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 comprising:
 a motor that controls the model train's operating speed;   a motor control circuit comprising a circuit for adjusting a voltage amount applied to the motor;   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. 
   
     
     
         2 . The model train of  claim 1  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. 
     
     
         3 . The model train of  claim 2  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. 
     
     
         4 . The model train of  claim 1  wherein as the model train's operating speed increases, the processor controls the smoke unit to increase the rate at which smoke is outputted. 
     
     
         5 . The model train of  claim 1  wherein the motor control circuit comprises a pulse-width modulation circuit for adjusting the voltage amount provided to the motor. 
     
     
         6 . The model train of  claim 1  wherein the digital speed command correlates to a scale mile-per-hour speed. 
     
     
         7 . The model train of  claim 1  wherein the digital speed command is a scale mile-per-hour speed command. 
     
     
         8 . A model train responsive to commands in the form of data bit sequences, comprising:
 a motor;   a motor control circuit;   a processor which receives one of said commands corresponding to an operating speed of the model train and commands said motor control circuit to control said motor to drive said model train to said operating speed;   a sound system circuit for playing sounds that simulate real-life train operation sounds; and   a smoke unit for producing smoke from the model train;   wherein the motor control circuit comprises a circuit for monitoring the motor's operating condition and providing information concerning said operating condition to the processor, and the processor controls the sound system circuit and smoke unit such that the train operation sounds and the smoke correspond to the operating condition of the motor.   
     
     
         9 . The model train of  claim 8  wherein the monitoring of the motor's operating condition by said motor control circuit comprises determining a load on the motor. 
     
     
         10 . The model train of  claim 8  wherein the monitoring of the motor's operating condition by said motor control circuit comprises measuring the motor's speed. 
     
     
         11 . The model train of  claim 8  wherein the monitoring of the motor's operating condition by said motor control circuit comprises determining a load on the motor and the motor's speed. 
     
     
         12 . The model train of  claim 8  wherein the command correlates to a scale mile-per-hour speed. 
     
     
         13 . The model train of  claim 8  wherein the command is a scale mile-per-hour speed command. 
     
     
         14 . 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 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 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.   
     
     
         15 . The model train of  claim 14  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. 
     
     
         16 . The model train of  claim 15  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. 
     
     
         17 . The model train of  claim 14  wherein the processor is further configured to adjust an acceleration rate to change how quickly the model train reaches an operating speed. 
     
     
         18 . The model train of  claim 14  wherein as the model train's operating speed increases, the processor controls the sound system circuit to play sounds corresponding to a faster-moving train. 
     
     
         19 . The model train of  claim 14  wherein as the model train's operating speed increases, the processor controls the smoke unit to increase the rate at which smoke is outputted. 
     
     
         20 . The model train of  claim 14  wherein the motor control circuit comprises a pulse-width modulation circuit for adjusting the voltage amount provided to the motor. 
     
     
         21 . The model train of  claim 14  wherein the digital speed command correlates to a scale mile-per-hour speed. 
     
     
         22 . The model train of  claim 14  wherein the digital speed command is a scale mile-per-hour speed command. 
     
     
         23 . A model train responsive to commands in the form of data bit sequences, comprising:
 a motor that controls the model train's operating speed;   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 coupled to said motor and smoke system and configured to:
 receive said commands; and 
 control said smoke system so that said heating element generates a quantity of smoke based on a load on the motor and so that the fan blows smoke at a rate based on the model train's operating speed. 
   
     
     
         24 . The model train of  claim 23  wherein the fan blows smoke in relation to revolutions or partial revolutions of the model train's wheels. 
     
     
         25 . The model train of  claim 23  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. 
     
     
         26 . The model train of  claim 25 , wherein the outputted sound is a chuff sound and the smoke is outputted in puffs. 
     
     
         27 . The model train of  claim 26 , 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. 
     
     
         28 . The model train of  claim 26 , 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. 
     
     
         29 . The model train of  claim 26 , wherein as the load on the motor increases, the processor controls the smoke system to generate an increased quantity of smoke so as to produce more-dense puffs of smoke. 
     
     
         30 . The model train of  claim 27 , wherein the chuff sounds and puffs of smoke are synchronized.