Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to the toy art and in particular
to a toy vehicle mounted on a track for preselected movement
relative thereto.
Description Of The Prior Art
Toy vehicles and in particular track mounted toy
vehicles have long been known in the prior art. For example,
electric trains of the type in which electricity is provided
through the tracks to a motor mounted in a toy electric train
which rides on the tracks. The power is provided through a
transformer which can vary the amount of power provided to the
electric motor and therefore vary the speed of the electric
train. Other track mounted toy vehicles have the power supply
for exampla, batteries, contained within the toy vehicle and have
controls for providing speed variations therein. Further,
various track configuratlons such as curves, reverse curves,
"X" sections, right-angle cross-sections, and the like, have long
been known for such track mounted toy vehicles. Such track sec-
tions may be interconnected to define various predetermined path-
ways having preselected geometrical configurations.
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In many track mounted toy vehicle arrangements, however,
it is often desired to provide preselected movements of the track
mounted toy vehicle including stopping, starting, change in
direction, change in speed, and varying the time duration for
each of the characteristics. That is, for example, having a
variable pause or stop time, various rates of acceleration or de-
acceleration, maintaining various speeds for various times, and
the like. Further, for any given geometrical configuration of
the track, it has often been desired to provide a plurality of
movement characteristic changes throughout the pathway defined by
the track. That is, at various positions on the track, the toy
vehicle movably mounted thereon undergoes one or more of the
above mentioned movement characteristics and/or movement changes.
Additionally, in many track mounted toy vehicle con-
figurations, the toy vehicle not only is reversible that is, the
toy vehicle may go forwards and in the opposite direction as a
reverse but also the ~oy vehicle may be placed on the track so
that forward may be in either direction with respect to the
track. In such applications, of course, it is desired that the
; toy vehicle still undergo the movement characteristic changes as
above described at each preselected location regardless of which
direction is forward and which direction is reverse with respect
thereto.
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Brief Description Of The Invention
Consequently, it is an object of the present invention
to provide an improved track mounted toy vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved track mounted toy vehicle wherein the movement
characteristics thereof are variable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved track mounted ~oy vehicle arrangement in which the
movement thereof is controlled at preselected positions of the
track as the toy vehicle passes thereover.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved track mounted toy vehicle wherein changes in the
movement characteristics of the toy vehicle on the track are
automatically achieved at preselected locations on the track and
independently of the direction of movement of the toy vehicle
with respect thereto.
The above and other objects of the present invention are
achieved, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, by pro-
viding a track means defining a preselected pathway having a pre-
selected geometrical configuration. A toy vehicle means is
mountable on the track means for relative movement thereon. If
desired, the toy vehicle may be mountable on the track means for
movement in opposite directions on the track means and, depending
upon the placement of the toy vehicle on the track means, each
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direction may be forward and each direction may be reverse. The
toy vehicle may, for example, simulate a locomotive and one or
more cars simulating various types of train cars.
A motion producing means is mounted in the toy vehicle
for providing preselected movement characteristics of the toy
vehicle on the track means in response to receipt of a motion
control signal. The motion producing means may comprise a
electrically powered motor operatively connected to drive wheels
of the toy vehicle which engage the track means and rotation of
the dcive wheels moves the toy vehicle with respect to the track
means. The motion producing means may also comprise the source
of electrical power provided to the electrical motor. As uti-
lized herein the electrical power source may be batteries carried
in the toy vehicle, a transformer connected to the track means
for drawing electrical power from a remote source and providing
the electrical power to the track means wherein, in turn, it is
provided to the electrical motor o~ the toy vehicIe, or any com-
bination thereof or other acceptable configurations for providing
motion of the toy vehicle means on the track means.
In general, for those toy vehicles that are powered by
an electric motor, the motor is a variable speed motor and one in
which the output speed of the motor and consequently the speed
applied to the drive wheels varies depending upon the amount of
electrical power that is provided to the electrical motor. This
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allows varying the speed of the toy vehicle with respect to the
track means by varying the amount of electrical power~ Such
speed variations can, of course, cover the entire range from
zero speed wherein no electrical power or insufficient electrical
is provided to the electric motor to move the drive wheels to
full power wherein the toy vehicle can accelerate to the maximum
speed obtainable for the particular track configuration and con-
dition. That is, if the track run up hill the maximum speed
will, of course, be less at maximum power than if the track is
level or the toy vehicle is going downwardly on a down slope of
the track. The electrically powered variable speed motor above
described are, in many applications, also reversible in direction
so that, for example, by changing the polarity of the electrical
power at the input to the electrical motor the direction of rota-
tion of the output shaft and hence the direction of rotation of
the drive wheels of the toy vehicle may be changed so the toy
vehicle may be moved in both forward and reverse directions.
; Motion command means according to the principles of the
present invention are mountable on the track means and in detec-
table relationship to the toy vehicle for the condition of the
toy vehicle passing in pattern detection relationship to the
motion command means. The motion command means may be detachably
mountable ~ a plurality of locations throughout the geometrical
configuration of the track means and the motion command means may
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comprise a plurality of motion command units or modules. Each of
the motion command modules may have a standard pattern section
and a movement pattern section. The standard pattern section
contains a detectable pattern array for example similar to the
~niform Pricing Code bar codes and a separate detectable movement
pattern array which also may be similar to the Uniform Pricing
Code bar codes. The detectable movement pattern array may be
different for each of the movement command modules.
A pattern detection means is mounted on the toy vehicle
and is operatively connected to the motion producing means such
as the electric motor of the motion producing means. The pattern
detection means detects both the standard pattern array and the
detectable movement pattern array of each motion command module
and generates a motion control signal in response thereto. The
motion control signal that is generated by the pattern detection
means is unique for each detectable movement pattern array. In
pr-ferred embodim-nts oE ~he prese~t invention each of the motion
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command modules is detachably mounted on the track means so that
each individual module may be appropriately positioned at any of
the plurality of mounting positions on the track means.
In preferred embodimsnts of the present invention each
of the motion command modules contains a visual identification
indicia which uniquely corresponds to the detectable movement
pattern array.
As noted above, the pattern detection means may be an
optical detection means such as those utilized in scanning the
bar codes of the Universal Pricing Codes. Therefore, it may
comprise an infrared radiation emission means and an infrared
radiation detection means.
The motion producing means that responds to the receipt
of the motion control signal generated by the pattern detection
means may comprise, in addition to the structure as above set
forth, a visual output signal means such as flashing lights which
may for example be light emitting diodes (led), an audible signal
output such as a small loud speaker, or the like. Such a visual
and/or audible signal generating means provide enhanced play
value to the toy vehicle arrangement of the present invention.
The visual identification indicia allows convenient
identification of the particular movement characteristics that
are varied by that particular motion command module.
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Brief Description Of The Drawing
The above and other embodiments of the present invention
may be more fully understood from the following detailed descrip-
tion taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein simi-
lar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and
in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a planned view of one embodiment of the pre-
sent invention;
Figures 3 through 7 illustrate various track sections
which may be joined together to define a particular pathway
according to the principles of the present invention;
Figure 8 illustrates a motion command module according
to the principles of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a block diagram of a pattern detection means
according to the principles of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating certain por-
tions of a pattern detection means according to the principles of
the present invention;
Figure 11 is a table detailing the characteristics of a
plurality of the motion command modules according to the prin-
ciples of the present invention; and
Figure 12 illustrates 16 motion command modules
according to the principles of the present invent~on.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the Drawing there is illustrated in
Figure 1 a pr~ferred embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in Figure 1 there is provided a track 1 consisting of the
horizontal portion 10 and the vertical portions 11. It will be
appreciated that the track means 1 may be of any desired type
such as those having simulated railroad tracks with simulated
ties therebetween and the like. In the track means 1 the ver-
tical sides 11 are in spaced apart relationship and extend
substantially the length of the track means 1. Mounting means 12
are provided on the horizontal running portion 10 of track
means 1 and as shown in Figure 1 the mounting means 12 comprise
; the cylindrical mounting protrusions as indicated at 12 extending
upwardly from the horizontal running portion 10 and intermediate
the side rails or vertical guides 11. The track means 1 may con-
sist of various track portions coupled together to define a pre-
determined pathway having a preselected geometrical configuration.
As shown in Figure 2 one such geometrical configuration
is the roughly oval shape as indicated by 1' for the con-
figuration. The track means 1 defining the oval shape 1' may be
comprised of a plurality of track sections such as the six track
sections lA as shown in Figure 3 arranged in the pattern as shown
in Figure 2 and four curved track sections lB as shown in
Figure 4. Other geometrical configurations may be defined by the
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track means 1 in accordance with the principles of the present
invention by utilizing other configured track sections such as
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the ~YYr-~-Gee~o~ lC of Figure 5, the sloped section lD of
Figure 6, and the switching section lE of Figure 7. Other con-
figurations of track sections may also be utilized in accordance
with the principles of the present invention to define any
desieed geometrical configuration.
The mounting means 12 have been omitted from the track
sections of Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 for clarity. The track 1
may be supported on supports as indicated at 23 in Figure 1
either in whole or in part depending upon the particular con-
figuration desired. It will be appreciated that the various
track sections as above described are detachably connectable to
each other in preferred embodiments of the present invention in
order that a large variety of geometrical configurations of the
tcack means 1 may be obtained.
Moveably mounted on the track means 1 is a vehicle
means 2 moveable relative to the track means 1 in the directions
indicated by the double ended arrow 31. The width of the toy
vehicle 2 is approximately equal to or slightly narrower than the
spacing between the vertical rails or guides 11 of the track
means 1. The toy vehicle 2 in the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 1 is comprised of three cars. The front and rear cars 20
: in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 are generally the same and
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simulate a passenger car and driver's car and have transparent
coverings 21 so that the inside of the cars may be seen. The
front and rear cars 20 are generally similar in construction.
The middle car 22 simulates a stylized locomotive which may, if
desired, have a transparent covering 23 so that various com-
ponents contained within the car 22, as described below, may be
seen. The car 22 may contain an electric motor M operatively
connected to drive wheel means 25 which engage the guides 11.
Rotation of the motor M upon receipt of electric power rotates
the drive wheels 25 to move the vehicle 2 on the track means 1.
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As shown in ~igure 8, a motion command means 3 is
illustrated which may be detachably mounted by mounting means 12
on the upper surface 10' of the horizantal portion 10 of the
track 1 in a manner that it does not interfere with the running
of the vehicle 2. The bottom surface of the motion command means
3 has apertures (not shown in the drawing) to receive,
detachably, the cylindrical mounting means 12 of the track 1 as
shown in Figure 1.
A mo~ion pattern area generally designated 4 is printed
or otherwise provided on the upper surface 3a of the motion com-
mand means 3. The motion pattern area 4 consists of a standard
pattern section 40 in the center and a movement pattern section
41 arranged on both sides of the standard pattern section 40.
The standard pattern section 40 consists of a plurality, e.g.
eight, of oblong cutouts [white portions in the drawing] which
are regularly arranged in the direction of the running of the
vehicle 2 in the directions indicated by the arrows 37 and 39.
As shown in Figure 8, positions of data in the cutouts are
designated reading from either end as Do, Dl, D2, D3, D3, D2, Dl
and Do. The above-mentioned movement pattern section 41 is
arranged on both sides of the standard pattern sectlon 40 and has
a portion corresponding to each of the eight data positions, DO,
Dl, D2, D3, D3, D2, Dl and D0. The black portion of movement
:pattern section 41 is a signal "0" and a cutout [white portion]
is a::signal "1." Thus, for example, the signals generated by the
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motion mode pattern section 41 shown in Figure 8 are "1," "0,"
"0," "0," "0," "0," "0," and "1," from either end which
corresponds to the data positions, D0, Dl, D2, D3, D3, D2, Dl and
D0, in the above-mentioned standard pattern section 40.
The standard pattern section 40 may be considered as
divided into two portions: a first, unavailable area consisting
of the first four data positions, D0, Dl, D2 and D3, encountered
by the vehicle from either end reading inwardly and an available
area consisting of the second four data positions, encountered by
the vehicle D3, D2, Dl and D0 reading from the middle to the end.
As a result, in the standard pattern section 40 and the movement
pattern section 41 shown in Figure 8, the portion of the standard
pattern section 40 with D0, Dl, D2 and D3 consecutively constitu-
tes the unavailable area and the portion with D3, D2, Dl and D0
consecutively constitutes the available area. For the vehicle 2
traveling on track means 1 from left to right in the direction of
arrow 37, the digitalized signals "0," "0," "0" and "1" of the
movement pattern array at 41 which correspond to the portion, D3,
D2, Dl and D0, of the standard pattern array at 40 are detected
as described below in detail. Similarly, for the vehicle 2
traveling on track means, from right to left in the arrowed
direction of arrow 39, the portion having D0, Dl, D2 and
D3, consecutively, of the standard pattern section 40 from the
right end consti~utes the unavailable area and the portion having
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D3, D2, Dl and D0, consecutively from the middle out to the left
end consti~utes the available area. In this casa, the digita-
lized signals, "0," "0," "0," and "1," of the movement pattern
section 41 correspond to the portion from the middle to the left
end having D3, D2, Dl and D0, of the standard pattern section 40
are recognized.
As shown above, there are eight data positions in the
standard pattern section 40. In this embodiment, only four data
positions, D3, D2, D1 and D0, from the middle to the end,
depending upon the direction of the running of the vehicle 2 are
used for recognizing and commanding signals in the movement pat-
tern array at 41. The number of combinations of the four data
positions, D3, D2, Dl and D0 of the standard pattern section 40
and signals "0" and "1" in the corresponding movement pattern
section 41 is as follows:
2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24 = 16
The vehicle 2 may, of course travel in either direction indicated
by the arrows 37 and 39 regardless of the orientation of the
vehicle 2 on the track means 11 if the motor M is a reversible
motor. Accordingly, when the veh1cle 2 runs in the direction of
arrow 37, four data positions, D0, Dl, D2 and D3, from the left
end in the first portion of the standard pattern section 40
encountered by the vehicle 2 constitutes the unavailable area,
and the portion having D3, D2, Dl and D0 from the middle to the
right end constitutes the available area; however, when the
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vehicle 2 runs in the opposite direction shown by an arrow 39,
the available area is the portion with four data positions, D3,
D2, D1 and D0 from the middle to the left end and the four data
positions, D0, Dl, D2 and D3, of the first encountered portion of
the standard pattern section 40 from the right end to the middle
constitutes the unavailable area. As a result, although the com-
bination of the four data positions, D3, D2, Dl and D0, in the
available area of the standard pattern section 40 and signals "0"
and "1" in the corresponding movement pattern array at 41 is 16
as shown above, the combination will be 16 x 16 = 256 when runs
of the vehicle 2 in the direction of both arrows 37 and 39 are
considered.
Accordingly, the number of combinations of the eight
data positions, D0, Dl, D2, D3, D3, D2, Dl and D0, of the stan-
dard pattern section 40 and signals "0" and "1" of corresponding
movement pattern section 41 will be equivalent to 28 = 256.
The standard pattern array indicated at 40 and the
detectabIe movement pattern array indicated at 41 are optically
detectable patterns and, therefore, may be similar to the Uniform
Pricing Code bar codes now widely utilized on consumer products,
: and elsewhere.
: Further, a plurality of motion command units 3' may be
installed on the track means, at various locations, as shown on
Figure 2. Thus, the plurality of motion command units 3'
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comprise the motion command means 3 according to the peinciples
of the present invention.
Although the standard pattern section 40 is arranged in
the middle and the movement pattern section 41 is arranged on
each side of the standard pattern section 40 in the above
described example, it is possible that the movement pattern sec-
tion 41 be arranged in the middle and the standard pattern sec-
tion 40 arranged on each side of the movement pattern section 41.
A visual identification indicia means 5 is printed on
the upper surface 3a of the motion command means 3 and said
visual identification means 5 provides to the user a visual iden-
tification of the movement pattern of the vehicle 2 which results
from the detection of the codes in section 4. The visual iden-
tification indicia means 5 is unique for each particular movement.
A pa~ern detection means 6 is installed on the locomo-
tive car 22 of ~he vehicle 2. The pattern detection means 6
comprises an optical motion-pattern reader 60, a judgment circuit
61, a comparison circuit 62 and a memory circuit 63 as shown in
Figure 9. The pattern detection means 60 detects the standard
and movement pattern arrays on each motion command unit 3, and
generates a motion control signal to the motion producing means
in response to and corresponding to each detected pattern array
of the detectable movement pattern array shown at 41.
The optical motion-pattern reader 60 is similar to the
optical pattern scanners used in detecting the Uniform Pricing
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Code bar codes and comprises in~rared ray emitting elements
600 and 600' and inrared receiving elements 601 and 601' and
they are arranged on the bottom surface of the locomotive car 22
of the vehicle 2 to pass in pattern detection relationship to
each motion command module or unit 3'. As shown in Fig~re 10,
the emitting element 600 and receiving element 601 for reading
the standard pattern array at 40 are arranged in the center of
the locomotive car 22 so that they face the standard pattern 40
on the motion command code units 3' which are attached to the
track 1. Also, the emitting element 600' and receiving element
601' for reading the movement pattern section 41 are arranged
adjacent to the emitting element 600 and receiving element 601
so that they face the movement pattern section 41 of the motion
command units or modules 3' which are attached on the track 1.
The optical motion-pattern reader 60 reads the standard pattern
array at 40 and the movement pattern array at 41 which are on the
upper surface 3a of the motion control means 3 attached on the
track 1 and generates a first information output signal 70 in
response thereto, and the first information output signal 70 is
transmitted to the judgment circuit 61.
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The judgment circuit 61 regards as invalid (unavailable)the signals of the movement pattern aerays at 41 which
correspond to the data positions, D0, Dl, D2, and D3, of the
first encountered portion of the standard pattern section 40
which have been detected by the optical motion pattern reader 60.
The judgment circuit 61 generates a second information output
signal 72 which is fed to a comparison circuit 62 and corresponds
to the detected movement pattern array at 41 corresponding to the
data positions, D3, D2, Dl and D0, of the second encountered por-
tion of the standard pattern section 40.
The comparison circuit 62 generates a third output
information signal 74 which is fed to motion producing means 80
by motion control singal 76. The motion producing means 80
comprises the motor M, preferably an electric motor of
variable speed depending on the power supplied thereto and
which may also be a reversible motor, a plurality of light
emitting diodes 24 and an audio speaker 25. The motion
control signal 76, therefor, corresponds uniquely to the signal
pa~tern of the motion command unit 3' which is detected by
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the optical motion pattern reader 60. The signal is also savedin the memory circuit 63.
The memory circuit 63 has the same number of motion com-
mand signal patterns as the motion command signal patterns of the
movement pattern section 41 which is printed on the surface 3a of
the motion command means 3.
In operation, when the power source such as
transformer T is turned on, electrical power is provided to the
motor M which drives the driving wheels thereby causing vehicle 2
to run on the track 1. Then, when the locomotive car 22 of the
vehicle 2 reaches a motion command unit 3' which is attached on
the track 1, the motion pattern section 4 which is printed on the
motion command code unit 3' is read by the control circuit 6
which then outputs a motion control signal 76 corresponding to
the detected motion pattern arrays in section 4 to the motor M,
LED 24 and the speaker 25. The motor M, LED 24 and speaker 25
will operate according to the motion command signal 76.
Accordingly, running modes (operation modes of the motor M) of
the vehicle 2, flashing modes of LED 24 and audible signal modes
of the speaker 25 can be electrically controlled by means of the
motion pattern section 4 installed on the motion command means 3
and the control circuit 6 installed on the vehicle 2. Therefore,
if a plurality of motion command units 3' with different pattern
arrays 40 and 41 in motion pattern section 4 are arranged on the
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track 1 and the arrangement of said motion command code units 3'
is changed from time to time, various and diversified running
modes of the vehicle 2, flashing modes of LED 24 and audible
signal modes of the speaker 25 are available.
Also, the structure is preferably designed so that each
of the motion command units 3' can be attached to and detached
from the track 1.
Further, since each motion command unit 3' is provided
with a unique visual identification indicia S adjacent the motion
pattern section 4 and corresponding thereto, the operating modes
of the vehicle 2 which are based upon the detectable pattern
arrays 40 and 41 of motion pattern section 4 can be visually
recognized by means of said visual identification indicia 5.
Accordingly, motion command units 3' on the track 1 can be re-
arranged easily and at the pleasure of users.
Figure 11 is an explanatory table showing the relation-
; ship among the detectable signal pattern arrays of the movement
pattern section 41 of the motion pattern section 4 of each motion
command unit 3', the operation modes of the drive motor M of the
vehicle 2, the flashing modes of LED 24, audible signal modes of
: the speaker 25 and the visual identification indicia 5 which pro-
vides visual identification of the operational modes of the
vehicle 2.
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It will be appreciated that the detectable movement pat-
tern arrays of 41 are mirroe images of each other about a longi-
tudinal axis as indicated at 90. If desired, the movement pat-
tern arrays of 41 may or may not be mirror images about a trans-
verse axis 92, depending on the movement characteristics tha~ are
controlled to vary the operational s~atus of the vehicle 2.
In Code No. 0, the movement pattern array at 41 is "0,"
"0," "0," and "0"; LED 24 flashes in Mode A; the speaker 25 is
not activated; and the vehicle 2 continues running. In Code
No. 1, the movement pattern array at 41 is "0," "0,'' "0" and "1";
LED 24 flashes in Mode A; the speaker 25 emits an audible signal
having a Mode B; and the vehicle 2 continues running. In Code
No. 2, the movement pattern array at 41 is "0," "Q," "1" and "0";
LED 24 and speaker 25 operate in Mode B; and after the vehicle 2
passes this movement pattern array of 41 twice, the power source
is turned off, thereby the vehicle 2 will stop. In Code No. 3,
the movement pattern array at 41 is "0," "0," "1" and "1"; LED 24
is "Off"; the speaker 25 operates in Mode B; and after the
vehicle 2 passes this movement pattern array at 41 four times,
the power source is turned off, thereby the vehicle 2 will stop.
In Code No. 4, the movement pattern array at 41 is "0," "1," "0"
and "0"; LED 24 flashes in Mode A; the speaker 25 does not emit;
and the driving motor M reverses, thereby the vehicle 2 changes
.
the direction and runs in the opposite direction. In a similar
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manner for the remaining codes. In No. 5, the signals are "0,"
"1," "0" and "1"; LED 24 flashes in Mode A; the speaker 25 does
not emit; and the vehicle 2 changes the direction of running
after it has passed this movement pattern array at 41 twice. In
No. 6, the signals are "0," "1," "1" and "0"; LED 24 flashes in
Mode A; the speaker does not emit; and the vehicle 2 changes the
direction of running after it has passed this movement pattern
array at 41 three times. In No. 7, the signals are "0," "0," "1"
and "0"; LED 24 flashes in Mode A; the speaker does not emit; and
the vehicle 2 changes the direction of running after it has
passed movement pattern array at 41 four times. In ~o. 8, the
signals are "1," "0," "0" and "0"; LED 24 flashes in Mode ~; the
speaker 25 emits in Mode A; and the vehicle 2 pauses for 5
seconds. In No. 9, the signals are "1," "0," no" and "1"; LED 24
flashes in Mode B; the speaker 25 emits in Mode A; and the
vehicle 2 pauses for 10 seconds. In Code A, the signals are "1,"
"0," ~io,. and "1"; LED 24 flashes in Mode B; the speaker emits in
Mode A; and the vehicle 2 changes the direction of running after
it has paused for 5 seconds. In Code B, the signals are "1,"
"0," "1" and "1"; LED 24 flashes in Mode 8; the speaker 25 emits
in Mode A; and the vehicle 2 changes the direction of running
after it has paused for 10 seconds. In Code C, the signals are
"1," "1," "0" and "0"; LED 24 flashes in Mode A; the speaker 25
does not emit; and the vehicle 2 reduces the speed for 5 seconds.
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In Code D, the signals are "1," "1," "O" and "l"; LED 24 flashes
in Mode A; the speaker does not emit; and the vehicle 2 reduces
the speed for 10 seconds. In Code E, the signals are "1," "1,"
"O" and "O"; LED 24 flashes in Mode A; the speaker 25 emits in
Mode C; and the vehicle 2 reduces the speed for 5 seconds. In
Code F, the signals are "1," "1," "1" and "1"; LED 24 flashes in
Mode A; the speaker emits in Mode C; and the vehicle 2 reduces
the speed for 10 seconds.
The various modes of operation A, B and C for the LED 24
and speaker 25 may be selected to achieve any desired effect.
The flashing of LED 24 may be fast or slow with flashes of
various durations. The audible sounds emitted by speaker 25 may
correspond to the particular operational characteristic of the
vehicle 2 at any instant of time and may be electronically
genera~ed. Alternatively, other sound patterns may be used as
desired.
As shown above, there are 16 operational modes for the
vehicle 2 and the number [ 16 ] is the same as 24 =16 combinations
of the signals "O" and "1" of the movement pattern array at 41
which correspond to the four data positions, D3, D2, Dl and D0,
of the standard pattern section 40.
When these 16 different movement pattern arrays at 41
are combined with the direction of arrow 37, for example, and the
direction of an arrow 39, for example, for the movement of the
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vehicle 2, 16x16-256 different mov0ment pattern arrays at 41 can
be obtained. The number [256] is the same as 28 = 256 com-
binations of the signals, "0" and "1" of the movement pattern
arrays at 41 which correspond to the eight data positions, D0,
Dl, D2, D3, D3, D2, Dl and D0, in tne standard pattern section
40. Also, the judgment circuit 61 of the control circuit 60 does
not read the signals of the movement pattern array at 41 which
correspond to the first encountered data positions, D0, Dl, D2
and D3, which is the unavailable area, of the standard pattern
section 40; instead, it reads the signals of the movement pattern
array at 41 which correspond to the second encountered data posi-
tions, D3, D2, Dl and D0, in the second encountered portion,
which is the available area; therefore, no problems occur to the
operation of the vehicle 2 in the directions indicated by the
arrows 37 and 39.
Figure 12 shows top surface views of motion command
modules or units 3' with the motion pattern section 4 and the
visual indication indicia 5 installed on them.
In the figure, (1) is the combination of the foregoing
Code No. 0 and Code No. 2. (2) is the-combination of Code No. 0
and Code No. C. (3) is the combination of No. O and No. B. (4)
is the combination of No. O and No. 3. (S) is the combination of
No. 0 and No. D. ( 6) is the combination of No. 4 and No. 4.
(7) is the combination of No. 0 and No. 5. (8) is the com-
,
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bination of No. 0 and No. 8. (9) is the combination of No. 9 and
No. 6. (10) is the combination of No. 1 and No. 1. (11) is the
combination of No. O and No. 9. ( 12) is the combination of No. O
and No. A. (13) is the combination of No. 8 and No. 8. (14) is
the combination of No. O and No. ~. (15) is the combination of
No. O and No. 7. (16) is the combination of No. 9 and No. 9.
As shown above, if 16 different movement pattern arrays
at 41 are combined respectively for the two directions indicated
by arrows 37 and 39, 256 different motion modes can be obtained.
Although the data positions in the standard pattern 40
are set for eight as D0, Dl, D2, D3, D3, D2, Dl and D0 and the
eight data positions are divided into the first encountered por-
tion and the second encountered portion in the foregoing working
example, the number of data positions and divisions is not limite
in that way.
The arrangement and shape of the standard pattern array
at 40 and the movement pattern array at 41 of the motion pattern
section 4 which is installed on the motion command units 3' are
not limited to those shown in the figures of the drawing as long
as they can be detected by the optical pattern reader 60 of the
control circuit 6.
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From the above, it can be seen that there has been pro-
vided an improved toy vehicle arrangement to provide a variety of
operational modes of the toy while moving on a track. The
appended claims are intended to cover all variations and adap-
tations falling within the true scope and spirit of the
invention.
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