Video-captured model vehicle simulator

• US 8,333,592 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2006
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Warburton Swan
• Original Assignee: Andrew Warburton Swan
• Inventors: Swan, Andrew Warburton
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu, Kang
• Application Number:
  US12/158,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20090162814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,204 Days
• Field of Search: 434/62, 434 65- 66, 434/69, 434/29, 463/1, 463/6, 463/39, 463/40, 446/454
• US Class Current: 434/69
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/10 electrically driven
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles

Abstract

The present invention provides a video-captured model vehicle simulator including at least one model vehicle, a track layout, at least one video imaging unit, at least one computer, at least one input device and/or control system and a customised software application whereby the simulator provides a user with a realistic simulation of the operation of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A video-captured model vehicle simulator comprising:

at least one drivable model vehicle which is configured to draw electrical power from a track layout;

at least one wireless camera unit installed on the at least one model vehicle and which is positioned inside the at least one model vehicle thereby to capture a driver'"'"'s view from within the at least one model vehicle for remote display;

at least one computer;

at least one control system which includes at least one input device and is interfaced with the at least one computer to allow control of the operation of the at least one model vehicle from the at least one computer;

and a customized software application which is operated on the at least one computer;

wherein the at least one control system is configured to control operation of the at least one model vehicle from a remote location with the at least one input device using control commands which are superimposed over an electrical current applied to the track layout thereby to remotely control operation of the at least one model vehicle;

wherein the customized software application is configured to adapt the display of the video from the wireless camera unit to provide a selection of views so that the driver'"'"'s view can be altered to display in real time driving conditions at least ahead of the at least one model vehicle the selected view of the different simulated cockpits;

and wherein the at least one control system is configured to send control commands to the at least one model vehicle using an electrical current and to receive wirelessly from the wireless camera a video signal thereby preventing interruption of the video signal by the control signal;

whereby the simulator provides a user with a realistic simulation of the operation of the at least one model vehicle.

2. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1

wherein the model vehicle is a train;

wherein the at least one control system is configured to include, mounted inside the at least one model, a signal decoder device and an anti-interference adapter;

wherein the at least one camera is configured to draw power from the signal decoder device;

and wherein the anti-interference adapter is positioned in between the at least one camera and the signal decoder and prevents interruption of the video signal by the control signals, sent to the signal decoder device for use to operate at least the at least one mode vehicle, with the video signal.

3. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the wireless camera has provided a transmitter and receiver which are provided separately.

4. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 3

wherein the customized software application has multiple functions configured to control the at least one model vehicle from the at least one computer thereby to control different simulated drivable vehicles.

5. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one input device is adapted to be connected to the at least one computer to control the various functions of the at least one model vehicle on the track layout;

and wherein the at least one input device is selected from any one of the following;

a keyboard, mouse, joystick, and a gamepad.

6. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the control system is a digital command control system which includes a command station, a booster, a decoder, and at least one electronic interface which is adapted to connect the command station to the at least one computer.

7. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 6 wherein the software application is provided with a playback function such that a user can record their journey and playback part or the entire journey which the user has made with the at least one vehicle on the track layout.

9. A method of operating a video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1;

the method including the steps of;

sending with the control system control commands to the at least one drivable model vehicle using an electrical current for processing by the signal decoder device of the control system to allow the control system to remotely control the at least one drivable model vehicle,

receiving wirelessly from the at least one drivable model vehicle video imagery, taken by the at least one wireless camera, for display on the at least one computer;

an anti-interference adapter is positioned in between the at least one camera and the signal decoder device to prevent interruption by the control signals with the video signal.

10. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control system has at least one feedback module which is connected from the command station to a point along the track layout to ensure that the control system signal from the command station is being followed and correctly maintained.

8. A video-captured model vehicle simulator comprising:

at least one drivable model vehicle which is configured to draw electrical power from a track layout;

at least one wireless camera unit installed on the at least one model vehicle and which is positioned inside the at least one model vehicle thereby to capture a driver'"'"'s view from within the at least one model vehicle for remote display;

at least one computer;

at least one control system which includes at least one input device and is interfaced with the at least one computer to allow control of the operation of the at least one model vehicle from the at least one computer;

and a customized software application which is operated on the at least one computer;

wherein the at least one control system is configured to control operation of the at least one model vehicle from a remote location with the at least one input device using control commands which are superimposed over an electrical current applied to the track layout thereby to remotely control operation of the at least one model vehicle;

wherein the customized software application is configured to adapt the display of the wireless camera video to provide a selection of views of different drivable vehicles so that the driver'"'"'s view can be altered to display in real time driving conditions at least ahead of the at least one model vehicle of different simulated cockpits;

wherein the at least one control system is configured to include, mounted to the at least one model, a signal decoder device and an anti-interference adapter;

wherein the at least one camera is configured to draw power from the signal decoder device;

wherein the anti-interference adapter is positioned in between the at least one camera and the signal decoder and prevents interruption of the control signals, sent to the signal decoder device for use to operate at least the at least one mode vehicle, with the video signal;

and wherein the signal decoder device and the anti-interference adapter allows the at least one control system to be configured to send control commands using an electrical current and to receive wirelessly from the wireless camera a video signal so that different communication streams are used to prevent the interruption by the control signals with the video signal.