Toy having enclosed antenna

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6529139
  • Patent Number
    6,529,139
  • Date Filed
    Monday, November 17, 1997
    26 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 4, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
Enclosed antenna for use in toy remote control assemblies. In one aspect the antenna is a flexible antenna which can be flexed to fit within housings of remote control devices and toys (e.g., toy vehicles). The flexible antenna may include an electrically conductive layer coupled to a flexible substrate, wherein the electrically conductive layer is in the shape of an antenna pattern.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to an enclosed antenna for remote controlled toys.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Remote controlled toys (e.g., remote control cars and boats), typically have a generally rigid wire antenna extending from both the transmitting, remote control device and the receiving, remote control toy vehicle, although some remote controlled vehicles (e.g., a remote controlled toy car commercially available under the trade designation “RICOCHET” from Hasbro, Inc. of Pawtucket, R.I.) have an antenna (e.g., a spiral wire) concealed in the vehicle. Remote control devices used for remote controlled toy vehicles transmit a radio frequency signal (e.g., typically 27 MHz or 49 MHz in the United States) via the rigid wire antenna (which may be a retractable antenna) to the antenna in or on remote control toy vehicle for operation of the vehicle. The antennae are often unavoidably damaged by children, such as being bent or broken, during normal use of the toy. For safety purposes, some wire antennas are often partially coated with plastic, and may even be non-rigid (e.g., Jakks Pacific, Inc., of Malibu, Calif. markets a remote controlled toy car under the trade designation “TURBO TOUCH RACER”, wherein the antenna in the remote control device is an external, flexible, plastic coated wire about 32 cm long). The remote control device transmitters typically have a range of up to 18.3-22.9 m (60-75 feet).




The required length of the antenna is a function of the operating frequency. Ideally, for a monopole antenna (e.g., the rigid wire antenna on the remote control device), the length of the wire should be about a ¼ wavelength. This translates into a length of about 2.77 m (109 inches) at 27 MHz or about 1.52 m (60 inches) at 49 MHz. Since these lengths are impractical for remote controlled toys, much shorter antennas are employed. The use of much shorter antennas requires additional circuit tuning elements, such as inductors and capacitors, to compensate for the shorter antenna length. The compensated antenna is not as good as a correct length antenna, so usually there is some minimum length which is needed for satisfactory performance.




Some consumer radio frequency based products (e.g., garage door openers or telephones) operate at significantly higher frequencies than remote controlled toys (e.g., 400 MHz garage door openers or 900 MHz telephones). Garage door openers typically have no external antennae, instead having a conducting trace along the edge of a printed circuit board containing the transmitter electronics. The trace serves as the transmitting antenna and fits within the remote transmitter housing. As stated previously, required antenna length is related to the device transmitting frequency (i.e., the higher the frequency, the shorter the required antenna length). Since garage door openers generally operate at 400 MHz , about ten times the frequency of remote controlled toys, only a relatively short conducting trace is necessary (i.e., a few inches).




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention provides a flexible, enclosed antenna for use in remote control toys including remote control devices and remote control vehicles (including cars and boats). If the enclosure is sufficiently opaque such that the antenna is not viewable therethrough, the antenna is “concealed”.




In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a remote control device for use with a remote control toy, the remote control device including a housing and a flexible antenna mechanism enclosed or concealed within the housing. The flexible antenna mechanism comprises a flexible sheet material (substrate) that includes an electrically conductive layer on a major surface thereof. A controller is electrically coupled to a user input mechanism for transmitting an output signal to the remote control toy via the flexible antenna mechanism, wherein the output signal is representative of a control input received from the user input mechanism.




The electrically conductive layer may be on a major surface of the flexible substrate. The electrically conductive layer may include a highly electrically conductive material (e.g., metal, such as copper), which may be in the form of an electrically conductive trace. The flexible sheet material (substrate) preferably includes a dielectric material (e.g., a polymeric material, such as polyester).




The flexible sheet material (substrate) and the electrically conductive layer may be curved to fit or otherwise be accommodated within the housing. Example antenna patterns include an open loop, spiral shape, or slot antenna pattern.




The controller may include a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting the output signal via the flexible antenna mechanism. In one application, for example, the output signal is a radio frequency signal transmitted at 49 MHz . In another application, for example, the output signal is a radio frequency signal transmitted at 27 MHz .




In another embodiment, the present invention provides a remote controlled toy assembly. The assembly includes a remote control device having a housing and a flexible transmitting antenna mechanism enclosed or concealed within the housing. The flexible transmitting antenna mechanism includes a flexible sheet material (substrate) that includes an electrically conductive layer on a major surface thereof. A controller is electrically coupled to an input mechanism for transmitting output signals via the flexible transmitting antenna mechanism. The output signals are representative of a control input received from the user input mechanism. A remote control toy is responsive to the output signals for operation of the remote control toy.




The electrically conductive layer includes a highly electrically conductive metal. The flexible sheet material (substrate) includes a dielectric material. Additionally, the remote controlled toy includes a housing, a flexible receiving antenna mechanism enclosed or concealed within the housing, a control mechanism and a power source coupled to the control mechanism. The flexible receiving antenna is coupled to the control mechanism for receiving the output signals. The flexible receiving antenna mechanism comprises a flexible substrate and an electrically conductive layer.




In another aspect, the present invention provides a remote control device for use with a remote control toy. The remote control device includes a housing and an antenna mechanism enclosed within the housing. The antenna mechanism includes an electrically conductive layer positioned on (e.g., deposited on or otherwise applied, or at least partially embedded within) an interior surface of the housing. A user input mechanism is provided. A controller is electrically coupled to the user input mechanism for transmitting an output signal to the remote control toy via the antenna mechanism, wherein the output signal is representative of a control input received from the user input mechanism.




In this application, the term “highly electrically” refers to a material having a sufficiently low impedance such that the electrically conductive properties of the material do not result in substantial attenuation of signals transmitted therethrough. The term “dielectric material” refers to a substantially electrically non-conductive material. The term “flexible” antenna refers to an antenna which is capable of being easily hand-folded, flexed, twisted or bent.




Preferably, vehicles operated with remote control devices according to the present invention can operate together at distances of at least about 18.3-22.9 meters (60-75 feet), or even 30.5 meters (100 feet) or more, wherein the longer distances are typically more easily achieved in outdoor areas. Indoor areas typically have more sources of interference (e.g., structural elements, plumbing, wires, etc.).











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this specification. The drawing illustrates exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serves to further explain the principles of the invention. Other aspects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following Detailed Description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, and wherein:





FIG. 1

is an elevational view of a remote control toy assembly in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a diagrammatic view of the remote control toy assembly of

FIG. 1

, having a portion of the remote control housing removed;





FIG. 3

is a top view of a flexible antenna according to the present invention;





FIG. 4

is a cross-sectional view of the flexible antenna of

FIG. 3

taken along line


4





4


;





FIG. 5

is a cross-sectional view of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention in a curved position;





FIG. 6

is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of another flexible antenna min accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention having a spiral shaped antenna pattern;





FIG. 8

is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention having a slot antenna pattern, wherein an aperture in a ground plane serves as the antenna;





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 10

is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 11

is a block diagram illustrating operation of a remote control toy assembly in accordance with the present invention; and





FIG. 12

is a partial plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a remote control device in accordance with the present invention having a portion of the housing removed.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Referring to

FIG. 1

, exemplary remote control toy system


20


, including remote control device


22


and remote control toy vehicle


24


, is shown. Remote control device


22


includes remote control device housing


28


having first (proximal to the user) portion


30


, second (distal to the user) portion


32


, and input devices


34


A and


34


B (shown as buttons) extending through the remote control device housing


28


. Housing


28


can be constructed, for example, of a generally rigid polymeric material. Similarly, toy vehicle


24


includes vehicle housing or body


36


and drive wheels


38


.




In operation, remote control device


22


receives a user input from input device


34


A and/or


34


B (shown as buttons extending through remote control housing


28


) and transmits a control signal


26


, (e.g., a radio frequency signal) to remote control toy vehicle


24


. Remote control toy vehicle


24


is responsive to control signal


26


for operation of remote control toy vehicle


24


.




Referring to

FIG. 2

, concealed within remote control device


22


are flexible antenna


40


, ground bus


42


, controller


44


, and power source


46


. Ground bus


42


and controller


44


are located on rigid circuit board


48


, which can be, for example, formed from conventional printed circuit board construction techniques as is known in the art. Ground bus


42


is preferably positioned between flexible receiving antenna


40


and controller


44


, and preferably is formed of a highly electrically conductive material (e.g., metal, such as copper). Flexible antenna


40


is mechanically coupled to antenna mount


49


. In one embodiment, flexible antenna


40


is bolted to antenna mount


49


. Antenna mount


49


is coupled to a pad above ground bus


42


for coupling the flexible antenna to controller


44


.




Power source


46


is coupled to controller


44


, indicated at


50


. In one preferred embodiment, power source


46


is a DC battery or batteries (e.g., one 9 volt battery or two 3 volt batteries). In another embodiment, power source


48


may be an AC power source and include an AC/DC converter and a mechanism for coupling the transmitter to an AC power source (e.g., 120 volt or 220 volt AC source), such as a conventional extension cord.




A flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention, such as flexible antenna


40


, is concealed or enclosed by a remote control device housing. As such, the flexible antenna does not extend outside of the housing where it is more susceptible to abuse or damage. The flexible antenna “flexes”, allowing it to fit within a remote control device housing, and conform to the shape of the housing if necessary. Further, the antenna pattern may also be varied, such as curved, circular, or spiral shapes, allowing a longer length antenna to be more easily placed within a limited area within the remote control device. In particular, the shape of the antenna pattern may be varied to fit the shape of the remote controlled device.




Remote control device antenna


40


is preferably located near remote control device second portion


32


, positioned away from the user. Locating the antenna at one end of the housing, and positioning the ground bus between the antenna and the controller, reduces possible interference caused by interaction between the controller electronics and the antenna. Further, locating the antenna away from the expected position of the user reduces interference which may be caused by the user. In particular, for maximum operating efficiency of remote control device


22


, a user's hands are positioned at first end


30


for user control of input devices


34


. The second end


32


, including flexible antenna


40


, is pointed away from the user at remote controlled toy vehicle


24


. Inadvertent positioning of a user's hands over the second end


32


(and/or flexible antenna


40


), results in an attenuated signal transmitted by flexible antenna


40


(due to absorption by the hand and/or detuning of the antenna impedance caused by the proximity of the hand). Further, locating the flexible antenna away from power source


46


reduces interference which may be caused by the power source.




Toy vehicle


24


contains an antenna for receiving control signals transmitted from flexible antenna


40


. Preferably, toy vehicle


24


contains a flexible antenna (indicated at


51


), which can be similar to flexible antenna


40


, and is described in detail further in this specification. Toy vehicle


24


also includes control mechanism


52


and power source


54


. Control mechanism


52


may include operational devices such as a receiver, controller, and motor, for operation of toy vehicle


24


(in particular, drive wheels


38


). Control mechanism


52


is mechanically coupled to flexible antenna


51


at antenna mount


56


. Power source


54


can be similar to power source


46


as previously described herein. For example, power source


54


can be a 6 or 9 volt DC NiCad battery, which may be rechargeable.




Referring to

FIG. 3

, one exemplary embodiment of a flexible antenna suitable for use as flexible antenna


40


or flexible antenna


51


is shown. The flexible antenna is preferably formed of electrically conductive layer


58


adhered to or deposited in a desired antenna pattern on flexible substrate


56


. In a preferred embodiment, conductive layer


58


includes attachment portion


49


, adapted to be electrically connected to a conventional antenna connector. In one embodiment, attachment portion


49


receives a screw driven through the conductive layer. In another embodiment, a wire is attached (e.g. by soldering) to conductive layer


58


at attachment portion


49


.




In

FIG. 4

, a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible antenna is shown, taken along lines


4





4


of FIG.


3


. In one embodiment, conductive layer


58


is preferably formed of a highly electrically conductive material (e.g., metal, such as copper). The thickness of the electrically conductive material is typically in the range from about 0.1 micrometer to about 5 micrometers; preferably, about 0.25 micrometer to about 2 micrometers; more preferably, about 0.25 micrometer to about 0.75 micrometer. The range of 0.25 micrometer to 0.75 micrometer is most preferred because it tends to be the easiest to apply and ablate, and to maintain its flexibility.




Flexible sheet material (substrate)


56


is preferably formed of a dielectric material available, for example, under the trade designation “ICI-MELINEX” from Imperial Chemical Industries, Hopewell, Va.; PEN (polyethylenenathalate), available, for example, under the trade designation “KALADEX” from Dumfries of Scotland;, polyimide, available, for example, under the trade designation “KAPTON” from DuPont, Wilmington, Del. Other suitable sheet material (substrate) may also include polyetherimide and polyamide. The thickness of the flexible sheet material (substrate) is typically in the range from about 12.7 micrometers (0.5 mil) to about 177.8 micrometers (7 mils), preferably, about 25.4 micrometers (1 mil) to about 76.2 micrometers (3 mils), more preferably, about 25.4 micrometers (1 mil) to about 50.8 micrometers (2 mil). The most flexible and easiest to handle during the making of the antenna is the 25.4-50.8 micrometer (1-2 mil) sheet material (substrate).




One embodiment of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention utilizes a polyester substrate having a thickness of about 0.05 mm (2 mils). The conducting layer in the form of a desired antenna pattern is deposited at a thickness of 0.0127 mm (0.5 mil). In one method of construction, flexible antenna


40


can be formed by providing a copper coated polyester substrate and laser ablating unwanted copper from the surface, leaving electrically conductive portion


58


in a desired antenna pattern, for example, such as the general “C” shape illustrated in FIG.


3


. Embodiments of flexible antennas in accordance with the present invention can be mass produced using economical manufacturing processes. The partially closed (loop) shape allows an antenna of substantial total length to be placed on a flexible sheet material (substrate) having a maximum dimension less than the total antenna length.




Referring to

FIG. 5

, an exemplary application of flexible sheet material (substrate) layer


56


in a flexed or curved configuration is shown. The flexed configuration allows placement of the antenna within, for example, a small and irregularly shaped space. Additionally, the antenna may be fit within previously designed toys as a replacement for an external antenna, as the flexible sheet material (substrate) can be flexed to fit within unused space between the inner electronics and the outer housing.




Referring to

FIGS. 6

,


7


, and


8


, alternative exemplary embodiments of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention are shown. Variations in antenna geometry or antenna pattern shape, such as conductor width, are easily attainable within the scope of the present invention by varying the pattern of the conductive layer upon the flexible sheet material (substrate). In

FIG. 6

, antenna


60


, which is similar to the antenna in

FIG. 3

, has flexible sheet material (substrate)


56


A, conductive layer


58


A (which is wider than conductive layer


58


in FIG.


3


), and attachment portion


49


A.




In

FIG. 7

, flexible spiral antenna pattern


64


is shown, having a spiral shaped conductor


58


B on flexible sheet material (substrate)


56


B, and attachment portion


49


B. The spiral shape is one method of maximizing antenna length within a confined area.




In

FIG. 8

, another suitable antenna pattern is illustrated in flexible slot antenna


68


, which has flexible sheet material (substrate)


56


C, conductive layer


58


C encircled by ground plane


72


, and attachment portion


49


C. The conductive layer


58


C is separated from ground plane


72


by a continuous slot. Antenna conductive layer


58


C can be attached to a controller using methods previously described herein, such as by using a screw or soldered wire making contact with the conductor. In a preferred embodiment, both antenna conductor


58


C and ground plane


72


are formed of a copper layer. The ground plane


72


is connected to an appropriate ground bus on the controller printed circuit board.




Referring to

FIG. 9

, another exemplary embodiment of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention is shown, wherein the antenna occupies a three-dimensional space. For example, multiple flexible antenna layers may be stacked or sandwiched together, allowing placement of even longer total length antennae within a smaller space. Stacked flexible antenna


78


includes first antenna layer


74


stacked on second antenna layer


76


. First layer


74


and second antenna layer


76


can be similar, for example, to flexible antenna


40


previously described herein. First layer


74


has electrically conductive layer


58


D on flexible sheet material (substrate)


56


D; second layer


76


has electrically conductive layer


58


E on flexible layer


56


E. First layer


74


is electrically coupled to second layer


76


with antenna interconnect


80


. Stacked antenna


78


allows use of multiple antenna layers to create a longer total length antenna within a small (three-dimensional) space. In stacked antenna


78


, the multiple flexible antenna layers are stacked front to back, allowing stacking of several antenna layers. Additional antenna layers may be stacked together as desired to achieve longer antenna lengths.




In

FIG. 19

, another exemplary embodiment of a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention is shown, where the antenna occupies a three-dimensional space using a back-to-back configuration. Stacked flexible antenna


78


A includes first layer


86


and second layer


88


. First layer


86


has electrically conductive layer


58


F on flexible sheet material (substrate)


56


F; second layer


88


has electrically conductive layer


58


G on flexible layer


56


G. First layer


86


is illustrated as electrically coupled to second antenna layer


88


with layer interconnect device


84


. Layer interconnect device


84


can be an electrically conductive bolt or other fastener capable of both conducting electricity and securing one antenna layer to another. It is recognized that other mechanisms may be provided for securing one antenna layer to another (e.g., an adhesive material).




As previously indicated herein, a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention can be made using a laser ablation process. One suitable method of construction includes depositing a primer layer on the sheet material (substrate) surface in the form of a continuous layer, followed by deposition of a metal (conductive) layer (also, in the form of a continuous layer). One preferred technique for both primer and metal deposition is vacuum metalization using an art-recognized process. Prior to primer deposition, the sheet material (substrate) surface may be treated to enhanced adhesion between the primer and sheet material (substrate) surface. Examples of suitable priming processes include plasma treatment, corona discharge, flame printing, and flashlamp priming (as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,451 (Ouderkirk et al.), herein incorporated by reference), with flashlamp priming being a preferred embodiment.




Following metal deposition, a pattern of interest (e.g., an antenna pattern) is printed on the metal surface using conventional ink printing equipment such as a rotary letter press, flexography, or screen printing. Once the ink has dried or cured, both the metal and primer outside of the ink printing are removed by exposing the article to a wet etchant such as a ferric chloride solution or sulfuric acid, an ablation source such as a excimer laser, flashlamp, or accelerated plasma according to the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,726 (Yu et al.), herein incorporated by reference, or a combination thereof. The resulting flexible antenna is then outfitted with a suitable connector for coupling to the toy. Other suitable ablation processes for making a flexible antenna in accordance with the present invention are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,944 (Hill et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,493 (Hunter, Jr. et al.), and PCT International Application No. PCT/US96/13823, having Publication No. WO/97/12389, published Apr. 10, 1997, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.





FIG. 11

includes an example system diagram illustrating operation of remote control toy system having a concealed antenna in accordance with the present invention. Remote control device


22


includes user input


34


, concealed antenna


40


, controller


44


, and power source


48


as previously described herein. Controller


44


further includes transmitter


100


and control circuit


102


. Similarly, remote control toy


24


includes concealed flexible antenna


51


, toy housing


29


control mechanism


52


, and power source


54


. Control mechanism


52


further includes receiver


104


, control


106


, and motor


108


. In operation, power source


48


provides power to controller


44


, and in particular, transmitter


100


and control circuit


102


, indicated at


103


. Upon operation of user input device


34


(such as button


34


A and/or


34


B shown in FIG.


1


), a corresponding user input signal


112


is input to control circuit


102


. Control circuit


102


is responsive to user input signal


112


and provides a corresponding output signal


114


to transmitter


100


which is representative of the desired control function.




Transmitter


100


is responsive to input signal


114


for transmitting output signal


26


via concealed flexible antenna


40


to toy


24


. In one exemplary embodiment, output signal


26


is a relatively low radio frequency signal. In one preferred embodiment, output signal


26


is transmitted at 27 MHz or 49 MHz . Transmitter


100


may also include (i.e., in addition to or “alternative ways”) ways of transmitting an output signal, such as amplifiers, filters, tuners, oscillators and modulators. Control circuit


102


may comprise, for example, a microcomputer, microprocessor, a series of logic gates or other circuit components capable of performing a sequence of logical operations.




In one preferred embodiment, output signal


26


is transmitted via concealed flexible antenna


40


at a frequency of 27 MHz or 49 MHz . Signal


26


is received by toy


24


within a typical maximum range of up to 18.3-22.86 m (60-75 feet).




Signal


26


is received by toy


24


via enclosed or concealed flexible antenna


51


, and transmitted to receiver


104


. In operation, power source


54


provides power to controller


52


, and in particular, receiver


104


and control circuit


106


, indicated at


110


. Receiver


104


is responsive to signal


26


, and provides a corresponding output signal


116


to control system


106


. In response to signal


116


, control system


106


provides output signals for operation of toy


24


. For example, motor


108


is mechanically coupled to drive wheels


38


(indicated in FIG.


1


and FIG.


2


). Control system


106


can provide an output signal


118


to motor


108


for operation of drive wheels


38


, including turning wheels


38


for steering of toy


24


. Further, control system


106


can be employed to provide other operational control output signals, such as output signal


120


for operation of toy lights or output signal


122


for operation of a toy horn.




Preferably, an antenna in accordance with the present invention is sufficiently flexible to be capable of being wrapped around a curvature, or if the antenna has sufficient length, wrapped around a rod, having a diameter of 25.4 mm (1 inch), more preferably, a diameter of 12.7 mm (0.5 inch), and even more preferably, a diameter of 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) (or less) without breaking the conductor traces and/or severing or cracking the sheet material (substrate).




For example, an antenna as shown in

FIG. 6

having a 0.5 micrometer thick, and average 10.16 millimeter (0.4 inch) wide copper conductive layer on a 50.8 micrometer (2 mil) thick polyester sheet material (substrate) was wrapped around a rod of diameter 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) with no visible signs of the conductor traces breaking and/or the substrate severing or cracking. Further, the antenna was unwrapped from the rod and was then used as an antenna within a remote control device (with the top of the device off) for a toy car (obtained under the trade designation “TYCO REBOUND 4×4” from Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, Calif.). In other words, the original antenna for the remote control device was removed and replaced with the flexible antenna (which had been wrapped around the rod). The remote control device and toy car were observed to function together at a distance of at least about 16.15 meters (53 feet), which is the same distance observed using the same flexible antenna before it had been wrapped around the rod (and then unwrapped).




In

FIG. 12

, another exemplary embodiment of a remote control device in accordance with the present invention


22


H (having a portion of the housing removed) is shown, wherein antenna mechanism


40


H, including electrically conductive layer


58


H, is coupled to housing


28


H along its length. Electrically conductive layer


58


H may be positioned on or embedded within housing


28


H (e.g., deposited or otherwise applied, including using laser etching techniques). Electrically conductive layer


58


H can be similar to the electrically conductive layers as previously described herein. In one aspect, metal is deposited over the entire interior surface of housing


28


H in a desired antenna pattern. In one application, a process such as laser direct write imaging can be used to create the desired conductor pattern for the electrically conductive layer


58


H and attachment


494


. Other processes (e.g., ink jet printing) can also be used to deposit the metalization in the desired conductor pattern on the interior surface of the housing


28


H. Optionally, a cover layer (e.g., a polymeric material; optionally, for example, transparent or opaque) may be positioned over electrically conductive layer


58


H, and coupled to the interior surface of housing


28


H, to further protect and/or support electrically conductive layer


58


H.




It will be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, material, and arrangement of parts, without exceeding the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is as defined in the language of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A remote control toy assembly comprising:a remote control device comprising a housing, a flexible transmitting antenna mechanism enclosed within said housing, a user input mechanism, and a controller electrically coupled to said user input mechanism for transmitting output signals via said flexible transmitting antenna mechanism, said flexible transmitting antenna mechanism comprising a flexible sheet material that includes an electrically conductive layer on a major surface thereof, wherein said output signals are representative of a control input received from said user input mechanism; and a remote control toy responsive to said output signals for operation of said remote control toy.
  • 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet material includes a dielectric material.
  • 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer includes copper metal.
  • 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet material and said electrically conductive layer are curved within said housing.
  • 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer is in an open loop pattern.
  • 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer is in a generally spiral shaped pattern.
  • 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer is in a slot antenna pattern.
  • 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer has a pattern shape corresponding to the shape of said housing.
  • 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said antenna mechanism is concealed.
  • 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said antenna is concealed.
  • 11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said flexible antenna is flexed within said housing.
  • 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible antenna mechanism has sufficient flexibility that upon being wrapped and unwrapped around a rod having a diameter of 12.7 said electrically conductive layer does not break, and said flexible substrate does not sever or crack.
  • 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible antenna mechanism has sufficient flexibility that upon being wrapped and unwrapped around a rod having a diameter of 2.54 millimeters said electrically conductive layer does not break and said flexible substrate does not sever or crack.
  • 14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer includes a dielectric material.
  • 15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet material is made of a polymeric material.
  • 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said polymeric material is made of polyester.
  • 17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting said output signal via said flexible antenna mechanism.
  • 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said output signal is a radio frequency signal transmitted at 49 MHz.
  • 19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said output signal is a radio frequency signal transmitted at 27 MHz .
  • 20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said remote control toy includes a housing, a flexible receiving antenna mechanism enclosed within said housing, a control mechanism, and a power source coupled to said control mechanism.
  • 21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said flexible receiving antenna mechanism is coupled to said control mechanism for receiving said output signals.
  • 22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said flexible receiving antenna mechanism comprises a flexible sheet material that includes an electrically conductive layer on a major surface therof.
  • 23. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet material is made of a polymeric material, and wherein said electrically conductive layer includes copper.
  • 24. A remote control toy assembly comprising:a remote control device comprising: a housing; an antenna mechanism enclosed within said housing, said antenna mechanism including an electrically conductive layer positioned on an interior surface of said housing; a user input mechanism; and a controller electrically coupled to said user input mechanism for transmitting an output signal to the remote control toy via said antenna mechanism, wherein said output signal is representative of a control input received from said user input mechanism; and a remote control toy responsive to said output signals for operation of said remote control toy.
  • 25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said electrically conductive layer is deposited in-situ on said interior surface of said housing.
  • 26. A remote control toy assembly comprising:a remote control device comprising: a housing; an antenna mechanism enclosed within said housing, said antenna mechanism including an electrically conductive layer at least partially embedded within said housing; a user input mechanism; a controller electrically coupled to said user input mechanism for transmitting an output signal to the remote control toy via said antenna mechanism, wherein said output signal is representative of a control input received from said user input mechanism; and a remote control toy responsive to said output signals for operation of said remote control toy.
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