Reflected light controlled vehicle

Abstract

The remotely controlled toy vehicle of the present invention is configured to respond to a tracking signal of a narrow beam of non-visible light that is projected onto the surface of the ground in proximity of the toy vehicle. The sensors mounted on the toy vehicle are configured to receive, and respond to, the light energy of the beam that is reflected off the surface of the ground. The controller, which is the source of the tracking signal, is a handheld component configured to project the beam of non-visible light to a location as desired by the user. A beam of visible light is also projected as an indicator of the location of the tracking spot. Operation of the toy vehicle is controlled by moving the tracking spot. Preferably, the control circuitry is configured such that the toy vehicle follows the tracking spot. Alternatively, the remotely controlled toy vehicle of the present invention is configured to respond to an auditory tracking signal.

1 . A method for remotely guiding a toy vehicle, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first light source configured to project at least a first narrow beam tracking signal;   (b) projecting said at least a first tracking signal so as to provide a tracking spot on a surface;   (c) providing a motorized toy vehicle configured with at least one sensor responsive to a position of said at least a first tracking spot;   
     wherein output from said sensor affects at least one operational feature of said motorized toy vehicle, and said operational feature is effective to change a location of the toy vehicle; and
 (d) altering said position of said at least a first tracking spot so as to alter said at least one operational feature and thereby guide the toy vehicle to a change of location. 
 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first tracking signal is implemented as a beam of light within the spectrum of non-visible light. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said first tracking signal is implemented as infrared light. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further including providing at least a second light source providing a beam of visible light, configured to indicate said position of said tracking spot. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is implemented in a handheld component operated by a user. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is implemented so as to be wearable by a user. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tracking spot is projected onto said surface in proximity to said motorized toy vehicle. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including providing a control circuit in electronic communication with said at least one sensor, said control circuit configured to receive output from said at least one sensor and to control said at least one operational feature. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one sensor is implemented as a plurality of sensors and said at least one operational feature is implemented as a plurality of operational features. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of operational features are implemented so as to include at least locomotion and directional steering of said motorized toy vehicle and said control circuit is in electronic communication with at least a drive motor and a steering mechanism. 
   
   
       11 . A light guided toy vehicle comprising:
 (a) a first light source configured to project at least a first narrow beam tracking signal so as to provide a tracking spot on a surface; and   (b) a motorized toy vehicle configured with at least one sensor responsive to a position of said at least a first tracking spot;   
     wherein output from said sensor affects at least one operational feature of said motorized toy vehicle, and said operational feature is effective to change a location of the toy vehicle. 
   
   
       12 . The light guided toy vehicle of claim  111 , wherein said first tracking signal is configured as a beam of light within the spectrum of non-visible light. 
   
   
       13 . The light guided toy vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein said first tracking signal is configured as infrared light. 
   
   
       14 . The light guided toy vehicle of  claim 13 , further including at least a second light source configured to project a beam of visible light, so as to indicate said position of said tracking spot. 
   
   
       15 . The light guided toy vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein said light source is configured in a handheld component operated by a user. 
   
   
       16 . The light guided toy vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one sensor is configured to respond to said tracking spot when said tracking spot is projected onto said surface in proximity to said motorized toy vehicle. 
   
   
       17 . The light guided toy vehicle of  claim 11 , further including a control circuit in electronic communication with said at least one sensor, said control circuit configured to receive output from said at least one sensor and control said at least one operational feature. 
   
   
       18 . The light guided toy vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one sensor is configured as a plurality of sensors and said at least one operational feature is configured as a plurality of operational features. 
   
   
       19 . The light guided toy vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of operational features included locomotion and directional steering of said motorized toy vehicle and said control circuit is in electronic communication with at least a drive motor and a steering mechanism. 
   
   
       20 . A method for remotely guiding a toy vehicle, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a source of at least a first auditory tracking signal configured to emit said at least a first auditory tracking signal;   (b) emitting said at least a first auditory tracking signal;   (c) providing a motorized toy vehicle configured with at least one sensor responsive to a position of said at least a first auditory tracking signal;   
     wherein output from said sensor affects at least one operational feature of said motorized toy vehicle, and said operational feature is effective to change a location of the toy vehicle; and
 (d) altering said position of said at least a first auditory tracking signal so as to alter said at least one operational feature and thereby guide the toy vehicle to a change of location. 
 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said source of said at least a first auditory tracking signal is implemented as an electronic device. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said at least a first auditory tracking signal implemented so as to be at a pre-determined frequency and said at least one sensor is configured to respond substantially solely to said pre-determined frequency. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said at least one sensor is implemented so as to respond to a loudest auditory signal received. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said at least a first auditory tracking signal is implemented as at least a first voice command.