Patent ID: 7132807

Claim:
A model electric train direction control device comprising: a printed circuit board positioned and connected in an electric train, the printed circuit board comprising a plurality of input electrical connections attached to a power supply and a plurality of electrical output connections attached to a number of lights and motors in a model electric train; a microprocessor attached to one of the plurality of electrical output connectors, the microprocessor comprising at least one circuit to control lighting signals during operation and at least one circuit to control motor signals during operation, the microprocessor being programmable to control the signals automatically; a remote control ready socket for receiving an industry standard remote control therein and an output connector attached to the remote control ready socket; a remote control sensor attached to the remote control ready socket and connected to the microprocessor by a first pin connection, the first pin connection to the remote control sensor normally set to logic low by a second pin connection so that the microprocessor circuits control the motors and lights of the model electric train automatically according to programmed input to the microprocessor; and with an industry standard remote control positioned in the remote control ready socket, further comprising a third pin connection programmed to act with the second pin connection to set the first pin connection to logic high to allow the remote control to take control of operation of the model electric train while allowing the lighting and motor operations to be properly controlled with and without the remote control device inserted in the remote control ready socket so that the device provides basic direction control with speed monitoring and adjustment to maintain a constant speed of the model train under varying voltage and load conditions, and upon detection of an industry standard remote control device in the provided socket, will seamlessly switch the necessary signals to permit remote control operation, including additional unique lighting and throttle features gained by the on-board microprocessor in coordination of signals with coded keyboard input using the industry standard remote control device.