Methods of completing a remotely controlled model vehicle system with a separate controller

• US 8,672,726 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Horizon Hobby
• Original Assignee: Horizon Hobby Incorporated (Horizon Hobby, Llc)
• Inventors: Ribbe, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Brewster, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US12/262,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20100112897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,964 Days
• Field of Search: 446454-455, 446/456, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/12.5
• US Class Current: 446/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission

Abstract

Methods of establishing a fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system for a model vehicle. The method includes the steps of transferring a model vehicle, including a receiver for receiving a control signal from a remote control signal source to control operation of the model vehicle, the transfer being from a first party to a second party, and the transfer taking place without the remote control signal source, and the second party providing the remote control signal source following transfer of the model vehicle to the second party to complete the fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system. The transfer from the first party to the second party may be a sale of the model vehicle with the receiver, but without the remote control signal source.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system for a model vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

transferring a model vehicle with a receiver therein for receiving a control signal from a remote control signal source to control operation of the model vehicle, the transfer being from a first party to a second party, and the transfer taking place without the remote control signal source;

the second party providing the remote control signal source following transfer of the model vehicle to the second party to complete the fully operable remotely controlled model vehicle system;

said model vehicle with said receiver being sold or otherwise transferred as a single unit; and

whereby by transferring the model vehicle and using the pre-existing remote control signal source of the second party, a complete remotely controlled model vehicle system is provided without the need to purchase or otherwise acquire a remote control signal source from the first party thereby providing a price reduction advantage compared to the price of acquiring a complete system from the first party.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the remote control signal source is a controller which transmits control signals to the receiver in the model vehicle.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the remote control signal source transmits radio frequency signals.

4. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the remote control signal source transmits digital spread spectrum modulated signals.

5. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the remote control signal source transmits frequency hopping spread spectrum signals or digital spread spectrum signals.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transfer from the first party to the second party comprises a sale of the model vehicle with the receiver, but without the remote control signal source.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, comprising the further step of:

binding the receiver of the model vehicle to the remote control signal source.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, comprising the further step of:

providing a code at the remote control signal source which the receiver uses during the binding step.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8, comprising the further step of:

subsequently using the code in transmission of information from the remote control signal source to the receiver.

10. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the code is a globally unique identifier.

11. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said receiver, after binding with the remote control signal source, only acts on signals from the remote control signal source which include the code.

12. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein said remote control signal source also binds to other model vehicles using the same code.

13. The method in accordance with claim 7, comprising the further step of:

providing a code at the receiver which the remote control signal source uses during the binding step.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13, comprising the further step of:

subsequently using the code in transmission of information from the remote control signal source to the receiver.

15. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the code is a globally unique identifier.

16. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said receiver, after binding with the remote control signal source, only acts on signals from the remote control signal source which include the code.