Touch-sensitive model train controls

Details Touch-sensitive model train controls Touch-sensitive model train controls

2007-05-22

2007-05-22

Duda, Rina (Department: 2837)

Electricity: motive power systems

With particular motor-driven load device

Power- or motion-transmitting mechanism

C318S003000, C446S467000, C446S410000, C446S465000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10986459

ABSTRACT:
A model vehicle control apparatus. A button controls an aspect of the model vehicle system, or multiple aspects, such as both sound and control. The button is configured to provide more than two outputs depending upon the manner of activation by a user based on pressure or position (more than ON/OFF). Signals corresponding to those outputs are then transmitted to a model vehicle, accessory, or other apparatus in the system. In one embodiment, the button is a pressure-sensitive button. Variations in the pressure select among multiple different possible outputs. For example, a number of sounds can be stored in a memory, with varying pressures selecting different sounds to be played. These sounds can vary non-linearly, not just getting louder, but also changing in type, pitch, etc. Thus, by a variation in pressure, a user can play the sound like a musical instrument. A second embodiment would allow for control of speed and direction of model vehicle, engines and accessories.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2826996 (1958-03-01), Smith
patent: 3664060 (1972-05-01), Longnecker
patent: 4293851 (1981-10-01), Beyl
patent: 4468999 (1984-09-01), Bonanno
patent: 4489302 (1984-12-01), Eventoff
patent: 5115705 (1992-05-01), Monte et al.
patent: 5302936 (1994-04-01), Yaniger
patent: 5555815 (1996-09-01), Young et al.
patent: 5659334 (1997-08-01), Yaniger et al.
patent: 5754094 (1998-05-01), Frushour
patent: 5805144 (1998-09-01), Scholder et al.
patent: 5896017 (1999-04-01), Severson et al.
patent: 6010339 (2000-01-01), McDonald
patent: 6019289 (2000-02-01), Sung
patent: 6059237 (2000-05-01), Choi
patent: 6198473 (2001-03-01), Armstrong
patent: 6220552 (2001-04-01), Ireland
patent: 6275739 (2001-08-01), Ireland
patent: 6281606 (2001-08-01), Westlake
patent: 6318678 (2001-11-01), Ireland
patent: 6367742 (2002-04-01), Ireland
patent: 6390883 (2002-05-01), Choi
patent: 6441570 (2002-08-01), Grubba et al.
patent: 6457681 (2002-10-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 6485347 (2002-11-01), Grubba et al.
patent: 6491263 (2002-12-01), Sung et al.
patent: 6513763 (2003-02-01), Ireland
patent: 6533223 (2003-03-01), Ireland
patent: 6533224 (2003-03-01), Ireland
patent: 6536716 (2003-03-01), Ireland et al.
patent: 6539292 (2003-03-01), Ames
patent: 6545886 (2003-04-01), Ireland
patent: 6604641 (2003-08-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 6619594 (2003-09-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 6624537 (2003-09-01), Westlake
patent: 6655640 (2003-12-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 6662917 (2003-12-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 6729584 (2004-05-01), Ireland
patent: 6747579 (2004-06-01), Ireland
patent: 6765356 (2004-07-01), Denen et al.
patent: 2001/0005001 (2001-06-01), Ireland
patent: 2003/0015626 (2003-01-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 2003/0127570 (2003-07-01), Ireland
patent: 2003/0142796 (2003-07-01), Ames
patent: 2004/0079841 (2004-04-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 2004/0239268 (2004-12-01), Grubba et al.
patent: 2005/0023416 (2005-02-01), Wolf et al.
“Astrac lets you control 5 trains on one track, in different directions, at different speeds-simultaneously,” product advertisement from General Electric Corporation in Model Railroader magazine (Nov. 1963).
“DCC (Digital Command Control) Standards & Recommended Practices,” National Model Railroad Association, Inc. (Mar. 1997-Jul. 2004).
“FSR® Force Sensing Resistors®” product data sheet Interlink Electronics, Inc. Camarillo, CA (2002).
Gutierrez “Introducing the CTC-16: A 16-channel command control system you can build Part 1,” Model Railroader pp. 64-67 (Dec. 1997).
Gutierrez “The CTC-16: A 16-channel command control system you can build Part 2,” Model Railroader pp. 86-93 (Jan. 1980).
Gutierrez “The CTC-16: A 16-channel command control system you can build Part 3,” Model Railroader pp. 89-92 (Feb. 1980).
Gutierrez “The CTC-16: A 16-channel command control system you can build Part 4,” Model Railroader pp. 89-93 (Mar. 1980).
Gutierrez “The CTC-16: A 16-channel command control system you can build Part 5,” Model Railroader pp. 71-77 (Apr. 1980).
Gutierrez et al., “The CTC-16: epilogue,” Model Railroader pp. 132-136 (Dec. 1980).
Gutierrez “Build the wireless throttle 1,” Model Railroader pp. 86-95 (Mar. 1983).
Gutierrez “Build the wireless throttle 2,” Model Railroader pp. 68-75 (Apr. 1983).
“Infrared Control Unit,” Model Railroader pp. 54-56 (Mar. 1991).
Pussel μP-programmable speed controller for model railways, Elektor (Jul./Aug. 1979).
Sperandeo “Commercial Command Control Systems,” Model Railroader pp. 80-81 (Nov. 1979).
Westcott “Is Astrac on the right track?” Model Railroader pp. 33-37 (Dec. 1963).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 1 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 42-46 (Feb. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 2 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 50-53 (Mar. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 3 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 14-18 (Apr. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 4 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 16-17 (May 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 5 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 56-59 (Jul./Aug. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 6 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 44-47 (Sep. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 7 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 21-24 (Oct. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 8 ,” Elektor Electronics pp. 32-36 (Nov. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 9—Keyboards ,” Elektor Eletronics pp. 24-28 (Dec. 1989).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 10—RS232 Interface,” Elektor Electronics pp. 38-43 (Jan. 1990).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 11—The Monotor Unit,” Elektor Electronics pp. 53-55 (Feb. 1990).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Part 12—Address Display,” Elektor Electronics pp. 52-54 (Mar. 1990).
Wigmore “The Digital Model Train Concluding Part,” Elektor Electronics pp. 24-26 (Apr. 1990).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Touch-sensitive model train controls does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Touch-sensitive model train controls, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Touch-sensitive model train controls will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3749308