System for monitoring operation of a toy vehicle

Abstract

A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path includes: (a) a respective radio frequency identification device carried on each respective vehicle; each respective radio frequency identification device being empowered by an interrogation for generating a coded response to the interrogation; the coded response distinguishing each respective vehicle from other vehicles; (b) at least one interrogating device; each respective interrogating device being situated to effect the interrogation of a respective radio frequency identification device as the respective radio frequency identification device is carried past an interrogation locus on the path; and (c) a display device coupled with the at least one interrogating device for displaying results of the interrogation.

1 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path; the system comprising: 
 (a) a respective radio frequency identification device carried on each respective vehicle of said at least one toy vehicle; each said respective radio frequency identification device being empowered by an interrogation for generating a coded response to said interrogation; said coded response distinguishing each said respective vehicle from other vehicles of said at least one toy vehicle;    (b) at least one interrogating device; each respective interrogating device of said at least one interrogating device being situated to effect said interrogation of a respective said radio frequency identification device as said respective radio frequency identification device is carried past an interrogation locus on said path; and    (c) a display device coupled with said at least one interrogating device for displaying results of said interrogation.    
   
   
       2 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is one radio frequency identification device carried on each said respective vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one radio frequency identification device is one radio frequency identification tag carried on each said respective vehicle.  
   
   
       4 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 3  wherein each said respective vehicle is configured having an inside surface and an outside surface, and wherein said radio frequency identification tag is adhesively secured to said inside surface of each said respective vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one toy vehicle is at least one radio-controlled toy vehicle.  
   
   
       6 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one toy vehicle is at least one slot car toy vehicle and wherein said path is a lane in a slot car track.  
   
   
       7 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display time between appearances of said at least one vehicle at said interrogation locus.  
   
   
       8 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display speed of said at least one vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 3  wherein said at least one toy vehicle is at least one radio-controlled toy vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 3  wherein said at least one toy vehicle is at least one slot car toy vehicle and wherein said path is a lane in a slot car track.  
   
   
       11 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 9  wherein said at least one interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display time between appearances of said at least one vehicle at said interrogation locus.  
   
   
       12 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 11  wherein said at least one interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display speed of said at least one vehicle.  
   
   
       13 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 9  wherein said at least one interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display time between appearances of said at least one vehicle at said interrogation locus.  
   
   
       14 . A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle traveling a path as recited in  claim 13  wherein said at least one interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display speed of said at least one vehicle.  
   
   
       15 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle; the system comprising: 
 (a) an identifying device on said vehicle; said identifying device generating a coded signal in response to an interrogating signal; said coded signal identifying said vehicle;    (b) an interrogating device situated to transmit said interrogating signal to said vehicle as said vehicle passes an interrogation locus; said interrogating device receiving said coded response; and    (c) a display device coupled with said interrogating device; said interrogating device and said display device cooperating to display at least one operating characteristic of said vehicle.    
   
   
       16 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 15  wherein said identifying device is a radio frequency identification tag.  
   
   
       17 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 15  wherein said toy vehicle is configured having an inside surface and an outside surface, and wherein said radio frequency identification tag is adhesively secured to said inside surface.  
   
   
       18 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 15  wherein said toy vehicle is a radio-controlled toy vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 15  wherein said toy vehicle is a slot car toy vehicle for operation on a slot car track.  
   
   
       20 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 18  wherein said display device and said interrogating device cooperate to display time between receiving two coded signals in response to two successive interrogating signals.  
   
   
       21 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 20  wherein said display device and said interrogating device cooperate to display speed of said toy vehicle between receiving two coded signals in response to two successive interrogating signals.  
   
   
       22 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 19  wherein said display device and said interrogating device cooperate to display time between receiving two coded signals in response to two successive interrogating signals.  
   
   
       23 . A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in  claim 22  wherein said display device and said interrogating device cooperate to display speed of said toy vehicle between receiving two coded signals in response to two successive interrogating signals.