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Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
| Details |
Inventors: Wolf, Michael Paul; Krebiehl, David L.; Seitz, Forrest S.; Sasaki, Stanley K.;
Assignee: Mike's Train House, Inc. (Columbia, MD)
Primary Examiner: Le; Mark T.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McDermott, Will & Emery
A model train operating, sound and control system that provides a user with increased operating realism. A novel remote control communication capability between the user and the model trains. This feature is accomplished by using a handheld remote control on which various commands may be entered, and a Track Interface Unit that retrieves and processes the commands. The Track Interface Unit converts the commands to modulated signals in the form of data bit sequences (preferably spread spectrum signals) which are sent down the track rails. The model train picks up the modulated signals, retrieves the entered command, and executes it through use of a processor and associated control and driver circuitry. A speed control circuit located inside the model train that is capable of continuously monitoring the operating speed of the train and making adjustments to a motor drive circuit, as well as a novel smoke unit. Circuitry for connecting the Track Interface Unit to an external source, such as a computer, CD player, or other sound source, and have real-time sounds stream down the model train tracks for playing through the speakers located in the model train. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a model train operating, sound and control system that provides a user with operating realism beyond that found in prior art systems.
The present invention provides a number of new and useful features in order to achieve this goal.
One feature of the present invention is a novel two-way remote control communication capability between the user and the model trains.
This feature is accomplished by using a handheld remote control on which various commands may be entered, and a Track Interface Unit that retrieves and processes the commands.
The Track Interface Unit converts the commands to modulated signals (preferably spread spectrum signals) which are sent down the track rails.
The model train picks up the modulated signals, retrieves the entered command, and executes it through use of a processor and associated control and driver circuitry.
The process may also be reversed, so that operating information regarding the train is provided back to the user for display on the remote control.
Another feature of the present invention is a speed control circuit located on the printed circuit board inside the model train that is capable of continuously monitoring the operating speed of the train and making adjustments to a motor drive circuit.
Through this circuit, precise and accurate scale miles-per-hour speed may be continuously maintained by the model train, even as the train goes up and down hills or around curves.
Still another feature of the present invention is the ability to connect the Track Interface Unit to an external source, such as a computer, CD player, or other sound source, and have real-time sounds stream down the model train tracks for playing through the speakers located in the model train.
This feature enables a user to actually have a song or other recorded sound "played" by the model train as it travels around the tracks.
A microphone embodiment is also disclosed, whereby the user's voice may be played out through the model train speakers in real time
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