Toy vehicle wireless control system

Abstract

A toy vehicle remote control transmitter unit wirelessly controls the movements of a programmable toy vehicle. The toy vehicle includes a motive chassis having a plurality of steering positions. A microprocessor in the transmitter unit emulates manual transmission operation of the toy vehicle by being in any one of a plurality of different gear states selected by an operation of manual input elements on the transmitter unit. Forward propulsion control signals representing different toy vehicle speed ratios associated with each of the gear states are transmitted from the transmitter unit to the toy vehicle. The motive chassis has a steering feedback sensor with a plurality of defined steering positions to vary rate of steering position change to avoid overshoot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/340,591, filed Oct. 30, 2001, entitled “Toy Vehicle Wireless Control System,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to toy vehicles and, in particular, to remotely controlled, motorized toy vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention is in a toy vehicle remote control transmitter unit including a housing, a plurality of manual input elements mounted on the housing for manual movement, a microprocessor in the housing operably coupled with each manual input element on the housing, and a signal transmitter operably coupled with the microprocessor to transmit wireless control signals generated by the microprocessor to a toy vehicle. The invention is characterized in that the microprocessor is configured for at least two different modes of operation. One of the modes emulates manual transmission operation of the toy vehicle by being in any one of a plurality of different gear states and transmitting through the transmitter forward propulsion control signals representing different speed ratios for each of the plurality of different gear states. The microprocessor is further configured to consecutively advance through the different gear states in response to successive manual operations of at least one of the manual input devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0005] FIG. 1A is a top plan view of an exemplary remote control/transmitter used in accordance with the present invention;

[0006] FIG. 1B is an exemplary toy vehicle remotely controlled by the remote control/transmitter of FIG. 1A;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing an analog output of a control circuit used to drive different motor speeds of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a trapezoidal velocity profile of a steering finction of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1B;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit in the toy vehicle of FIG. 1B, which is directly responsive to steering commands received in accordance with the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a speed shifter remote control/transmitter circuit which sends steering commands to the control circuit of FIG. 4;

[0011] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, taken together, is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the vehicle control circuit of FIG. 4;

[0012] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G, 7H, 7I and 7J, taken together, is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the speed shifter remote control/transmitter circuit of FIG. 5;

[0013] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E, taken together, is a schematic diagram of a toy vehicle control circuit which processes received steering commands based on current steering position of the toy vehicle in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIGS. 9A and 9B, taken together, is a schematic diagram of a speed shifter remote control/transmitter circuit in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 10A depicts a steering output assembly;

[0016] FIG. 10B depicts the assembly of FIG. 10A with the output member and reduction gearing removed; and

[0017] FIG. 11 depicts the stationary portion or contact member of a steering sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Related U.S. Application No. 60/340,591 filed Oct. 30, 2001 is incorporated by reference herein. The present invention is a toy vehicle wireless control system which includes a remote control/transmitter 100 (FIG. 1A) with a speed shifter remote control/transmitter circuit 500 (see FIG. 5) or 900 (see FIGS. 9A, 9B), and a remotely controlled toy vehicle 20 (FIG. 1B) with a receiver/microprocessor based toy vehicle control circuit 400 (see FIG. 4) or 900 (see FIGS. 9A-9E), also hereinafter referred to as a speed shifter receiver circuit.

[0019] The remote control/transmitter 100 depicted in FIG. 1A includes a housing 105 and a plurality of manual input elements 110, 115 mounted on housing 105 and used for controlling the manual movement of a toy vehicle 20. The manual input elements 110, 115 are conventionally used to supply propulsion or movement commands and steering commands, respectively. They also enable selection among three different modes of operation or usage (hereinafter referred to as “Mode 1,” “Mode 2,” and “Mode 3”), each having a different play pattern. Power is selectively provided to circuitry in the remote control/transmitter 100 via ON/OFF switch 135 (in phantom in FIG. 1A).

[0020] Car 20 is shown in FIG. 1B and includes a chassis 22, body 24, rear drive wheels 26 operably coupled to drive/propulsion motor 420 (phantom) and front free rotating wheels 28 operably coupled with steering motor 410 (phantom). An antenna 30 receives command signals from remote control/transmitter 10 and carries those signals to the vehicle control circuit 400 (phantom) or 800 (not shown in FIG. 1B). An on-off switch 450 turns the circuit 400 on and off, and a battery power supply 435 provides power to the circuit 400 and motors 410, 420.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle control circuit 400 in the toy vehicle 20. The vehicle control circuit 400 includes a steering motor control circuit 405 which controls steering motor 410, and a propulsion motor control circuit 415 which controls drive motor 420. Microprocessor 4U1 is in communication with steering motor and drive motor control circuits 405, 415, and controls all other functions executed within the toy vehicle 20. A vehicle receiver circuit 430 receives control signals sent by remote control/transmitter 100 and amplifies and sends the control signals to microprocessor 4U1 for processing. A power supply circuit 440 powers the vehicle control circuit 400 in toy vehicle 20 and the steering and propulsion motors 410, 420, respectively.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a transmitter circuit 500 in the remote control/transmitter 100 (see FIG. 1A) that is powered by a battery 505 in communication with a two-position switch 135 that is used to turn the device 100 on and off and for selecting one of the modes. The transmitter circuit 500 also includes a microprocessor 5U1. The microprocessor 5U1 is operably coupled with each of the manual input elements 110, 115. The remote control/transmitter 100 must first be turned off via switch 135 to change the mode used. Manual input element 110 is preferably a center biased rocker button operating momentary contact switches 110a and 110b, as shown in FIG. 5. When pressed, the manual input element 110 causes one of contact switches 110a and 110b to change states. This is sensed by the microprocessor 5U1 which responds by transmitting a signal via antenna 120 to cause remotely controlled toy vehicle 20, which includes receiver/microprocessor 4U1, to move forward or backward. Manual input element 115 is also preferably a center biased rocker button operating momentary contact switches 115a and 115b in FIG. 5 which, when pressed, causes the remote control/transmitter 100 to transmit via antenna 120 a command to receiver/microprocessor 4U1 causing the toy vehicle 20 to steer to the left or to the right. When manual input element 115 is not pressed (i.e. in center position), the toy vehicle 20 travels in a straight path. When the manual input element 110 is not pressed, the vehicle 20 stops.

[0023] Mode 1, a first mode of operation or usage, is the default mode achieved when the remote control/transmitter 100 is activated from a deactivated state by moving on-off switch 135 in FIG. 5 from an “off” position to an “on” position. This mode has a multiple-speed (3-speed in the present embodiment) manual gear-shifting play pattern in which the microprocessor 5U1 emulates a manual transmission operation of the toy vehicle 20 and in which corresponding sounds are generated by the microprocessor 5U1 and played on a speaker 125 in the remote control/transmitter 100. Mode 1 has the following features and characteristics:

[0024] (1) The motionless toy vehicle 20 is put into motion by pressing manual input element 110 to a “forward” button position, closing or otherwise changing the nominal state of switch 110a on the remote control/transmitter 100. The microprocessor 5U1 is configured (i.e., programmed) to respond to the depressions of manual input element 110 by entering a first gear state of operation and generating a first forward movement command signal transmitted to the toy vehicle 20. Initially, the toy vehicle 20 responds to the first signal and moves forward at a first top speed which is less than a maximum speed the toy vehicle 20 is capable of running. The microprocessor 5U1 generates a first sound, which is outputted by speaker 125, to simulate first gear operation of the toy vehicle 20.

[0025] (2) Once the toy vehicle 20 is moving forward for a while in a first gear state (as timed by microprocessor 5U1), a visual indication (e.g., red flashing LED 130) and/or an audible sound (e.g., single horn beep) can be outputted by the microprocessor 5U1 from the remote control/transmitter 100 to signal to a user that it is OK to shift to the second gear. Shifting into a higher gear is performed by momentarily releasing and re-engaging the forward button position of manual input element 110, which closes switch 110a within a predetermined time window. If the time window elapses, the toy vehicle 20 will return to first gear state when the forward button position of manual input element 110 is activated (i.e., switch 110a is closed). Once in the second gear state, the microprocessor 4U1 commands the vehicle 20 to move forward at a second top speed that is faster than the first top speed but less than maximum speed, and preferably the microprocessor 5U1 generates a second sound which is outputted by speaker 125 to simulate second gear operation of the toy vehicle 20. Once the toy vehicle 20 is moving forward for a while in a second gear state, a visual indication (e.g., red flashing LED 130) and/or an audible sound (e.g., single horn beep) can be outputted by microprocessor 5U1 from speaker 125 of the remote control/transmitter 100 to signal to a user that it is OK to shift to the third gear. The forward button position of input element 110 closing switch 110a is again momentarily released and re-engaged within a predetermined time window. If the time window elapses, the toy vehicle 20 will return to first gear when the forward button position of manual input element 110 is activated. Once in the third gear state, the toy vehicle 20 moves forward at a third top speed that is faster than the second top speed, and preferably the microprocessor 5U1 generates a third sound that is outputted by speaker 125 to simulate third gear operation of the toy vehicle 20. The movement of the toy vehicle 20 is terminated by releasing the forward button position of manual input element 110 closing switch 110a or by pressing and then releasing reverse button position of manual input element 110 closing switch 110b.

[0026] (3) In the three-speed embodiment, preferably the top speed of the toy vehicle 20 may be 62.5% of maximum speed when in the first gear state, 75% of maximum speed when in the second gear state, and 100% of maximum speed when in the third gear state. Other ratios and/or additional ratios to provide four, five, six or more speeds can be used to simulate other car and truck shifting.

[0027] (4) If the gear state of the toy vehicle 20 is changed before the toy vehicle 20 reaches its top speed for the previous gear by momentarily releasing and re-engaging the forward button position of manual input element 110, before the microprocessor 5U1 opens the predetermined time window to shift, the microprocessor 5U1 generates a different audible sound (e.g., grinding noise), which is preferably outputted by the speaker 125 of the remote control/transmitter 100, to signal that the user shifted too early. Top speed is not increased.

[0028] (5) Various audible sounds (e.g., peel out, squealing tire, hard braking, accelerating motor, etc.) are preferably outputted by the remote control/transmitter 100 in response to activating the manual input elements 110, 115 on the remote control/transmitter 100. For example, transmitting a steering command by causing manual input element 115 to close switch 115a while the toy vehicle 20 is moving (e.g., forward position of manual input element 110 being pressed changing the state of switch 110a) causes the microprocessor 5U1 to output an audible sound (e.g., the squealing of tires) through speaker 125. There is a small delay in producing the audible sound so that small steering corrections do not cause the audible sound to be outputted by speaker 125. Releasing either the forward and reverse position of manual input element 110 preferably causes the microprocessor 5U1 to output an audible sound (e.g., hard breaking, tire screeching) through speaker 125. An “idling” sound is then preferably outputted by microprocessor 5U1 through speaker 125 until a next propulsion/drive command is transmitted.

[0029] (6) Speed of the toy vehicle 20 is controlled by the remote control/transmitter 100 outputting propulsion control signals having PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) characteristics with duty cycles approximate for the speed ratios selected, e.g., 56%, 75%, and 100% (see FIG. 2). Preferably, the remote control/transmitter 100 outputs a binary signal with two or more values allocated to propulsion commands. Two binary bits can be used to identify stop and three forward speed values (e.g., first, second and third speeds). The vehicle microprocessor 4U1 is preferably programmed to power each motor 410, 420 according to a duty cycle identified by the binary bits. Referring to FIG. 2, a fixed time period (e.g. sixteen milliseconds) can be broken up into fractions (e.g., sixteen, one millisecond parts) and power (V hi) supplied to the motor for the fraction of the time period (e.g., {fraction (0/16)}, {fraction (10/16)}, {fraction (12/16)}, {fraction (16/16)}) commanded by the two binary bits. An {fraction (8/16)} duty cycle is depicted, with V hi provided for eight parts and V low (i.e. 0 Volts) provided for the remaining eight parts of the period constituting the cycle. If three bits are allocated to propulsion commands, a stop command and seven different forward and reverse speed commands can be encoded. Preferably, reverse speed is at a ratio of less than 100% for ease of vehicle control and realism.

[0030] Mode 2 is achieved by turning on switch 135 of the remote control/transmitter 100 while holding manual input element 110 in a “forward” movement position (changing the state of switch 110a) on the remote control/transmitter 100 until the microprocessor 5U1 acknowledges the command by causing the speaker 125 to output an audible sound (e.g., horn beeps) and/or the red LED 130 to flash. This mode allows the user to maneuver the toy vehicle 20 in the usual manner with sounds being generated but no gear shifting operation. The microprocessor 5U1 is preferably preprogrammed for a desired default speed, e.g., 100% forward and 50% or 100% reverse.

[0031] Mode 3 is achieved by turning on switch 135 of the remote control/transmitter 100 while holding manual input element 110 in a “reverse” movement position (i.e. changing state of the switch 110b) on the remote control/transmitter 100 until the microprocessor 5U1 causes speaker 125 to output an audible sound (e.g., horn beeps) and/or the red LED 130 to flash. This mode allows the user to maneuver the toy vehicle 20 in the usual manner with no sound generation by microprocessor 5U1 or gear shifting operation. The microprocessor 5U1 is preprogrammed for a desired default speed, e.g., 100% forward and 50% or 100% reverse.

[0032] A “Try Me Mode” may be provided, if desired, allowing only sound effects of the remote control/transmitter 100 to be produced while still in its packaging. Sound effects are generated by pressing any button on the transmitter. Pushing the manual input element 110 to the “forward” position can cause the start-up sound to play followed by a peel-out sound with both motor and shifting sounds. Pushing the manual input element 110 to the “reverse” position can cause the horn sound to play with the motor running sound. Pushing the manual input element 15 “left” and “right” can activate the squealing tire sound accompanied by the engine downshift sound. The “Try Me Mode” preferably is deactivated automatically when the toy is taken out of its packaging and a pull-tab is removed from the remote control/transmitter 100, allowing the transmitter 100 and toy vehicle 20 to be operated in one of the three modes described above.

[0033] FIGS. 7A-7J depict the various steps of an operating program 700 contained by the transmitter circuit 500, such as by firmware or software in the microprocessor 5U1, to operate the remote control/transmitter 100 in the multiple modes of operation and in the different shift states in the first mode of operation. Again, the microprocessor 5U1 is preferably configured to transmit commands in binary form with propulsion and/or steering commands encoded as binary bits or sets of such bits.

[0034] FIGS. 6A-6C depict the various steps of an operating program 600 contained by the vehicle control circuit 400, such as by firmware or software in the microprocessor 4U1, to operate the toy vehicle 20 in the multiple modes and in the different shift states in the first mode of operation. FIG. 6D depicts the steps of a subroutine 604′ which is entered four different times at steps 604 in the main program 600 (FIGS. 6A-6C) to increment and test the state of a pulse width modulator (PWM) timer (i.e. counter) to power or turn off power to either motor 410, 420. The operating program 600 must be cycled through four times to increment the PWM counter a total of sixteen times to complete one PWM power cycle (sixteen parts) for either motor 410, 420.

[0035] FIGS. 8A-8E collectively represent a schematic diagram for a second embodiment toy vehicle control circuit indicated generally at 800 in the Figure in which FIG. 8A depicts a vehicle receiver circuit 830 which receives control signals sent by the remote control/transmitter 100 and amplifies and sends those signals to microprocessor 8U2 in FIG. 8B. Outputs D4 and D5 from the microprocessor 8U2 are sent to a steering motor control circuit 805 depicted in FIG. 8C while outputs C0-C3 are transmitted from the microprocessor 8U2 to a propulsion motor control circuit 815 depicted in FIG. 8D. Circuit element 8U3 is a dual operating amplifier chip. Power is supplied to both the steering motor 410 in FIG. 8C and drive motor 420 in FIG. 8D as well as the other components of circuit 800 via a power supply sub circuit 430 depicted in FIG. 8E which include both the ON/OFF switch and a battery powered supply 435. One difference between circuit 800 and circuit 400 is the provision of a steering feedback through connector 860 in FIG. 8B to the vehicle microprocessor 8U2. The purpose of this will be described shortly.

[0036] FIGS. 9A and 9B collectively depict a second embodiment remote control/transmitter circuit indicated generally at 900 which is shown essentially in FIG. 9A and indicated at 910. The only missing element is a power supply circuit 920 shown in FIG. 9B which provides two outputs Vdd and Vbatt. Again, manual input elements 110 and 115 control momentary contacts switches 910a, 910b and 915a, 915b respectively. These switches are located on a board separate from the board supporting a microprocessor 9U1 and are mechanically and electrically coupled together through connectors J6 and J7.

[0037] FIG. 10A depicts part of a steering sensor indicated generally at 1000 in a steering output assembly indicated generally at 1100. Output assembly 110 includes a housing 1102 containing steering motor 410, a plurality of compound reduction gears indicated in phantom generally at 1102, 1104 driving a shaft 1110 (phantom) keyed with a rotary output member 1120 on the housing 1102. Output member 1120 rotates in an arc, moving from side to side a wire member 1130 defining a pair of steering arms 1132, 1134 operably coupled with separate ones of the pair of front wheels 28 of the vehicle 20 to pivot those wheels side to side about vertical axes in a conventional manner to steer wheel 20. FIG. 10B shows the output assembly 1100 with the gears 1102, 1104 and a top cover carrying the rotary output member 1120 removed. The left side of assembly 1100 includes steering sensor 1000 while the right side includes steering motor 420. Sensor 1000 includes a stationary member or portion, which is indicated generally at 1010 and seen separately in FIG. 11, and a rotary member or rotating portion indicated generally at 1050. The rotary member 1050 includes a plurality of connected concentric ring portions 1052, 1054, 1056 each containing one or more dimples 1052a, 1054a and 1056a, 1056b for the innermost ring. These dimples ride over the upper surface of the stationary portion 1010. Referring to FIG. 11, the stationary portion 1010 includes a circuit board 1012 on which are mounted three electrically conductive, generally concentric tracks 1020, 1030 and 1040. Each track includes an output terminal 1022, 1032, 1042, respectively on one edge of the board 1012. These three terminals connect via a suitable electrical connection (e.g. connector 860 in FIG. 8B) to microprocessor 8U2. Each track 1020, 1030, 1040 is continuous around a central opening 1014 in the circuit board 1012 through which the output shaft 1110 extends. Rotating portion 1050 is keyed with shaft 1110 to rotate with the shaft. Rotating portion 1050 is a continuous piece of electrically conductive material such as metal and electrically couples one or more of the two outer tracks 1020 and 1030 with the innermost track 1040. A high level voltage is applied by the microprocessor 8U2 through the connecter 860 to the terminals 1022 and 1032. Terminal 1042 is connected to common or ground. The contacting dimples 1056a 1056b are in constant contact with the ring portion 1044 of innermost track 1040. In contrast, dimples 1054a of ring portion 1054 only contact wiper portions 1034 and 1036 of central track 1030 at certain angular positions of rotating portion 1050. Similarly, dimples 1052a of ring 1052 only contact wiper portions 1024 and 1026 of the outermost track 1020.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, dimples 1052a, 1054a, 1056a, 1046b of rotating contact member 1050 come in contact with the tracks 1020, 1030, 1040 in five different steering positions (far left indicated at 1060, near left 1062, center 1064, near right 1066, far right 1068) on printed circuit board 1010 as member 1050 turns clockwise from far left to far right. When the rotating member 1050 is turned fully left or right, dimples 1052a, 1054a loose contact with tracks 1020, 1030 and logic bits “1,1” are outputted from electrical contacts 1022, 1032. When the rotating member 1050 is turned clockwise from far left to left of center 1062, logic bits “0,1” are outputted from electrical contacts 1022, 1032. When the rotating member is in the center position 1064, logic bits “0,0” are outputted from electrical contacts 1022, 1032. When the rotating member is turned to the right of center but not fully right, logic bits “1,0” are outputted from electrical contacts 1022, 1032. When fully right, logic bits “1, 1” are again output from contacts 1022, 1032.

[0039] The states of electrical contacts 1022, 1032 are monitored by processor 8U2 and the speed of steering motor 410 is preferably controlled based on the outputted logic bits (i, i) which indicate the position of the front wheels 28. Normally the steering motor 410 operates at top speed (100%). However, with feedback provided by sensor 1000, the motor 410 can be operated to prevent overshoot. FIG. 3 shows a trapezoidal velocity profile of speed versus time for the steering function of a toy vehicle 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Steering motor 410 may be controlled like propulsion motor 420 by a PWM duty cycle to prevent overshoot of the steering system. For example, the steering motor 410 may be driven by microprocessor 8U2 (or 4U1) at a higher duty cycle when going from a left or right turn to a turn in the other direction (e.g., from far left to far right) and at a lesser duty cycle when going from a center position to right or left and vice versa. When logic bits “0, 1” are detected as the rotating member 1120 turns from center position (0, 0) to the left and passes the near left wipers 1024, 1026, or when logic bits “1, 0” are detected as the output member 1120 and rotary member 1050 turn to the right and pass the near right wipers 1034, 1036, the rate of the steering motor and front wheel rotation is reduced to 50% to avoid overshooting its destination (far left or far right). Preferably too, the speed of the propulsion motor 420 can further be reduced automatically by the processor 8U2 when the processor 8U2 detects that a turn of the toy vehicle 20 is in progress to automatically slow the vehicle to a speed less than maximum while making the turn.

[0040] With a start and end point considered in a closed loop system, speed of the steering motor 410 in the toy vehicle 20 can be varied so that steering follows a trapezoidal profile as shown in FIG. 3, i.e. start from zero and reach a maximum turning rate, and then slowed to reduce its rate of rotation so that steering system momentum is dissipated and the steering system does not overshoot its target. When the command to steer to a new position is given, firmware operating in conjunction with microprocessor 8U2 (or 4U1) will identify the current steering position and move at a higher rate and duty cycle (e.g., 100% duty cycle) when the commanded steering position is more than one steering position away from (i.e., other than adjacent to) its current position. For example, in going from a left turn to a right turn through consecutive outputs (1, 1), (0, 1), (1, 1), (1, 0) to (1, 1), the motor 410 may be driven at high speed (100% duty cycle) until center position (0, 0) or near right (1, 0) is encountered and the motor 410 then driven at a lower speed (e.g., 50% duty cycle) until far right (1, 1) is sensed.

[0041] Steering control can be further refined if the steering function is spring centered, i.e. a single torsion spring or pair of compression or tension springs (none depicted) used to drive the rotary output member 1120 to the straight forward position. Then the microprocessor 8U2 (or 4U1) can be configured by programming to account for action of the spring(s). For example, turning from left to right, the microprocessor 8U2 may drive at high level and low level in moving more than one steering position (e.g. left-right) or only one steering position (e.g. center left/right), respectively, from the present position and at different speeds if moving with or against a spring. For example, movement left to right or vice versa can begin at full speed (100% duty cycle) and transfer to first low speed (e.g. 50% duty cycle) from the center position (0, 0) to the far right position to drive against the centering spring in the latter part of the movement. In going from right or left to center with spring assistance, the motor 410 is operated at a second, lower speed (e.g., 37.5% duty cycle), whereas, while going from center to left or right against a spring, the motor 410 is operated at the first low speed (e.g., 50%).

[0042] A spring loaded steering function of the toy vehicle 20 may also incorporate a target pad timeout period which monitors the time it takes for the sensor 1000 to reach a particular steering position (center, near left, far left, near right, far right). If the position is not reached within a predetermined period of time, the power to the motor 410 is turned off and the spring(s) will return the steering output number 1120 to the center position. If the steering position does not return to the center position, the microprocessor 8U2 (or 4U1) is alerted that the steering is misaligned and electromechanically re-centers the steering.

[0043] Preferred transmitter code used in a remote control/transmitter 100 operating in accordance with the present invention is located on pages A-1 through A-53 of the attached Appendix incorporated by reference herein. Preferred receiver code used in a toy vehicle 20 operating in accordance with the present invention is located on pages A-54 through A-77 of the Appendix.

[0044] In addition to duty cycle control in the vehicle 20, speed control of the vehicle 20 could be performed by the remote control/transmitter 100 by duty cycle transmission of a propulsion or steering signal (i.e. transmit the signal(s) several times followed by a period with no signal) or by varying the rate at which the propulsion signal is transmitted (e.g., every 10, 15 or 20 millisecond). Of course, the microprocessor of the toy vehicle 20 would also have to be appropriately configured to operate with such a duty cycle arrangement.

[0045] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A toy vehicle remote control transmitter unit comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of manual input elements mounted on the housing for manual movement;

a microprocessor in the housing operably coupled with each manual input element on the housing;

a signal transmitter operably coupled with the microprocessor to transmit wireless control signals generated by the microprocessor; and

wherein the microprocessor is configured for at least two different modes of operation, the microprocessor being configured in one of the at least two different modes of operation to emulate manual transmission operation of the toy vehicle by being in any of a plurality of different gear states and to transmit through the transmitter forward propulsion control signals representing different toy vehicle speed ratios for each of the plurality of different gear states, the microprocessor further being configured to be at least advanced through the plurality of different consecutive gear states by successive manual operations of at least one of the manual input devices.

2. The remote control transmitter unit of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is configured to further generate the forward propulsion control signals for the toy vehicle in response to manual operations of the one manual input device.

3. The remote control transmitter unit of claim 2 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to respond to two successive changes of state of the one manual input element within a predetermined period of time to change a current gear state of the microprocessor to a next consecutive gear state.

4. The remote control transmitter unit of claim 1 further comprising a sound generation circuit with a speaker controlled by the microprocessor and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to generate sound effects controlled at least in part by the current gear state of the microprocessor.

5. The remote control transmitter unit of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is configured to respond to a propulsion input element of the plurality of manual input elements to generate the forward propulsion control signals for the toy vehicle and wherein the microprocessor is configured for at least a second mode of operation wherein the microprocessor responds to the propulsion input element to generate only a single forward propulsion control signal with a maximum forward speed ratio of the toy vehicle under any mode of operation of the remote control transmitter unit.

6. The remote control transmitter unit of claim 14 wherein the forward propulsion control signals generated by the microprocessor include at least a variable duty cycle component, each transmitted duty cycle component corresponding to one of a plurality of predetermined speed ratios of the toy vehicle.

7. The remote control transmitter unit of claim 6 in combination with the toy vehicle, the toy vehicle including a receiver circuit, a toy vehicle microprocessor coupled with the receiver circuit, a variable speed steering motor and a variable speed propulsion motor, each motor being operably coupled with the vehicle microprocessor, and the vehicle microprocessor being configured to operate the variable speed propulsion motor at a duty cycle corresponding to the variable duty cycle component of the propulsion control signals.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the remote control unit microprocessor is configured to generate and transmit steering control signals to the toy vehicle and wherein the toy vehicle microprocessor is configured to control the steering motor in response to the steering command signals and to a current steering position of the toy vehicle.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to control the steering motor at a first speed where a new steering position in a steering control signal is adjacent to a current steering position of the toy vehicle and at second speed greater than the first speed where the new steering position is other than adjacent to the current steering position.