System for, and method of, controlling the operation of toys

• US 5,885,159 A
• Filed: 08/13/1996
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
• Original Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
• Inventors: DeAngelis, Peter C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAAF, JAMES CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US08/696,263
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 463/40, 463/62, 463/63, 463/6, 446/454, 446/456, 446/457, 446/470, 446/465, 446/431, 446/436, 446/441
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

Pads remotely control the operation of vehicles. In each pad, (a) at least a first control provides for the addressing of one of the vehicles, (b) second controls provide for the movement of the addressed vehicle and (c) third controls provide for the operation of members (e.g. pivotable bins) in the selected vehicle. Each pad provides a carrier signal, preferably common with the carrier signals from the other pads. Each pad modulates the carrier signal in accordance with the operation of the pad controls. The first control in each pad provides an address distinctive to the addressed vehicle and modulates the carrier signal in accordance with such address. Each pad sends the modulated carrier signals to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern, different for each pad, with respect to time. Each vehicle demodulates the carrier signals to recover the address such vehicle. Each vehicle then provides a movement of such vehicle and an operation of the members in such vehicle in accordance with the modulations provided in the carrier signal by the operation of the second and third controls in the pad addressing such vehicle. Each vehicle is controlled by one of the pads for the time period that such pad sends control signals to such vehicle within a particular period of time from the last transmission of such control signals to such vehicle. Thereafter such vehicle can be addressed by such pad or by any other pad.

Claims

1. In combination,

a plurality of vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of the vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of the first controls and each having a member operable to perform functions independent of the movement of the vehicle and each having second controls to obtain the performance of the functions by the operable member,

a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the addressing of any one of the vehicles and controlling the operation of the operative member in the addressed vehicle,

each of the pads including first means responsive to the operations of the switches in the pad for providing signals for addressing the vehicle and for providing for movements of the vehicle and for the operation of the operable member in the, and

each of the pads providing a wireless transmission of the signals from the pad to the vehicles,

each of the vehicles being responsive to the signals addressing the vehicle for providing for the operation of the first and second controls in the vehicle in accordance with the signals transmitted to the vehicle from the pad addressing the vehicle, and

means in each of the vehicles for making the vehicle available for addressing by any one of the pads when the vehicle fails to receive signals within a particular period of time from the pad previously addressing the vehicle.

2. In a combination as recited in claim 1,

second means responsive in each of the pads to the operation of the switches in the pad for transmitting signals indicating the operation of the switches, and

third means included in each of the vehicles for receiving the signals transmitted by the pad to obtain an operation of the first and second controls in the vehicle in accordance with the signals addressed to the vehicle by the pad.

3. In a combination as recited in claim 2,

fourth means responsive to the signals from the second means for each of the pads to produce signals at a carrier frequency and to modulate the signals in accordance with the operation of the switches in the pad,

the carrier frequency being common to the carrier frequency of the signals from the fourth means in the other ones of the pads, and

fifth means disposed at each of the vehicles for demodulating the signals addressed at the carrier frequency to the vehicle to energize the vehicle and to produce the movements of the vehicle and the operation of the operable member in the vehicle.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 2,

the second means in each the pads being operative to transmit the signals in a time pattern different from the time pattern of the signals from the other lads.

5. In combination,

a plurality of vehicles each movable forwardly and rearwardly and each turnable in first and second opposite directions and each having a member operable independently of the movement of the vehicle, each of the vehicles having drive members providing for the movement of the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly and turnable in the opposite directions,

a plurality of pads each constructed to address any one of the vehicles and each having a plurality of controls individually operable to address one of the vehicles and to indicate to the addressed vehicle the drive members to be actuated in the addressed vehicle and the type of actuation to be provided to the drive members in the addressed vehicle, and

first means in each of the pads for sending on a wireless basis signals addressing one of the vehicles and providing for the operation of the drive members and the operable members in the vehicle in accordance with the operation of the controls in the pad to provide controlled movements of the addressed vehicle forwardly and rearwardly and controlled turnable movements of the addressed vehicle in the first and second opposite directions and controlled operations of the operable member, the first means in each of the pads providing address signals with characteristics individual to the addressed vehicle to obtain an operation only of the vehicle addressed by the pad, and

second means in each of the pads for providing for the wireless transmission of the signals by the pad to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern of the signals from each of the pads being different from the pseudo random pattern of the signals from the other pads.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 5,

the first means in each of the pads including means for providing a carrier signal having a common carrier frequency for all of the vehicles and for modulating the common carrier signal with signals addressing one of the vehicles and for identifying the the drive members to be operated in the addressed vehicle and the operations to be performed by the drive members in the addressed vehicle.

7. In a combination as set forth in claim 6,

each of the addressed vehicles including means for receiving the carrier signal from the the pad addressing the vehicle and for demodulating the carrier signal and for operating the drive members in the addressed vehicle in accordance with the demodulations.

8. In a combination as set forth in claim 6,

means in the addressed vehicle for demodulating the carrier signals from the pad addressing the vehicle, such signals having the addresses identifying such selective one of the vehicles, and

means for operating the drive members in the addressed vehicle in accordance with the demodulated signals.

9. In combination for providing first signals indicating a vehicle to be activated in a plurality of vehicles and indicating functions to be performed in the vehicle,

a pad in a plurality,

a plurality of switches in the pad,

at least a first one of the switches in pad being operable to provide for an addressing of one of the vehicle,

second ones of the switches being operable to provide for the performance of the functions in the vehicle,

first means for activating the pad, whenever the first switch and the second switches in the pad are operated, to indicate the operation of switches in the pad,

second means responsive to the activation of the pad for sending on a wireless basis to the vehicles signals indicating the operation of the first switch and the second switches in the pad, and

means in the pad for sending the signals on the wireless basis to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern for the pad with respect to time being different from the pseudo random pattern of the signals from the other ones of the pads with respect to time.

10. In a combination as set forth in claim 9,

the second means in the pad including means for sending on the wireless basis to the vehicles the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first switch and the second switches in the pad.

11. In a combination as set forth in claim 9,

the second means in the pad including means for sending to the vehicles the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first switch and the second switches in the pad.

12. In a combination as set forth in claim 9,

the second means in the pad including means for sending on the wireless basis to the vehicles the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first switch and the second switches in the pad,

the first switch in the pad being operable in a particular number of successive actuations to provide for a selection of the vehicle, and

third means for visually indicating the addressing of the vehicle,

the second means in the pad including means for sending to the vehicles the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first switch and the second switches in the pad.

13. In combination for providing first signals indicating a vehicle to be activated in a plurality of vehicles and indicating functions to be performed in the vehicle,

a pad in a plurality,

a plurality of switches in the pad,

at least a first one of the switches in pad being operable to provide for an addressing of one of the vehicle,

second ones of the switches being operable to provide for the performance of the functions in the vehicle,

first means for activating the pad, whenever the first switch and the second switches in the pad are operated, to indicate the operation of switches in the pad, and

second means responsive to the activation of the pad for sending on a wireless basis to the vehicles signals indicating the operation of the first switch and the second switches in the pad,

means in the pad for sending the signals on the wireless basis to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern for the pad with respect to time being different from the pseudo random pattern of the signals from the other ones of the pads with respect to time,

the first switch in the pad being operable in a particular number of successive actuations to provide for an addressing of the vehicle, and

third means for visually indicating in the pad the addressing of the vehicle.

14. In a method of selectively controlling the operation of a plurality of toy vehicles, the steps of:

providing a plurality of pads each having a plurality of controls individually operable to address any one of the vehicles and to select functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle,

operating controls in each of the pads to provide the addressing by the pad of one of the vehicles and to obtain a selection of the functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle, and

providing for the transmission by each of the pads to the vehicles on a remote and wireless basis of signals addressing one of the vehicles and signals providing for the performance of the functions in the addressed vehicle,

providing for the transmission of such signals by each of the pads on a pseudo random basis with respect to time, the pseudo random basis with respect to time of the signals from each pad being different from the pseudo random basis with respect to time of the signals from the other pads,

providing in each pad for each of the vehicles an address indicating the vehicle when the vehicle is addressed by the pad, and

operating the vehicle in accordance with the operation of the controls in the pad addressing the vehicle and the address of such individual one of the vehicles by the pad selecting such individual one of the vehicles.

15. In a method as set forth in claim 14, the steps of:

receiving at each of the vehicles the signals indicating the address of the vehicle and the functions to be performed in the vehicle, and

operating each of the addressed vehicles in accordance with the signals indicating the functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle.

16. In a method as set forth in claim 14, the steps of:

providing in packets at each of the pads the signals indicating the address of the vehicle addressed by the pad and the functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle, and

performing in each of the addressed vehicles the functions indicated by the signals in the packets addressed to the vehicle.

17. In a method as set forth in claim 14, the steps of:

providing a plurality of accessories each operative to perform a function,

operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to address one of the accessories, and

providing for the transmission to the accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of one of the accessories when the accessory is selected by one of the pads.

18. In a method as set forth in claim 14, the step of:

providing for the transmission of the signals by each of the pads to the vehicles in a time relationship different from the time relationship of the signals transmitted by the other pads to the vehicles.

19. In a method as set forth in claim 14, the step of:

providing for a release by each of the pads of the vehicle addressed by the pad when the pad fails to address the vehicle for a particular period of time.

20. In a method as set forth in claim 14, the step of:

providing for a release by each of the pads of the vehicle being addressed by the pad when the pad addresses another one of the vehicles.

21. In a method as set forth in claim 15, the step of:

providing carrier signals for each of the pads and modulating on the carrier signals for the pad the signals addressing the vehicle selected by the pad and the signals providing for the performance of the functions by the addressed vehicle.

22. In a method as set forth in claim 14, the steps of:

providing in packets at each of the pads the signals indicating the address one of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle,

decoding at each of the vehicles the packets of signals transmitted by the pad addressing the vehicle and indicating the functions to be performed by the addressed vehicle,

performing in each of the vehicles the functions indicated in the signals in the decoded packets addressed to the vehicle,

providing a plurality of accessories each operative to perform a function,

operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to select one of the accessories,

providing for the transmission from each pad to one of the accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of the stationary accessory when the accessory is addressed by the pad, and

providing for the transmission of signals from the central station to the vehicles on a wireless basis.

23. In a combination as set forth in claim 22,

means in each of the pads for providing for successive transmissions of signals from the pad, in accordance with the operation of the controls in the pad, in a pseudo random pattern of time between the successive transmissions different from the pattern of time between successive transmissions from the other pads.

24. In combination,

a plurality of pads disposed in spaced relationship to one another,

a plurality of vehicles disposed in spaced relationship to one another and in spaced relationship to the pads,

first means in each the pads for sending carrier signals on a wireless basis at a particular frequency to the vehicles and for modulating the carrier signals with addresses identifying the pad and identifying one of the vehicles,

a plurality of controls in each of the pads, each of the controls in each of the pads providing upon activation for an operation in the addressed vehicle,

first ones of the controls in each of the pads providing for a movement of the addressed vehicle and second ones of the controls in each of the pads providing for an operation of the addressed vehicle other than the movement of the addressed vehicle,

second means in each of the pads for providing signals coding the operation of the controls in the pad,

third means in each of the pads for transmitting the signals from the pad to the vehicles,

fourth means in each of the vehicles for receiving the signals transmitted by the pads on the wireless basis at the particular frequency,

fifth means responsive in each of the vehicles to the received signals addressing the vehicle for decoding the signals providing for the operation of the vehicle, and

sixth means in each of the vehicles for providing an operation of the first and second ones of the controls in the vehicle in accordance with the signals decoded by the vehicle,

means in each of the vehicles for visually indicating the addressing of the vehicle by one of the pads, and

means in each of the vehicles for providing for the continued operation of the vehicle by the pad in accordance with signals transmitted to the vehicle by the pad within a particular time interval from the last transmission of signals to the vehicle from the pad.

25. In a combination as set forth in claim 24,

the controls in each of the pads providing for a controlled movement of the addressed vehicle in the forward and reverse directions and for a turning of the addressed vehicle,

the sixth means in each of the vehicles providing for controlled movements of the vehicle in the forward and reverse directions and for a turning of the vehicle in accordance with the signals decoded by the vehicle.

26. In combination,

a plurality of vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of the vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of the first controls and each having members to perform functions other than a movement of the vehicle and each having second controls to obtain the performance of the functions by the members,

a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the addressing of one of the vehicles and controlling the operation of the members in the addressed vehicle,

first means in the pads for sending signals on a wireless basis to the vehicles to address one of the vehicles and to activate the first and second controls in the addressed vehicle,

second means responsive in each of the addressed vehicles to the wireless signals from the first means in the pad activating the vehicle for activating the first controls in the addressed vehicle to obtain controlled movements of the addressed vehicle and for activating the members in the addressed vehicle to obtain the performance of the functions by the members, and

the first means in the pads sends signals on the wireless basis in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time to the second means in the vehicles and wherein the pseudo random pattern of the signals with respect to time from each of the pads is different from the pseudo random pattern with respect to time of the signals from the other pads.

27. In a combination as set forth in claim 26 wherein

the first means in each of the pads provides carrier signals at the same frequency as the first means in the other pads and provides for each of the vehicles a plurality of address signals in a pattern individual to the vehicle and modulates the carrier signals with the address signals to select the vehicle and wherein the second means in each of the vehicles receives the modulated carrier signals from the pads and demodulates the received carrier signals to provide for the activation of the first controls and the members in the vehicle when the demodulated carrier signals indicate that the vehicle has been addressed.

28. In a combination as set forth in claim 27 wherein

the first means in each of the pads produces information signals, after the production of the address signals, in accordance with the operation of the switches in the pad and modulates the carrier signals in accordance with the information signals and wherein

the second means in each of the addressed vehicles demodulates the modulated signals in the addressed vehicle to obtain the operation of the first controls and the members in the vehicle.

29. In a combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein

the second means in each of the pads sends carrier signals on a wireless basis at the same frequency as the carrier signals from the other pads and modulates the carrier signals in accordance with the address of the vehicle selected by the pad and in accordance with the controls operated on the pad and wherein the third means in each of the vehicles demodulates the carrier signals addressed to the vehicle and provides for the operation of the vehicle in accordance with the signals representing the operation of the controls in the pad.

30. In a combination as set forth in claim 29,

wherein the second means in each of the pads sends the signals in a pseudo random relationship with respect to time different from the pseudo random relationship with respect to time of the signals sent by the other pads to provide for the reception by the vehicle selected by the pad of the signals addressed by the pad to the vehicle.

31. In combination for providing a controlled operation of a plurality of vehicles;

a plurality of pads each including at least a first control operable to address any one of the vehicles, second controls to provide controlled movements of the addressed vehicle and third controls operable to provide operations of the addressed vehicle other than movements of the vehicle,

first means in each of the pads for providing first signals identifying the pad, second signals addressing the vehicle selected by the pad, third signals providing for controlled movements of the addressed vehicle and fourth signals providing for operations of the vehicle other than the movements of the vehicle,

second means in each of the pads for transmitting the first, second, third and fourth signals from the pad to the vehicles in the plurality,

third means in each of the pads for providing for successive transmissions of the first, second, third and fourth signals by the second means in the pad in a time relationship different from the time relationship for successive transmissions of the first, second, third and fourth signals from the other pads in the plurality, and

means in each of the pads for providing an illumination indicating the addressing by the pad of one of the vehicles.

32. In a combination as set forth in claim 31,

a plurality of antennas each disposed on one of the pads for transmitting the modulated carrier signals from the pad to the vehicles in the plurality.

33. In a combination as set forth in claim 31,

means in each of the pads for providing for the transmission of the first, second, third and fourth signals from each of the pads to the vehicles in the plurality on a wireless basis.

34. In a combination as set forth in claim 31,

the first control in each of the vehicles being operative on an iterative basis to address one of the vehicles dependent upon the number of such iterative operations.

35. In a combination as set forth in claim 31,

means in each of the vehicles for releasing the vehicle previously addressed by the pad when the pad addresses another of the vehicles in the plurality.

36. In a combination as recited in claim 31 wherein

the time relationship for the transmission of the first, second, third and fourth signals from each of the pads is different from the time relationship for the transmission of the first, second, third and fourth signals from the other pads.

37. In a combination as set forth in claim 31,

fourth means in each of the pads for providing a carrier signal having the same frequency as the carrier signals provided by the fourth means in the other pads and for modulating the first, second, third and fourth signals from the pad on the carrier signals produced by the fourth means for the pad.

38. In a combination as set forth in claim 37,

means in each of the pads for providing for the transmission of the first, second, third and fourth signals from each of the pads to the vehicles on a wireless basis,

the first control in each of the vehicles being operative on an iterative basis to address one of the vehicles dependent upon the number of such iterative operations, and

means in each of the pads for providing an illumination indicating the addressing by the pad of one of the vehicles.

39. In a combination as set forth in claim 37,

means in each of the vehicles for releasing the vehicle previously addressed by the pad when the pad addresses another of the vehicles in the plurality, and

the time relationship for the transmission of the first, second, third and fourth signals from each of the pads being different from the time relationship for the transmission of the first, second, third and fourth signals from the other pads.

40. In a combination for providing a controlled operation of a plurality of vehicles,

a plurality of pads each including at least a first control operable to address any one of the vehicles and second controls to provide controlled operations of the addressed vehicle,

first means responsive in each of the pads to the operation of the first and second controls in the pad for providing packets of signals including first signals identifying the pad, second signals addressing one of the vehicles in the plurality and third signals providing for controlled operations of the addressed vehicle, and

second means in each of the pads for transmitting the packets of signals including the first, second and third signals to the vehicles,

the second means in each of the pads being operative to transmit the signals from the pad in a pseudo random time pattern different from the pseudo random time pattern of the signals transmitted by the second means in the other pads.

41. In a combination as set forth in claim 40,

the second means in each of the pads being operative to transmit the signals from the pad in a pseudo random time pattern different from the pseudo random pattern of the signals transmitted by the second means in the other pads.

42. In a combination as set forth in claim 40 wherein

the second means in each of the pads transmits the packets of signals including the first, second and third signals to the vehicles on a wireless basis.

43. In a combination as set forth in claim 40,

third means in each of the pads for providing carrier signals and for modulating the first, second and third signals in each packet on the carrier signals.

44. In a combination as set forth in claim 43 wherein the frequency of the carrier signals provided by the third means in each of the pads is the same as the frequency of the carrier signals provided by the third means in the other pads.

45. In a combination as set forth in claim 43,

the frequency of the carrier signals provided by the third means in each of the pads being the same as the frequency of the carrier signals from the third means in the other pads,

the second means in each of the pads being operative to transmit the signals from the pad in a pseudo random time pattern different from the pseudo random pattern of the signals transmitted by the second means in the other pads, and

means for providing a release by each of the pads of the vehicle being addressed by the pad when the pad fails to send for a particular period of time packets of signals including the third signals.

46. In a combination for providing a controlled operation of a plurality of vehicles,

a plurality of pads each including at least a first control operable to address any one of the vehicles and second controls to provide controlled operations of the addressed vehicle,

first means responsive in each of the pads to the operation of the first and second controls in the pad for providing packets of signals including first signals identifying the pad, second signals addressing one of the vehicles in the plurality and third signals providing for controlled operations of the addressed vehicle,

second means in each of the pads for transmitting the packets of signals including the first, second and third signals to the vehicles, and

means for providing a release by each of the pads of the vehicle being addressed by the pad when the pad fails to send for a particular period of time packets of signals including the third signals.

47. In a method of selectively controlling the operation of a plurality of toy vehicles, the steps of:

providing a plurality of pads each having a plurality of controls individually operable to address any one of the vehicles and to select functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle,

operating controls in each of the pads to provide the addressing by the pad of any one of the vehicles and to obtain a selection of the functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle,

providing for the transmission by each of the pads to the vehicles of packets including signals addressing one of the vehicles and including signals providing for the performance of the functions in the addressed vehicle,

providing for the reception by the vehicles of the packets of signals transmitted to the vehicles and for the performance in each addressed vehicle of the functions indicated by the packets of signals addressed to the vehicle, and

providing for the transmission of the packets of signals from each of the pads in a pseudo random pattern of time different from the pseudo random pattern of time in the packets of signals transmitted from the other pads.

48. In a method as set forth in claim 47, the step of:

providing for a release by each of the pads of the vehicle being addressed by the pad when the pad sends packets of signals including signals addressing another one of the vehicles.

49. In a method as set forth in claim 47, the step of:

providing for a release by each of the pads of the vehicle being addressed by the pad when the pad sends packets of signals including signals addressing another one of the vehicles,

providing for a release by each of the pads of the vehicle being addressed by the pad when the pad fails to send for a particular period of time packets of signals including signals providing for the performance of the functions in the vehicle being addressed by the pad, and

providing carrier signals for each of the pads and modulating on the carrier signals for the pad the signals in the packets transmitted by the pad including the signals addressing one of the vehicles and the signals providing for the performance of the functions in the addressed vehicle.

50. In a method as set forth in claim 47 wherein

the signals are transmitted by the pads to the vehicles on a wireless basis and wherein the packets of the signals transmitted by the pads to the vehicles on the wireless basis are received by the vehicles and provide for the performance in each vehicle of the functions indicated by the packets of signals addressed to the vehicle.

51. In a method of selectively controlling the operation of a plurality of toy vehicles, the steps of:

providing a plurality of pads each having a plurality of controls individually operable to address any one of the vehicles and to select functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle

operating controls in each of the pads to provide the addressing by the pad of any one of the vehicles and to obtain a selection of the functions to be performed in the addressed vehicle

providing for the transmission by each of the pads to the vehicles of packets including signals addressing one of the vehicles and including signals providing for the performance of the functions in the addressed vehicle,

providing for the reception by the vehicles of the packets of signals transmitted to the vehicles and for the performance in each addressed vehicle of the functions indicated by the packets of signals addressed to the vehicle, and

providing for a release by each of the pads of the vehicle being addressed by the pad when the pad fails to send for a particular period of time packets of signals including the signals providing for the performance of the functions in the vehicle being addressed by the pad.

52. In a method as set forth in claim 51, the step of:

providing carrier signals for each of the pads and modulating on the carrier signals for the pad the signals in the packets transmitted by the pad including the signals addressing one of the vehicles and the signals providing for the performance of the functions in the vehicle.

53. In combination for providing a controlled operation of a plurality of vehicles,

a plurality of pads each including controls operable to address any one of the vehicles and to provide controlled movements of the addressed vehicle,

first means responsive in each of the pads to the operation of the controls in the pad for providing packets of signals including first signals identifying the pad, second signals addressing one of the vehicles in the plurality and third signals providing for controlled movements of the addressed vehicle, and

second means in each of the pads for transmitting the packets of signals in the pads, including the first, second and third signals, to the vehicles,

the second means in each of the pads being operative to transmit the signals to the vehicles in a time pattern different from the time pattern for the transmission of the signals from the second means in the other pads to the vehicles,

wherein the different time pattern of the signals from the second means in each of the pads results from the transmission of the signals from the second means in the pad to the vehicles on a pseudo random basis different from the pseudo random basis of the signals transmitted from the second means in the other pads.

54. In a combination as set forth in claim 53, including,

third means in each of the pads for providing carrier signals and for modulating on the carrier signals the first, second and third signals in each packet from the pad.

55. In a combination as set forth in claim 53,

third means in each of the pads for providing carrier signals and for modulating on the carrier signals the first, second and third signals in each packet from the pad.

the frequency of the carrier signals provided by the third means in each of the pads being the same as the frequency of the carrier signals provided by the third means in the other pads.

56. In combination,

a plurality of pads displaced from one another, each of the pads having a plurality of controls, each of the pads being operative to produce sets of address signals,

a plurality of vehicles displaced from one another and displaced from the pads, each of the vehicles being responsive to the address signals from any one of the pads to be controlled thereafter in its operation in accordance with the operation of controls from the addressing pad,

first means in each of the pads for providing for the selection of any one of the vehicles and for providing for a controlled operation of the selected vehicle in accordance with the operation of the controls in the pad,

second means in each of the pads for sending directly to the vehicles address signals and control signals indicating the operation of the controls in the pad, to obtain an operation of the addressed vehicle in accordance with the operation of the controls in the pad,

third means in each of the vehicles for activating the vehicle in accordance with the reception of the signals representing the address for the vehicle and for providing for an operation of the vehicle in accordance with the control signals received by the vehicle from the pad addressing the vehicle, and

wherein the third means in each of the vehicles releases the vehicle from control by the pad addressing the vehicle when the third means in the vehicle does not receive signals addressed to the vehicle by the second means in the pad for at least a particular period of time.

57. In a combination as set forth in claim 56,

wherein the second means in each pads sends the signals in a time relationship different from the time relationship of the signals sent by the other pads to provide for the activation of the vehicle addressed by the pad.

58. In a combination as set forth in claim 56,

wherein the third means in each of the vehicles provides for a continued operation of the vehicles, in accordance with the previous operation of the vehicles for a particular period of time after the previous operation of the vehicle without any further addressing operation of the vehicle by the pad.