AC/DC/DCC model train on board sound module with wireless control

• US 20080023593A1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Frank Ritota, Zhiping Lin
• Original Assignee: Frank Ritota, Zhiping Lin
• Inventors: Lin, Zhiping, Ritota, Frank
• Application Number:
  US11/812,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20080023593A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 246/187A
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/14 Arrangements for imitating locomotive features, e.g. whistling, signalling, puffing
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2019/246 Remote controls

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for AC or DC track powered model trains which increases the number of remote control functions available to the powered engines via an on-board sound decoder module. The functions include sound functions, including bell, whistle, brakes, announcements, and the like, and any other functions programmed into the on-board sound decoder module. The invention is compatible with traditional AC, DC, and DCC systems and allows the hobbyist to use a wireless controller to operate the engines and associated functions in a remote fashion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a new control capability for DC model trains and for AC model trains driven by DC motors, said apparatus comprising:

a) a wireless transmitter;

b) a wireless function receiver;

c) full bridge rectifier;

d) pulse width modulator (PWM);

e) two-channel analog-to-digital converter (A/D); and

f) a micro-controller unit (MCU).

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitter comprises:

a) a wireless signal generation device which generates a binary code,

b) an antenna,

c) and user selection means.

3. The wireless signal generation device which generates a binary code in accordance with claim 2, wherein said wireless signal generation device is a five-function chip and wherein said binary code is a 5-bit binary code.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said user selection means are pushbuttons.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the micro-controller unit (MCU) is located inside the model trains.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said model trains are DCC controlled.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said model trains are AC powered model trains driven by DC motors.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said model trains are DC powered model trains.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said MCU provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor,

and DC powered model trains.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said MCU provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from a group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor, or DC powered trains.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said MCU includes a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitter includes an RF module to directly transmit commands to the universal asynchronous receiver transmitter.

14. A method for providing a new control capability for DC model trains and for AC model trains driven by DC motors;

said method comprising the steps of;

a) transmitting wirelessly a digital control function wherein a transmitter transmits to a wireless function receiver;

b) receiving a control signal via said wireless function receiver;

c) feeding digital signals directly to the I/O port of the microcontroller of the on-board sound unit;

d) detecting and controlling said model trains using a micro-controller unit (MCU), wherein said digital control function provides an on-board function.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said model trains are DCC controlled.

16. The method defined by claim 14, wherein said model trains are AC powered model trains driven by DC motors.

17. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said model trains are DC powered model trains.

18. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said MCU provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor, and DC powered model trains.

19. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said MCU provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor, and DC powered model trains.

20. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the transmitter transmits a digital control function in a wireless fashion directly to a universal asynchnronous receiver transmitter located on the MCU via an RF module located on the transmitter.

21. A system for providing a new control capability for DC model trains and for AC model trains driven by DC motors, said system comprising:

a) a wireless transmitter;

b) a two-channel analog-to-digital converter (A/D);

c) a micro-controller unit (MCU);

d) a pulse width modulator (PWM);

e) a wireless function receiver; and

f) a full bridge rectifier with filter which converts track power to DC to power the PWM circuit and microcontroller (MCU).

22. The system in accordance with claim 21, wherein said model trains are DCC controlled.

23. The system in accordance with claim 21, wherein said model trains are AC powered model trains driven by DC motors.

24. The system in accordance with claim 21, wherein said model trains are DC powered model trains.

25. The system in accordance with claim 21, wherein said MCU provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor, and DC powered model trains.

26. The system in accordance with claim 21, wherein said MCU provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor, and DC powered model trains.

27. A program when executed on a computer associated with the on-board sound module on model trains causes the computer to perform the steps of:

a) receiving a digital control signal;

b) decoding said digital control signal; and

c) using said digital control signal, controlling on-board train functions;

28. The program in accordance with claim 27, wherein said model trains are DCC controlled.

29. The program in accordance with claim 27, wherein said model trains are DC powered model trains.

30. The program in accordance with claim 27, wherein said model trains are AC powered model trains driven by DC motors.

31. The program in accordance with claim 27, wherein said program provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor, and DC powered model trains.

32. The program in accordance with claim 27, wherein said program provides automatic detection means wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of:

model trains under DCC control, AC powered model trains driven by a DC motor, and DC powered model trains.