Graphical method and system for model vehicle and accessory control

Abstract

A system and method for model vehicle and accessory control makes use of a graphical display screen and graphical user interface to provide a command interface for user input. The system and method may be used of control of model trains and other modeled objects. Images representing model objects under control are displayed on the display screen. Using a pointing device, a user performs pointing actions with respect to the graphical images. The pointing actions are interpreted as commands by a processor, which determines an appropriate command or transmission pathway to achieve a commanded result by. The processor may also cause the image to change in response to user input or changes in the state of a model vehicle, or may provide alternative images in response to selection actions. Numerous model objects may be controlled using a single command interface.

1 . A system for generating commands for controlling model vehicles and accessories, the system comprising: 
 a graphical display screen;    a processor operatively associated with the display screen and with a memory, the memory holding program instructions; and    a graphical pointing device operatively associated with the processor, wherein the program instructions are configured to cause a graphical display to be displayed on the display screen, to receive input from the graphical pointing device, and to determine an intended user command for a model object selected from a model vehicle and a model vehicle accessory, based on a value of the input and a state of the graphical display.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical pointing device comprises a touchscreen disposed over the graphical display screen.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor, the display screen and the graphical pointing device comprise an integrated control unit.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the integrated control unit comprises a handheld-size unit.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the integrated control unit comprises a general-purpose computer.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication link operatively associated with the processor and configured for communicating commands for transmittal to the model object, the model object selected from a model train and a model train accessory.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the communication link comprises a wireless link.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the wireless link comprises a link to a wireless receiver disposed with the model object.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the wireless link comprises a link to a wireless receiver disposed with a base station, the base station configured for retransmitting to a wireless receiver disposed with the model object.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to display an image of a model object available for control.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the image of the model object to change in response to user input from the graphical pointing device.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the image of the model object to change in response to state information received from the model object.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication link operatively associated with the processor and configured for receiving information from the model object, the model object selected from a model train and a model train accessory.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the communication link comprises a wireless link.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the wireless link comprises a link between a wireless transmitter disposed with the model object and a wireless receiver operatively connected to the processor.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to display an image of a model track layout.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to identify model objects within range of a system transmitter that use a compliant protocol for control.  
   
   
       18 . A model train system, comprising: 
 a model track;    a model train comprising a model locomotive adapted to operate on the model track;    a transmitter configured to transmit information to the model locomotive; and    a control unit comprising a graphical display screen, a processor operatively associated with the display screen and with a memory, the memory holding program instructions, and a graphical pointing device operatively associated with the processor, wherein the program instructions are configured to cause a graphical display to be displayed on the display screen, to receive input from the graphical pointing device, and to determine an intended user command for the model train from a value of the input and a state of the graphical display.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the control unit comprises a handheld-size unit.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a communication link operatively associated with the processor and configured for communicating commands for transmittal to the model train.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the communication link comprises a wireless link to a wireless receiver disposed with the model train.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the communication link comprises a link to a wireless receiver disposed with a base station, the base station configured for retransmitting to a wireless receiver disposed with the model train.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to display an image of a model train available for control.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the image of the model train to change in response to user input from the graphical pointing device.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the image of the model train to change in response to state information received from the model object.  
   
   
       26 . A method for providing a control interface for a model vehicle, comprising: 
 causing a graphical display to be displayed on a display screen;    receiving input from a graphical pointing device;    determining an intended user command for a model object from the input and a state of the graphical display when the input is received, wherein the model object is selected from a model vehicle and a model vehicle accessory.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising transmitting the intended user command to the model object, the model object selected from a model train and a model train accessory.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the transmitting step further comprises translating the intended user command to a compliant protocol.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising selecting the compliant protocol from a plurality of protocols based on a determined property of the model object.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising selecting a transmission pathway determined by a receiver property of the model object.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the receiving step further comprises receiving the input from a pointing device selected from a touchscreen, a touchpad, a mouse, a trackball and a button.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the causing step further comprises causing an image of a model vehicle to be displayed on the display screen.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the causing step further comprises causing an image of a model vehicle accessory to be displayed on the display screen.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the causing step further comprises causing an image of a model track layout to be displayed on the display screen.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the causing step further comprises causing images of a plurality of model objects to appear together on the display screen.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising causing an enlarged image of a selected one of the plurality of model objects to appear on the display screen in response to input from the graphical pointing device indicating selection of the selected one of the plurality of model objects.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising receiving state information about the model vehicle, and causing the graphical display to change in response to the state information.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising causing the graphical display to emulate an appearance of a legacy control interface.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the determining step further comprises determining the intended user command from a predetermined association between a screen object and a pointing action.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising identifying model objects within range of a system transmitter that use a compliant protocol for control.