Patent ID: 7726612

Claim:
An integrated mixed-mode controller apparatus for expanded control of a digitally equipped locomotive when operated in conjunction with a non-digital equipped locomotive controlled by varying amplitude of a track voltage on a model railroad layout, comprising: said integrated mixed-mode controller, further comprising: (i) a fixed power source connected to, (ii) a digital control element capable of control logic and encoding new commands for said expanded control, (iii) control inputs capable of conveying speed and direction information and at least one other new user control input to said digital control element, (iv) a power control switch under the control of said digital control element that is capable of modulating the energy provided by said fixed power source and generating a selectable polarity PWM modulated output voltage with an added expanded command encoding capability when said new user control input is seen, and communicating this output voltage via, (v) a filter switch and associated filtering elements under timed control of said digital control element that filter said PWM modulated output voltage to a smoother DC voltage when no said new user control input is active, whereby activation of said new user control input results in a mixed-mode expanded command encoding control signal that can be detected and decoded by said digitally equipped locomotive, giving expanded control while allowing speed and direction control of said non-digitally equipped locomotive.