Computer control toy track system

• US 4,349,196 A
• Filed: 02/08/1980
• Issued: 09/14/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smith Engineering Co.
• Original Assignee: Smith Engineering Co.
• Inventors: Grimm, Thomas H., Smith, Jay III, Schneider, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Application Number:
  US06/119,645
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 104/26 R, 104/26 B, 104/88, 104/288, 104/295, 104/296, 246/5, 246/247, 246/249, 364/424, 364/426, 340/146.3 K, 273/1 E, 273/1 C, 273/1 GE, 273/86 B, 273/153 S, 273/138 A
• US Class Current: 463/6
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor

Abstract

A toy track system having an electro-optical sensing device in the roadway senses the passage and identity of a plurality of individual cars on that roadway and provides the sensed information to a microprocessor based operator control panel. The operator control panel provides visual information to the operator by individual LED'"'"'s and an alpha-numeric display and provides audio information by a speaker. The operator control panel receives information from the operator through a 4×4 matrix keyboard. The microprocessor of the control panel is programmed to permit the operator to test his skill in manipulating the train cars in a dictated sequence and within a certain time frame. The operator can also direct the control panel microprocessor to activate a plurality of accessory devices in the system in a desired sequence and time span.

Claims

1. In a toy track system wherein a plurality of cars move under the control of an operator, improved operator involvement apparatus, comprising:

means attached to each of a plurality of cars on the track for uniquely identifying each car;

means for sensing the passage and identity of each car having an identifying means;

a keyboard means for providing keyboard signals;

microprocessor means having input and output channels, said microprocessor means being responsive to said sensing means and said keyboard signals through said input channels;

a plurality of light emitting diode means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a speaker means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a plurality of seven segment display elements receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator; and

wherein said microprocessor means is programmed to scramble the order of the car identities stored in memory and display the new order sequentially upon a request from the keyboard.

2. In a toy track system wherein a plurality of cars move under the control of an operator, improved operator involvement apparatus, comprising:

means attached to each of a plurality of cars on the track for uniquely identifying each car;

means for sensing the passage and identity of each car having an identifying means;

a keyboard means for providing keyboard signals;

microprocessor means having input and output channels, said microprocessor means being responsive to said sensing means and said keyboard signals through said input channels;

a plurality of light emitting diode means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a speaker means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a plurality of seven segment display elements receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output the output channels for indicating information to the operator; and

wherein said microprocessor means is programmed to receive a time block from said keyboard means, store it in memory, and generate a signal to indicate that time has run out when the microprocessor clock is started by a key on the keyboard means.

3. In a toy track system wherein a plurality of cars move under the control of an operator, improved operator involvement apparatus, comprising:

means attached to each of a plurality of cars on the track for uniquely identifying each car;

means for sensing the passage and identity of each car having an identifying means;

a keyboard means for providing keyboard signals;

microprocessor means having input and output channels, said microprocessor means being responsive to said sensing means and said keyboard signals through said input channels;

a plurality of light emitting diode means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a speaker means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a plurality of seven segment display elements receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator; and

wherein said microprocessor means is programmed to indicate a sequence of car identities on the display elements in the order in which such cars are to be removed from the train, and determine the absence of each car from the train as indicated within the operator entered time schedule.

4. In a toy track system wherein a plurality of cars move under the control of an operator, improved operator involvement apparatus, comprising:

means attached to each of a plurality of cars on the track for uniquely identifying each car;

means for sensing the passage and identity of each car having an identifying means;

a keyboard means for providing keyboard signals;

microprocessor means having input and output channels, said microprocessor means being responsive to said sensing means and said keyboard signals through said input channels;

a plurality of light emitting diode means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a speaker means receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator;

a plurality of seven segment display elements receiving signals from said microprocessor means through the output channels for indicating information to the operator; and

wherein said microprocessor means is programmed to indicate a sequence of car identities on the display elements in the order in which such cars are to be assembled into a train, and determine the correct assembly of the train in the sequence indicated within the operator entered time schedule.