US5073750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control apparatus for installation of electrical toy and circuit
Assignee: JOUEF INDUSTRIES SA
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Filing: 1990-01-30
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Granted: 1991-12-17
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Expires: 2010-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A remote control device for an installation of electrical toys on a circuit comprises a radio emitter (400) for emitting different radio-electric signals (b) selected by the user and a fixed radio receiver (450) for detecting and transmiting the radio-electric signals to an electronic device (270) which interprets the signals and triggers a control device (275). Specifically, the radio signal (b), which is emitted by the radio emitter, comprises a repetition of a word composed of a series of presences or absences of electric pulses. The word is formed according to an associated coded signal (a) and in accordance with the user's selection.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Coron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:05
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H30/00; A63H30/02; A63H30/04; A63H19/00; A63H19/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
In an installation of electrical toys having a circuit of the type comprising at least one conductive rail for guiding one or more electric motor-driven models and for supplying electrical energy to the models, first electrical means for respectively transforming, regulating, and modulating mains electrical energy and supplying the conductive rail with the electrical energy, means adapted to receive one or more ON/OFF type accessories, second electrical means for supplying electrical energy to the ON/OFF type accessories, means adapted to receive one or more pulse operated accessories, each being responsive to electric pulses, and third electrical means for generating electric pulses to control said pulse operated accessories, a remote control device comprising: a portable radio emitter comprising a succession of switches connected to a voltage source and an emitter microcomputer having a plurality of input circuits connected to respective ones of said switches, said emitter microcomputer including means for storing different pre-established codes and a microprocessor for associating a signal received from one of said switches selectively actuated by the user with an address of said storage means containing a corresponding code, the microcomputer applying said corresponding code to an output circuit in the form of a first binary signal, a fixed radio receiver which comprises a receiver microcomputer having an input circuit for receiving a second binary signal and means for interpreting said second binary signal to trigger at least one of said first, second and third electrical means of the device, wherein said radio emitter further comprises fourth electrical means for amplifying and reprocessing said first binary signal into an emitted signal which is less sensitive to surrounding electrical interference, and wherein the fixed radio receiver comprises fifth electrical means for receiving said emitted signal and converting said emitted signal into said second binary signal, said fifth electrical means comprising means for applying said second binary signal to an input of said receiver microcomputer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
In an installation of electrical toys having a circuit of the type comprising at least one conductive rail for guiding one or more electric motor-driven models and for supplying electrical energy to the models, first electrical means for respectively transforming, regulating, and modulating mains electrical energy and supplying the conductive rail with the electrical energy, means adapted to receive one or more ON/OFF type accessories, second electrical means for supplying electrical energy to the ON/OFF type accessories, means adapted to receive one or more pulse operated accessories, each being responsive to electric pulses, and third electrical means for generating electric pulses to control said pulse operated accessories, a remote control device comprising: a portable radio emitter comprising a succession of switches connected to a voltage source and an emitter microcomputer having a plurality of input circuits connected to respective ones of said switches, said emitter microcomputer including means for storing different pre-established codes and a microprocessor for associating a signal received from one of said switches selectively actuated by the user with an address of said storage means containing a corresponding code, the microcomputer applying said corresponding code to an output circuit in the form of a first binary signal, a fixed radio receiver which comprises a receiver microcomputer having an input circuit for receiving a second binary signal and means for interpreting said second binary signal to trigger at least one of said first, second and third electrical means of the device, wherein said radio emitter further comprises fourth electrical means for amplifying and reprocessing said first binary signal into an emitted signal which is less sensitive to surrounding electrical interference, and wherein the fixed radio receiver comprises fifth electrical means for receiving said emitted signal and converting said emitted signal into said second binary signal, said fifth electrical means comprising means for applying said second binary signal to an input of said receiver microcomputer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said radio emitter emits a radio signal only in response to a selection by a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said radio signal emitted by said radio emitter comprises a repetition of binary words formed of a succession of presences or absences of electrical pulses according to an associated coded signal selected by the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fourth electrical means of the emitter comprise a fixed-frequency oscillator including an element serving as antenna, said oscillator being respectively switched on and off by the presence or absence of a coded voltage at an input terminal of said oscillator applied by the output circuit of said emitter microcomputer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the fifth electrical means comprises, in series, an oscillator for producing an output signal whose frequency is modulated by radio signals received by an antenna, and a demodulator-decoder, said demodulator-decoder comprising a frequency comparator for forming a coded signal from said output signal received from said oscillator, said coded signal being applied to one of the input circuits of said receiver microcomputer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 1 adapted to cooperate with a rail installation comprising at least one accessory, wherein said second electrical means comprise one or a plurality of electronic switches connectable between said at least one accessory and ground, said electronic switches being directly controlled by an output circuit of said receiver microcomputer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first electrical means comprises a modulator having a control gate connected to at least two resistors each connected to a voltage source through an electronic switch which is controlled directly by an output circuit of said receiver microcomputer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said electronic switches comprises a Darlington transistor connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein, in response to a signal corresponding to selection of an acceleration of a model present at an input of said receiver microcomputer, said receiver microcomputer modifies the state of ones of said switches which are associated with said resistors to increase by one unit the control voltage at the input of said modulator, until all of said resistors have been supplied.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein in response to a signal corresponding to a selection of deceleration of a model, said receiver microcomputer modifies the state of said switches to reduce by one unit the control voltage present at the input of said modulator; tests if a last one of said switches is open; and if the previous test is positive, controls triggering of an inverter means to stop a controlled model on the rail circuit for a period of time, and thereafter move the controlled model in a different direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein, during self-initialization of said emitter microcomputer following the first application of voltage, a waiting period is provided until a first of said switches is actuated by the user, whereby a family of codes pre-recorded, as a function of the first actuated switch, is written into said storage means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein, during self-initialization of said receiver microcomputer following a first application of voltage, a waiting is provided period until a first radio signal has been received, whereby the family of pre-recorded codes corresponding to the first applied voltage is written into said storage means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said emitter microcomputer and said receiver microcomputer each comprise the same semiconductor topography, and wherein the connection, upon assembly, of one or several input terminals of each of said emitter microcomputer and said receiver microcomputer to one or several reference potentials, determines the configuration as emitter microcomputer or receiver microcomputer adopted by the topography.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-16 | 1995-06-17 | 1995-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-16 | 1999-06-17 | 1999-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-16 | 2003-06-17 | 2003-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |