Patent ID: 8892276

Claim:
A model train control system comprising: a controller comprising: a housing; a sound effects input device coupled to the housing for permitting user control over a sound effect, the sound effects input device configured to provide an input signal that varies in relation to physical actuation of the sound effects input device by a user from at least a first position to a second position, and from the first position to a third position; a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the sound effects input device, the processor configured to generate model train sound effects commands to be transmitted in response to the varying input signal received from the sound effects input device; and a transmitter configured to communicate the model train sound effects commands; and a model train comprising: a receiver configured to receive the model train sound effects commands; and a sound effects generator configured to select recorded sound segments from memory in response to receiving the model train sound effects commands from the receiver and to use said recorded sound segments to generate said sound effect, the sound effect having at least one characteristic that varies in correspondence with the physical actuation of the sound effects input device from the first position to the second position, and from the first position to the third position; wherein a first one of said model train sound effects commands corresponds to a first one of said recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to releasing the sound effects input device from the second position, and a second one of said model train sound effects commands corresponds to a second one of the recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to releasing the sound effects input device from the third position; and wherein said sound effects generator is configured to use said first one of said recorded sound segments to generate said sound effect having a first variation of said characteristic, and to use said second one of said recorded sound segments to generate said sound effect having a second variation of said characteristic.