Control, sound, and operating system for model trains

• US 6,655,640 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mike's Train House Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mike's Train House Incorporated
• Inventors: Seitz, Forrest S., Krebiehl, David L., Sasaki, Stanley K., Wolf, Michael Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Mark T.
• Application Number:
  US10/237,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20030019979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 246/167.R, 246/219, 246/187.A, 246/182.R, 246/187.R, 246/3, 246/4, 246/5, 381/86, 105/26.05, 104/295, 104/296, 104/301, 104/196, 446/409, 446/410
• US Class Current: 246/167.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/14 Arrangements for imitating locomotive features, e.g. whistling, signalling, puffing
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/18 Car coupling or uncoupling mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/32 Switches or points; Operating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/28 Soap-bubble toys; Smoke toys blowing smoke rings A24F13/30

Abstract

A model train operating, sound and control system that provides a user with increased operating realism. 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 in the form of data bit sequences (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. 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, as well as a novel smoke unit. 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.

Claims

1. A model train responsive to commands in the form of data bit sequences, comprising:

a speed control circuit;

a processor which receives one of said commands corresponding to a desired speed of said train and commands said speed control circuit to drive said train to said desired speed;

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.

2. The model train of claim 1, wherein as the speed of the model train increases, the sound system circuit plays train operation sounds which simulate a train moving at an increased speed, and the smoke unit produces an increased amount of smoke.

3. A model train responsive to commands in the form of data bit sequences, comprising:

a processor;

a communication circuit;

a memory;

a sound system circuit; and

a smoke system driver circuit;

wherein said communication circuit extracts a command in the form of data bit sequences from a modulated signal and provides said command to said processor for execution of said command by said model train.

4. The model train of claim 3 further comprising a coupler drive circuit and a light driver circuit.

5. The model train of claims 3 or 4 wherein said modulated signal is a spread spectrum signal.

6. A model train responsive to commands in the form of data bit sequences, comprising:

a processor which receives said commands, 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.

7. The model train of claim 6, wherein said the volume of outputted smoke changes when the model train'"'"'s load changes.

8. The model train of claim 6 further comprising a sound system circuit coupled to said processor, wherein said processor controls said sound system circuit so that the sound system circuit outputs sounds based on the model train'"'"'s speed.

9. The model train of claim 8, wherein the outputted sounds change when the model train'"'"'s load changes.

10. The model train of claim 9, wherein the volume of outputted smoke changes when the model train'"'"'s load changes.

11. The model train of claim 10, wherein the outputted sound is a chuff sound and the smoke is outputted in puffs.

12. The model train of claim 11, wherein the chuff sounds and the puffs of smoke correspond to the speed of the train.

13. The model train of claim 12, wherein as the model train'"'"'s load changes, there is a corresponding change in the chuff sounds and the puffs of smoke.

14. A model train responsive to commands in the form of data bit sequences, comprising:

a processor which receives said commands, 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.

15. The model train of claim 14, wherein the model train'"'"'s speed drops rapidly and the processor controls the sound system circuit to output a braking sound.

16. The model train of claim 14, wherein the model train'"'"'s speed drops abruptly and the processor controls the sound system circuit to output a crashing sound.

17. A model train comprising:

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, wherein said modulated signal is a spread spectrum signal.