Transmitter for radio-controlled toy

Abstract

An apparatus including a charging circuit located in a housing of a transmitter, wherein the transmitter corresponds to a radio-controlled toy detachably attachable to the transmitter. The charging circuit is electrically connectable to the toy when the transmitter and the toy are attached. The apparatus further includes a transmitting circuit located in the housing and a telescoping antenna connected to the transmitting circuit, wherein the telescoping antenna is extendable from the housing and collapsible into the housing.

1 . A transmitter for a radio-controlled toy detachably attachable to the transmitter, comprising: 
 a charging circuit located in a housing and electrically connectable to the toy when the transmitter and the toy are attached;    a transmitting circuit located in the housing;    a telescoping antenna connected to the transmitting circuit; and    at least one user-operable control connected to the transmitting circuit for controlling operation of the toy when the transmitter and the toy are not attached.    
   
   
       2 . The transmitter of  claim 1  wherein the at least one user-operable control includes a joystick.  
   
   
       3 . The transmitter of  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a recess for retaining a tool operable with the toy.  
   
   
       4 . The transmitter of  claim 1  further comprising a release button extending externally from the housing and depressable to detach the toy from the transmitter.  
   
   
       5 . The transmitter of  claim 1  further comprising a charging pad coupled to the housing, by which the toy is detachably attachable to the transmitter, and by which the charging circuit is electrically connected to the toy when the toy is attached to the transmitter.  
   
   
       6 . The transmitter of  claim 5  further comprising a toy release assembly positioned within the housing and having: 
 an engaging mechanism protruding through the charging pad; and    a release for the engaging mechanism protruding through a wall of the housing.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a charging circuit located in a housing of a transmitter, wherein the transmitter corresponds to a radio-controlled toy detachably attachable to the transmitter, and wherein the charging circuit is electrically connectable to the toy when the transmitter and the toy are attached;    a transmitting circuit located in the housing; and    a telescoping antenna connected to the transmitting circuit, wherein the telescoping antenna is extendable from the housing and collapsible into the housing.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising at least one user-operable control connected to the transmitting circuit for controlling operation of the toy when the transmitter and the toy are not attached.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the at least one user-operable control includes a joystick.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a charging pad coupled to the housing, by which the toy is detachably attachable to the transmitter, and by which the charging circuit is electrically connected to the toy when the toy is attached to the transmitter.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a toy release assembly positioned within the housing and having: 
 an engaging mechanism protruding through the charging pad; and    a release for the engaging mechanism protruding through a wall of the housing.    
   
   
       12 . A method, comprising: 
 utilizing a charging circuit located in a housing of a transmitter, wherein utilizing the charging circuit at least partially includes attaching a radio-controlled toy to the transmitter;    utilizing a transmitting circuit located in the housing, wherein utilizing the transmitting circuit at least partially includes detaching the toy from the transmitter;    extending a telescoping antenna from the housing when the transmitter and the toy are detached, wherein the telescoping antenna is connected to the transmitting circuit; and    operating at least one user-operable control connected to the transmitting circuit to control operation of the toy when the transmitter and the toy are detached.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein attaching the toy to the transmitter electrically connects the toy to the charging circuit.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein attaching the toy to the transmitter activates the charging circuit.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein detaching the toy from the transmitter activates the transmitting circuit.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein detaching the toy from the transmitter deactivates the charging circuit.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein attaching the toy to the transmitter deactivates the transmitting circuit.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein: 
 attaching the toy to the transmitter activates the charging circuit and deactivates the transmitting circuit; and    detaching the toy from the transmitter activates the transmitting circuit and deactivates the charging circuit.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein operating the at least one user-operable control includes moving the at least one user-operable control between at least first and second orientations.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising collapsing the telescoping antenna into the housing by sliding ones of a plurality of substantially concentric antenna sections composing the antenna into neighboring ones of the plurality of antenna sections, whereby ones of the plurality of antenna sections become substantially enclosed within the housing.