Abstract:
An optical wireless, cordless computer input device also known as a computer mouse, shaped as a vehicle, with remote control vehicle capability comprising: (a) a sheet of rigid material having sufficient size to fit in the cupped palm of an average size adult hand, (b) a plurality of same-sized moveable support wheels and tires, (c) said support wheels are underneath the rigid material frame, (d) comprising a retractable light emitting diode (LED) and sensor underneath the rigid material frame, (e) comprising separate power sources for the computer input device (mouse) and remote control vehicle underneath the rigid material frame. Both the optical mouse and vehicle are operated on a diverse number of surfaces, and operated independently from independent power sources.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None and Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE, PROGRAM, COMPAC DISK, OR APPENDIX 
       [0003]    None and Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates directly to both a computer input device (mouse) and a remote control toy vehicle. 
         [0005]    It has been found that using a computer for lengthy periods of time may cause back, neck, shoulder, and wrist soreness, as well as eye strain. It has also been found that a wireless, cordless optical mouse with a light emitting diode (LED) sensor has a relatively high level of functionality. Furthermore, it has been found that remote control toy vehicles generally have relatively high levels of play value, and vehicles which are capable of moving forward, turning, moving in reverse, and generally having the capability to move at great speed have increased levels of play value. 
         [0006]    As a result, a number of remote control toy vehicles have been heretofore available which have been adapted to speed, turn, move forward, and perform various stunts. Also, as a result, a number of wireless, cordless, optical mouse with either a trackball or LED sensor have been heretofore available. In general, however, the heretofore available remote control vehicles and the heretofore wireless, cordless, optical mouse have not been adapted to perform their said functions as one unit housed in the shape of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, it has been found an object that can audibly engage the listener to cause a smile, snicker, or laugh is a stress-reliever. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a new and innovative toy vehicle and computer input device (also referred to as a mouse) which is capable of performing maneuvers as a toy remote controlled vehicle as well as performing computer cursor movement and scrolling as a LED optical wireless, cordless mouse. 
         [0009]    Still more specifically, the toy vehicle of the present invention comprises a chassis, a plurality of wheels mounted on the chassis for movably supporting the chassis on a supporting surface, and a drive assembly on the chassis for driving at least one of the support wheels in order to propel the vehicle on the supporting surface. The toy vehicle preferably comprises four support wheels and at least one drive motor for driving two of the four support wheels. The support wheels are preferably all of substantially the same diameter, and the drive assembly preferably includes a battery power supply, and the drive motor or motors and the battery power supply are preferably positioned between the front and rear axles with the weights thereof substantially uniformly distributed on opposite sides of the central plane of the vehicle chassis. 
         [0010]    The remote control toy vehicle preferably further comprises a remote control receiver and an antenna. The receiver is preferably mounted within the body portion of the chassis, and the antenna can be positioned, constructed, and dimensioned so that it is either contained entirely within the outer perimeter of the vehicle or positioned on the right upper, exterior portion of the vehicle in a manner such as an automobile antenna. 
         [0011]    Also specific about the present invention is the optical computer input device. The present invention has been made keeping in mind the problems occurring in the prior art of the ball-type mouse, and also of the problem of prior art light-receiving optical, or Led mouse, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless, cordless optical computer input device housed in a remote control vehicle equipped, preferably, with lights and sound track. Still more specifically, the computer input device is operable from within the toy vehicle by unhinging and releasing (lowering) the light receiving unit, light source, and lens for converging light, which, when unhinged is a predetermined height, preferably 1-2 mm&#39;s. When the light-receiving unit is lowered heretofore, the computer input device is in the ready and operational position. Additionally, the computer input device rolls across the support surface on the toy vehicle wheels with the light receiving unit in the same manner and with the same results as prior art optical input devices. 
         [0012]    Additionally, remote control toy vehicles are well known. One subset of these vehicles is configured to faithfully replicate known or otherwise conventional vehicles to allow users to pretend they are driving real vehicles. Another subset of such vehicles is more fanciful and designed for unusual performance capability, typically being capable of performing stunts. Some vehicles are provided with lights and sound to enhance the amusement value of such toys. Purchasers are attracted to and manufactures try to provide remotely controlled toy vehicles having new features and/or capabilities not previously provided in such vehicles. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, computer work can be boring, monotonous, tedious, stressful, and just plain work. While manufactures and consumers are attracted to computer input devices (mice) that have new features and/or capabilities, to the best of my knowledge, no other computer input device, especially one with an optical LED device has been invented that also provide the fun and amusement of a remote control toy vehicle. 
         [0014]    There is a need, therefore, for a wireless input device that employs optical sensing to effect the likes of cursor movement and scrolling which when housed inside a toy remote control vehicle which, may result in an energized, reduced-stress, fun atmosphere. 
       Related Patents: 
       [0015]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Arrigo et al 
                 Aug. 24, 2004 
                 6,781,570 B1 
               
               
                   
                 Paik et al 
                 Dec. 31, 2002 
                 6,501,460 B1 
               
               
                   
                 Chen 
                 Oct. 10, 2006 
                 7,119,793 B2 
               
               
                   
                 Adan 
                 Mar. 11, 2003 
                 6,531,692 
               
               
                   
                 Queveau et al 
                 Oct. 9, 2007 
                 7,278,676 
               
               
                   
                 George et al 
                 Mar. 17, 1998 
                 5,727,985 
               
               
                   
                 Sun et al 
                 Jul. 4, 2006 
                 7/071,922 
               
               
                   
                 Theytaz et al 
                 Nov. 7, 2006 
                 7,131,751 
               
               
                   
                 Trageser et al 
                 Oct. 2, 2007 
                 7,275,975 
               
               
                   
                 Urquiaga 
                 Aug. 10, 2004 
                 6,773,321 
               
               
                   
                 Weiss et al 
                 Jun. 26, 2007 
                 7,234,992 
               
               
                   
                 Ogihara 
                 Oct. 31, 2006 
                 7,128,634 
               
               
                   
                 Lynders 
                 Aug. 9, 2003 
                 6,926,581 
               
               
                   
                 Watanabe 
                 Sep. 17, 2002 
                 6,450,857 
               
               
                   
                 Anderson 
                 Dec. 02, 2003 
                 6,657,184 B2 
               
               
                   
                 Leonov 
                 Jun. 26, 2007 
                 7,234,990 
               
               
                   
                 Biheller 
                 Jan. 24, 2006 
                 6,989,818 
               
               
                   
                 Boyle 
                 Sep. 25, 2001 
                 6,293,798 B1 
               
               
                   
                 Cheng 
                 Oct. 26, 2004 
                 6,809,275 
               
               
                   
                 Koo 
                 Jan. 17, 2006 
                 6,787,505 
               
               
                   
                 Lo 
                 Jun. 26, 2007 
                 7,234,991 B2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Non Patent Related Items 
     Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 4000 P/N X803393-003 
     Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000 P/N X806939-002 
     Tyco RC Remote Control 49 MHz Car Body Shell 88269-2119 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    A remotely controlled toy vehicle including at least an on-board power supply, at least a plurality of wheels supporting the vehicle for itinerant movement, at least one motor operably coupled to at least one of the wheels to provide at least part of the itinerant movement of the vehicle, a controller circuit configured to selectively supply power from the power supply to at least one motor in response to commands from a transmitter remote from said vehicle to move the toy vehicle and at least one optical light emitting diode, a receiving source providing displacement information to a Computer Operating System, the pointing device comprising: a retractable frame for a light source to generate a light beam to illuminate an image area; an illumination lens for directing the light beam from the light source to the imaged area on a surface, the imaged area of the surface reflecting light, the received reflected light for use in providing the displacement information from the imaged area: to the computer, and an on-board power supply to power said computer input device independent from said remote control toy vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the left side or lateral perspective of device  101 , computer input device and toy remote control vehicle not in use; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the present invention device  101 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is the bottom perspective of the present invention base  50 ; of device  101 , the gear train (not shown) is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,985, incorporated by reference herein, with a central driven gear directly by the motor pinion, a pair of spur gears driven by the central drive gear and a pair of wheel gears driven by the spur gears, each wheel gear including a splined drive shaft non-rotatably received in one of the wheels  7 ,  15 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention retractable LED unit  35 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the exploded side perspective of retractable LED unit  35  in the up position (not in use); 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows the exploded side perspective of retractable LED unit  35  in the down position (the LED unit is in use;) 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the top side of base  50 , of the vehicle circuit board  27 , computer input device circuit board  28 , antenna  29 , drive motor  30 , axles  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 , area for retractable LED unit  35 , and the gears  22 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a first longitudinal end of device  101 , incorporating the remote control toy vehicle and computer input device; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the transmitter or controller  58 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, and “underneath” and the like designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 9 , the present invention  101  is both an improved wireless, cordless optical computer input device (also known as a mouse) and a remote control toy vehicle which comprise a cover  1  and base  50 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a left perspective view of device  101 , a remote control toy vehicle housing an LED mouse. The left click button  13  and the right click button  9  are the means to actuate the cursor and LED unit  35 . Although shown is the preferred embodiment, a plurality of body shells, each being shaped to resemble a different vehicle type, a chassis to which any one of the plurality of body shells is selectively and detachably coupled, and a variety of sound generating means, mounted on the chassis, for producing a plurality of sounds, each one being selectable to correspond to a selected vehicle and coupled one of the plurality of body shells. Furthermore, although shown is the preferred embodiment to fit the cupped palm of an average size adult, additional embodiments might be reduced in size to meet the needs of smaller, childlike hands. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a top perspective view of the present invention  101 , a wireless optical computer input device (also called a mouse) housed in a toy remote control vehicle. The present invention  101  comprises a cover  1  and a base  50  assembled to the cover by fastening screws  24  in each of the corners. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical mouse or computer input device is wireless, with a wireless transmitter (not shown) and a wireless receiver (not shown). However, the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are known art and not described in detail here. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention headlights  10  and  12  ( FIG. 8 ), and tail lights  17  and  19  illuminate when the vehicle is on and the wheels are rolled a predetermined distance. In alternative embodiments both the sound and lights might be eliminated. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows the bottom perspective view of device  101  turned over. When the present invention  101  is used as a remote control vehicle, the retractable LED unit  35  is tucked away inside the cover  1 , and secured by the retractable LED unit levers  51 . The on/off switch  26  engages the remote control vehicle and is prepared to receive signal from the remote control vehicle transmitter  58  through the antenna  29  which in the preferred embodiment shown, is secured under the cover  1 . Power sources for the vehicle  43  (9.6 volt) and  48  the wireless optical mouse (computer input device) (1.5 volt) provide power to device  101  and can be a conventional battery. The batteries can be rechargeable, but need not be. Other battery technologies, such as nickel, hydride, lithium ion, lithium polymer, or zinc air can also realize power. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a sound track  52  comprising of silly remarks is employed by the user with an on/off switch. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of a wireless input device that employs an optical sensor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The retractable Light Emitting Diode (LED) unit  35  includes an LED  38 , and optical sensor  42 . In alternative embodiments, optical sensor  42  can have a photo-sensitive element. In addition, optical  42  might have no lens (e.g. reflected light is received directly by a photo-sensitive element) or more than one lens (e.g. one lens between LED  38  and the reflecting surface.) Furthermore, said retractable LED unit  35  might be constructed as a push in and release, in which said locking means comprising a lever  51  mounted on the underside of base  50  which when pushed vertically over LED unit  35 , said unit is locked in the closed position. Said retractable LED unit  35  being characterized in that: the LED frame has a runner  37  secured to the mouse/vehicle housing, and has a guide finger  36  attached to said arm  39  hinged to the LED structure; and said arm is the means for causing the LED unit  35  to retract and expand. Likewise, LED  38  might have a lens integrated therein. The retractable LED unit  35  is optically sensed and translated into position data, and is communicated to the computer via the wireless connection. Light from the LED  38  reflects off the support surface as the vehicle moves, and the reflected light is focused on an optical sensor  42  via a lens. In such an embodiment, the support surface could be most any surface such as a table top, sheet of paper, wall, arm, leg, mouse pad, or binder. The point here is that the device  101  will work on many diverse surfaces and need not be limited to a special mouse pad or other dedicated surface. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows the exploded side perspective of retractable LED unit  35  in the up position (not in use) 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows the exploded side perspective of retractable LED unit  35  in the down position (the LED unit is in use) 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is the perspective view of top side of base  50 , which when assembled is directly beneath the cover  1 , the printed circuit board  27  for the remote control toy vehicle, whereas printed circuit board  28  is for the computer input device (mouse.) Furthermore, this perspective view illustrates the location of the gears  22 , axles  31 ,  32 ,  33 , and  34 , the drive motor  30 , and the retractable LED unit  35 . Control of the toy vehicle portion of device  101  is conventional. The vehicle includes circuitry  27  indicated in  FIG. 7 , preferably located in the central chassis towards the first longitudinal position  53 , which and including a wireless, preferably radio frequency (RF) receiver on said circuitry board  27 , preprogrammed microprocessor or microcontroller operably coupled with receiver  27 , and with propulsion/steering motor control circuits. The operation of the motor  30  is controlled by the microprocessor in response to control signals received by the receiver located on said circuitry board  27  from a remote control unit  58  generating and transmitting wireless maneuver control signals. The vehicle, device  101  is propelled by controlling motor  30  to rotate the plurality of road wheels in the same direction at the same speed and is steered by controlling the motors to drive the wheels on either lateral side  55 ,  56  of either lateral chassis portion  53 ,  54 . Light sources  12 ,  17 ,  10 ,  19  are hard wired with the battery power supply  43  to be constantly on when on-off switch  26  is set to the ON position, closing the circuitry through battery  26 , according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0036]    In the present invention and preferred embodiment, a sound track located on circuit board  27  might be included and wired to power supply  43  for use by the consumer at will by using the on/off switch  52 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is the front view of device  101  with the LED  35  in the operational position. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  transmitter or controller  58  which transmits radio signals to be received by the remote control toy vehicle  101  in a conventional manner. In one embodiment, the controller  58  includes a housing which is shaped similar to a two handled gaming device already in use for various games. The housing  59  is secured with a plurality of screws therein. 
         [0039]    The controller  58  includes a button steering wheel knob that rotates by thumb movement for the right thumb  67  and left thumb  68 , which pushing the button knob causes the toy vehicle  101  to move forward, backwards or to the left or right. 
         [0040]    The controller  58  also includes a left/right switch  63  to actuate either one of the steering button knobs, to communicate with the steering control circuit on the circuit board  62  not shown, as well as the speed control button for either the left  65  or the right  66  which communicates with the speed control circuit on the circuit board  62  not shown. 
         [0041]    The controller  58  comprises an on/off switch  69  on the device  58 , an on/off switch  64  to actuate toy vehicle lights  10 ,  12 ,  17 , and  19 , underside, as well as a power supply battery pack  60  and battery cover  61  not shown. The batteries can be rechargeable, but need not be. Other battery technologies, such as nickel, hydride, lithium ion, lithium polymer, or zinc air can also realize power. 
         [0042]    In the preferred embodiment, a floor mat or computer pad for racing a device  101  against another device  101  is optional. Inclusion of said rugs or mats will not detract from the operation of the LED mouse or remote control toy vehicle, it would only add to the fun and stress relief device  101  can provide. 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.