Control, sound, and operating system for model trains

Abstract

The present invention provides a model train operating, sound and control system that provides a user with increased operating realism. Disclosed is a novel remote control communication capability between the user and the model trains. This feature is accomplished by using a handheld remote control on which various commands may be entered, and a Track Interface Unit that retrieves and processes the commands. The Track Interface Unit converts the commands to modulated signals (preferably spread spectrum signals) which are sent down the track rails. The model train picks up the modulated signals, retrieves the entered command, and executes it through use of a processor and associated control and driver circuitry. Another novel feature disclosed is a speed control circuit located inside the model train that is capable of continuously monitoring the operating speed of the train and making adjustments to a motor drive circuit.

1 . A model train responsive to commands in the form of data bit sequences, comprising:
 a motor for driving the model train to an operating speed;   a smoke system driver circuit;   a smoke unit coupled to said smoke system driver circuit; and   a processor coupled to said smoke system driver circuit and configured to:
 receive the commands; and 
 control said smoke system driver circuit to cause said smoke unit to output smoke based on the model train's operating speed. 
   
     
     
         2 . The model train of  claim 1 , further comprising a sound system circuit coupled to said processor, wherein said processor controls said sound system circuit so that the sound system circuit outputs sounds based on the model train's operating speed. 
     
     
         3 . The model train of  claim 1  wherein as a load on the motor increases, the processor controls the smoke system driver circuit to cause the smoke unit to generate an increased quantity of smoke so as to produce more dense smoke. 
     
     
         4 . The model train of  claim 1 , wherein as the model train's operating speed increases, the processor controls the smoke system driver circuit to cause the smoke unit to increase the rate at which the smoke is outputted. 
     
     
         5 . The model train of  claim 2 , wherein when a load on the motor changes, said processor controls said sound system to change the outputted sounds. 
     
     
         6 . The model train of  claim 2 , wherein the outputted sound is a chuff sound and the smoke is outputted in puffs. 
     
     
         7 . The model train of  claim 6 , wherein the chuff sounds and the puffs of smoke correspond to model train's operating speed. 
     
     
         8 . The model train of  claim 7 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the sound system circuit to correspondingly change the chuff sounds and controls the smoke system driver circuit to cause the smoke unit to correspondingly change the puffs of smoke. 
     
     
         9 . The model train of  claim 7 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the sound system circuit to correspondingly change the chuff sounds to more labored chuff sounds. 
     
     
         10 . The model train of  claim 7 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the smoke system driver circuit to cause the smoke unit to generate an increased quantity of smoke so as to produce more-dense puffs of smoke. 
     
     
         11 . A model train comprising:
 a motor that controls the model train's operating speed;   a motor control circuit comprising (i) a circuit for adjusting a voltage amount applied to the motor, and (ii) a back-emf sensing circuit;   a sound system circuit;   a smoke system comprising (i) a heating element for heating oil to generate smoke; and (ii) a fan for blowing generated smoke out of the model train; and   a processor configured to:
 receive a digital speed command and to command the motor control circuit to adjust the voltage amount applied to the motor to change the motor's speed and thereby change the model train's operating speed; 
 control the sound system circuit to play sounds corresponding to the model train's operating speed; and 
 control the smoke system such that said heating element generates a quantity of smoke based on a load on the motor and the fan blows smoke at a rate based on the model train's operating speed; 
   wherein the back-emf sensing circuit senses a voltage from the motor indicative of the model train's operating speed, and the processor commands the motor control circuit to further adjust the voltage amount applied to the motor based on the voltage sensed by the back-emf sensing circuit so as to maintain the model train's operating speed at a constant operating speed.   
     
     
         12 . The model train of  claim 11  wherein the processor commands the motor control circuit to adjust the voltage amount applied to the motor, according to the received digital speed command, to change the motor's speed and thereby change the model train's operating speed. 
     
     
         13 . The model train of  claim 12  further comprising a look-up table that correlates different motor speeds to different digital speed commands, the processor using the look-up table to command the motor control circuit to adjust the voltage amount to apply to the motor. 
     
     
         14 . The model train of  claim 11  wherein the motor control circuit comprises a pulse-width modulation circuit for adjusting the voltage amount provided to the motor. 
     
     
         15 . The model train of  claim 11  wherein the digital speed command correlates to a scale mile-per-hour speed. 
     
     
         16 . The model train of  claim 11  wherein the digital speed command is a scale mile-per-hour speed command. 
     
     
         17 . The model train of  claim 11  wherein the processor controls the smoke system such that the fan blows smoke in relation to revolutions or partial revolutions of the model train's wheels. 
     
     
         18 . The model train of  claim 11  wherein the outputted sound is a chuff sound and the smoke is outputted in puffs. 
     
     
         19 . The model train of  claim 18 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the sound system circuit to correspondingly change the chuff sounds and controls the smoke system to correspondingly change the puffs of smoke. 
     
     
         20 . The model train of  claim 18 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the sound system circuit to correspondingly change the chuff sounds to more labored chuff sounds. 
     
     
         21 . The model train of  claim 18 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the smoke system such that the heating element generates a correspondingly increased quantity of smoke so as to produce more-dense puffs of smoke. 
     
     
         22 . The model train of  claim 18  wherein the chuff sounds and puffs of smoke are synchronized. 
     
     
         23 . The model train of  claim 11 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the smoke system such that the heating element generates a correspondingly increased quantity of smoke so as to produce more-dense smoke while the fan blows the more-dense smoke at the rate based on the model train's operating speed. 
     
     
         24 . A model train comprising:
 a motor that controls the model train's operating speed;   a motor control circuit comprising (i) a circuit for adjusting a voltage amount applied to the motor, and (ii) a motor sensing circuit;   a sound system circuit;   a smoke unit; and   a processor configured to:
 receive a digital speed command and to command the motor control circuit to adjust the voltage amount applied to the motor to change the motor's speed and thereby change the model train's operating speed; 
 control the sound system circuit to play sounds corresponding to the model train's operating speed; and 
 control the smoke unit to produce smoke corresponding to the model train's operating speed; 
   wherein the motor sensing circuit receives information from the motor which is indicative of the model train's operating speed, and the processor commands the motor control circuit to further adjust the voltage amount applied to the motor based on the information received by the motor sensing circuit so as to maintain the model train's operating speed at a constant operating speed.   
     
     
         25 . The model train of  claim 24  wherein the processor commands the motor control circuit to adjust the voltage amount applied to the motor, according to the received digital speed command, to change the motor's speed and thereby change the model train's operating speed. 
     
     
         26 . The model train of  claim 25  further comprising a look-up table that correlates different motor speeds to different digital speed commands, the processor using the look-up table to command the motor control circuit to adjust the voltage amount to apply to the motor. 
     
     
         27 . The model train of  claim 24  wherein as the model train's operating speed increases, the processor controls the smoke unit to increase the rate at which the smoke is outputted. 
     
     
         28 . The model train of  claim 24  wherein the motor control circuit comprises a pulse-width modulation circuit for adjusting the voltage amount provided to the motor. 
     
     
         29 . The model train of  claim 24  wherein the digital speed command correlates to a scale mile-per-hour speed. 
     
     
         30 . The model train of  claim 24  wherein the digital speed command is a scale mile-per-hour speed command.