The present invention relates to a multifunction controller for a remote controlled toy.
Children are fascinated with the use of remote control toys/devices. Various types of systems exist in which toys (e.g., toy vehicles) are moved on a remotely controlled basis. Toy vehicles may include, for example, automobiles, trucks, tractors, construction vehicles, boats, airplanes, helicopters, etc. that move along a floor, a track, on water, or in the air. Most remote control devices, however, are geared toward older children that understand cause and effect and how it relates to the operation of the system.
It would be desirable to provide a system including a remotely controlled toy and a handheld controller that is easily utilized by a younger child.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote control assembly including a control unit and a toy vehicle. The control unit includes an input device configured to receive directional inputs from a user, and a signal transmitter (Tx) for transmitting control signals corresponding to the received directional/user input. The input device includes four input controls (e.g., buttons) that enable movement of the toy vehicle in a forward direction, a reverse direction, a forward-left direction, and a forward-right direction.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
The control unit 100 and the toy vehicle 110 are configured to wirelessly communicate via a transmitter 102 in the control unit 100 and a receiver 104 in the toy vehicle. In one embodiment, the control unit 100 transmits wireless commands to the toy vehicle 110 to engage one or more features of the vehicle (discussed in greater detail below). In another embodiment, both the control unit 100 and the toy vehicle 110 are configured to transmit command signals to and receive command signals from each other. As such, although a transmitter 102 and receiver 104 are shown in
The control unit 100 is, in general, a four-function controller that is configured to receive one of four inputs from a user. More specifically, the control unit 100 is configured to receive a directional input from a user and to transmit control signals corresponding to the received directional/user input.
The control unit 100 may further include a power source 230. By way of example, the power source 230 may include a battery pack formed of one or more batteries. It should be understood, however, that any AC or DC power sources may be utilized. The controller 100 also includes an input device 240 that receives an external signal or that can be manipulated to generate a signal to be sent to the transmitter 102. The input device 240 includes one or more input controls, such as depressible buttons. In operation, engaging an input control of the input device 240 causes the transmitter 102 to generate a command/control signal and send it via the antenna 225.
As described further below, the control unit 100 is a four function controller. That is, the input device 240 can only receive one or more of four available inputs (i.e., the input device 240 includes four input controls). There are many conventional simple and low-cost four function remote controlled vehicles currently available on the market. The four functions (inputs) available in these conventional devices are forward, reverse, steer left, and steer right.
As a result of the forward/reverse/left/right arrangement, conventional devices generally require a minimum of two inputs from the controller for the toy vehicle to initiate forward movement coupled with a turn function. For example, a user may have to push a forward button or lever while simultaneously pressing a second turn/steering button or lever (i.e., cause left/right steering with forward movement). However, it is very difficult for younger children to actuate two controls at the same time. In many cases, simply holding the controller requires young children to use two hands. As a result, when the difficulty of holding and activating the controller is combined with following and reacting to a moving vehicle, children often have little success operating the vehicle. Through child testing, it was found that if the forward and turn commands could be combined into a single button activation, the ease of operation can be greatly improved. Embodiments presented herein are generally directed to a solution that modifies commonly available, low cost radio (i.e., transmitter and/or receiver) integrated circuits (ICs) to implement two commands from a single button push by a user.
More specifically, the control unit 100 is a four function device that provides forward, reverse, forward-left, and forward-right inputs. In other words, in control unit 100 the selection of one input will cause the vehicle to move in a forward direction, the selection of a second input will cause the vehicle to move in reverse direction, the selection of a third input will cause the vehicle to move forward and left (forward-left), and selection of the fourth input will cause the vehicle to move forward and right (forward-right). As described further below, the dual functionality of the two inputs (i.e., forward-left and forward-right) is provided through specific hardware implementations in the transmitter 102 and/or receiver 104.
The toy vehicle 110 is configured to move along a surface (e.g., a floor, water) or move above a surface (e.g., fly) in accordance with command signals received from the control unit 100.
The toy vehicle 110 may further include a power source 270 and a drive motor assembly 275. By way of example, the power source 270 may include a battery pack including one or more batteries. It should be understood, however, that other AC or DC power sources may be utilized. The drive motor assembly 275 includes one or more drive motors operable to drive the features of the toy vehicle and/or drive the movement of the vehicle. The drive motors may be any suitable motor for its described purpose. In one embodiment, the toy vehicle 110 includes two drive motors, one of which engages the forward wheels of the toy vehicle, and another that engages the rear wheels of the toy vehicle. In operation, the drive motor(s) move the toy vehicle in a direction or directions indicated by signals received at the receiver 104.
In an embodiment, engaging the first actuator 245a generates a command signal to initiate forward motion in the toy vehicle, engaging the second actuator 245b generates a command signal to initiate forward and first lateral (e.g., forward-left) motion in the toy vehicle, engaging the third actuator 245c generates a command signal to initiate rearward motion in the vehicle, and engaging the fourth actuator 245d generates a command signal to initiate forward and second lateral (e.g., forward-right) motion in the toy vehicle. The command signals, generated by transmitter 102 (
Referring to
The body 310 of the toy vehicle 110a houses the drive motor assembly 275 and the receiver 104 that receives control signals from the control unit 100a (explained above). The toy vehicle 110a may further include one or more light emitters such as a light emitting diode (LED) that selectively illuminates when a command is received from the control unit (e.g., when the toy vehicle receives instructions to move).
With the above described configuration, the toy vehicle 110a is movable in a forward direction, a reverse direction, a forward-left direction, and a forward-right direction in response to a corresponding control signal received from the input device. Specifically, by selectively engaging the directional actuators 245a, 245b, 245c, 245d on the control unit 100a, a child can direct the motion of the toy vehicle 110a.
In the embodiments of
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a diode 408 (diode D1) is used to electrically couple the input S4 (corresponding to the right lateral motion) to the input S1 (corresponding to the forward motion). Additionally, a second diode 410 (diode D2) is used to electrically couple the input S3 (corresponding to the left lateral motion) to the input S1 (corresponding to the forward movement). As a result of the configuration shown in
The receiver 420 has a configuration where, upon receiving and decoding the RF signals received from the transmitter 402, the receiver IC 421 will switch outputs F (Forward) 422, B (Reverse) 424, L (Left Turn) 426, and R (Right Turn) 428 between high and low based on the received commands. Outputs F and B are connected to an H-bridge 430 (common motor driving circuit allowing both forward and reverse motor operation) that provides power to the motor responsible for forward/reverse vehicle movement. Outputs L and R are connected to an H-bridge 432 that provides power to the motor responsible for turning the vehicle's front wheels left or right (steering motor). In the case of the example where both the “Forward” and “Left Turn” commands are received from transmitter 402, output F 422 is switched high (raised to the IC supply value), output B 424 is switched low (ground), output R 428 is switched low and output L 426 is switched high. This enables the forward/reverse motor to spin in the forward direction and the steering motor to turn the front wheels to the left. As such, the toy vehicle travels both forward and left in response to a single button press at the controller.
As noted above, in the embodiments of
In the embodiments of
In the embodiment shown in
In one example, when an indication that the “Left Turn” button (e.g., button 245b in
The transmitter 602 includes a switch matrix 645 comprised of four input switches, namely: switch 650 (switch RT corresponding to “Right Turn”), switch 652 (switch LT corresponding to “Left Turn”), switch 654 (switch FW corresponding to “Forward”), and switch 656 (switch BW corresponding to “Reverse”). This configuration is useable when a matrix function known as a “six input function” is available. As a result of the configuration shown in
The hardware configurations of receivers 520 and 620 have an added benefit that, through the use of clamp transistor 560 (transistor Q17 in the forward/reverse H-Bridge 530), a more “advanced” reverse function can be provided. The clamp transistor Q17 is placed in the design in the event that both the F (“Forward”) and B (“Reverse”) outputs are switched high at the same time. If this state occurs, transistor Q17 is switched on, and clamps the forward side of the H-Bridge off (typically this is placed on the reverse side of the H-bridge so a failure mode results in forward function). As described above, the “Left Turn” and “Right Turn” functions are connected to the “Forward” function. As a result, it may not be possible to back-up and turn. However, by placing the clamp transistor Q17 on the forward side of the forward/reverse H-Bridge 530, if a reverse command is received first (thereby clamping the forward input off) and either a “Left Turn” or “Right Turn” command is received second, (the reverse button is pressed and held and the turn button is pressed second) the steering motor will move in the correct direction and the vehicle will back up and turn. The clamped forward input prevents the forward function from conflicting with the reverse drive. Therefore, as a child grows and can start to use two buttons to control functions, the child can also steer the vehicle in reverse. When used with the transmitter 602, if both the “Forward” and “Reverse” buttons are pressed, the “Forward” button in the transmitter can be given the higher priority, thus causing the vehicle to go forward in the event of a conflict (the preferred default direction for children). Additionally, placing the clamp transistor Q17 on the forward side of the H-Bridge allows for the combinations of the reverse button and turn button to result in a back-up steering function that can be discovered when the child is capable/ready.
While the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, a remote control assembly in accordance with embodiments presented herein may be utilized in combination with various vehicles or other playsets. Such playsets may include a track having any number of individual track sections that can be coupled together in various combinations to form a continuous path on which a toy vehicle can travel. The playset may further include several objects related to the environment of the playset. For example, the playset can include one or more warning light structure, a gate crossing, and a ramp, a bridge, vehicle elevators, a construction crane, office buildings, etc.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/885,086 entitled “MULTIFUNCTION CONTROLLER FOR A REMOTE CONTROLLED TOY,” filed Oct. 1, 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61885086 | Oct 2013 | US |