Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.

Abstract: A toy system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A toy vehicle or mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the toy vehicle and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the toy vehicle can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the toy vehicle, whereupon the microcontroller of the toy vehicle controls detailed movement of the toy vehicle on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the toy vehicle to implement the action on the drivable surface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for interfacing with multiple gaming devices are disclosed. A universal controller includes a communication channel designed to selectively establish one or more bidirectional communication links between the controller and the gaming devices. A data collection unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel is designed to collect data related to a gaming experience of the first gaming device and a gaming experience of the second gaming device. The data collection unit is also designed to transfer to the second gaming device the gaming experience of the first gaming device to affect the gaming experience of the second gaming device. A storage unit communicatively coupled to the data collection unit is designed to store the collected data. Further, an input assembly that includes multiple input elements is included. Each input element is designed to be selectively mapped to one or more functions of the gaming devices.

Abstract: A racing play set for toy vehicles includes a first track segment, a second track segment disposed in intersection with the first track segment, a return portion disposed in communication with the first and second track portions, and a scoring mechanism, where the return portion is configured to be shared by toy vehicles traveling on the first and second track segments, where the return portion is configured to receive a first toy vehicle from the first track segment and return the first vehicle to the first track segment, where the return portion is configured to receive a second toy vehicle from the second track segment and return the second vehicle to the second track segment, where the scoring mechanism is configured to record a pass of the first vehicle through the return portion and a pass of the second vehicle through the return portion.

Abstract: A dynamic current collector system for a set of toy vehicles disposed on a track. The system includes electroconductive tracks which can be connected to a power supply unit and which are disposed along inner sides of a guide groove. The system also includes current collector elements which are electrically connected to a motor of the vehicle and which are positioned on outer lateral faces of a guide follower flange disposed at a lower front part of the vehicle. The electroconductive tracks are concealed inside the groove. When the vehicle moves along the track with the flange inserted in the guide groove, a dynamic electrical contact is established between the tracks and the current collector elements to supply current to a motor that powers the vehicle.

Abstract: A speed controller for toy vehicles on a toy car racetrack has a manual controller for varying an electrical driving voltage from an electric power supply for the car racetrack. The manual controller is manually displaced over a preset operating path so the driving voltage derived by the electric power supply varies from zero to a first preset maximum value below the voltage that is derived by the electric power supply. An additional controller responds to manual operation to set the driving voltage applied to the car racetrack, to a second preset value above the maximum driving voltage that is derived by the controller for varying the electrical driving voltage.

Abstract: In a game machine, platen dots are provided on a traveling field. A plurality of self-propelled members are provided on the traveling field. Each self-propelled member includes a first linear motor and a second linear motor for respectively propelling the self-propelled member in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other. A miniature member is coupled with a motor so as to be rotatably supported on each self-propelled member. A controller controls the motor such that a rotated angle of the miniature member is determined in accordance with a propelling direction of the self-propelled member.

Abstract: A toy car is disclosed. The toy car comprises a circuit testing board, a power source device and a toy-car body with a driving mechanism. The circuit testing board and the power source device are detachably mounted onto the toy car body. The circuit testing board enables the terminals of wire cords to be connected, and the circuit testing board is mounted with electronic components and sensing control elements such as sound, thermals and light sensors to form a control circuit by the user, allowing the toy car to be controlled by various kinds of methods to move forward or to turn in direction.

Abstract: Vehicle guidance and control systems that use the intensity of a field radiated from a source of radiation to define the track or lane for operation of the vehicles. The source of radiation used is a single source of radiation in the sense that vehicle position relative to the source of radiation is sensed by sensing intensity of the radiation at the vehicle, rather than the difference in field intensity sensed from two physically separated sources of radiation. Exemplary embodiments using a single magnetic field for navigational control are described, including a basic system for a single vehicle, a tethered system having steering and speed controls for creating a multiple vehicle racing environment, and a radio controlled system, also for creating a multiple vehicle racing environment and in the embodiment disclosed, also useable as a stand alone RC controlled vehicle.

Abstract: A model railway system with improved banking characteristics 10 comprising a series of track sections 16, 18 joined end-to-end to form a continuous track assembly 12 and a modular trestle assembly 32 to elevate the track assembly 12. The trestle assembly 32 includes a biaxially inclined coupling module 28 that allows the track 12 to be built at a greater incline within a tighter radius than would otherwise be possible. The model railway system 10 includes a battery 114 powered locomotive 110 with a portable hand-held remote control device 84 that uses infrared signals 102 to send commands to the locomotive 110. The locomotive 110 pulls modular train cars 53,54 that have coupling protrusions 30 and beam support brackets 64 to support accesories to build different types of cars.

Abstract: A model motorcycle race track system is provided including a race track and a plurality of carriage assemblies slidable along the track. A plurality of miniature motorcycles are each mounted on one of the carriage assemblies for being moved around the track.

Abstract: A security alarm device is replicated in a toy vehicle. The security device includes a remote control which also can control vehicle functions. The remote control may control alarm arm and disarm, alarm and vehicle sounds such as arm, disarm, alarm set off, engine revving, tire screeching, motor drive, and vehicle lights. The security alarm device includes an LED which indicates whether the alarm is armed or unarmed, and a motion sensor which sets the alarm off (e.g., emitting a siren sound) when the toy vehicle is moved in its armed state.

Abstract: A "try me" feature for remotely controlled devices such as remotely controlled toys for point of sale demonstration or sampling. A secondary link is provided between the remote control device and the remotely controlled device. When the secondary link is selected or present, activation of a control on the remote control device will cause the remotely control device to react the same or similar to the way it reacts under wireless remote control, but via the secondary link. In the preferred embodiment, the secondary link includes a disconnectable wired coupling. The remotely controlled device and the remote control device may be contained in a point of sale package or configured in a point of sale display. In one embodiment, the remotely controlled device has a switch by which the secondary coupling and "try me" operation, or normal wireless remote control operation is selected.

Abstract: A remote control toy includes a remote land vehicle which is controlled by a hand controller configured in the shape of a flying vehicle. The hand controller includes a switch for controlling forward and rearward movement of the land vehicle and a photoelectric tilt switch for controlling steering of the land vehicle wherein tilting movement of the flying vehicle hand controller causes steering of the land vehicle. The tilting movement of the hand controller for steering creates that appearance that the flying vehicle is following or chasing the land vehicle.

Abstract: A controller for model trains on a train track is provided. The controller causes direct current control signals to be superimposed on alternating current power signals to control effects and features on model vehicles. The model vehicle includes a receiver unit responsive to the direct current control signals.

Abstract: A toy vehicle comprising a body and a chassis on which the body is mounted through connecting members. The chassis has front and rear tires. The chassis is divided on its center axis along a longitudinal direction of the chassis into two parts comprising left and right side portions. A gear is provided on the center axis for coupling the left and right side portions of the chassis to hinge the left and right side portions with each other.

Abstract: A toy vehicle and track assembly includes an electrically operable vehicle for movement along an elongate flexible track of a predetermined length having flexible electrical conductors along the longitudinal extent thereof. The vehicle is configured for an actual direction of travel and an apparent direction of travel and includes an arrangement for maintaining the actual direction of travel coincident with the apparent direction of travel. Power is supplied to the vehicle through a hand-held controller wired to a power application device which clamps on the track. The track may be formed with one of several cross-sectional configurations providing additional surfaces for the placement of conductive electric strips which apply power to the vehicle and to optional auxiliary systems within the vehicle. A plurality of mounting tunnels are provided to allow the track to be erected in a number of predetermined circuit designs and, optionally, power may be applied to the track through one of the mounting tunnels.

Abstract: A track racing game machine Includes two or more vehicles having a drive motor and a pair of first and second contact members; a looped running track provided with a running lane along which the vehicles move; a power generator for generating a power of a specified level to be supplied to each vehicle to control the speed of the vehicle; and a plurality of pairs of supplying lines provided on the running lane of the running track to supply the power generated by the power generator to the corresponding vehicles, each pair consisting of first and second supplying lines, the first and second supplying lines being in contact with the first and second contact members of the corresponding vehicle, respectively.

Abstract: A toy vehicle system has a vehicle provided with a resiliently biased driven wheel. The wheel is driven by a motor and interposed gears for rotating said driven wheel. The driven wheel is in contact with a lateral side of the track. The motor and driven wheel are mounted on a panel which is positioned for relative movement within a slot in the vehicle pedestal. Track engaging elements, which may preferably be spools, have a pair of rotatable elements in engagement with each side of the track. A pair of resiliently biased electrical pickups is disposed in contacting relationship with the electrically energized track rails. One or more lights may be provided on the vehicle. The vehicle is preferably disposed within a closed hollow enclosure.

Abstract: A remote controllable toy including a plurality of passive toy units, a plurality of transmitters for remotely controlling the passive toy units, and synchronizing signal transmitting means for transmitting a synchronizing signal to the passive toy units and the transmitters. Each of the transmitters of the passive toy units transmits a control signal for controlling the corresponding passive toy unit when identifying a transmission timing allocated thereto by referring to the synchronizing signal. Each of the passive toy units receives both the synchronizing signal and the control signal, and identifies the timing allocated thereto by referring to the received synchronizing signal, so that it is actuated in accordance with the control signal received within the timing allocated thereto.

Abstract: A controller for model trains on a train track is provided. The controller transmits control signals between a rail of the track and earth ground, generating an electromagnetic field which extends for several inches around the track. A receiver in the locomotive can then pick up signals from this electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guidance track for an electric vehicle. The guidance track preferably includes one or more grooves formed within a dielectric material. The wheels of the vehicle fit, at least in part, in the grooves which are configured to accept the wheels of both powered and unpowered cars in the vehicle. The grooves guide and direct the vehicle as the wheels travel through the grooves.

Abstract: A portable toy vehicle racing set for use with at least one toy vehicle having a motor includes a case having a first section with inner and outer surfaces and a second section with inner and outer surfaces. The case sections are pivotally coupled together to permit movement between opened and closed positions. In the closed position, the set simulates a carrying case. In opened condition, a flat track surface is presented. The first and second sections of the case include predetermined track layouts which provide a closed loop track. The closed loop track defines at least one lane in which the toy vehicle can ride with the at least one lane including contact rails for supplying power to the toy vehicle motor.

Abstract: A toy vehicle adapted to run on a track wherein the track defines a preselected pathway with a preselected geometrical configuration. A plurality of motion command modules are mounted at predetermined locations on the track and each motion command module has a detectable motion pattern array and the motion pattern array of each command module may be different than the other motion command modules. The toy vehicle has a motion producing device such as an electric motor for providing movement characteristics of the toy vehicle on the track in response to receipt of a motion control signal. A pattern detection unit is mounted on the vehicle and detects, for example, by optical detection, the detectable movement pattern array of each motion command module and generates the motion control signal in response thereto.

Abstract: In a toy vehicle with an electric drive motor and with wiper contacts disposed on the chassis thereof, which are in contact with the drive motor and with electrical conductors embedded in the toy vehicle track, a plurality of wire sections made of an electrically conducting and resiliently elastic material and kept together along part of their length by means of a sleeve are used to assure the maintenance of contact between the toy vehicle and the toy vehicle track and the operational connection of the wiper contacts with the conductors.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the running track of a toy car racer in a racing toy, in which a motor-driven running body runs on a base having a plurality of guide tracks in parallel. The body has a guide element engageable with the guide track and the running body is provided with an electromagnetic coil for engaging and disengaging the guide element with the guide track. The electromagnetic coil at its pole portions is provided with yokes each energizable to a different polarity and protruding in parallel to a predetermined direction to form a pair of magnetic pole portions, opposite to which are swingably arranged linkage for controlling wheel-steerage, including a magnet at its middle portion adjacent to the magnetic pole portions.

Abstract: Remote light controlled toy vehicle is provided with a transmitting source for infrared rays of predetermined frequency through a predetermined angle of radiation and a mobile toy operatively responsive to reception of the infrared rays. The mobile toy has at least first and second wheels and a motor; with there being a first gear train permanently connecting the motor and the first wheel and with there being a disengageable second motor gear train connecting the motor and the second wheel; the second motor train incorporating shiftable components so that upon rotation of the motor shaft in, one direction, motion transmission is inhibited. The vehicle contains first and second prima movers; the first being non-reactive to the infrared ray emissions so that the first gear train will operate with the other, or second, being inactive whereby the vehicle will tend to rotate about its vertical axis.

Abstract: A toy slot racing vehicle set including a track with one or more slots for electrically-driven toy vehicles guided by a downward projection extending into a slot, the vehicle picking up electrical power from a pair of conductors inset into the track and electrical power supply means for those conductors which include at least one hand-held controller having means to vary the electrical power applied across the conductor so as in turn to vary the speed of the toy vehicle, and further comprising switch means on the hand-held controller for providing a short circuit between the two conductors whereby when the switch means are operated and the two conductors short-circuited, the electrical motor in the vehicle will act in a regenerative sense producing an electrical current which is short-circuited and thereby provides braking for the vehicle.

Abstract: A toy playset including a bridge which may be used in a road racing set to emulate the occurence of an explosion. The playset includes a launcher and a toy bridge with a track portion and an actuating device. The track portion includes at least one element thereof which may be operated by the actuating device to project a toy vehicle passing thereover in a manner simulating an explosion.

Abstract: A control unit for model vehicles, such as model railway trains, model automobiles, etc. For independent operation of several model vehicles on a common electric circuit, it is known to allocate to each model vehicle a receiver coded in relation with hardware and controlled according to a binary word consisting of an address part and a data part. Control units of this type, however, have the disadvantage that they cannot be operated on analog electric circuits. With the invention, a control unit is proposed which independently switches off the digital control logic in the case of a change of the model vehicle from a digital trackage to an analog trackage, and enables operation of the model vehicle via an amplitude-controlled or pulse width-controlled analog signal.

Abstract: A modular control panel for controlling the switching operations in a miniature- or model-railway-line has grooves which reproduce the railway tracks, contacts being applied to the groove bottoms in the neighborhood of railway crossings, and is improved by the provision of a rotatable direction indicator placed at every line intersection so as to mask one or the other branch of a line bifurcation with one of its halves, the other half of said indicator defining the correct direction.

Abstract: A toy-racing express motor road permitting a plurality of cars to be operated selectively as trackbound or freely steerable. The motor road includes track sections having across their entire length extension guide grooves, guiding edges, and current conductors. In the trackbound operation, a guide pin of the car catches in the guide groove. In the freely steerable operation, a guiding edge guides the car. The force-locking, or form-locking connection between the steering mechanism of a car and the driving mechanism of the car is interrupted in the trackbound operation as through the removal of a gear wheel. In a racing express motor road having several tracks with several current conductor pairs per travel track, different possibilities of play are possible as a matter of choice between an operation with only track-driven cars and an operation with only freely steerable cars.

Abstract: A toy racing car for use on a slotless car racing track has to continue to be driven in the forward direction when the polarity of the driving current is reversed, the reversal causing a change in the direction of steering of the car so that it can change from one lane to another. Such cars need to have a simple and reliable drive system.