Model vehicle control input selection

• US 6,947,815 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liontech Trains LLC
• Original Assignee: The Creative Train Co LLC
• Inventors: Young, Neil, Kovach, Louis G. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/837,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 701/19, 701/20, 701/23, 701/24, 104/88, 104/63.R, 104/187.B
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining a model vehicle layout by moving a vehicle around the track and noting when the vehicle passes track position detection elements. The vehicle can either detect the position detection elements, or the position detection elements can be sensors which detect the vehicle. By noting the order of the position detection elements as detected, and the direction of the vehicle, the layout of the track can be determined. In one embodiment, the position detection elements are sensors along the track which detect an emitted ID from the vehicle, and also detect the speed and direction of the vehicle. This information is then relayed to a control system. In another embodiment, the vehicle detects the position detection element, and relays this information, along with the train ID, speed and direction, to the control system. In another aspect of the invention, a particular type of vehicle at a particular location can be identified, and can be used to selectively operate accessories adjacent that portion of the track. The invention also can provide automated route generation, the route between A and B meeting input route parameters (e.g., backing into destination) can be automatically determined. Also, default accessory and switch selection can be automatically provided to a hand-held controller based on what the vehicle is approaching.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a control input for a model vehicle control system, comprising:

determining a location of a vehicle on a layout;

determining a direction of said vehicle;

determining a next controlled device on said layout to be encountered by said vehicle in said direction;

selecting a control input on a user operated controller corresponding to said next controlled device; and

associating said control input with a user input on a user interface, such that an activation of said user input will cause an action to be performed by said next controlled device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said next controlled device is a train track switch.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said next controlled device is an accessory on said layout.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said user interface is a remote control device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said associating step comprises associating a next switch with a switch button.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said associating step comprises associating a next accessory with an accessory button.

7. An apparatus for selecting a control input for a model vehicle control system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a signal indicating the location of a vehicle and a direction of said vehicle;

a memory for storing location information about controlled devices on said layout;

a controller configured to access said location information in said memory and determine a next controlled device on said layout to be encountered by said vehicle in said direction;

said controller being further configured to select a control input corresponding to said next controlled device and associate said control input with a user input on a user interface, such that an activation of said user input will cause an action to be performed by said next controlled device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said next controlled device is a train track switch.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said next controlled device is an accessory on said layout.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said user interface is a remote control device.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said controller is configured to associate a next switch with a switch button.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said controller is configured to associate a next accessory with an accessory button.