Dynamic self-teaching train track layout learning and control system

• US 20030155470A1
• Filed: 01/16/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 6,848,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 246/122A
• 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 determining the layout of at least a portion of a track, comprising:

providing a plurality of position detection elements for use in detecting a vehicle on multiple blocks of said track;

moving said vehicle along said multiple blocks of said track; and

recording the interconnection of said blocks to determine said layout.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing an ID from each of said position detection elements; and

associating said ID with one of said blocks of said track.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a direction of said vehicle; and

recording adjacent block locations in accordance with said direction.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

moving said vehicle through each of the positions of a track switch;

determining a block corresponding to each position of said track switch from a position detection element detection after said vehicle passes said switch.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said position detection elements are sensors, and further comprising:

detecting said vehicle on one of said blocks from a signal from one of said sensors.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting said vehicle on one of said blocks from a signal from said vehicle, wherein said vehicle detects said position detection element.

7. The method of claim I wherein said recording further comprises:

building a table of blocks, with adjacent blocks on each side, from sequential detections of blocks in each direction.

8. A method for determining the layout of at least a portion of a track, comprising:

providing a plurality of position detection elements for use in detecting a vehicle on multiple blocks of said track;

moving said vehicle along said multiple blocks of said track;

recording the interconnection of said blocks to determine said layout;

providing an ID from each of said position detection elements;

associating said ID with one of said blocks of said track;

determining a direction of said vehicle;

recording adjacent block locations in accordance with said direction;

moving said vehicle through each of the positions of a track switch; and

determining a block corresponding to each position of said track switch from a position detection element detection after said vehicle passes said switch.

9. A method for activating an accessory in a model vehicle layout, comprising:

receiving a first signal indicating a vehicle ID;

receiving a second signal indicating a vehicle location;

sending an activating signal to an accessory adjacent said vehicle location if said vehicle ID corresponds to a group of vehicles designated to activate said accessory.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

storing a table associating vehicle IDs with groups designated to activate at least one accessory; and

comparing received vehicle IDs to said table.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said vehicle ID identifies a group, with multiple vehicles sharing said vehicle ID.

12. A method for detecting a model vehicle on a track, comprising:

transmitting a position detection element ID to a vehicle controller when said vehicle passes a position detection element adjacent said track;

determining a direction of said vehicle;

transmitting said direction, along with a vehicle ID, to said vehicle controller.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said position detection element is a sensor, and further comprising:

detecting said vehicle ID and direction of said vehicle with said sensor.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

detecting said position detection element ID with said vehicle; and

transmitting said position detection element ID from said vehicle, along with said vehicle ID and said direction of said vehicle.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

detecting a speed of said vehicle; and

transmitting said speed to said vehicle controller.

16. An apparatus for determining the layout of at least a portion of a track, comprising:

a plurality of position detection elements for use in detecting a vehicle on multiple blocks of said track;

a vehicle which is movable along said multiple blocks of said track;

a transmitter for sending information about said vehicle and said position detection element; and

a controller configured to receive said information and record the interconnection of said blocks to determine said layout.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a direction detector for detecting a direction of said vehicle; and

said transmitter being configured to transmit said direction to said controller.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said direction detector is said position detection element.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a speed detector for detecting a speed of said vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said transmitter is connected by a wire to said controller, and is configured to transmit signals on said wire.

21. An apparatus for use in a model vehicle layout, comprising:

an accessory mounted adjacent a track of said vehicle layout;

a vehicle having a vehicle ID;

a position detection element having an position detection element ID;

a transmitter configured to transmit said vehicle ID and said position detection element ID;

a controller, configured to determine if said vehicle ID corresponds to a group of vehicles designated to activate said accessory, and to send an activating signal to said accessory upon a match.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

a table associating vehicle IDs with groups designated to activate at least one accessory; and

said controller being configured to compare received vehicle IDs to said table.

23. An apparatus for detecting a model vehicle on a track, comprising:

a position detection element adjacent said track;

a vehicle having a vehicle ID;

a vehicle controller;

a transmitter configured to transmit a position detection element ID to a vehicle controller when said vehicle passes a position detection element adjacent said track;

a sensor configured to determine a direction of said vehicle; and

said transmitter being further configured to transmit said direction, along with a vehicle ID, to said vehicle controller.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said position detection element is a sensor configured to detect said vehicle ID and direction of said vehicle.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

a sensor mounted on said vehicle configured to detect said position detection element ID; and

said transmitter being mounted on said vehicle and being configured to transmit said position detection element ID from said vehicle, along with said vehicle ID and said direction of said vehicle.

26. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

a speed detector configured to detect a speed of said vehicle; and

said transmitter being configured to transmit said speed to said vehicle controller.

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

determining a location of said vehicle;

determining a direction of said vehicle;

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

selecting a control input corresponding to said next controlled device; and

associating said control input with a user input on a user interface.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said next controlled device is a switch.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein said next controlled device is an accessory.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein said user interface is a remote control device.

31. A method for organizing a representation of a model vehicle track layout comprising:

storing a plurality of block IDs corresponding to different sections of said track;

storing connected sections associated with each said block ID;

storing a representation of the arrangement of said connected sections in a manner that allows subsequent determination of loops, sidings and crossovers.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said representation of the arrangement includes:

storing a first and second connection to a first side of each section corresponding to travel by a vehicle in a first specified direction; and

storing a first and second connection to a second side of each section corresponding to travel by said vehicle in a second specified direction.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said first and second specified directions are clockwise and counterclockwise.

34. The method of claim 31 further comprising associating an indirect block with certain of said block IDs, said indirect block indicating a block that can not be traveled to, but which intersects a block such that a vehicle on said indirect block presents a collision risk.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein each of said sections is designated as one of a block, a switch and a crossover.

36. The method of claim 31 further comprising determining a loop in said track by examining said block IDs to locate a series of blocks connected in a first direction which concludes with a last block connecting to a first block.

37. The method of claim 31 further comprising determining a siding by examining said block IDs to locate connected sections of track which are connected to the same section at their respective ends.

38. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

determining an optimum route through said track IDs in accordance with user input specifications.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said user input specifications include beginning and ending locations and one of longest route, shortest route and a route switching the direction of the vehicle at the ending location, all without affecting other vehicles.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said shortest route is determined by iteratively examining all possible connections starting at a begging block ID, and terminating at an ending block ID, which satisfy a set of route parameters, then selecting an optimum route.