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US4964837A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Radio controlled model vehicle having coordinated sound effects system

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-02-16
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Granted: 1990-10-23
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Expires: 2009-02-16
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Abstract

Abstract The self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle. The conventional internal control signals of the vehicle are detected by the present invention and are utilized to generate realistic sound effects on board the vehicle. The sound data and programming necessary to coordinate the realistic sound effects with the conventional on-board control signals are entirely contained on the vehicle. A microprocessor is used to provide the coordination of the sound data with the programming and the microprocessor modifies the sound effects with any changes in the on-board control signals by varying the pitch, timbre, amplitude, and the like of the sound effects. A communications port is also provided on the vehicle so that when connected with a remote computer, the sound data and programming can be selectively modified by the operator to add new sound effects or to change current sound effects and operating software.

Inventors

  • 👤 Harry B. Collier

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 14:44
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H17/00; A63H17/26; A63H17/34

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim 185 words
A self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle, said toy vehicle having a remote transmitter for transmitting radio signals to said toy vehicle, means on said toy vehicle receptive of said radio signals for providing one or a plurality of internal control signals for the operation of said toy vehicle, said self-contained system comprising: means located in said toy vehicle and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting said internal control signals, means located in said toy vehicle and connected to said detecting means for generating sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, said generating means comprising: a. means for delivering sound data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined realistic sounds for said toy vehicle, b. means receptive of said detected internal control signals through said detecting means and of said sound data from said sound data delivering means for outputting sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, and means located in said toy vehicle and receptive of said outputted sound data from said generating means for producing a realistic sound corresponding to said sound data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 185 words
A self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle, said toy vehicle having a remote transmitter for transmitting radio signals to said toy vehicle, means on said toy vehicle receptive of said radio signals for providing one or a plurality of internal control signals for the operation of said toy vehicle, said self-contained system comprising: means located in said toy vehicle and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting said internal control signals, means located in said toy vehicle and connected to said detecting means for generating sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, said generating means comprising: a. means for delivering sound data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined realistic sounds for said toy vehicle, b. means receptive of said detected internal control signals through said detecting means and of said sound data from said sound data delivering means for outputting sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, and means located in said toy vehicle and receptive of said outputted sound data from said generating means for producing a realistic sound corresponding to said sound data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 wherein said detecting means comprises an invasive connection to said providing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The self-contained system of claim 2 wherein said invasive connection comprises a hard-wire connection to said providing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 wherein said detecting means comprises a non-invasive connection to said providing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
The self-contained system of claim 4 wherein said non-invasive connection comprises a wire-loop sensing current in said providing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 wherein said sound data delivering means includes a sound synthesizer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 45 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 further comprising means located in said toy vehicle for sensing at least one physical condition of said toy vehicle, said generating means being responsive to said sensed physical condition for outputting sound data coordinated with said sensed physical condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 49 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 further comprising means located in said toy vehicle for sensing the presence of at least one external stimulus directed towards said toy vehicle, said generating means being responsive to said sensed external stimulus for outputting sound data coordinated with said sensed external stimulus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 47 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 further comprising means remote from said toy vehicle for delivering asynchronous sound effect signals to said generating means and means in said generating means receiving said asynchronous sound effect signals for outputting sound data corresponding to said asynchronous sound effect signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 wherein said generating means modifies said sound data in response to changes in said detected internal control signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 24 words
The self-contained system of claim 10 wherein the modification of said sound modification data includes changing the pitch, timbre, or amplitude, of said sound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 33 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 further comprising a communications port connected to said generating means and a remote computer selectively engaging said communications port for changing the contents of said sound data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The self-contained system of claim 12 further comprising means located on said computer for performing a physical function on said toy vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 30 words
The self-contained system of claim 1 wherein said generating means averages a predetermined number of said internal control signals in order to minimize the presence of noise and spurious pulses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 231 words
A self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle, said toy vehicle having a remote transmitter for transmitting radio signals to said toy vehicle, means on said toy vehicle receptive of said radio signals for providing one or a plurality of internal control signals for the operation of said toy vehicle, said self-contained system comprising: means located in said toy vehicle and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting said internal control signals, means located in said toy vehicle and connected to said detecting means for generating sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, said generating means comprising: a. means for delivering sound data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined realistic sounds for said toy vehicle, b. means for storing a program which coordinates said delivered sound data with said detected internal control signals, c. means receptive of said detected internal control signals through said detecting means, of said program from said program storing means and of said sound data from said sound data delivering means for outputting sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, said outputting means being further capable of modifying said outputted sound data according to changes in said internal control signals, and means located in said toy vehicle and receptive of said outputted sound data from said generating means for producing a realistic sound corresponding to said sound data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 231 words
A self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle, said toy vehicle having a remote transmitter for transmitting radio signals to said toy vehicle, means on said toy vehicle receptive of said radio signals for providing one or a plurality of internal control signals for the operation of said toy vehicle, said self-contained system comprising: means located in said toy vehicle and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting said internal control signals, means located in said toy vehicle and connected to said detecting means for generating sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, said generating means comprising: a. means for delivering sound data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined realistic sounds for said toy vehicle, b. means for storing a program which coordinates said delivered sound data with said detected internal control signals, c. means receptive of said detected internal control signals through said detecting means, of said program from said program storing means and of said sound data from said sound data delivering means for outputting sound data coordinated with said detected internal control signals, said outputting means being further capable of modifying said outputted sound data according to changes in said internal control signals, and means located in said toy vehicle and receptive of said outputted sound data from said generating means for producing a realistic sound corresponding to said sound data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 18 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 wherein said detecting means comprises an invasive connection to said providing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 18 words
The self-contained system of claim 16 wherein said invasive connection comprises a hard-wire connection to said providing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 18 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 wherein said detecting means comprises a non-invasive connection to said providing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 19 words
The self-contained system of claim 18 wherein said non-invasive connection comprises a wire-loop sensing current in said providing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 16 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 wherein said sound data delivering means includes a sound synthesizer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 46 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 further comprising means located in said toy vehicle for sensing at least one physical condition of said toy vehicle, said generating means being responsive to said sensed physical condition for outputting sound data coordinated with s id sensed physical condition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 49 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 further comprising means located in said toy vehicle for sensing the presence of at least one external stimulus directed towards said toy vehicle, said generating means being responsive to said sensed external stimulus for outputting sound data coordinated with said sensed external stimulus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 47 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 further comprising means remote from said toy vehicle for delivering asynchronous sound effect signals to said generating means and means in said generating means receiving said asynchronous sound effect signals for outputting sound data corresponding to said asynchronous sound effect signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 24 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 wherein the modification of said sound modification data includes changing the pitch, timbre, or amplitude, of said sound.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 40 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 further comprising a communications port connected to said generating means and a remote computer selectively engaging said communications port for changing the contents of said sound data delivering means and said program storing means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 22 words
The self-contained system of claim 25 further comprising means located on said computer for performing a physical function on said toy vehicle.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 30 words
The self-contained system of claim 15 wherein said generating means averages a predetermined number of said internal control signals in order to minimize the presence of noise and spurious signals.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 189 words
A self-contained sound effects system for a radio controlled toy, said toy having a remote transmitter for transmitting radio signals to said toy, means on said toy receptive of said radio signals for providing one or a plurality of on-board signals for the operation of said toy, said self-contained system comprising: means located in said toy and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting said on-board signals, means located in said toy and connected to said detecting means for generating sound data coordinated with said detected on-board signals, said generating means comprising: a. means for delivering sound data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined realistic sounds for said toy, b. means receptive of said detected onboard signals through said detecting means and of said sound data from said sound data delivering means for outputting sound data coordinated with said detected on-board signals, said outputting means being further capable of modifying said outputted sound data according to changes in said on-board signals, and means located in said toy and receptive of said outputted sound data from said generating means for producing a realistic sound corresponding to said sound data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 189 words
A self-contained sound effects system for a radio controlled toy, said toy having a remote transmitter for transmitting radio signals to said toy, means on said toy receptive of said radio signals for providing one or a plurality of on-board signals for the operation of said toy, said self-contained system comprising: means located in said toy and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting said on-board signals, means located in said toy and connected to said detecting means for generating sound data coordinated with said detected on-board signals, said generating means comprising: a. means for delivering sound data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined realistic sounds for said toy, b. means receptive of said detected onboard signals through said detecting means and of said sound data from said sound data delivering means for outputting sound data coordinated with said detected on-board signals, said outputting means being further capable of modifying said outputted sound data according to changes in said on-board signals, and means located in said toy and receptive of said outputted sound data from said generating means for producing a realistic sound corresponding to said sound data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 20 words
The self-contained system of claim 28 wherein said on-board signals includes internal control signals corresponding to said transmitted radio signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 47 words
The self-contained system of claim 28 further comprising means located in said toy for issuing an on-board signal corresponding to at least one physical condition of said toy, said generating means being responsive to the aforesaid on-board signal for outputting sound data coordinated with said physical condition.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 51 words
The self-contained system of claim 28 further comprising means located in said toy for issuing an on-board signal corresponding to the presence of at least one external stimulus directed towards said toy, said generating means being responsive to the aforesaid external stimulus for outputting sound data coordinated with said external stimulus
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 35 words
The self-contained system of claim 28 further comprising a communications port connected to said generating means and a remote computer selectively engaging said communications port for changing the contents of said sound data storing means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 212 words
A sound effects system of a radio controlled model vehicle, said vehicle being controlled by radio signals from a remote transmitter, said vehicle having a receiver receptive of said radio signals for providing on-board control signals which control the physical operation of said vehicle, said system comprising: at least one detector located on said vehicle and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting the presence of said on-board control signals, at least one sensor located on said vehicle for producing an on-board sensed signal corresponding to the physical condition of said vehicle, means located on said vehicle for receiving said sensed signal and delivering sound data corresponding to said physical operation and to said physical condition of said vehicle, a memory located on said vehicle for storing the program which coordinates said sound data with said physical condition and said physical operation, means connected to said memory, to said delivering means and receptive of said on-board detected control and sensed signals for coordinating said sound data with said physical condition and said physical operation, means located on said vehicle and connected to said coordinating means for outputting said coordinated sound data, and at least one speaker located on said vehicle and connected to said outputting means for broadcasting said coordinated sound.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 212 words
A sound effects system of a radio controlled model vehicle, said vehicle being controlled by radio signals from a remote transmitter, said vehicle having a receiver receptive of said radio signals for providing on-board control signals which control the physical operation of said vehicle, said system comprising: at least one detector located on said vehicle and operatively connected to said providing means for detecting the presence of said on-board control signals, at least one sensor located on said vehicle for producing an on-board sensed signal corresponding to the physical condition of said vehicle, means located on said vehicle for receiving said sensed signal and delivering sound data corresponding to said physical operation and to said physical condition of said vehicle, a memory located on said vehicle for storing the program which coordinates said sound data with said physical condition and said physical operation, means connected to said memory, to said delivering means and receptive of said on-board detected control and sensed signals for coordinating said sound data with said physical condition and said physical operation, means located on said vehicle and connected to said coordinating means for outputting said coordinated sound data, and at least one speaker located on said vehicle and connected to said outputting means for broadcasting said coordinated sound.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 47 words
The self-contained system of claim 33 further comprising means located in said vehicle for sensing the presence of at least one external stimulus directed towards said vehicle, said coordinating means being responsive to said sensed external stimulus for coordinating said sound data with said sensed external stimulus.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 67 words
The self-contained system of claim 33 further comprising means remote from said vehicle for delivering asynchronous sound effect radio signals to said generating means and means on said vehicle receptive of said asynchronous sound effect signals for producing on-board asynchronous signals corresponding to said asynchronous signals, said coordinating means being responsive to said produced asynchronous signals for coordinating said sound data with said asynchronous sound effect signals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 24 words
The self-contained system of claim 33 wherein said coordinating means modifies said sound data in response to changes in said detected on-board control signals.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 24 words
The self-contained system of claim 33 wherein the modification of said sound modification data includes changing the pitch, timbre, or amplitude, of said sound.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 33 words
The self-contained system of claim 33 further comprising a communications port connected to said coordinating means and a remote computer selectively engaging said communications port for changing the contents of said sound data.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-10-22 1994-04-23 1994-10-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-10-22 1998-04-23 1998-10-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-10-22 2002-04-23 2002-10-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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