Abstract: Methods and related apparatus embodiments are disclosed that allow combinations of legacy devices and new higher capability devices to be compatibly integrated on a model railroad control system to provide; higher system speed, new control capabilities and lowered control latency delays.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatus embodiments are disclosed that allow combinations of legacy devices and new higher capability devices to be compatibly integrated on a model railroad control system to provide; higher system speed, new control capabilities and lowered control latency delays.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided to allow expanded control capability of digital locomotives on model railroad layouts, and to permit compatible speed and direction operation simultaneously for non-digital or conventional locomotives alongside. The improvements employ mixed-mode control encoding and decoding algorithms and methods that are expanded beyond other known structures for control mode changes used on model railroad layouts. The method and the apparatus also provide a capability for occupancy detection, transponding or data feedback detection and intelligent power management in the same apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown to provide a downloadable and user configurable sound generator based on a Sound Definition Language method with inline modifiers, which provides the maximum user customization, flexibility and adjustment of sounds that can be produced. The embodiments of this method allow the creation of sound decoders that may be securely downloaded with sound and IPL data and that will operate in power limited environments with resistance to power drop outs and are significant improvements beyond prior art devices.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for providing proportional activation of model railroad functions and effects with control keys on a model railroad layout control system. This permits for example a throttle device connected to a digital layout control system to provide for a “playable” or variable-pitch whistle sound effect where prior art was severely limited in providing this effect realistically. This invention allows proportional keys with the added ability to control multiple aspects of any effect and to latch proportional values at any state. This invention also allows the expansion of the wireless and Internet connection capabilities of the network of a layout control system so the new proportional capabilities can be carried across these connections.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for detection methods employed in the control, automation and operation of scale Model railroad layouts that permit new types of capabilities to be incorporated into the railroad. The invention allows for the lowering of the cost of detection electronics by employing a redundant encoding of information in the transponder responses that are then used for detecting transponder location on the layout by using current sensors. The use of a complementary multiplex arrangement and algorithm allows a reduction in the detection electronics by virtue of the fact that most the conditioning electronics can be supplied in a single instance that is shared amongst the multiplexed current sensors.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for detection methods employed in the control, automation and operation of scale Model railroad layouts that permit new types of capabilities to be incorporated into the railroad. The invention allows for the lowering of the cost of detection electronics by employing a redundant encoding of information in the transponder responses that are then used for detecting transponder location on the layout by using current sensors. The use of a complementary multiplex arrangement and algorithm allows a reduction in the detection electronics by virtue of the fact that most the conditioning electronics can be supplied in a single instance that is shared amongst the multiplexed current sensors.

Abstract: Methods are provided for intelligent power management control of model railroad layouts that employ multiple boosters that can be added in a parallel arrangement to increase the power available to a section of track. Boosters paralleled in this method employ circuits and a logic function to detect the actual track voltages they are normally connected to for providing track current, as an alternate to an extra hardware synchronizing link. By detecting the track voltages in this way during the recovery period after a overload fault has cleared, all Matched boosters can accurately determine when the first restarting booster attempts to re-energize the tracks and hence immediately turn on their own power to argument the current available for restarting. This ensures that the boosters can act in synchronized concert to power a track section that they individually cannot drive because the current draw would exceed the individual booster current capacities.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for detection methods employed in the control, automation and operation of scale Model railroad layouts that permit new types of capabilities to be incorporated into the railroad. The invention allows for the creation of an automated alarm condition and device tracking capability using transponding technology improvements described herein that is capable of detecting when a device is removed, or derailed, and then reporting the device address, last known layout location and time this event occurred. Additionally improvements to transponder detection are shown that lower cost and improve reliability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to allow compatible speed operations and physical coupling of decoder equipped locomotives to locomotives without decoders when operating on conventional track power. The improvements utilize mechanisms added to improve decoder fault protection, and that can also be usefully additionally employed to allow voltage accurate mode-conversion using a novel, cost reduced and simplified mode-switching arrangement. Additionally, a convenient automation of the mode switching arrangement is shown by using different relay switch configurations controlled by the decoder logic.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for occupancy detection methods employed in the control, automation and operation of scale Model railroad layouts that permit new types of capabilities to be incorporated into the railroad. The invention allows for a universal occupancy detector that can automatically configure itself to work on common rail or direct home wiring arrangements. This occupancy detector is able to work with large track feeder parasitic or stray capacitances and is also able to determine when any direct home track section is energized.

Abstract: A local area network based control system for model railroad layout control that may be readily modified, upgraded, dynamically reconfigured or expanded with minimum physical or functional interruption to the operation of the model railroad layout. This allows for the expansion and improvements to the layout control system to be effected with least effort, time and risk of failure.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for occupancy detection methods employed in the control, automation and operation of scale Model railroad layouts that permit new types of capabilities to be incorporated into the railroad. The invention allows for a universal occupancy detector that can automatically configure itself to work on common rail or direct home wiring arrangements. This occupancy detector is able to work with large track feeder parasitic or stray capacitances and is also able to determine when any direct home track section is energized.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for detection methods employed in the control, automation and operation of scale Model railroad layouts that permit new types of capabilities to be incorporated into the railroad. The invention allows reliable detection of transponder devices on a model railroad layout using conveniently low values of transponder current pulses. Processing of the detected current pulse timing and direction characteristics and then comparing these with the expected or reference current direction for the layout section allows us to reject echo pulses caused by common impedances in the layout wiring. This method overcomes the pulse echoes that have caused the failure of previous attempts to reduce this technology to practice. Allowing additional acknowledgment pulses synchronized to any transponder address sent can further enhance Transponding technology. This provides extra communication capabilities that are not limited by the rate or timing of addresses sent to any particular transponder device.