Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
REMOTE CONTROL TOY SYSTEM, AND CONTROLLER, MODEL AND ACCESSORY
DEVICE TO BE USED IN THE SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a remote control toy
system utilizing radio communication, and a controller, a model
and an accessory device to be used in the remote control toy
system.
BACKGROUND ART
In typical remote control toys, there is prepared a
mechanism for definitely associating a controller with a model
to be controlled by the controller by using an identification
device, such as carrier frequencies or ID codes, in order to
prevent false action of the model from being caused by jamming
or the like against user's will. Even in a play form, such as
a race or a battle game, premised on the assumption that there
are a plurality of models, each model can be controlled accurately
by only a controller associated with the model, owing to
preparation of such a mechanism.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2713603, there is
disclosed a remote control toy system including tank models
associated with a plurality of controllers in one-to-one
correspondence, a signal generation device for periodically
sending IDs uniquely assigned to respective tank models, in a
time division manner, and a management device mounted on each
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tank model to determine whether the tank model has been shot
by a beam gun of another tank model and discriminating the other
party who has shot on the basis of an ID signal supplied from
the signal generation device, in which shot information is fed
back from the tank model to the controller. According to such
a system, an interaction that cannot be obtained in control
restricted to the limit of one-to-one correspondence between
a controller and a model associated therewith can be generated
in the play, and consequently the interest of the game can be
enhanced.
In the system of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2713603
described above, however, a radio wave is used for communication
between the controller and the model, whereas infrared rays are
used for communication between models and communication between
the signal generation device and the model. In addition, as
for infrared ray communication, it is necessary to prepare two
kinds of modules in each model: a module for emitting infrared
rays narrowed down for beam gun and detecting it, and a module
for detecting nondirectional infrared rays sent from the signal
generation device. Therefore, the number of communication
modules to be mounted on the model is large, and size reduction
of the model is limited. Since each communication module
consumes electric power, it is necessary to set the capacity
of a battery to be mounted on the model to a large value. As
a result, size reduction of the model is further limited. In
the case where dry cells are actually used as power supply, their
consumption is fast and the user's burden is also heavy.
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DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an obj ect of the present invention is to provide
a remote control toy systemthat is advantageous in size reduction
of models and that can implement colorful plays, and a controller,
a model and an accessory device that are to be used in the remote
control toy system.
A remote control toy system of the present invention
includes a plurality of sets, each set including a controller,
and a model controlled in action on the basis of data transmitted
from the controller so as to correspond to an operation situation
of auser, and an accessory device provided as adevice independent
from the controllers and the models, the accessory device being
capable of conducting data communication with the controllers
and the models. And each of the controllers, the models, and
the accessory device includes a radio communication module
serving as a device for executing the data communication and
capable of conducting bilateral datacommunication based on a
same standard, and a control device for implementing various
controls based on data communication conducted via the radio
communication module. As a result, the above described object
is achieved.
According to the present invention, eachof the controller,
the model and the accessory device has a radio communication
module based on the same standards. Therefore, it is not
necessary to mount a plurality of communication modules on the
model, and consumption in the battery is also suppressed.
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Therefore, the size of the model can be advantageously reduced.
In addition, since bilateral data communication among the
controller, the model and the accessory device is possible, it
is possible to exchange various data among them and implement
various controls. As a result, the interest of the play
implemented by remote control of the models can be enhanced.
In the remote control toy system of the present invention,
controllers may be associated with models in one-to-one
correspondence to form sets. Sets may be formed by associating
controllers withmodels in one to a plural number correspondence,
a plural number to one correspondence, or a plural number to
a plural number correspondence. As for the accessory device,
an accessory device that is linked to at least a controller or
a model, or that cooperates with at least a controller or a model
to implement a specific function is preferably used. A single
accessory device may be used, or a combination of a plurality
of accessory devicesmay be used. For example, when implementing
such a play that a plurality of models compete with each other,
the accessory device can have a function of exerting some action,
such as exerting an influence on superiority or inferiority in
the play, and conducting the situation of the play.
The control device of each of the controller, the model
and the accessory device is preferably formed as a computer having
a microprocessor as its main component. It is desirable to
implement various functions of each control device by a
combination of the microprocessor and specific software. When
using such control devices are used, the radio communication
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module is connected to a microprocessor via a general-purpose
interface such as USB, and all that is required is to exchange
data of a predetermined form between the microprocessor and the
radio communication module. It is not necessary for the
microprocessor to be conscious of a communication protocol used
in radio communication. Such a radio communication module is
desirable.
In the remote control toy system of the present invention,
radio communication modules according to various standardsfor
implementing radio communication may be used. However, the
model needs to be small in size and inexpensive in price. For
that purpose, it is desirable to adopt communication standards
that reduce the power consumption and battery burden, raise the
general-purpose property, and facilitate mutual connection. In
view of such a situation, it is suitable to use radio communication
modules based on the BluetoothT' standards. In the case where
radio communication modules based on the Bluetooth standards
are used, data communication is possible not only between the
accessory device and controllers andbetween the accessory device
and the models but also between controllers or between models.
As a result, various controls can be implemented. Advantages
obtained when using the Bluetooth standards will be made clear
more concretely in embodiments described later.
In the remote control toy system of the present invention,
the control device of the accessory device may include a device
for receiving data sent from the controller or the model, via
the radio communicationmodule, a device for executingproce-ssing
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based on information contained in the received data, and a device
for generating data corresponding to a result of the processing
and sending the data via the radio communication module.
In the remote control toy system of the present invention,
the accessory device includes an information input section for
accepting a user's information input, and the control device
of the accessory device includes a device for executing
predetermined processing on the basis of information input from
the information input section, and a device for generating data
corresponding to a result of the processing and sending the data
via the radio communication module.
In these cases, by conducting data sent from the controller
or the model in the accessory device or conducting processing
based on information that is input on the accessory device in
the accessory device, it is possible to implement, in the whole
of the remote control toy system, control that cannot be
implemented or hardly implemented only by remote control using
a controller . Especially in the case where a plurality of models
are concerned in each other to implement a specific play, it
becomes possible to provide a new play form while suppressing
the burden increase of controllers and models, by assigning
processing, which is not suitable for becoming a burden on a
specific controller or model, to the accessory device. For
example, in the case where models are running a race, it is
conceivable to acquire information for determining the order
from each model, determine on the accessory device various
restrictions such as handicaps according to the order, send data
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for notifying of contents of the determined restrictions to a
controller or a model, and conduct control so that the control
device of the controller received the data or the model received
the data impose the given restrictions.
In the case where the controller is made to execute control
based on data supplied from the accessory device, the control
device of the controller includes a device for receiving data
sent from the accessory device, via the radio communication
module, and a device for executing predetermined processing on
the basis of the received data.
On the other hand, in the case where the controller is
made to execute control based on data supplied from the accessory
device, the control device of the model includes a device for
receiving data sent from the accessory device, via the radio
communication module, and a device for executing predetermined
processing on the basis of the received data.
Furthermore, in the remote control toy system of the
present invention, the sending device of the control device of
the accessory device can execute processing of generating and
sending broadcast data intended for a plurality of controllers,
the receiving device of the control device of each controller
can receive the broadcast data, and the executing device of the
control device of each controller can execute processing common
to all controllers for which the broadcast data is intended,
as the predetermined processing.
Furthermore, the sending device of the control device of
the accessory device can execute processing of generating and
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sending broadcast data intended for a plurality of models, the
receiving device of the control device of each model can receive
the broadcast data, and the executing device of the control device
of each model can execute processing common to all models for
which the broadcast data is intended, as the predetermined
processing.
By thus making the controllers or models execute the same
processing by means of broadcast data, unified action and
processing can be implemented in a play using a plurality of
models. For example, when running a race by using a plurality
of automobile models, flying can be prevented effectively if
information for ordering all controllers or models to prohibit
traveling, is transmitted as broadcast data until the start is
permitted, and the controllers or models that have received the
information execute processing for prohibiting driving of the
models, as common processing. When some fault has occurred in
the race, it is possible that information for restricting the
maximum velocity of each model to a constant low velocity is
transmitted from the accessory device as broadcast data and the
control device of a controller or a model that has received the
information executes processing for restricting the velocity
of model.
In the remote control toy system of the present invention,
each model may include a detection device for outputting a signal
correlated to a play situation, the control device of each model
may include a device for effecting a predetermined decision
concerning the play situation on the basis of the output signal
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of the detection device, and a device for generating data
corresponding to a result of the decision and sending the data
via the radio communication module, the control device of the
accessory device may include a device for receiving data sent
5, from the model so as to be associated with the output signal
of the detection device, via the radio communication module,
a device for determining restrictions concerning action of at
least one model, on the basis of the received data, and a device
for generating data corresponding to the determined restrictions
and sending the generated data via the radio communication module,
and the control device of the controller or the model may include
a device for receiving data corresponding to the restrictions
sent from the accessory device, via the radio communication
module, and a device for setting a correspondence relation
between operation of the controller and action of the model on
the basis of the received data.
In this case, information for determining the play
situation is sent from a model to the accessory device, and the
accessory device can determine the play situation on the basis
of the information. And according to the play situation, it
is possible to impose some restrictions on action of at least
some models. Upon receiving data corresponding to the
restrictions, the control device of the controller or the model
sets a correspondence relation between the operation of the
controller and the action of the model on the basis of the data.
As a result, the restrictions determined according to the play
situation appears as a change of the correspondence relation
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between the operation of the controller and the action of the
model. According to such an aspect, it becomes possible to make
restrictions, such as slacked reaction of the model in response
to the operation of the controller or eliminated reaction, appear.
Also in the case where a specific model is treated favorably
in association with the play situation, other models are subj ect
to restrictions when viewed from the model treated favorably.
The present invention includes the case where such relative
restrictions are generated.
In the present invention, the play situation refers to
the situation of various events associated with the play
implemented by a single model or a plurality of models, such
as a preparation situation, an advance situation, or an end
situation. For example, in the case where an automobile race
is implemented, it is considered to detect the preparation
situation before the start, the progress situation, such as the
order, the number of laps and the traveling position in the middle
of the race, and the goal situation as the play situation.
Furthermore, the detection device of each model may detect the
play situation of a single model, or may detect the situation
of the play implemented by a plurality of models.
The device for setting a correspondence relation between
operation of the controller and action of the model may change
a correspondence relation between an operation quantity of the
controller concerning a specific action of the model and a control
quantity concerning the specific action of the model according
to contentsof the restrictions. Asa result,it becomespossible
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to make restrictions, such as the velocity that cannot be
increased even if the throttle control section is operated in
the automobile model, appear.
Another remote control toy system of the present invention
includes a controller, and a model controlled in action on the
basis of data transmitted from the controller so as to correspond
to an operation situation of a user, and each of the controller
and the model includes a radio communication module based on
Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing
communication between the controller and the model, and a control
device for executing remote control based on data communication
conducted via the radio communication module.
In this case as well, various data are exchanged between
the controller and the model by utilizing advantages of the
Bluetooth standards. As a result, the interest of the play can
be enhanced.
In another remote control toy system described above, the
model includes a detection device for outputting a signal
correlated to a play situation, the control device of the model
includes a device for effecting a predetermined decision
concerning the play situation on the basis of the output signal
of the detection device, and a device for generating data
corresponding to a result of the decision and sending the data
via the radio communication module, and the control device of
the controller includes a device for receiving data sent from
the model, via the radio communication module, and a device for
executing predetermined processing on the basis of the received
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data.
In this case, it is possible to feedback data sent from
the model to the controller and reflect the data in the control
of the controller. For example, the correspondence relation
between the operation of the controller and the action of the
model may be inf luenced by the information fed back . Or a device ,
such as a vibrator, incorporated in the controller may be
controlled on the basis of the information fed back.
A controller used in the remote control toy system of the
present invention is a controller for remote controlling a model,
and includes an operation input section for accepting a user' s
steering operation on the model, a radio communication module
based on Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing
bilateral data communication between the controller and the model,
and a control device for implementing various controls based
on data communication conducted via the radio communication
module. The control device includes a device for determining
steering information so as to correspond to an operation state
of the operation input section, a device for generating data
containing the determined steering information and sending the
data via the radio communication module, a device for receiving
data sent from outside, via the radio communication module, and
a device for executing predetermined processing on the basis
of the received data.
Amodel used in the remote control toy system of the present
invention is a model remote-controlled on the basis of steering
information that is contained in data transmitted from a
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controller. The model includes a driving source for
implementing predetermined action, a radio communication module
based on Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing
bilateral data communication between the model and the controller,
a detection device for outputting a signal correlated to a play
situation, and a control device f or implementing various controls
based on data communication conducted via the radio communication
module. The control device includes a device for receiving data
containing the steering information transmitted from the
controller, via the radio communication module, a device for
controlling action of the driving source on the basis of the
steering information, a device for effecting a predetermined
decision concerning the play situation on the basis of the output
signal of the detection device, and a device for generating data
corresponding to a result of the decision and sending the data
via the radio communication module.
An accessory device used in the remote control toy system
of the present invention is an accessory device used in
combination with a controller and a model remote-controlled on
the basis of data supplied from the controller. The accessory
device includes a radio communication module based on Bluetooth
standards serving as a device for executing bilateral data
communication between the accessory device and the controller
and between the accessory device and the model, and a control
device for implementing various controls based on data
communication conducted via the radio communication module.
The control device includes a device for receiving data sent
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from the controller or the model, via the radio communication
module, a device for executing processing based on information
contained in the received data, and a device for generating data
corresponding to a result of the processing and sending the data
via the radio communication module.
AnotYier accessory device used in the remote control toy
system of the present invention is an accessory device used in
combination with a controller and a model remote-controlled on
the basis of data supplied from the controller. The accessory
device includes a radio communication module based on Bluetooth
standards serving as a device for executing bilateral data
communication between the accessory device and the controller
and between the accessory device and the model, a control device
for.implementing various controls based on data communication
conducted via the radio communication module,and an information
input section for accepting a user's information input. The
control device includes a device for executing predetermined
processing on the basis of information input from theinformation
input section, and a device for generating data corresponding
to a result of the processing and sending the data via the radio
communication module.
By using the controller, the model or the accessory device,
a remote control toy system of the present invention can be formed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a general configuration diagram of a remote
control toy system according to an embodiment of the present
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invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control system in a controller shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control system of an automobile model shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control system in a management machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing outlines of data
transmitted from respective devices;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing graphs of map data
prepared in order to determine a steering angle and a velocity
of an automobile model according to control quantities of a
steering control section and a throttle control section of a
controller;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a procedure of steering
information generation processing executed in a controller;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling
restriction management processing executed in a controller;
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling
management processing executed in a controller;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure of lap
information notification processing executed in an automobile
model;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of race
management processing executed in an automobile model;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling
restriction management executed in an automobile model and damage
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reproduction processing executed in a controller so as to be
associated with the traveling restriction management; and
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of manual
management processing executed in a management machine.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a remote control toy system
for effecting a race using an automobile model according to the
present invention. A remote control toy system 1 includes four
controllers 2A to 2D, four automobile models 3A to 3D respectively
associated with the controllers 2A to 2D in one-to-one
correspondence, one management machine 4, and a course 5.
Suffixes A to D attached to the controllers 2A to 2D and the
automobile models 3A to 3D indicate relations of association
of the controllers with automobile models. In the ensuing
description, a controller is denoted as controller 2 when it
is not necessary to especially discriminate the controllers 2A
to 2D, and an automobile model is denoted as automobile 3 when
it is not necessary to especially discriminate the automobiles
3A to 3D.
The controller 2 includes a steering control section 2a
for ordering a steering angle of the automobile model 3 and a
throttle control section 2b for ordering a traveling velocity.
The control sections 2a and 2b can be provided in various forms,
such as a lever form or a dial form, in the same way as well-known
remote control controllers. The automobile model 3 includes
a steering motor, a travelingmotor, and a gearbox for converting
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movements of respective motors to desired movements. Since
details of those mechanisms are not the purport of the present
invention, however, they are not illustrated. The management
machine 4 is provided to manage the progress of the race. The
management machine 4 includes an information input section 4a
for the user to operate in order to input various kinds of
information, and an information display section 4b using a liquid
crystal monitor or the like. The position of the management
machine 4 may be altered suitably. The course 5 defines a
traveling route of the automobile model 3. The course 5 includes
a main course 5a taking the shape of an ellipse, and a pit lane
5b. Bar images 5c and 5d are provided on the main course 5a
and the pit lane 5b, respectively. The bar images 5c and 5d
are used for lap management of the automobile model 3. The bar
images5c and 5d have mutually different patterns. For example,
the bar images 5c is different from 5d in the number of bars.
The layout of the course 5 may be altered arbitrarily.
As the controllers 2A to 2D, the automobiles 3A to 3D,
and the management machine 4 conduct communication bilaterally
according to the Bluetooth standards, the system 1 of the present
invention implements various kind of control processing after
mentioned. The Bluetooth standards are a kind of radio
communication standards settled on under the management of a
standardization organization "Bluetooth SIG". The Bluetooth
standards are standards for implementing bilateral radio
communication optimized for short distances.
One of features of the Bluetooth standards is that the
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power consumption is reducedby taking short distances as a target.
For example, in class 1 taking a transmission distance of
approximately 10 m as its target, power consumption at the time
of transmission is in a range of approximately 20 to 30 mW. If
the automobile model 3 has at most such a size, for example,
that it can be placed on a palm (for example, a scale of 1/43
as compared with an actual automobile) , then a communication
distance of 10 m is necessary and sufficient. And since the
power consumption becomes lower, a module that conducts
communication according to the Bluetooth standards is also
reduced in size and the battery to be mounted on the automobile
model 3 can also be reduced in size. Therefore, it is extremely
advantageous in size reduction of the automobile model 3. on
the other hand, in exchange for low power, the transmission rate
is approximately 1 Mbps in theoretical value and approximately
433.9 Kbps in effective value. It is also a fact that the
transmission rate compares unfavorably with the theoretical
value 11 Mbps of IEEE 802.11, which is standards of the radio
LAN. However, in the case where it is used in data communication
between devices that form the remote control toy system 1, it
is a sufficient transmission rate.
In addition, by putting the controllers 2A to 2D and the
automobile models 3A to 3D to a pico-net formed of Bluetooth
and a scatter-net, not only communication from a controller 2
to a corresponding automobile model 3 but also communication
from the automobile model 3 to the controller 2 can be implemented.
Furthermore, it also becomes possible to implement communication
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exceeding the limit of the relation of association of the
controller 2 with the automobile model 3, such as communication
from the controller 2A to other controllers 2B to 2D or
communication from the controller 2A to the automobile models
3B to 3D. In addition, by putting the management machine 4
separate from the controller 2 and the automobile model 3 to
the pico-net or scatter-net, it is possible to conduct bilateral
communication between the management machine 4 and each
controller 2 or each automobile model 3. Consequently it is
possible to implement general control, such as advance management
of a race. In a conventional remote control toy using a radio
wave transceiver, the frequency band of the carrier is altered
according to the relation of association of a controller with
a model, and consequently the control exceeding the limit of
the association relation cannot be implemented. Furthermore,
in the case where infrared ray communication represented by IrDA
is used, the transmission rate is slow. In an environment having
a large number of devices as in the system 1 of FIG. 1, therefore,
bilateral communication cannot be conductedsufficiently. Also
since the transmission distance is also approximately 1 m,
infrared ray communication is not fit for use of the remote control
toy system. As for standards such as IEEE 802.11 and Home RF
for implementing a radio LAN, they are intended for a distance
longer than the Bluetooth standards (approximately 100 m) , and
consequently power consumption is large and it is difficult to
mount them on small-sized models. From such a point of view,
the Bluetooth standards are the most optimum standards to the
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remote control toy system.
According to the Bluetooth standards, communication is
conducted by using the frequency hopping spread spectrum
technique, and devices are divided into masters and slaves in
order to attain synchronization of a hopping pattern of that
frequency. One master exists in one pico-net, and up to seven
slaves are connected to one master. Communication is executed
always between a master and a slave. Communication between
slaves is implemented by intervention of a master on the way.
However, the relation between a master and a slave does not mean
superiority or inferiority among devices accommodated by the
pico-bet. If one of devices functions as a master, other devices
synchronize with the master as slaves. In FIG. 1, such an image
that the management machine 4 functions as the master is
represented. As a matter of fact, however, there are various
combinations of masters and slaves. For example, a certain
controller, 2 or automobile model 3 may function as the master.
Since there are four controllers 2 and four automobile models
3 in FIG. 1, all devices including the management function 4
cannot be accommodated by one pico-net. In actuality, theref ore,
a device functioning as a slave of one pico-net functions as
a master of another pico-net, and some devices conduct
communication as slaves for the device.
Configurations of control system of respective devices
will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2
is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system
of the controller 2. The control system of the controller 2
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includes a control device 10, a steering control section 2a,
a throttle control section 2b, information input section 2c and
an ID setting switch 11, which function as input devices, a ROM
12 and a RAM 13, which function as storage devices, a vibrator
15, a vibrator driving circuit 14 for driving the vibrator 15
in accordance with an order issued by the control device 10,
and a Bluetooth communication module 16.
The control device 10 is formed as a computer obtained
by combining a microprocessor with peripheral devices, such as
a clock circuit and a buffer memory, required for action of the
microprocessor. The information input section 2c is provided
in a suitable position of an outside surface of the controller
2. The user can input various kinds of information from the
information input section 2c. For example, the user can input
information for notifying a travelling impossibility state
described later or the like from the information input section
2c. The ID setting switch 11 is provided to set an ID number.
The ID number is information for identifying the relation of
association of a controller 2 with an automobile model 3. For
example, in the case where four controllers 2 and four automobile
models 3 are provided as shown in FIG. 1, 1 to 4 are prepared
as ID numbers. It is necessary for each user participating in
the race to set an ID number different from that of other users
in the own controller 2 by operating the ID setting switch 11.
On the ROM 12, a program (not illustrated) for making the
control device 10 execute predetermined processing is stored
and various data required for execution of the program are
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recorded. Execution of the program recorded on the ROM 12
conducted by the control device 10 forms a steering information
control section 10a, an additional information control section
10b, a transmission data generation section 10c, a received data
discrimination section 10d and a vibrator control section 10e,
within the control device 10. The sections 10a to 10e are logical
devices implemented by combinations of the microprocessor and
software. However, at least a part of the sections 10a to 10e
may be formed of a logical circuit.
The steering information control section 10a determines
a steering angle and a velocity to be given to the automobile
model 3 by referring to a control situation of the steering control
section 2a and the throttle control section 2b and map data Dl
recorded on the ROM 12. The map data Dl is data describing the
relation of association of control quantities of the control
sections 2a and 2b from initial positions with the steering angle
and velocity to be given to the automobile model 3. The method
for determining the steering angle and velocity by using the
map data Dl will be described later. The additional information
control section 10b generates additional information
corresponding to the control situation of the information input
section 2c. The transmission data generation section 10c
generates data for controlling the action of the automobile model
3 associated with the controller 2, on the basis of information
of the steering angle and velocity determined by the steering
information control section 10a, additional information sent
from the additional information control section 10b and ID
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information set by the ID setting switch 11. For example, as
shown in FIG. 5B, the data includes information specifying the
ID number set by the ID setting switch, steering information
specifying the steering angle, and velocity information
specifying the velocity. Incidentally, by using additional
information, it is also possible to make the controller 2 send
information other than information concerning the action of the
automobile model 3.
On the other hand, the received data discrimination section
10d determineswhether received data deliveredfrom the Bluetooth
communication module 16 includes information that requires
processing in the steering information control section 10a or
the vibrator control section 10e. Information judged to be
necessary is suppliedto the steering information control section
10a or the vibrator control section 10e. Incidentally,
information may besuppliedfrom the received data discrimination
section 10d to the additional information control section 10b
as well. The vibrator control section 10e generates driving
information of the vibrator 15 in accordance with information
sent from the received data discrimination section 10d, and
outputs the driving information to the vibrator driving circuit
14 as a driving order. The vibrator 15 is provided to vibrate
the controller 2. A module having an eccentric weight attached
to'a rotation axis of a small-sized motor, which is used in a
controller or the like of a video game, can be used as the vibrator
15.
The Bluetooth communication module 16 is connected to the
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control device 10 via a predetermined interface 17. The
Bluetooth communication module 16 is provided to
transmit/receive data to/from a Bluetooth communication module
of another device in accordance with a procedure (communication
protocol) based upon the Bluetooth standards. Establishment
of the communication protocol based upon the Bluetooth
communication standards and transmission/reception of packets
are controlled by the Bluetooth communication module 16. At
the time of data transmission, therefore, all that the control
device 10 has to do is to create and deliver transmission data
in a form requested by the Bluetooth communication module 16.
At the time of data reception, all that the control device 10
has to do is to interpret received data delivered from the
Bluetooth communication module 16 in a predetermined form. In
both data transmission and reception, it is not necessary for
the control device 10 to be conscious of the communication
protocol of the Bluetooth communication standards.
In data communication based on the Bluetooth communication
standards, data is divided into packets each having a
predetermined bit length and transmitted as shown in FIG. 5A.
One packet includes an access code, a header, and a payload.
The access code is an identifier for specifying a transmission
subj ect of a packet transmitted from the Bluetooth communication
module. Various kinds of information for flow control are
contained in the header. A 3-bit identifier called AM ADDR
(Active Member Address), which indicates destination of the
packet, is contained in the header. A packet in which all bits
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of the AM ADDR are set to 0 is handled as the so-called broadcast
packet to be sent to all devices. In the system 1 of the present
embodiment, the transmission subject can be specified in the
protocol level of Bluetooth by using the access code and the
header, or the transmission subject can be specified by using
the ID of each device.
Furthermore, in the payload portion shown in FIG. 5A, data
exchanged in application using the Bluetooth (in this case,
programs respectively for controlling the controller 2, the
automobile model 3 and the management machine 4) are contained.
For example, in the case of the controller 2 shown in FIG. 2,
data generated by the transmission data generation section 10c
as shown in FIG. 5B becomes the content of the payload. The
data of the payload is delivered from the Bluetooth communication
module 16 to the received data discrimination section 10d. The
same also holds true of transmission data (FIGS. 5C and 5D)
respectively generated in the automobile model 3 and the
management machine 4.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control system of the automobile model 3. The control system
of the automobile model 3 includes a control device 20 , a steering
motor 21 and a traveling motor 22 serving as control subject
devices, a steering motor driving circuit 23 and a traveling
motor driving circuit 24 for driving the motors 21 and 22 on
the basis of orders issuedby the control device 20, an ID setting
switch 25, an image reader 26, and an acceleration sensor 27
serving as input devices, and a Bluetooth communication module
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30.
The control device 20 is formed as a computer obtained
by combining a microprocessor with peripheral devices, such as
a clock circuit and a buffer memory, required for action of the
microprocessor. The ID setting switch 25 is provided to set
an ID number in the same way as the ID setting switch 11 of the
controller 2. By setting the same ID number by using the ID
switch 11 of the controller 2 and the ID switch 25 of the automobile
model 3, the controller 2 can be associated with the automobile
model 3.
The image reader 26 reads the bar images 5c and 5d provided
on the course 5 of FIG. 1, and outputs signals corresponding
to those patterns. The acceleration sensor 27 outputs a signal
corresponding to vibration acceleration applied to the
automobile model 3. Between the image reader 26 and the control
device 20 and between the acceleration sensor 27 and the control
device 20, interfaces are provided suitably, but illustration
of them is omitted. The Bluetooth communication module 30 is
connected to the control device20via a predetermined interface
29. The Bluetooth communication module 30 performs the same
function as that of the Bluetooth communication module 30 shown
in FIG. 2.
AROM, which is not illustrated, is connected to the control
device 20. By executing a program recorded on the ROM, a received
data discrimination section 20a, a motor driving control section
20b, a lap decision section 20c, a damage decision section 20d
and a transmission data generation section 20e are formed within
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the control device 20. In the same way as the case of FIG. 2,
the sections 20a to 20e are logical devices implemented by
combinations of the microprocessor and software. However, at
least a part of the sections 20a to 20e may be formed of a logical
circuit.
The received data discrimination section 20a compares
received data delivered from the Bluetooth communication module
30 with an ID set by the ID setting switch 25, determines whether
the received data is data associated with its own ID, and
determines whether steering information and velocity
information shown in FIG. 5B are contained in the data. When
both conditions are satisfied, the steering information and the
velocity information contained in the data are supplied to the
motor driving control section 20b. The motor driving control
section 20b computes motor control quantities for obtaining a
steering angle and a velocity corresponding to given steering
information and velocity information, and outputs motor driving
orders corresponding to the computation results respectively
to the steering motor driving circuit 23 and the traveling motor
driving circuit24. The steering motor driving circuit23dri.ves
the steering motor 21 in accordance with a given motor driving
order. The traveling motor driving circuit 24 drives the
travelingmotor 22 in accordance with a given motor driving order.
As a result, the automobile model 3 is driven on the basis of
steering information and velocity information transmitted from
a controller 2 having a coincident ID.
On the other hand, the lap decision section 20c monitors
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an output signal from the image reader 26, and supplies
information corresponding to a result of monitoring to the
transmission data generation section 20e. The damage decision
section 20dmonitorsthe output signal of the acceleration sensor
27, and supplies information corresponding to a result of the
monitoring to the transmission data generation section 20e. The
transmission data generation section 20e generates transmission
data shown in FIG. 5C on the basis of the ID number set by the
ID setting switch 25 and information supplied from the lap
decision section 20c and the damage decision section 20d, and
delivers the transmission data to the Bluetooth communication
module 30. The transmission data contains information
specifying the ID number set by the ID setting switch 25 and
traveling state notification information corresponding to the
monitored results of the lap decision section 20c and the damage
decision section 20d.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control system of the management machine 4. The management
machine 4 includes the information input section 4a and the
information display section 4b shown in FIG. 1, a control device
40, a RAM 41, and a Bluetooth communication module 42. The
control device 40 is formed as a computer obtained by combining
a microprocessor with peripheral devices, such as a clock circuit
and a buffer memory, required for action of the microprocessor.
The Bluetooth communication module 42 has the same function as
that of the Bluetooth communication modules 16 and 30 shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
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Execution of a program recorded on a ROM, which is not
illustrated, conducted by the control device 40 forms a race
control section 40a, a transmission data generation section 40b
and a received data discrimination section 40c, within the
control section 40. In the same way as the cases of FIGS. 2
and 3, the sections 40a to 40c are logical devices implemented
by combinations of the microprocessor and software. However,
at least a part of each of the sections 40a to 40c may be formed
of a logical circuit. The race control section 40a executes
various kinds of control required for the race management by
referring to the input from the information input section 4a
and received data sent from the received data discrimination
section 40c. On the RAM 41, race situation data D3 to be referred
to when the race control section 40a executes predetermined
processing is stored.
The transmission data generation section 40b generates
transmission data having a form requested by the Bluetooth
communication module 42 by referring to information sent from
the race control section 40a, and delivers the transmission data
to the Bluetooth communication module 42. For example, as shown
in FIG . 5D, information specifying the ID number of a transmission
subject and traveling restriction information are contained in
the transmission data. Traveling restriction information is
information generated for the purpose of setting predetermined
restrictions on the action of the automobile model 3, but its
concrete example will be described later. The received data
discrimination section 40c determines whether information
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required for processing of the race control section 40a is
contained in data sent from the Bluetooth communication module
42, and supplies the required information to the race control
section 40a.
Aprocedure whereby the control device 10 of the controller
2 determines the steering angle and the velocity of the automobile
model 3 according to the operation situation of the steering
control section 2a and the throttle control section 2b will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. FIGS. 6A and
6B show contents of map data recorded on the ROM 12 (FIG. 2)
of the controller 2 in graph forms. FIG. 6A shows a relation
of association of a steering angle 0 supplied to the automobile
model 3 with an operation quantity (a steering quantity) A from
an initial position of the steering control section 2a. FIG.
6B shows a relation of association of a velocity V supplied to
the automobile model 3 with an operation quantity B from an initial
position of the throttle control section 2b. Incidentally, as
for the initial position of the steering control section 2a,
the state of going straight on at a steering angle of 0 is supposed.
As for the initial position of the throttle control section 2b,
a stop state having a velocity of 0 is supposed. As regards
the steering angle, operation is conducted in the left and right
angles. Supposing that the steering angle of the initial
position is set to be 0=, originally the steering angle assumes
a positive value when the steering operation is conducted in
one of the left and right directions and the steering angle assumes
a negative value when the steering operation is conducted in
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the other of the left and right directions. In FIG. 6A, however;
only the positive direction is shown. As regards the throttle
control section 2b, an example of providing the automobile model
3 with only action of going straight on is shown in FIG. 6B.
However, the initial position can be altered suitably. As
regards the traveling velocity, a retreat,i.e.,a negative value
may be set.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a plurality of relations of
association are prepared as regards both the steering angle and
the velocity in the remote control toy system 1. In FIGS. 6A
and 6B, the relations of association are shown as steering maps
1, 2, 3, ... or velocity maps 1, 2, 3, ... in distinction. The
map data Dl are data that represent the relations of association
determined by graphs indicated as the maps 1, 2, 3, ..., in a
predetermined form (such as a table form) . The map data Dl are
recorded on the ROM 12 as different data every graph of FIGS.
6A and 6B, i.e., every map 1, 2, 3, ... .
The steering information control section l0a (FIG. 2) in
the control device 10 of the controller 2 determines map data
to be used for each of the steering angle and velocity, on the
basis of traveling log data D2 stored on the RAM 13 and information
supplied from the received data discrimination section 10d. In
addition, the steering information control section 10a
repetitively executes steering information generation
processing shown in FIG. 7 at predetermined periods, and
generates steering information (steering information and
velocity information).
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In the processing of FIG. 7, the steering information
control section 10a detects operation states of the steering
control section 2a and the throttle control section 2b conducted
from the processing of the last time, and computes the steering
quantity A and the throttle control quantity B from their
respective initial positions (step S1). The steering
information control section 10a then determines the steering
angle 0 and the velocity V respectively associated with the
computed steering quantity A and throttle control quantity B
on the basis of the map data D1 (steps S2 and S3) . The steering
information control section 10a supplies steering information
and velocity information respectively associated with the
determined values to the transmission data generation section
10c (step S4) . Thereafter, the steering information control
section 10a updates traveling log data so as to reflect the
operation contents of the steering control section 2a and the
throttle control section 2b detected by the processing of this
time in the traveling log data D2 ( FIG . 2) (step S5) . By repeating
such processing, data specifying the steering angle and the
traveling velocity are repetitively transmitted from the
controller 2 to the automobile model 3 associated with the
controller 2. In the automobile model 3, only steering
information contained in data transmitted from the controller
2 having a coincident ID number is supplied from the received
data discrimination section 20a to the motor driving control
section 20b. The motors 21 and 22 are driven on the basis of
the information.
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In the system 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality
of relations between the steering quantity A and the throttle
control quantity B and a plurality of relations between the
steering angle 0 and the velocity V are prepared. Depending on
the selected map data, therefore, the action characteristic of
the automobile model 3 varies. For example, when the same
steering quantity A is given in FIG. 6A, the steering angle 0
becomes relatively smaller in the steering map 2 than in the
steering map 1. When the steering map 2 is selected, therefore,
it becomes harder for the automobile model 3 to make a turn than
when the steering map 1 is selected. When the same throttle
control quantity B is given in FIG. 6B, the velocity V becomes
relatively lower in the velocity map 2 than in the velocity map
1. Therefore, the maximum velocity of the automobile model 3
is restricted to a lower value when the velocity map 2 is used
than when the velocity map 1 is used. Incidentally, the velocity
map N is a special setting example. If the velocity map N is
selected, the velocity V is restricted to a constant value when
the throttle control quantity A has exceeded a predetermined
value. The velocity map N is suitable for the case where the
automobile model 3 is forced to travel at a low velocity.
The map data DI used by the steering information control
section 10a is altered on the basis of traveling restriction
information sent from the outside, especially the management
machine 4, or on the basis of the traveling log data D2.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing of the steering
information control section 10a in the case where the traveling
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restriction information (see FIG. 5D) is sent from the management
machine 4. If the received data discrimination section 10d of
the controller 2 has received the traveling restriction
information sent from the management machine 4, then the received
data discrimination section 10d supplies that traveling
restriction information to the steering information control
sectionl0a. Asshownin FIG. 8, the steering information control
section 10a conducts monitoring to determine whether traveling
restriction information has been received (step S10). If the
traveling restriction information has been received, then the
steering information control section 10a selects map data
according to the contents of the traveling restrictions (step
S11). For example, if traveling restriction information that
restricts the maximum velocity has been received, the steering
information control section 10a newly selects velocity map data
located on the lower velocity side than the currently selected
velocity map data. Besides, the velocity restriction
information supplied from the outside may specify various
contents. It is also possible to make the automobile model 3
send the traveling restriction information and alter the map
data Dl on the basis of the information.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling
management processing executed repetitively by the steering
information control section 10a of the control device 10 in order
to alter the map data Dl on the basis of the traveling log data
D2. In the traveling management processing, the traveling log
data D2 is first analyzed (step S20) . Since operation history
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is preserved in the traveling log data D2, it is possible to
acquire traveling time of the automobile model 3 after the race
start or information that is correlative to the traveling time,
on the basis of, for example, the number of times of update.
Subsequently, it is determined whether the traveling time has
reached a predetermined limit time on the basis of information
acquired from the traveling log data D2 (step S21) . When the
limit time is not reached, traveling restrictions are set
according to the content of the traveling log data D2 (step S22) .
For example, in conjunction with the increase of the number of
times of operation on the steering control section 2a and the
throttle control section 2b, the steering map is gradually
switched toward the side on which the steering angle becomes
relatively smaller. By conducting such control, it becomes
gradually harder for the automobile model 3 to make a turn as
it continues to travel. Therefore, a state in which the steering
characteristic is changed by tire wear is represented. As
regards the velocity map, it is considered, for example, that
the velocity map is gradually altered to a velocity map on the
higher velocity side as the operation time increases. In this
case, it is possible to represent the state in which the automobile
model weight is reduced by reduction of fuel and the maximum
velocity is increased. On the other hand, when the traveling
time has reached the limit, traveling restrictions according
to an excess over a restriction time are set (step S23) . For
example, by selectingthevelocitymapNof FIG. 6B, it is possible
to forcibly bring out a state in which low velocity traveling
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is forced by fuel shortage or a tire limit.
After the processing of the step S22 or S23 , it is determined
whether pit-in information has been received (step S24) . The
pit-in information is information sent from the automobile model
3 as a kind of the traveling state notification information shown
in FIG. 5C when the image reader 26 of the automobile model 3
has detected the bar image 5d of the pit lane 5b. Upon receiving
pit-in information having the same ID number as the ID number
set by the ID setting switch 11, the received data discrimination
section 10d of the control device 10 supplies its pit-in
information to the steering information control section 10a.
Upon receiving the pit-in information, the steering information
control section 10a cancels the traveling restrictions and
selects, for example, the steering map and the velocity map
specified as initial values (step S25) . Incidentally, as for
the traveling restrictions set in the processing of FIG. 8 as
well, cancel of the traveling restrictions of the step S25 may
be executed.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure of lap
information notification processing executedby the lap decision
section 20c of the automobile model 3. In this processing, the
lap decision section 20c determines whether the image reader
26 has read a bar image (step S30) . If it is judged that a bar
image has been read, then the read pattern is discriminated (step
S31) . In other words, it is determined which of the bar image
5c of the main course 5a or the bar image 5d of the pit lane
5b has been read. If the bar image 5c is judged to have been
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read, then the transmission data generation section 20e is
ordered to generate lap information. If the bar image 5d is
judged to have been read, then the transmission data generation
section 20e is ordered to generate pit-in information (step S32 ).
As a result, the lap information or the pit-in information is
sent from the automobile model 3 every time the automobile model
3 laps the course 5. When the pit-in information sent in this
processing is received by the controller 2 having the same ID,
the traveling restrictions are canceled as described above.
On the other hand, the lap information transmitted from
the automobile model 3 is used in race management executed by
the race control section 40a of the management machine 4. FIG.
11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the race management
processing. The race control section 40a conducts monitoring
to determine whether lap information has been sent from any
automobile model 3 (step S40) . Upon receiving the lap
information, the race control section 40a updates race situation
data D3 (FIG. 4) . The race situation data D3 contains various
kinds of information required to grasp the race situation, such
as order and the number of laps of the automobile 3. It is then
determined on the basis of the race situation data D3 whether
the top automobile model 3 has arrived at the final lap in the
prescribed number of laps (step S42) . If the lap is not the
final lap, then it is determined whether the race is finished,
i.e., whether the top automobile model 3 has reached the goal
(step S43) . If the race is not finished, then the race control
section 40a proceeds to step S45. If the lap is judged to be
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the final lap, then the race control section 40a gives a notice
of the final lap via the information display section 4b (step
S44) Then the the race control section 40a proceeds to step
S45.
At step S45, traveling restrictions are set on the basis
of the race situation data D3. For example, in order to maintain
the tension by setting a handicap according to the order, the
traveling restrictions of each automobile model 3 are set so
as to restrict the maximum velocity to a lower value as the order
becomes higher. Thereafter, the transmission data generation
section 40b is ordered to generate traveling restriction
information based on the setting result (step S46) , and the race
control section 40a returns to the step S40. Upon being ordered
to generate traveling restriction information, the transmission
data generation section 40b generates traveling restriction
information so as to be associated with the ID of each automobile
model3,and makes the Bluetooth communication module 42 transmit
the traveling restriction information in order. When the
controller 2 has received the transmitted traveling restriction
information, the processing of FIG. 9 is executed and the
traveling restrictions are enforced. If the race is judged at
the step S43 of FIG. 11 to be finished, then race termination
processing, such as fixing the order of the automobile model
3, is conducted (step S47).
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing procedures of crash
information notification processing conducted by the damage
decision section 20d of the automobile model 3 and damage
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reproduction processing executed by the vibrator control section
10e of the controller 2 upon receiving the crash information.
In the damage reproduction processing, the damage decision
section 20d conducts monitoring to determine whether vibration
acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 27 has exceeded
a predetermined value (step S50) . If the predetermined value
is exceeded, then the damage decision section 20d orders the
transmission data generation section 20e to generate crash
information(stepS51). Theref ore, when vibration acceleration
that is not generated in the ordinary traveling state is caused
by, for example, the automobile model 3 getting out from the
course, crash information is generated so as to be associated
with the ID of the automobile model 3, and sent from the automobile
model 3. If the crash information sent by this processing is
received by the controller 2 having the same ID, then the received
data discrimination section 10d of the controller 2 supplies
the crash information to the vibrator control section 10e. As
a result, the vibrator control section 10e starts the damage
reproduction processing of FIG.12and generates vibrator driving
information ( step S60 ). On the basis of the driving information,
the vibrator control section 10e"gives a driving order to the
vibrator driving circuit 14 so as to drive the vibrator 15 (step
S61) . By such processing, it is possible to reproduce a damage
generated in the automobile model 3, on the controller 2 and
enhance the reality of the play.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of manual
management processing executed by the race control section 40a
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of the management machine 4 in order to manage the race progress
on the basis of information sent from the controller 2 and
information input from the information input section 4a of the
management machine 4. In the manual management processing, it
is determined whether predetermined penalty setting operation
has been conducted on the information input section 4a (step
S70) . If the penalty setting operation has been conducted, then
the transmission data generation section 40b is ordered to
generate penalty traveling restriction information according
to the setting operation (step S71). The penalty setting
operation is operation for imposing a predetermined penalty,
such as a restriction of the maximum velocity, on an automobile
model 3 that has conducted traveling violating predetermined
rules, such as a rear-end collision or a traveling disturbance.
Contents of the penalty setting operation and penalty traveling
restrictions may be determined suitably.
The penalty traveling restriction information generated
on the basis of the order of the step S71 is sent from the management
machine 4 as a kind of the traveling restriction information
shown in FIG. 5D. Upon receiving the penalty traveling
restriction information associated with the same ID as the own
ID, the controller 2 alters the map according to the procedure
shown in FIG. 9 and thereby generates a penalty. The penalty
traveling restrictions are canceled by traveling on the pit lane
5b (the step S25 of FIG. 9).
A user of an automobile model 3 indisposed for traveling
by a contact with another automobile model or the like is allowed
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to conduct operation of notifying the information input section
2c of the controller 2 that traveling is impossible. Upon
operation of notifying that traveling is impossible, the
additional information control section 10b of the controller
2 orders the transmission data generation section lOc that the
traveling impossibility notification information should be
included in the transmission data of FIG. 5B as the additional
information. The race control section 40a of the management
machine 4 conducts monitoring in the manual management processing
to determine whether such traveling impossibility notification
information has been sent from any controller 2 (step S72) . If
the traveling impossibility notification information has been
sent, then the race control section 40a orders the transmission
data generation section 40b to generate traveling restriction
information for traveling impossibility (step S73) . The
traveling restriction information for traveling impossibility
is generated as, for example, information for ordering all
controllers 2 to select the velocity map N shown in FIG. 6B.
In this case, all automobile models 3 lap on the course 5 at
a low velocity restricted by the velocity map N. As a result,
a measure for preventing differences from increasing until
recovery from a fault can be implemented on the race. Such
traveling restriction information corresponds to a kind of
broadcast data.
Return from the state in which the traveling restrictions
for traveling impossibility are imposed can be effected by
conducting a predetermined cancel operation on the information
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input section 4a of the management machine 4 or conducting a
predetermined cancel operation on the information input section
2c of the controller 2. The race control section 40a of the
management machine 4 conducts monitoring in the manual management
processing to determine whether such cancel operation has been
conducted on the traveling impossibility state (step S74) . If
the cancel operation has been conducted, then the race control
section 40a orders the transmission data generation section 40b
to generateinformation for canceling the traveling restrictions
caused by the traveling impossibility state (step S75). As a
result, the inf ormation f or canceling the traveling restrictions
is transmitted to each controller 2. Upon receiving the
information for canceling the traveling restrictions, the
steering information control section 10a in the controller 2
switches the map data to, for example, map data used immediately
before the traveling restrictions based on the traveling
impossibility state were imposed, and the race is continued.
Each controller 2 may be adapted to select map data set as the
initial value. While the user conducts operation of notifying
the controller 2 of the traveling impossibility state in the
above described manual management processing, the user may
conduct such an operation for the information input section 4a
of the management input section 4a.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment
heretofore described, but it can be embodied in various forms.
For example, the following variants are considerable.
(1) It is possible to omit the management machine 4, and
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implement various kinds of processing by communication between
the controller 2 and the automobile model 3.
(2) In the case where each controller 2 has received
traveling impossibility notification information, each
controller 2 forcibly selects the velocity map N. As a result,
the same traveling restrictions as those described above can
be implemented.
(3) A posture detection device such as a slope sensor is
provided in the automobile model 3. The control device 10 of
the automobile model 3 determines whether a fault such as lateral
turning has occurred. When a fault has occurred, the automobile
model 3 is made to send traveling impossibility notification
information. Upon receiving the information, each controller
2 selects the velocity map N. In this case as well, traveling
restrictions similar to those of (2) can be implemented.
(4) Traveling log data is recorded in the management
machine 4. Traveling restriction information based on the
traveling log data may be transmitted from the management machine
4 to the controller 2.
(5) Traveling restriction information sent from the
management machine 4 is received by the automobile model 3. A
change of the action characteristic according to the contents
of the restrictions may be generated by the control device 20
of the automobile model 3. For example,the motor driving control
section 20b of the control device 20 of the automobile model
3 may compute the product of a velocity specif ied by the controller
2 and a predetermined ratio as an actual velocity, and control
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the traveling motor 22 on the basis of the computed velocity.
Besides, various forms are included in the present
invention. The model is not limited to the automobile model,
but the present invention can be applied to various models such
as tanks, trains, ships, airplanes and robots. The accessory
device is not limited to the management machine. For example,
a device that is disposed on a field on which tanks travel or
on a track on which trains travel and that conducts various actions
is included in the concept of the accessory device.
As heretofore described, according to the present
invention, each of the controller, model and accessory device
has a radio communication module based on the same standards.
Therefore, it is not necessary to mount a plurality of
communication modules on the model, and consumption of the
battery can be suppressed. Therefore, the size of the model
can be advantageously reduced. In addition, bilateral data
communication among the controller, the model and the accessory
device is possible. Therefore, various data can be exchanged
among them and various controls can be implemented. As a result,
the interest of the play implemented by the remote control of
the model can be enhanced.
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