Control, sound, and operating system for model trains

• US 8,262,034 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mike's Train House Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mike's Train House Incorporated
• Inventors: Wolf, Michael Paul, Krebiehl, David L., Seitz, Forrest S., Sasaki, Stanley K., Long, Scott B.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, MARK T
• Application Number:
  US10/237,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20030015626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,655 Days
• Field of Search: 246/187.A, 246/191, 246/1.C, 246/3, 246/4, 246/5, 246/167.R, 701/2, 340/310.11, 191/45.R, 191/33.R
• US Class Current: 246/187.A
• 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 system including a track interface unit for bi-directional communication with one or more trains; and a communication circuit installed in the one or more trains that communicates with the track interface unit in a bi-directional manner, the communication circuit communicating to the track interface unit information regarding a current speed of said one or more trains, the communication circuit being configured so as to be capable of receiving an integrally formed command/power signal and processing the command signal independently of the power signal.

Claims

1. A model train system comprising:

one or more model trains, which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail;

a track interface unit for bi-directional communication with said one or more model trains; and

a communication circuit installed in said one or more model trains that communicates with said track interface unit in a bi-directional manner, the communication circuit communicating to the track interface unit information regarding a current speed of said one or more model trains, said communication circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said communication circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said one or more model trains and the model train track rail.

2. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the current speed of said one or more model trains is communicated to said track interface unit in scale miles per hour.

3. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit information regarding a load factor of said one or more model trains.

4. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit train type and/or address information of said one or more model trains.

5. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit smoke and/or steam unit information of said one or more model trains.

6. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit coupler information of said one or more model trains.

7. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit sound unit information of said one or more model trains.

8. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit information regarding lights present and/or status settings of lighting in said one or more model trains.

9. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is one of either a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or ASIC.

10. The model train system of claim 1, wherein said bi-directional communication is accomplished by spread spectrum signaling.

44. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the track interface unit communicates a target speed to the communication circuit, and the communication circuit acknowledges receipt of the target speed.

45. The model train system of claim 44, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit the actual speed and target speed.

93. The model train system of claim 1, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.

11. A model train system comprising:

one or more model trains, which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail;

a track interface unit for bi-directional communication with said one or more model trains;

a communication circuit installed in said one or more model trains that communicates with said track interface unit in a bi-directional manner, said communication circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said communication circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said one or more model trains and the model train track rail; and

a remote control unit for bi-directional communication with said track interface unit, the remote control unit providing command information to said communication circuit in the form of speed commands, said communication circuit communicating said speed commands to said one or more model trains, said one or more model trains communicating to said track interface unit (1) that said speed commands were received, and (2) information regarding a current speed of said one or more model trains, said track interface unit communicating to said remote control unit said current speed information.

12. The model train system of claim 11, wherein said current speed information is displayed on a display in said remote control unit.

13. The model train system of claim 11, further comprising multiple model trains, said remote control unit communicating separate speed commands for said multiple model trains.

14. The model train system of claim 13, wherein said remote control unit communicates speed restriction information to said multiple model trains such that certain model trains cannot exceed a predetermined speed regardless of individual speed commands provided to said model trains.

15. The model train system of claim 11, wherein said speed commands and speed information are provided in scale miles per hour.

16. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit information regarding a load factor of said one or more model trains, and said track interface unit communicates said load characteristic information to said remote control unit.

17. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit train type and/or address information of said one or more model trains and said track interface unit communicates said train type and/or address information to said remote control unit.

18. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit smoke and/or steam unit information of said one or more model trains, and said track interface unit communicates said smoke and/or steam information to said remote control unit.

19. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit coupler information of said one or more model trains, and said track interface unit communicates said coupler information to said remote control unit.

20. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit sound unit information of said one or more model trains, and said track interface unit communicates said sound unit information to said remote control unit.

21. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit information regarding lights present in said one or more model trains, and said track interface unit communicates said light information to said remote control unit.

22. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit is one of either a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or ASIC.

23. The model train system of claim 11, wherein said bi-directional communication is accomplished by spread spectrum signaling.

24. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit information regarding how long in time said one or more model trains has been running, and said track interface unit communicates said time information to said remote control unit.

25. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit information regarding a rate of fuel consumption of said one or more model trains, and said track interface unit communicates said fuel consumption rate to said remote control unit.

26. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the track interface unit information regarding a rate of coal and/or water consumption of said one or more model trains, and said track interface unit communicates said coal and/or water consumption rate to said remote control unit.

27. The model train system of claim 11, wherein a communication circuit in a new model train communicates identifying information including at least an address of said new model train to said track interface unit.

28. The model train system of claim 11, wherein a communication circuit in a new model train communicates identifying information including at least an address of said new model train to said track interface unit, and said track interface unit communicates said identifying information to said remote control unit.

29. The model train system of claim 28, wherein a display on said remote control unit displays information regarding said new model train.

94. The model train system of claim 11, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.

30. A model train system comprising:

one or more model trains, which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail;

a track interface unit for bi-directional communication with said one or more model trains; and

a circuit installed in said one or more model trains that communicates with said track interface unit in a bi-directional manner, the circuit communicating to the track interface unit data about said one or more model trains, said circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said one or more model trains and the model train track rail.

31. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the type of said one or more model trains.

32. The model train system of claim 31, wherein the type of said one or more model trains includes diesel and steam.

33. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the digital address of said one or more model trains.

34. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes consist information of said one or more model trains.

35. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the actual speed of said one or more model trains.

36. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the type and/or amount of lights in said one or more model trains.

37. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes an indication of whether a smoke unit is present in said one or more model trains.

38. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the type of coupler of said one or more model trains.

39. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the various sound capabilities of said one or more model trains.

40. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the amount of memory available for sounds in said one or more model trains.

41. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the amount of voltage, current, and/or power said one or more model trains is using.

42. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the amount of distance traveled and/or run-time by said one or more model trains for each session.

43. The model train system of claim 30, wherein said data includes the total amount of distance traveled and/or run-time by said one or more model trains.

95. The model train system of claim 30, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.

46. A model train system comprising:

one or more model trains, which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail;

a remote control unit for bi-directional communication with said one or more model trains; and

a communication circuit installed in said one or more model trains that communicates with said remote control unit in a bi-directional manner, the communication circuit communicating to the remote control unit information regarding a current speed of said one or more model trains, said communication circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said communication circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said one or more model trains and the model train track rail.

47. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the current speed of said one or more model trains is communicated to said remote control unit in scale miles per hour.

48. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit information regarding a load factor of said one or more model trains.

49. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit train type and/or address information of said one or more model trains.

50. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit smoke and/or steam unit information of said one or more model trains.

51. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit coupler information of said one or more model trains.

52. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit sound unit information of said one or more model trains.

53. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit information regarding lights present and/or status settings of lighting in said one or more model trains.

54. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the communication circuit is one of either a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or ASIC.

55. The model train system of claim 46, wherein said bi-directional communication is accomplished by spread spectrum signaling.

89. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the remote control unit communicates a target speed to the communication circuit, and the communication circuit acknowledges receipt of the target speed.

90. The model train system of claim 89, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit the actual speed and target speed.

96. The model train system of claim 46, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.

56. A model train system comprising:

one or more model trains, which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail;

a remote control unit for bi-directional communication with said one or more model trains; and

a communication circuit installed in said one or more model trains that communicates with said remote control unit in a bi-directional manner, said communication circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said communication circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said one or more model trains and the model train track rail,

the remote control unit providing command information to said communication circuit in the form of speed commands, said communication circuit communicating said speed commands to said one or more model trans, said train communicating to said remote control unit (1) that said speed commands were received, and (2) information regarding a current speed of said one or more model trains.

57. The model train system of claim 56, wherein said current speed information is displayed on a display in said remote control unit.

58. The model train system of claim 56, further comprising multiple model trains, said remote control unit communicating separate speed commands for said multiple model trains.

59. The model train system of claim 58, wherein said remote control unit communicates speed restriction information to said multiple model trains such that certain trains cannot exceed a predetermined speed regardless of individual speed commands provided to said one or more model trains.

60. The model train system of claim 56, wherein said speed commands and speed information are provided in scale miles per hour.

61. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit information regarding a load factor of said one or more model trains.

62. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit train type and/or address information of said one or more model trains.

63. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit smoke and/or steam unit information of said one or more model trains.

64. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit coupler information of said one or more model trains.

65. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit sound unit information of said one or more model trains.

66. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit information regarding lights present in said one or more model trains.

67. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit is one of either a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or ASIC.

68. The model train system of claim 56, wherein said bi-directional communication is accomplished by spread spectrum signaling.

69. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit information regarding how long in time said one or more model trains has been running.

70. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit information regarding a rate of fuel consumption of said one or more model trains.

71. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the communication circuit communicates to the remote control unit information regarding a rate of coal and/or water consumption of said one or more model trains.

72. The model train system of claim 56, wherein a communication circuit in a new model train communicates identifying information including at least an address of said new model train to said remote control unit.

73. The model train system of claim 56, wherein a communication circuit in a new model train communicates identifying information including at least an address of said new model train to said remote control unit.

74. The model train system of claim 73, wherein a display on said remote control unit displays information regarding said new model train.

97. The model train system of claim 56, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.

75. A model train system comprising:

one or more model trains, which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail;

a remote control unit for bi-directional communication with said one or more model trains; and

a circuit installed in said one or more model trains that communicates with said remote control unit in a bi-directional manner, the circuit communicating to the remote control unit data about said one or more model trains, said circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said one or more model trains and the model train track rail.

76. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the type of said one or more model trains.

77. The model train system of claim 76, wherein the type of said one or more model trains includes diesel and steam.

78. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the digital address of said one or more model trains.

79. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes consist information of said one or more model trains.

80. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the actual speed of said one or more model trains.

81. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the type and/or amount of lights in said one or more model trains.

82. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes an indication of whether a smoke unit is present in said one or more model trains.

83. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the type of coupler of said one or more model trains.

84. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the various sound capabilities of said one or more model trains.

85. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the amount of memory available for sounds in said one or more model trains.

86. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the amount of voltage, current, and/or power said one or more model trains is using.

87. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the amount of distance traveled and/or run-time by said one or more model trains for each session.

88. The model train system of claim 75, wherein said data includes the total amount of distance traveled and/or run-time by said one or more model trains.

98. The model train system of claim 75, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.

91. A model train which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail, comprising:

a communication circuit installed in said model train that is adapted to communicate with an external device in a bi-directional manner, the communication circuit being adapted to communicate to the external device information regarding a current speed of said model train,

said communication circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said communication circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said model train and the model train track rail.

99. The model train system of claim 91, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.

92. A model train which receives a power signal via contact with a model train track rail, comprising:

a circuit installed in said model train that is adapted to communicate with an external device in a bi-directional manner, the circuit being adapted to communicate to the external device data about said model train,

said circuit being configured to (i) receive an input communication signal and (ii) transmit a digital output communication signal generated without manipulation of said power signal, said digital output communication signal includes data which is variable in real-time,

said circuit being further configured to place said output communication signal on the model train track rail via contact between said model train and the model train track rail.

100. The model train system of claim 92, wherein the received input communication signal and power signal are integrally formed.