Patent Application
20050110653
NOT APPLICABLE
NOT APPLICABLE
The present invention relates to controlling model vehicles, and in particular to methods for obtaining the ID of model trains.
A variety of control systems are used to control model trains. In one system, the power to the track is increased, or decreased, to control the speed and direction of the train. Multiple trains can be controlled by providing different power levels to the different sections of the track having different trains (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,522). In another system, a coded signal is sent along the track, and addressed to the desired train, giving it a speed and direction. The train itself controls its speed by converting the AC voltage on the track into the desired DC motor voltage for the train according to the received instructions. The instructions can also tell the train to turn on or off its lights, horns, etc. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,749,547 and 5,638,522 issued to Neil Young et al. show such a system. The instructions, or commands, have a particular format for a particular model train manufacturer. Trains already in customer's hands are designed to respond to only that format, limiting the options for future expansion.
The arrival of a train on a section of track can be detected in some systems, such as by detecting the load on the current applied to the track, and can be used to activate certain elements connected to the track, such as a switch or a stoplight (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,290).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,196 shows a system with a unique bar code on the bottom of each train car, with detectors mounted in the track below. This allows a determination of which car is over the sensor, and which cars have been assembled in a train. U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,789 shows a system with sensors in the track for detecting the position and velocity of a passing train. U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,389 describes a bar-code indicia in the windshield of a car, invisible to humans, but readable by an IR laser. IR IDs readable by scanners are common for bar coding products, access cards, and other uses.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,766 contains a discussion of different systems, including satellite Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for determining the location of a particular full sized (not model) train. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,411 shows a train which detects position indicators along the side of a track, and provides these to an onboard computer for determining the position, speed, etc. of the train.
Many model train systems include a remote control for controlling different train engines on the track, as well as for controlling accessories. The remote control normally sends commands either wirelessly or through a base device connected to the tracks. The command will include an address, which the user typically has to key in before or after hitting the command button. Each engine sees the transmissions, either wirelessly, or by picking up signals sent along the tracks. Each engine will only respond to commands with the address of that engine.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for designating a particular model vehicle for a command function without punching in the ID of the model vehicle. The remote control device is positioned near one of the model vehicles. A limited field transmission occurs between the model vehicle and the remote control device. Data is then transmitted between the model vehicle and the remote control device.
In one embodiment, the model vehicle is a train and the train engine transmits its train ID, engine number and engine road name, and optionally other data, periodically via an infrared (IR) transmission. The present invention allows the user to place the remote near the train desired to be controlled, automatically receive the IR transmission of the train ID, so that the next press of a command button will automatically go to that train ID without needing to punch in the ID number.
The invention can also use other mechanisms, such as a transmission from the remote which is reflected off of an IR reflector or other reflector on the engine, with the ID coded on the reflector. This may be particularly useful for accessories without sophisticated electronics inside. In one embodiment, the receiver of the IR is recessed within the remote controller so that only a narrow field of view for reception is provided, avoiding the situation where the remote device picks up transmissions from other trains, which might occur if the IR receiver were allowed to widely receive in multiple directions.
For a further understanding of the nature and advantages for the invention, reference should be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Example Control System
Power master unit 150 modulates AC track power to the track 16 and also superimposes DC control signals on the track to control special effects and locomotive 24′. Locomotive 24′ is, e.g., a standard Lionel locomotive powered by AC track power and receptive to DC control signals for, e.g., sound effects.
Base unit 14 transmits an RF signal between the track and earth ground, which generates an electromagnetic field indicated by lines 22 which propagates along the track. This field will pass through a locomotive 24 and will be received by a receiver 26 inside the locomotive. Locomotive 24 may be, e.g., a standard locomotive retrofitted or designed to carry a special receiver 26.
The electromagnetic field generated by base unit 14 will also propagate along a line 28 to a switch controller 30. Switch controller 30 also has a receiver in it, and will itself transmit control signals to various devices, such as the track switching module 32 or a moving flag 34.
The remote unit can transmit commands wirelessly to base unit 14, power master unit 150, accessories such as accessory 31, and could transmit directly to train engines instead of through the tracks. Such a transmission directly to the train engine could be used for newer engines with a wireless receiver, while older train engines would continue to receive commands through the tracks.
Train Circuitry
The microcontroller also has separate, dedicated output pins which can control a sound generator unit 94, a light switch 96, a coupler 98 and an auxiliary switch 100. The microcontroller is powered by an on-board clock 102.
A three position manual switch 104 is provided. In a first mode, the switch indicates on a line 106 that the train is to start in the forward direction. When in a second position, a signal on a line 108 indicates that the train is to start in the reverse direction. When the switch is in-between the two lines, in a “lock” mode, the microcontroller knows to start the train in the last direction it was in.
The same switch 104 can perform a second function. When a control command is received by the microcontroller, it knows to use the position of switch 104 to indicate either a “run” mode when the switch is in position 106, or a “program” mode when the switch is in the position on line 108.
In order to program an address into a train, the manual switch is moved into the program mode and the train is put on the track. The remote unit is then used to provide an address program command with a designated address for that train. This command is received by the receiver 26 and provided to microcontroller 84, which knows it should write into its memory that address as its designated address. Thereafter, in the run mode, the microcontroller will respond only to commands associated with that address.
An IR transmitter 200 is connected to the microprocessor. This transmitter periodically emits the train's information packet which includes its ID, engine number and engine road name under the control of the microprocessor.
Direct Wireless ID
Remote control device 212 includes an IR receiver 234, and optionally a transmitter 236 for reflecting IR signals off of a reflective IR coated strip, to be detected by IR detector 234. Antenna 206 is used for RF transmissions either to a base unit or directly to trains and accessories.
In one embodiment of the invention, the user simply holds the remote close enough to the selected device (engine, accessory) so that the appropriate device has been detected. To send a command to that particular device, the user only needs to directly push one of the command buttons, selecting which type of device is being operated without entering the device ID. The ID will have been received, with the processor automatically sending that ID with the command that is transmitted. Another way of indicating the ID would be to press the learn button. This button would open the remote to look for the ID being transmitted.
In another embodiment, a display 238 is provided. In this embodiment, when the remote is pointed at a particular train, the ID would be received from the train, and the processor inside the remote will display the train ID number, as well as an alpha display indicating that it is a train, and not an accessory. Other displays could be used for accessories, such as an alpha display of the word “switch” with the switch number. Thus, the user is given visual confirmation that the appropriate train accessory has been selected, and can then directly activate one of the other buttons, such as bell button 220, directional button 222, etc.
As would be understood by those with skill in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. For example, instead of an IR transmission, the transmission could be a separate RF frequency, spread spectrum, visible light, or any other wireless transmission method. Visible light might be used instead of, or in addition to the IR transmission, to visually guide the user as to where to hold the remote to intercept the ID. The user could turn the visible light function on with a control on the remote so that the light is only emitted when the user wants to select devices, so all the devices aren't flashing all the time. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.
Copending application Ser. No. 10/346,558, filed Jan. 16, 2003, describes a model train control system including sensors by the train tracks to detect the ID of passing trains.
