Model train control system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A model train controller comprising:
- a housing;
at least one input device coupled to the housing;
a display coupled to the housing and for displaying information on a status of a model train;
a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the at least one input device and the display, the processor generating at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train in response to a user interacting with said at least one input device; and
at least one transmitting/receiving device for communicating the at least one model train command to the model train and for receiving feedback data from said model train;
wherein said at least one model train command comprises a throttle command and causes said model train to traverse a model train track, said feedback data comprises data that is stored on said model train and pertains to said status of said model train, and said processor is configured to receive said feedback data and to use said feedback data to display said information on said status of said model train on said display;
wherein said model train track includes at least one device configured to receive said feedback data from said model train and to provide said feedback data to said model train controller.
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Abstract
A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
19 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A model train controller comprising:
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a housing; at least one input device coupled to the housing; a display coupled to the housing and for displaying information on a status of a model train; a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the at least one input device and the display, the processor generating at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train in response to a user interacting with said at least one input device; and at least one transmitting/receiving device for communicating the at least one model train command to the model train and for receiving feedback data from said model train; wherein said at least one model train command comprises a throttle command and causes said model train to traverse a model train track, said feedback data comprises data that is stored on said model train and pertains to said status of said model train, and said processor is configured to receive said feedback data and to use said feedback data to display said information on said status of said model train on said display; wherein said model train track includes at least one device configured to receive said feedback data from said model train and to provide said feedback data to said model train controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling a model train, comprising:
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receiving an input from a user; using said input to generate at least one model train command; transmitting said at least one model train command from a remote control to a model train, said at least one model train command instructing said model train to traverse over a model train track; storing data concerning said model train on a memory device disposed within said model train; transmitting said data from said model train to said remote control via at least one device affixed to said model train track, said at least one device being configured to receive said data from said model train and to provide said data to said model train controller; and using said data to display on a display device disposed within said remote control information on said status of said model train. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A model train system comprising:
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a model train controller, comprising; at least one input device; a display for displaying information on a model train; a processor operatively coupled to the at least one input device and the display, the processor generating at least one model train command to be transmitted to the model train in response to a user interacting with said at least one input device; and at least one transmitting/receiving device for communicating the at least one model train command to the model train and for receiving feedback data from said model train; a model train track, comprising; at least one infrared (IR) device configured to receive said information from said model train, said information being provided to said model train controller via a wireless control module; wherein said at least one model train command comprises a throttle command and causes said model train to traverse a model train track, said feedback data comprises data that is stored on said model train and pertains to an odometer of said model train, and said processor is configured to receive said feedback data and to use said feedback data to display said information on said odometer of said model train on said display.
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Specification