SINGLE BEAM OPTOELECTRIC REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR CONTROL OF TOYS

Abstract: A remote control apparatus for guiding toy vehicles (12) on a roadway (10). Preferably a remote control hand unit (120) is employed that is optoelectric. The hand unit (120) includes a plurality of direction keys (124) that transmit signals from the hand unit based on their electronic interconnections with a directional light transmitter (130) in the hand unit (120). The hand unit transmits directional commands to control movement of a toy vehicle (12) through the intersection (82) of a roadway (10). These control commands are directionally transmitted via a modulated signal that is received by a sensor (160) adjacent the roadway.

Description: SINGLE BEAM OPTOELECTRIC REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR CONTROL OF TOYS Field of the Invention The invention relates to the control of toys and, more particularly, optoelectric remote controlled control thereof. Background of the Invention U.S. Patent No. 1,084,370 discloses an educational apparatus having a transparent sheet of glass laid over a map or other illustration sheet that is employed as a surface on which small moveable figures are guided by the movement of a magnet situated below the illustration sheet. Each figure, with its appropriate index word, figure or image is intended to arrive at an appropriate destination on the top of the sheet and to be left there temporarily. U.S. Patent No. 2,036,076 discloses a toy or game in which a miniature setting includes inanimate objects placeable in a multitude of orientations on a game board and also includes animate objects having magnets on their bottom portions. A magnet under the game board is employed to invisibly cause the movement of any of the selected animate objects relative to the inanimate objects. U.S. Patent No. 2,637,140 teaches a toy vehicular system in which magnetic vehicles travel over a toy landscape as they follow the movement of ferromagnetic pellets through an endless nonmagnetic tube containing a viscous liquid such as carbon tetrachloride. The magnetic attraction between the vehicles and ferromagnetic pellets carried by the circulating liquid is sufficient to pull the vehicles along the path defined by the tube or channel beneath the playing surface. U.S. Patent No. 3,045,393 teaches a device with magnetically moved pieces. Game pieces are magnetically moved on a board by reciprocation under the board of a control slide carrying magnetic areas or elements longitudinally spaced apart in the general direction of the motion path. The surface pieces advance step-by-step in one direction as a result of the back and forth reciprocation of the underlying control slide. U.S. Patent No. 4,990,117 discloses a magnetic force-guided traveling toy wherein a toy vehicle travels on the surface of a board, following a path of magnetically attracted material. The toy vehicle has a single drive wheel located centrally on the bottom of the vehicle's body. The center of the gravity of the vehicle resides substantially over the single drive wheel so that the vehicle is balanced. A magnet located on the front of the vehicle is attracted to the magnetic path on the travel board. The magnetic attraction directly steers the vehicle around the central drive wheel along the path. Summary of the Invention The present invention is a control apparatus for guiding toy vehicles on a roadway. Preferably, a remote control hand unit is employed that is most preferably optoelectric. The hand unit includes a plurality of direction keys that transmit command signals from the hand unit based on their electronic interconnection with a directional radiation source in the hand unit. The hand unit thus transmits directional commands to control movement of a toy vehicle through the intersection of a roadway. These control commands are preferably transmitted via a modulated light signal that is received by a light sensor adjacent the roadway. The light signal is focused and is thus received by only one detector at one location on the roadway, although a plurality of detectors at a plurality of locations are present. Brief Description of the Drawings The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a toy building set including the upper roadway and lower roadway of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic section view of the upper roadway, lower roadway, surface vehicle and powered subsurface vehicle of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a partially exposed isometric view of the powered subsurface vehicle of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic section view of attractive forces between two magnets showing no offset; FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic section view of attractive forces between two magnets showing horizontal offset; FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the magnetic interaction between the surface vehicle and the subsurface vehicle of the present invention during straight movement; FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the magnetic interaction between the surface vehicle and the subsurface vehicle of the present invention during a turn; FIGURE 8 is an electrical schematic of the control circuit of the subsurface vehicle of the present invention; FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a leading subsurface vehicle and a following subsurface vehicle showing collision avoidance thereof; FIGURE 10 is a transverse section view of the upper roadway, lower roadway, two surface vehicles and two powered subsurface vehicles of the present invention; FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic side section view of the upper roadway, lower roadway, surface vehicle and powered subsurface vehicle of the present invention; FIGURE 12 is a plan view of the lower roadway of the present invention with electromagnetic direction controllers; FIGURE 13 A is a detail view of the electromagnetic direction controllers of FIGURE 12; FIGURE 13B is a partially exposed isometric view of the electromagnetic direction controllers of FIGURE 12; FIGURE 14 is a detail plan view of FIGURE 12 showing the electromagnetic direction controllers of the present invention; FIGURE 15 is a diagrammatic section view of the interaction between the guidance control elements located adjacent an intersection and on the subsurface vehicle of the present invention; FIGURE 16 is an electrical schematic of the guidance control electronics of the intersection of FIGURE 12 of the present invention; FIGURE 17A is a section through the hand unit of the optoelectric remote control apparatus of the present invention; FIGURE 17B is a plan view of the hand unit of the optoelectric remote control apparatus of the present invention; FIGURE 18 is an electrical schematic of the circuitry of the hand unit of the optoelectric remote control hand apparatus of the present invention; and FIGURE 19 is an electrical schematic of the circuitry of the directional light detector of the optoelectric remote control apparatus of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention is a toy vehicular remote control apparatus as shown and described in FIGURES 1-19. As best shown in FIGURE 1, the toy vehicular guidance apparatus of the present invention can be used in a toy building set 2 having a lattice 4 and modular bases 6. More specifically, lattice 4 provides the substructure of toy building set 2 and supports modular bases 6 which are spaced above lattice 4 by a predetermined distance. Lower roadway 8 is also supported by lattice 4, but on a lower portion of lattice 4 at a predetermined distance below modular bases 6. Upper roadway 10 is comprised of some of modular bases 6 that have been specialized in design to provide a smooth traffic bearing surface for movement of surface vehicles 12 thereon. Most preferably, the road pattern of upper roadway 10 and lower roadway 8 are identical so that subsurface vehicles 14, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, can travel on lower roadway 8 to guide surface vehicles 12 on upper roadway 10 in a manner further described below. Preferably, the distance between lower roadway 8 secured to lattice 4 and upper roadway 10, also secured to lattice 4, is large enough to allow ingress and travel of subsurface vehicle 14 between lower roadway 8 and upper roadway 10. Next referring to FIGURE 2, the magnetic interconnection between surface vehicle 12 and subsurface vehicle 14 is shown whereby subsurface vehicle 14 travels between lower roadway 8 and upper roadway 10 such that surface vehicle 12 can be transported on upper roadway 10 by subsurface vehicle 14. As shown in FIGURE 2, power supply 16 interconnects a lower conductive layer 18 and upper conductive layer 20. Lower conductive layer 18 is located on the upper side of lower roadway 8. Upper conductive layer 20 is located on the under side of upper roadway 10. Power supply 16 thus energizes lower conductive layer 18 and upper conductive layer 20. Subsurface vehicle 14 accesses the electrical power in lower conductive layer 18 and upper conductive layer 20 in a manner described below to travel on lower roadway 8. Power supply 16 can be either direct current or alternating current, of preferably a shock safe voltage level, for example, about 12 volts. Lower conductive layer 18 and upper conductive layer 20 consist of thin metal sheets, foil layers or a conductive coating that may be, for example, polymeric. The conductive sheet, coating, or composite most preferably includes copper as the conductive metal. Still referring to FIGURE 2, subsurface vehicle 14 has a chassis 21 with an upper brush 22 located on the top of chassis 21 adjacent the under side of upper roadway 10 on which upper conductive layer 20 is located. Chassis 21 also has a lower brush 24 located on the under side thereof adjacent the upper surface of lower roadway 8 on which lower conductive layer 18 is located. Upper brush 22 and lower brush 24, which can be metal, graphite or conductive plastic, provide electrical interconnection between chassis 21 of subsurface vehicle 14 and upper conductive layer 20 and lower conductive layer 18, respectively for transfer of electrical power from power supply 16 to subsurface vehicle 14. Upper brush 22 and lower brush 24 are preferably elastic or spring loaded in order to accommodate changes in the distance between upper conductive layer 20 and lower conductive layer 18 to ensure a reliable electrical connection to subsurface vehicle 14. Upper brush 22 and lower brush 24 each have a head 25 that is contoured, or in another way shaped, for low friction sliding along upper conductive layer 20 and lower conductive layer 18, respectively, when subsurface vehicle 14 is in motion. Lower conductive layer 18 and upper conductive layer 20 can be located on substantially the entire upper surface of lower roadway 8 and under side of upper roadway 10, respectively, in order to ensure electrical interconnection of subsurface vehicle 14 to power supply 16 despite lateral movement across lower conductive layer 18 and upper conductive layer 20 by subsurface vehicle 14 due to, for example, turning of subsurface vehicle 14 or uncontrolled lateral movement thereof. Alternatively, lower conductive layer 18 and upper conductive layer 20 can be located in troughs or grooves in the upper surface of lower roadway 8 and the under side of upper roadway 10, respectively, into which head 25 of lower brush 24 and head 25 of upper brush 22, respectively, can reside in order to control the tracking of subsurface vehicle 14 in an electrically conductive environment by minimizing lateral movement of subsurface vehicle 14 relative to lower roadway 8 and upper roadway 10. Upper brush 22 and lower brush 24 are both electrically connected to control circuit 26 that is located on the front of chassis 21 of subsurface vehicle 14. Generally, control circuit 26 controls the electrical functioning of subsurface vehicle 14, and more specifically controls, and is electrically interconnected with, electromotor 28. Control circuit 26 thus controls the direction of movement, acceleration, deceleration, stopping, and turning of subsurface vehicle 14 based on external control signals, or control signals generated by subsurface vehicle 14 itself. Control circuit 26 is described in further detail below in conjunction with FIGURE 8. Electromotor 28, electrically interconnected with control circuit 26, can be a direct current motor with brushes, a direct current brushless motor, or a stepper motor. Electromotor 28 is mechanically interconnected with transmission 30 that transfers rotation of electromotor 28 to drive wheel 32 employing the desired reduction ratio. More than one electromotor 28 can be employed for independent drive of a plurality of drive wheels 32. Additionally, transmission 30 can be a differential transmission to drive two or more drive wheels 32 at different speeds. In this manner, more sophisticated control of the acceleration, deceleration, and turning, for example, of subsurface vehicle 14 can be employed. Chassis support 34 is located on the under side of chassis 21 of subsurface vehicle 14. Chassis support 34 is spaced from drive wheel 32, also located on the under side of subsurface vehicle 14, and can be, for example, rollers or low friction drag plates that are preferably flexible to allow compensation for distance variation between lower roadway 8 and upper roadway 10. Magnets 36 are preferably disposed on the top of subsurface vehicle 14 adjacent the under side of upper roadway 10. Magnets 36 are preferably permanent magnets, but can also be electromagnets supplied with power from power supply 16 via control circuit 26. Still referring to FIGURE 2, surface vehicle 12, while preferably being a car, truck, or other vehicle, can be any type of device for which mobility is desired in the environment of a toy building set. Surface vehicle 12 includes wheels 38 which are rotatable to allow movement of surface vehicle 12 on upper roadway 10. Instead of wheels 38, a low friction drag plate can be employed. Magnets 40 are located on the under side of vehicle 12 adjacent upper roadway 10. Magnets 40 are sized and spaced on vehicle 12 to be aligned with magnets 36 on the top of chassis 21 of subsurface vehicle 14 for magnetic interconnection of surface vehicle 12 and subsurface vehicle 14. Magnets 36 are 0.1 x 0.125 inch round permanent rare earth magnets with residual flux around 9,000 Gauss. Preferably, the same type of magnets are employed for magnets 40 of surface vehicle 12. Reliable magnetic coupling has been observed at a distance of up to 0.2 inches between magnets 40 of surface vehicle 12 and magnets 36 of subsurface vehicle 14. Next referring to FIGURE 3, a preferred embodiment of subsurface vehicle 14 is shown. Subsurface vehicle 14 of FIGURE 3 is designed to move between an ABS lower roadway 8 with a lower conductive layer 18 and an ABS upper roadway 10 with an upper conductive layer 20. Subsurface vehicle 14 of FIGURE 3 has one drive wheel 32 and two chassis supports 34 having low friction pads 35. Two upper brushes 22 and two lower brushes 24 are preferably present and are made from copper. Upper brushes 22 and lower brushes 24 are loaded by torsion springs. The above configuration assures a substantially uniform force on drive wheel 32 regardless of the clearance between lower roadway 8 and upper roadway 10, and also facilitates passage of subsurface vehicle 14 along inclines or declines of lower roadway 8 and upper roadway 10. Two rear magnets 62 are located on chassis 21 for collision avoidance with another subsurface vehicle 14 as described further below. Electromotor 28 is preferably a direct current brush motor, for example, Namiki Model No. 10CL-1202, rated for 0.22 W maximum output at approximately 17,000 RPM at 4.5 volts of direct current power supply. Transmission 30 consists of a Namiki 100 A gear train blocked with motor 28 along with a crown gear and associated pinions. The total reduction ratio of transmission 30 is 1 :40, and the efficiency is about 25 percent. Subsurface vehicle 14 operates at speeds of up to 9 inches per second at an incline of up to 15°. Lower magnet 64, on the underside of chassis 21, guides subsurface vehicle 14, and associated surface vehicle 12, on lower roadway 8, and causes subsurface vehicle 14, and associated vehicle 12, to turn based on magnetic interaction with electromagnetic direction controllers adjacent lower roadway 8 described in further detail below. Lower magnet 64 is preferably conic shaped with a protruding tip and is most preferably a 0.5 x 0.2 inch permanent rare earth magnet with a residual flux of about 9,000 Gauss. The protruding tip 65 of lower magnet 64 is preferably steel for more precise guidance on lower roadway 8. A pair of Hall effect sensors 67 straddle control circuit 26 on the front of chassis 21 for control of surface vehicle 14 in a manner further described below. Next referring to FIGURES 4-7, the principles of the magnetic forces interconnecting surface vehicle 12 and subsurface vehicle 14 by magnets 36 and magnets 40 are described. As shown in FIGURE 4, when two magnets are placed one above the other, with opposite poles toward each other, a magnetic force Fz between them exhibits based on the following equation: F ^ 6 M,M 2 r where r is the distance between parallel planes in which magnets are situated and Mγ, M are magnetic moments of both magnets. For permanent magnets, M is proportional to the volume of magnetic substance cross its residual flux density. For electromagnets, is proportional to the number of turns cross the current. As shown in FIGURE 5, when two magnets, one above the other, are shifted slightly to be horizontally offset by a distance b, the horizontal force F x occurs: F J. x * 6b -M±M 5 l r Next referring to FIGURES 6 and 7, the principles described above and shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 are discussed in relation to movement of nonpowered surface vehicle 12 by powered subsurface vehicle 14 due to the magnetic interconnection between magnets 40 of surface vehicle 12 and magnets 36 of subsurface vehicle 14. First referring to FIGURE 6, during straight line movement, the horizontal offset b between surface vehicle 12 and subsurface vehicle 14 increases as subsurface vehicle 14 moves until forces FI and F2 become large enough to overcome friction, inertia and, possibly, gravitational incline. At this point, surface vehicle 12 moves to follow subsurface vehicle 14. During a turn, as shown in FIGURE 7, forces FI and F2 have different directional vectors. Thus, forces FI and F2 not only create thrust, but torque as well, that causes surface vehicle 12 to follow subsurface vehicle 14. Now referring to FIGURE 8, control circuit 26 is described in further detail. Control circuit 26 is electrically connected to both upper brushes 22 and lower brushes 24. Control circuit 26 includes an FET 40 (for example, model No. ZVN4206A manufactured by Zetex) that is normally open because of 10k Ohm pull-up resistor 42. However, FET 40 deactivates electromotor 28 if a magnetic control or collision signal is detected by a Hall effect sensor 46 (element 67 of FIGURE 3) as further described below. Zener diode 48 (for example, model no. 1N5242 manufactured by Liteon Power Semiconductor) prevents overvoltage of the gate of FET 40. Diode 50 (for example, model no. 1N4448 manufactured by National Semiconductor), as well as an RC-chain consisting of 100 Ohm resistor 52 and O.lmcF capacitor 54, protect control circuit 26 from inductive spikes from electromotor 28. Diode 56 (for example, model no. 1N4004 manufactured by Motorola) protects control circuit 26 from reverse polarity of power supply 16. As shown in FIGURE 9, Hall effect sensor 46 (element 67 of FIGURE 9) of control circuit 26 is employed to prevent a rear end collision between a leading and a following subsurface vehicle 14. Control circuit 26 is preferably located on the front of following subsurface vehicle 14 so that Hall effect sensor 67 will be in close proximity to the magnetic field of rear magnet 62 of leading subsurface vehicle 14. When the following subsurface vehicle 14 closes to a predetermined distance, the magnetic field of rear magnet 62 of leading subsurface vehicle 14 is sensed by Hall effect sensor 67. Hall effect sensor 67 causes FET 40 to deactivate electromotor 28, thus stopping the following subsurface vehicle 14. When the leading subsurface vehicle 14 moves away from the following subsurface vehicle 14, the increased distance therebetween removes the magnetic field of rear magnet 62 of leading subsurface vehicle 14 from proximity to Hall effect sensor 67 of following subsurface vehicle 14. FET 40 thus activates electromotor 28 for movement of following subsurface vehicle 14. Next referring to FIGURES 10 and 11, further structural detail of one embodiment of lower roadway 8 and upper roadway 10, between which subsurface vehicle 14 travels, is shown. Lower vertical supports 66 are aligned in two spaced apart sets to support horizontal plate 68, which is preferably comprised of aluminum or other metal alloy. Horizontal plate 68 is the foundation for lower roadway 8, which is preferably comprised of ABS. As stated above, lower conductive layer 18, comprised of nickel or other conductive material, is located on lower roadway 8. Lower brushes 24 are in electrical communication with lower conductive layer 18. Thus, longitudinal steel strip 69 passes through horizontal plate 68 and is nested in lower roadway 8 at a sufficient depth such that lower magnet 64, and specifically steel tip 65 thereof, is attracted to steel strip 69 for guidance of subsurface vehicle 14. Upper vertical supports 74 are preferably spaced apart in two sets. On the upper ends of upper vertical supports 74 is upper roadway 10, having upper conductive layer 20, preferably made of nickel or other conductive alloy, on its underside. Bolts 76 are employed to removably secure upper roadway 10 and upper conductive layer 20 to upper vertical supports 74. Upper vertical supports 74 preferably have a height precisely defined to allow electrical communication between lower brushes 24 of subsurface vehicle 14 and lower conductive layer 18, as well as between upper brushes 22 of subsurface vehicle 14 and upper conductive layer 20. Referring to FIGURES 12, 13A, 13B and 14, intersection 82 and the electromagnetic direction control components thereof are shown in detail. As best shown in FIGURES 13A and 13B, an electromagnet 150 is located under each lower roadway 8 where the lower roadway 8 joins with intersection 82. Each electromagnet 150 is comprised of a U-shaped core 152 with a two section coil 154 thereon. U-shaped core 152 is preferably comprised of low carbon steel and coil 154 is preferably comprised of about 4,000 turns of #40 copper wire. Each electromagnet 150 is connected to an electric power source known in the art such that current in two alternating directions can selectively be passed through coil 154. In this manner, poles 156 and 150 of U-shaped core 152, which straddle steel strip 69, can be configured with either pole 156 being positive and pole 158 being negative, or pole 156 being negative and pole 158 being positive. Poles 156 and 158 can thus either attract or repel the pole of lower magnet 64 of subsurface vehicle 14 adjacent steel strip 69, depending upon the direction of current flow through electromagnet 150 that has been selected. With current flowing through electromagnet 150 in a first direction, pole 156 will thus attract lower magnet 64 of subsurface vehicle 14 and pole 158 will repel lower magnet 64 to guide subsurface vehicle 14 in a first direction, i.e., right. Reversing the direction of the current through electromagnet 150 will cause pole 156 to repel lower magnet 64 and pole 158 to attract lower magnet 64 to guide subsurface vehicle 14 in a second direction, i.e., left. No current flow through electromagnet 150 results in no magnetic interaction of poles 156 and 158 with lower magnet 64, and subsurface vehicle 14 proceeds straight. As shown in FIGURE 14, in addition to electromagnet 150 and associated poles 156 and 158, each intersection 82 includes a directional light detector 160 that is actuatable by a remote control unit described in further detail below. When actuated, directional light detector 160 of this specific intersection 82 receives control commands from a remote control unit to selectively control the electromagnets 150 as well as stop coils 164 of the specific intersection 82 as further described below. Stop coils 164 are electromagnets located on each lower roadway 8 adjacent intersection 82 that, when energized, actuate Hall effect sensors 67 to deactivate motor 28 of subsurface vehicle 14, thus stopping subsurface vehicle 14 prior to entering intersection 82 in order to control multiple vehicle traffic. Hall effect sensors 166, located on each lower roadway 8 adjacent intersection 82, detect when a subsurface vehicle 14 is approaching intersection 82. Hall effect sensors 168, also located on each lower roadway 8 adjacent intersection 82, detect when a subsurface vehicle 14 has left intersection 82. The data from directional light detector 160, Hall effect sensors 166 and Hall effect sensors 168 are fed to microprocessor Ul of FIGURE 16 to control intersection traffic, as described below. Referring to FIGURE 15, the orientation of stop coil 164, Hall effect sensor 166 and Hall effect sensor 168 proximate to Hall effect sensor 67 and lower magnet 64 of subsurface vehicle 14 is shown. Hall effect sensor 166 adjacent intersection 82 senses lower magnet 64 of approaching subsurface vehicle 14. This data is processed by microprocessor Ul of FIGURE 16, below, to activate stop coil 164. Stop coil 164 triggers Hall effect sensor 67 of subsurface vehicle 14 to deactivate motor 28, thus stopping subsurface vehicle before it enters intersection 82. Hall effect sensor 168 detects lower magnet 64 of a subsurface vehicle 14 as it leaves intersection 82 and relays this data to microprocessor Ul. The above interaction between stop coils 164, Hall effect sensor 166, Hall effect sensor 67, lower magnet 64 and microprocessor Ul ensures that after one subsurface vehicle 14 has entered intersection 82, all other subsurface vehicles 14 are detained until that subsurface vehicle 14 has left intersection 82. The above electromagnetic direction controllers of the present invention can be employed in a random mode whereby a Hall effect sensor 164 of a lower roadway 8 senses the approach of a subsurface vehicle 14, as described above. Microprocessor Ul then activates electromagnet 150 of the appropriate lower roadway 8 and randomly selects the current direction (or no current) so the subsurface vehicle 14 will randomly turn left, right or proceed straight through the intersection 82. When microprocessor first activates electromagnet 150, all stop coils 164 leading to intersection 82 are energized to block all traffic. After about 100 mseconds, the stop coil 164 of the lower roadway 8 on which the subsurface vehicle 14 to be controlled is located is deactivated by microprocessor Ul so that the subsurface vehicle 14 can enter intersection 82 to be guided by electromagnet 150. If more than one subsurface vehicle 14 is present at the intersection, microprocessor Ul commands them based on their order of arrival at intersection 82. The above electromagnetic direction controllers of the present invention can be employed in a user control mode employing light detector 160 of intersection 82, described above, to provide specific user command to allow a particular subsurface vehicle 14 to be guided in a specific direction through intersection 82. This user controlled mode operates substantially the same as the above random mode except that microprocessor Ul of FIGURE 16 does not randomly energize electromagnet 150 of the subject lower roadway 8. Instead, microprocessor Ul follows the command signals it has received from light detector 160 to energize electromagnet 150 in the manner directed by the user to accomplish the desired direction of movement of subsurface vehicle 14. As in the above random mode, all stop coils 164 are first energized, with one subsequently opened. Also, commands are followed by microprocessor Ul in the order received. Next referring to FIGURE 16, the electrical circuitry of the electromagnetic guidance control of intersection 82 is described. All logic functions are performed by an eight-bit microcontroller Ul (for example, model No. PIC16C65, manufactured by Microchip). Microcontroller Ul is clocked by a 10MH quartz crystal XI, for example, model No. A143E manufactured by International Quartz Devices. Voltage monitor U7, for example, model No. 138 IS manufactured by Panasonic, is responsible for the power-up reset and power supply fault protection. When the logic supply voltage (plus 5V) drops below 4.2V, the voltage detector drives LOW the MCLR pin of microcontroller Ul, thus shutting it down to prevent it from operation at reduced power supply voltage. When the logic supply voltage (plus 5V) is above 4.2V, the voltage detector drives HIGH the MCLR pin of microprocessor Ul, thus resetting it and reinitializing the system. Two full bridge drivers U5, for example, model No. UDN2993, manufactured by Allegro, drive electromagnets L5, L6, L7 and L8 (element 150 of FIGURES 13 A and 13B) of intersection 82. When pin ENA of driver U5 is HIGH, the state of pin PHA determines the direction of the current through the selected electromagnet L5-L8, and thus the turn direction of a subsurface vehicle 14. When pin ENA of the full bridge driver U5 is LOW, no current flows through the selected electromagnet L5-L8 and the subsurface vehicle 14 proceeds straight regardless of the state of pin PHA. Stop coils L1-L4 (element 164 of FIGURES 13 A and 13B) are driven through Darlington array U4, for example, model No. ULN2003, manufactured by Motorola. Another channel of Darlington array U4 drives a buzzer or other sound device HN1, for example, model No. P9948 manufactured by Panasonic that provides user feedback for the hand-held remote control device. Hall effect sensors 166, described above, are designated H1-H4 and are, for example, model No. HAL506 manufactured by ITT Semiconductors. Hall effect sensors 166 sense when a subsurface vehicle enters intersection 82. Hall effect sensors 168 are designated H5-H8 in FIGURE 16, sense when a subsurface vehicle leaves intersection 82, and are preferably the same model as Hall effect sensors H1-H4. When activated by side magnet 64 of a subsurface vehicle 14, Hall effects sensors HI -H8 drive LOW inputs RB4-RB8 of microcontroller Ul, thus denoting that a subsurface vehicle 14 has entered or left intersection 82. Since Hall effect sensors HI -H8 are open collector outputs, pull-up resistors R24-R27 are necessary to drive inputs of microprocessor Ul HIGH when no subsurface vehicle 14 is detected. Light detector 160, described above, is denoted as LDl and is connected directly to inputs of microprocessor Ul to provide input as to the desired electromagnetic configuration of intersection 82 upon receipt of control signals from a remote control unit further described below. The active level of light detector LDl is HIGH. The information pertaining to the desired direction of subsurface vehicle 14 from the remote control interface is transmitted serially to microprocessor Ul and is then decoded. The above circuit requires three power supply voltages: +5V, +15V, and the voltage of the subsurface vehicle 14 that is adjustable between +3V and +6V. Referring to FIGURES 17A-19, the optoelectric remote control apparatus of the present invention is described in detail. Referring specifically to FIGURES 17A and 17B, hand unit 120 includes case 122, that is preferably comprised of a plastic or other synthetic polymer. Case 122 has a plurality of direction keys 124 protruding through the upper surface thereof. Direction keys 124 transmits signals from hand unit 120 in a manner further described below. Case 122 holds circuit board 126 that has thereon electric circuitry, further described below, that allows vehicle control by the use of hand unit 120. Case 122 also houses directional light transmitter 130. While directional light transmitter 130 is shown, any directional energy source capable of transmitting a coded control signal can be employed, such as a low energy laser or columnated light source. Directional light transmitter 130 is electronically interconnected with circuit board 126. Directional light transmitter 130 has an optical transmission element that protrudes out of the front of hand unit 120 for transmission of directional light signals. Power source 132 is also contained within case 122 and provides electrical power to circuit board 126 and directional light transmitter 130. Power source 132 is preferably comprised of batteries such as, for example, 2 AA size batteries. Hand unit 120 transmits one of four, for example, commands, i.e., left, right, start, stop, via a frequency modulated directional light signal that is received by light detector LDl of FIGURE 16 (i.e., light detector 160 of FIGURE 14), light detector LDl preferably being associated with microprocessor Ul that controls one or more intersections 82, as described above. Thus, because the directional light signal generated by hand unit 120 that provides control commands is unidirectional, a single directional light detector 160 (LDl) usually can be present at each intersection 82. Since the light signal from hand unit 120 is directionally specific, when hand unit 120 is pointed at a specific one of light detectors 160 (LDl) associated with a specific one of intersections 82, this light detector 160 (LDl), and only this light detector 160 (LDl), is activated by the signal from hand unit 120 to receive the control commands. As stated above in regard to FIGURE 16, the visible light detector 160 (LDl) that is activated by the directional light signal from hand unit 120 provides a control command input to microprocessor Ul. Microprocessor Ul of FIGURE 16 will therefor apply a "right turn" command, for example, sent by the directional light signal of hand unit 120 to light detector 160 (LDl) to the specific locale with which the activated light detector 160 (LDl) is associated. The directional light signal generated by hand unit 120 is therefor a control signal for a locale of an intersection 82 that is location (i.e., intersection) specific depending on which light detector 160 (LDl) is activated. The directional light control data transmission of directional light transmitter 130 of hand held unit 120 employs frequency modulation. Radiation with a carrier wave length of about 670 nm is modulated by on/off signaling with four different frequencies, 0.4645, 0.316, 0.3097, and 0.2477 kHz. Each of the above four frequencies corresponds to one of the commands left, right, start and stop, respectively. Next referring to FIGURE 18, the electronic circuitry of control board 126 of hand unit 120 is described in detail. The control circuitry is based on an 8-bit microprocessor Ul which is preferably, for example, model No. PIC16C58, manufactured by Microchip. Microprocessor Ul has a software/hardware controllable "sleep" mode that provides oscillator shutdown and decreases the quiescent current of microprocessor Ul to less than 1 μA. Thus, microprocessor Ul is always powered, and no power switch is required for hand unit 120. To activate microprocessor Ul from its quiescent state, a short LOW pulse is applied to reset pin MCLR. A circuit based on dual 4NAND gates U2, , for example, model No. CD4012, manufactured by National Semiconductor, generates this short LOW pulse. Depression of any of direction keys 124 will generate the above short positive pulse. However, when hand unit 120 is not in use and direction keys 124 is not being depressed, all inputs of the first section of gate U2, pins 2, 3, 4, and 5, are pulled up by 100 k resistors R2, R3, R4, and R5, and the output of the first section of gate U2, pin 1, is LOW. However, inputs of the second section of gate U2, pins 9, 10, 11, and 12, are driven LOW by a common pull-down 10 k resistor R6, and the output of the second section of gate U2, pin 13, keeps HIGH the MCLR input of the microprocessor Ul. In contrast, when any of the direction keys 124 is pressed, the appropriate input of gate U2 goes LOW and the output, pin 1, goes HIGH, thus generating a short positive pulse with a differentiator chain composed of 0.001 μF capacitor C3 and 10k resistor R6. This pulse is inverted by the second section of gate U2 and is negative at the MCLR input of microprocessor Ul, thus activating microprocessor Ul from its quiescent state. The microprocessor Ul then starts its internal oscillator, stabilized by a 3.6864 MHz quartz crystal XI, for example, model No. A16M manufactured by International Quartz Devices. Microprocessor Ul then determines which control key 124 has been pressed by analyzing inputs RAO, RA1, RA2 and RA3. The input associated with the activated key is LOW, while all the other inputs associated with the other keys are driven HIGH by pull-up resistors R3, R4, and R5. If more than one of direction keys 124 is pressed, priority is given to the input with the lowest number input, RA0-RA3. Microprocessor Ul then functions as a programmable frequency divider, providing pulse sequences based on which one of the direction keys 124. The appropriate signal frequency is selected for the one of direction keys 124 that had been pressed. The appropriate visible light pulse sequence is applied to the gate of FET Ql, for example, model No. ZVM4206A, manufactured by Zetex, via microprocessor Ul output RB2 that results in directional control radiation being generated by directional light transmitter 130, designated LDl in FIGURE 18. No current limiting resistor is required for directional light transmitter LDl. Each 70 microseconds, microprocessor Ul checks the status of direction keys 124. If microprocessor Ul ascertains that the same key is still being pressed, it continues to generate the same pulse sequences. If microprocessor Ul ascertains that a different key is being pressed, microprocessor Ul changes the period (i.e., the frequency) of the visible light sequence to that of the new key being pressed. If microprocessor Ul determines that no key is currently being pressed, it enters the quiescent state. Next referring to FIGURE 19, the electronic circuitry of visible light detectors 160 is described. This circuitry distinguishes the modulated visible directional control radiation of hand unit 120 from interfering background radiation, demodulates it and provides two logic output signals. One output signal (OUT4) is HIGH when any radiation modulated with a frequency of 200 to 500 Hz is detected. The other output reproduces the same frequency by which the detected radiation is modulated. Photo transistor Ql, for example, model No. PN168, manufactured by Panasonic, changes its current proportional to the radiation level, thus creating an additional voltage drop across resistor RI, a 100 Ohm resistor. This voltage is applied to the input of frequency sensitive operational amplifier Ul A, for example, model No. LM358, manufactured by National Semiconductor. A voltage divider, consisting of resistor R2, a 1.2 k Ohm resistor, and resistor R3, a 1 k Ohm resistor, provides a DC bias to operational amplifier U1A. Resistor R6, a 3.3 M ohm resistor, and resistor R4, a 16 k Ohm resistor, set the DC gain of operational amplifier U1A to approximately 200. Capacitor C2, a 0.01 μF capacitor, capacitor C3, a 0.01 μF capacitor, resistor R5, a 60 k Ohm resistor, resistor R9, a 16 k Ohm resistor, and a voltage divider comprised of resistor R7, a 3.3 k Ohm resistor, and resistor R8, a 33 Ohm resistor, compose a Sallen-Key high pass filter with a cutoff frequency around 600 Hz. Capacitor C4, a 15 pF capacitor, suppresses possible high frequency oscillations. The amplified signal from the output of operational amplifier U1A activates a charge pump that is composed of capacitor C5, a 0.1 μF capacitor, resistor R10, a 200 Ohm resistor, and diodes Dl and D2, for example, model No. 1N4148, manufactured by National Semiconductor. This charge pump charges capacitor C6, a 1 μF capacitor, to a voltage proportional to the amplitude of the signal at the charge pump input. Due to resistor RI 1, a 10 k Ohm resistor, charge pump has its own band pass characteristic with the center frequency being around 1,000 Hz. Together with the Sallen-Key high pass filter, the charge pump creates the required selectivity of laser detector 116 with a center frequency around 930 Hz. If the voltage across capacitor C6 is large enough, the voltage triggers a Schmitt trigger based on operational amplifier U1B, for example, model No. LM358 manufactured by National Semiconductor. The output of operational amplifier U1B is set HIGH by voltage large enough to trigger the Schmitt trigger. This is an indication that radiation is detected. Resistor R12, a 10 k Ohm resistor, and resistor R13, a 10 k Ohm resistor, set the hysteresis of the Schmitt trigger, while resistor R14, a 51 k Ohm resistor, and resistor R15, a 10 k Ohm resistor, set the threshold of the Schmitt trigger. Capacitor C4 suppresses possible false triggering based on short length spikes. The amplified signal is also transmitted from the output of U1A to the additional bandpass amplifier U2A, for example, model No. LM358, manufactured by National Semiconductor. The gain of bandpass amplifier U2A (around 10) is set by resistor R17, a 16 k Ohm resistor, and resistor R18, a 160 k Ohm resistor. Together with capacitor C8, a 0.1 μF capacitor, and capacitor C9, a 0.0015 μF capacitor, resistor R17 and R18 set the bandpass between 150 and 800 Hz. The Schmitt trigger based on operational amplifier U2B, for example, model No. LM358, manufactured by National Semiconductor, which is equivalent to the Schmitt trigger U1B described above, translates the amplified signal to the logic level while maintaining its original frequency. The logic signal passes from output OUT6 to microprocessor Ul of FIGURE 16 where the frequency of the logic signal is measured and the directional command is decoded. While the subject invention is shown in the environment of a toy vehicular apparatus with surface and subsurface vehicles and associated surface and subsurface roadways, the subject invention is equally applicable in a system with a single level of vehicles and roadways. Likewise, while an electromagnetic intersection is shown to guide the vehicles, other modes of guidance, i.e., electromechanical, for example, can be employed with the subject invention to control vehicle movement through an intersection. Furthermore, while the remote control apparatus has been described to guide vehicles, it can also be employed to activate and deactivate any actuatable component of a toy environment, such as actuating lights, opening doors, energizing motors for cranes or elevators, and actuating sound devices. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims: The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A control apparatus for guiding toy vehicles on a roadway comprising: means for generating a location specific vehicle control signal; means for receiving a location specific vehicle control signal; and means for processing the location specific vehicle control signal generated by said means for generating a location specific vehicle control signal and received by said means for receiving a location specific vehicle control signal to guide a toy vehicle in one of a number of directions. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said means for generating a location specific vehicle control signal generates a visible light signal. 3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein a single means for receiving a location specific vehicle control signal receives all signals from said means for generating a location specific vehicle control signal. 4. A control apparatus for guiding toy vehicles on a roadway comprising: means for generating a visible light vehicle control signal; means for receiving a visible light vehicle control signal; and means for processing the visible light vehicle control signal generated by said means for generating a visible light vehicle control signal and received by said means for receiving a visible light vehicle control signal to guide a toy vehicle in one of a number of directions. 5. The apparatus of Claim 4, wherein a single means for receiving a visible light vehicle control signal receives all signals from said means for generating a visible light vehicle control signal. 6. A control apparatus for guiding toy vehicles on a roadway comprising: means for generating a location specific vehicle control signal; a single means for receiving all location specific vehicle control signals; and means for processing the location specific vehicle control signal generated by said means for generating a location specific vehicle control signal and received by said means for receiving a location specific vehicle control signal to configure the roadway to guide a toy vehicle in one of a number of directions. 7. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said means for generating a location specific vehicle control signal generates a visible light infrared signal. 8. The apparatus of Claim 7, wherein the roadway has a plurality of roads forming intersections and a separate single means for receiving all location specific vehicle control signals is present adjacent each intersection. 9. A control apparatus for a plurality of toys having functions controllable by said control apparatus comprising: means for generating a location specific toy control signal; means for receiving a location specific toy control signal; and means for processing the location specific toy control signal generated by said means for generating a location specific toy control signal and received by said means for receiving a location specific toy control signal to control the functions of said toys. 10. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein said means for generating a location specific toy control signal generates a visible light signal. 11. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein a single means for receiving a location specific toy control signal receives all signals from said means for generating a location specific toy control signal. 12. A control apparatus for a plurality of toys having functions controllable by said control apparatus comprising: means for generating a visible light toy control signal; means for receiving a visible light toy control signal; and means for processing the visible light toy control signal generated by said means for generating a visible light toy control signal and received by said means for receiving a visible light toy control signal to control the functions of said toys. 13. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein a single means for receiving a visible light toy control signal receives all signals from said means for generating a visible light toy control signal. 14. A control apparatus for a plurality of toys having functions controllable by said control apparatus comprising: means for generating a location specific toy control signal; a single means for receiving all location specific toy control signals; and means for processing the location specific toy control signal generated by said means for generating a location specific toy control signal and received by said means for receiving a location specific toy control signal to control the functions of said toys. 15. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said means for generating a location specific toy control signal generates a visible light infrared signal.

Inventors: CYRUS PETER, FERNEKES LEO M, RUBLOWSKY STEFAN, CYRUS, PETER, FERNEKES, LEO, M., RUBLOWSKY, STEFAN
Applicants: PARVIA CORP, PARVIA CORPORATION
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A63H30
IPC codes: A63H30