Simulated degradation features for remotely controlled vehicles

Abstract

Various degradation features are disclosed for a remotely controlled vehicle. Translatable body components are disclosed for simulating damage to a vehicle. Impact sensors may be provided for detecting an impact to the vehicle and modifying operation of the vehicle in response to an impact. A timer may be provided for hampering operations of the vehicle as a function of time for simulating real life conditions. Controls, and methods associated with these features are disclosed as well as games for utilizing the degradation features.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remotely controlled vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the remotely controlled vehicle of FIG. 1, illustrated with a body removed therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the remotely controlled vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial section view of the remotely controlled vehicle of FIG. 1, taken along a connection of a body component to the body of the vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the body of the remotely controlled automotive vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is another enlarged section view of the automotive vehicle of FIG. 1, illustrating another connection of a body component to the body of the vehicle;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of another body of a remotely controlled vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a chassis of a remotely controlled vehicle for utilization with the body of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial section view of a latch mechanism of the remotely controlled vehicle of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of another body for a remotely controlled vehicle in accordance with the present invention, the body may be utilized with the chassis of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a remotely controlled vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a switch for utilization with the remotely controlled vehicle of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a remote control in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a remotely controlled vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a suspension assembly for a remotely controlled vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for computer-executable instructions for a computer-readable medium in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is another flowchart for computer-executable instructions for a computer-readable medium in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for a method for playing a game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is another flowchart for another method for playing a game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is yet another flowchart for another method for playing a game in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is yet another flowchart for computer-executable instructions for a computer-readable medium in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled vehicle comprising: a housing;a propulsion device provided on the housing for translating the vehicle;a receiver provided on the housing for receiving signals from a remote control, the receiver being in communication with the propulsion device for controlling the propulsion of the vehicle; anda body having at least one translatable body component adapted for translation from a first position to a second position upon impact of the vehicle for simulating an appearance of a damaged vehicle.

2. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the at least one translatable body component is deployable wherein the first position is attached to the vehicle and the second position is disconnected from the vehicle.

3. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first position is an extended position and the second position is a retracted position.

4. A remotely controlled vehicle comprising: a housing;a propulsion device provided on the housing for translating the vehicle;a receiver provided on the housing for receiving signals from a remote control and conveying the signals to the propulsion device; anda controller in communication with one of the receiver and the remote control for controlling the propulsion of the vehicle;wherein the controller alters the signals to the propulsion device to simulate operation of a vehicle requiring maintenance.

5. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 4 wherein the controller is provided in the housing in communication with the propulsion device and the receiver.

6. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 4 wherein the controller alters the signals in response to conditions that occur during the operation of the remotely controlled vehicle.

7. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 4 further comprising a timer for altering the control of the propulsion device after a predefined period of time.

8. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 4 further comprising an impact sensor provided on the housing in communication with the controller for sending a signal to the controller associated with an impact of the vehicle wherein the controller alters control of the propulsion device after receipt of the impact signal.

9. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 8 further comprising at least one translatable body component in cooperation with the impact sensor, the at least one translatable body component being adapted for translation from a first position to a second position upon impact of the vehicle for simulating an appearance of a damaged vehicle that may require maintenance or for actuation of the impact sensor.

10. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 8 wherein the impact sensor further comprises a limit switch.

11. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 8 further comprising a suspension system for suspending the housing relative to a medium upon which the housing travels, wherein the suspension system is in communication with the controller and the suspension system is altered after receipt of the impact signal.

12. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 8 wherein the propulsion device further comprises a motor for driving the vehicle, and control of the motor is altered by the controller after receipt of the impact signal.

13. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 12 wherein a maximum velocity of the vehicle is lessened by the controller after receipt of the impact signal.

14. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 12 wherein control signals to the motor are delayed after receipt of the impact signal.

15. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 8 wherein the propulsion device further comprises steering of the vehicle, and control of the steering is altered by the controller after receipt of the impact signal.

16. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 15 wherein a steering angle range is lessened after receipt of the impact signal.

17. The remotely controlled vehicle of claim 15 wherein signals for controlling the steering are delayed after receipt of the impact signal.

18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising: receiving a signal associated with manually input controls for driving a remotely controlled vehicle;transmitting a signal to a propulsion device of the vehicle corresponding to the manually input controls; andtransmitting a modified signal to the propulsion device associated with the manually input controls to simulate a vehicle requiring maintenance.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 further comprising receiving a signal associated with an impact of the vehicle.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 further comprising: counting time for a predefined time interval; andtransmitting a modified signal to the propulsion device of the vehicle associated with the manually input controls.