the model train speed. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A model train sound recording system comprising:
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a train track layout;
an external sound source;
a track interface unit coupled to the external sound source and to the train track layout; and
a model train on the train track layout comprising a processor, memory, and sound system circuit;
whereby the track interface unit receives sounds from the external sound source and sends the sounds down rails of the train track layout, where the sounds are received by the model train'"'"'s processor and stored in the memory for playback through the sound system circuit. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 37, 40)
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36. A model train sound recording system comprising:
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an external sound source; and
a track interface unit for receiving sounds from the external sound source and storing the sounds in a memory located in the track interface unit. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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41. A model train sound system comprising:
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a train track layout;
a remote control unit that outputs a Doppler effect command;
a track interface unit coupled to said train track layout that receives said Doppler effect command and converts it to a modulated signal which is outputted to said train track layout; and
a model train on said train track layout capable of playing train sounds, said model train picking up said modulated signal from said train track layout and retrieving the Doppler effect command from said modulated signal, such that the model train plays one or more train sounds that simulate the Doppler effect. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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44. A model train system comprising:
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a remote control unit for outputting commands;
a track interface unit that receives the commands; and
a train track layout coupled to said track interface unit;
whereby (1) the train interface unit processes said commands and outputs the commands to the train track layout, and (2) the track interface unit provides an acknowledge signal to the remote control unit which indicates that the track interface unit successfully received and processed said command. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A sound system for model trains comprising:
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an external sound source for providing sounds;
a track interface unit coupled to said external sound source for receiving said sounds; and
a train track layout coupled to said track interface unit;
wherein the track interface unit provides the sounds to the train track layout. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69)
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68. A speed control circuit for model trains comprising:
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a motor;
means for adjusting the motor'"'"'s speed;
means for sensing a current speed of the model train; and
a processor for comparing the current speed to a desired speed and for controlling the means for adjusting so that the motor'"'"'s speed substantially matches the desired speed.
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70. A model train system comprising:
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a train track layout;
a track interface unit coupled to said train track layout;
an information appliance coupled to said track interface unit; and
a model train operating on said train track layout, the model train providing operating information to said track interface unit through said train track layout. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. A model train comprising:
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a processor;
a communication circuit;
a memory;
a sound system circuit; and
a smoke system driver circuit;
wherein said communication circuit extracts a command from a modulated signal and provides said command to said processor for execution of said command by said model train. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86)
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79. A model train comprising a processor, a smoke system driver circuit coupled to said processor, and a smoke unit coupled to said smoke system driver circuit, wherein said processor controls said smoke system driver circuit so that said smoke unit outputs a volume of smoke based on the model train'"'"'s speed.
- 87. A model train comprising a processor, a sound system circuit coupled to said processor, and a speed sensing circuit coupled to said processor, wherein the processor controls the sound system circuit to output sounds based on a signal received from the speed sensing circuit indicating the model train'"'"'s speed.
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90. A model train system comprising:
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a remote control unit;
a track interface unit that receives commands from said remote control unit;
a train track layout coupled to said track interface unit; and
a model train operating on said train track layout, the model train capable of performing the commands from the remote control unit;
whereby the track interface unit saves a series of commands entered on the remote control unit such that the series of commands may be repeated at a later time. - View Dependent Claims (91)
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Specification