U.S. patent application number 11/058446 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for system for monitoring operation of a toy vehicle.
Invention is credited to David K. Mathews.
Application Number | 20060183405 11/058446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36816254 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060183405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mathews; David K. |
August 17, 2006 |
System for monitoring operation of a toy vehicle
Abstract
A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path includes: (a) a respective radio frequency
identification device carried on each respective vehicle; each
respective radio frequency identification device being empowered by
an interrogation for generating a coded response to the
interrogation; the coded response distinguishing each respective
vehicle from other vehicles; (b) at least one interrogating device;
each respective interrogating device being situated to effect the
interrogation of a respective radio frequency identification device
as the respective radio frequency identification device is carried
past an interrogation locus on the path; and (c) a display device
coupled with the at least one interrogating device for displaying
results of the interrogation.
Inventors: |
Mathews; David K.; (Fort
Worth, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF DONALD D. MONDUL
3060 Bonsai Drive
Plano
TX
75093
US
|
Family ID: |
36816254 |
Appl. No.: |
11/058446 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/456 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 30/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/456 |
International
Class: |
A63H 30/04 20060101
A63H030/04 |
Claims
1. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path; the system comprising: (a) a respective radio
frequency identification device carried on each respective vehicle
of said at least one toy vehicle; each said respective radio
frequency identification device being empowered by an interrogation
for generating a coded response to said interrogation; said coded
response distinguishing each said respective vehicle from other
vehicles of said at least one toy vehicle; (b) at least one
interrogating device; each respective interrogating device of said
at least one interrogating device being situated to effect said
interrogation of a respective said radio frequency identification
device as said respective radio frequency identification device is
carried past an interrogation locus on said path; and (c) a display
device coupled with said at least one interrogating device for
displaying results of said interrogation.
2. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
radio frequency identification device is one radio frequency
identification device carried on each said respective vehicle.
3. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
radio frequency identification device is one radio frequency
identification tag carried on each said respective vehicle.
4. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 3 wherein each said respective
vehicle is configured having an inside surface and an outside
surface, and wherein said radio frequency identification tag is
adhesively secured to said inside surface of each said respective
vehicle.
5. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
toy vehicle is at least one radio-controlled toy vehicle.
6. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
toy vehicle is at least one slot car toy vehicle and wherein said
path is a lane in a slot car track.
7. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display
time between appearances of said at least one vehicle at said
interrogation locus.
8. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one
interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display
speed of said at least one vehicle.
9. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one
toy vehicle is at least one radio-controlled toy vehicle.
10. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one
toy vehicle is at least one slot car toy vehicle and wherein said
path is a lane in a slot car track.
11. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one
interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display
time between appearances of said at least one vehicle at said
interrogation locus.
12. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least one
interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display
speed of said at least one vehicle.
13. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one
interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display
time between appearances of said at least one vehicle at said
interrogation locus.
14. A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy vehicle
traveling a path as recited in claim 13 wherein said at least one
interrogating device and said display device cooperate to display
speed of said at least one vehicle.
15. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle; the system
comprising: (a) an identifying device on said vehicle; said
identifying device generating a coded signal in response to an
interrogating signal; said coded signal identifying said vehicle;
(b) an interrogating device situated to transmit said interrogating
signal to said vehicle as said vehicle passes an interrogation
locus; said interrogating device receiving said coded response; and
(c) a display device coupled with said interrogating device; said
interrogating device and said display device cooperating to display
at least one operating characteristic of said vehicle.
16. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 15 wherein said identifying device is a radio frequency
identification tag.
17. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 15 wherein said toy vehicle is configured having an inside
surface and an outside surface, and wherein said radio frequency
identification tag is adhesively secured to said inside
surface.
18. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 15 wherein said toy vehicle is a radio-controlled toy
vehicle.
19. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 15 wherein said toy vehicle is a slot car toy vehicle for
operation on a slot car track.
20. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 18 wherein said display device and said interrogating device
cooperate to display time between receiving two coded signals in
response to two successive interrogating signals.
21. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 20 wherein said display device and said interrogating device
cooperate to display speed of said toy vehicle between receiving
two coded signals in response to two successive interrogating
signals.
22. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 19 wherein said display device and said interrogating device
cooperate to display time between receiving two coded signals in
response to two successive interrogating signals.
23. A position monitoring system for a toy vehicle as recited in
claim 22 wherein said display device and said interrogating device
cooperate to display speed of said toy vehicle between receiving
two coded signals in response to two successive interrogating
signals.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a system for monitoring
operation of one or more toy vehicles traveling a path. By way of
example and not by way of limitation, the toy vehicles with which
the system of the present invention may be advantageously used
include RC (radio-controlled) vehicles and include slot car toy
vehicles operating on a slot car track.
[0002] Monitoring devices such as lap counters and timers for toy
vehicles have been known in the past. However, prior art monitoring
devices involved placing a radio transceiver in the toy vehicle
that transmitted an identification code. There were problems with
the prior art devices including the radio transceiver required
on-board power to operate, so it was necessary to "rob" power from
the to vehicle's battery that could otherwise have been available
for powering the vehicle's motor. The transceiver added significant
weight to the vehicle, thereby further reducing the speed and
battery life of the vehicle. Further, the transceiver devices were
expensive, on the order of $80.00.
[0003] There is a need for a monitoring device, such as a lap
counter and timer for toy vehicles that is lightweight, inexpensive
and does not require on-board power for its operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A system for monitoring operation of at least one toy
vehicle traveling a path includes: (a) a respective radio frequency
identification device carried on each respective vehicle; each
respective radio frequency identification device being empowered by
an interrogation for generating a coded response to the
interrogation; the coded response distinguishing each respective
vehicle from other vehicles; (b) at least one interrogating device;
each respective interrogating device being situated to effect the
interrogation of a respective radio frequency identification device
as the respective radio frequency identification device is carried
past an interrogation locus on the path; and (c) a display device
coupled with the at least one interrogating device for displaying
results of the interrogation.
[0005] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a monitoring device, such as a lap counter and timer for
toy vehicles that is lightweight, inexpensive and does not require
on-board power for its operation.
[0006] Further objects and features of the present invention will
be apparent from the following specification and claims when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
like elements are labeled using like reference numerals in the
various figures, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art monitoring
device used with a toy vehicle.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring device for use
with a toy vehicle according to the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the monitoring device of
the present invention employed in connection with a slot car track
and a plurality of toy vehicles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] The present invention employs a radio frequency
identification (RFID) device such as an RFID tag mounted inside a
toy vehicle. The toy vehicle may be any sort of toy vehicle for
which it is desirable that certain operational parameters be
measured. Operational parameters measurable by the present
invention include, by way of example and not by way of limitation,
passing of the vehicle by a predetermined locus, elapsed time since
the vehicle last passed by the predetermined locus, speed of the
vehicle and comparison of parameters between two or more vehicles
operating together. Providing a memory capability to the system
enables comparison of operating parameters among vehicles operating
separately over time. Such a time-independent capability permits
establishment of track records and other indicators or milestones
that add realism to play with toy vehicles.
[0011] Toy vehicles contemplated as usefully employing the present
invention include radio-controlled (RC) cars (gas powered or
battery powered), slot car-type vehicles used with slot car race
tracks and other substantially non-tethered vehicles.
[0012] An interrogating device, preferably embodied in an RFID
reader device, is situated near a path over which the toy vehicle
will travel, such as a race track or a slot car track. The
interrogating device interrogates RFID tags attached or secured to
toy vehicles as the vehicles pass the interrogating device. The
time of passage is noted for each vehicle. Intervals between
passings may be recorded for calculating speed of vehicles.
[0013] The process of interrogation generally involves sending a
coded or otherwise recognizable radio frequency (RF) signal that is
received by an RFID tag. The interrogating signal excites circuitry
contained on or in the RFID tag (e.g., a resonant circuit) and the
RFID tag emits a coded signal in response to the interrogating
signal. Each RFID tag is configured to emit a predetermined coded
response, and each coded response identifies a respective toy
vehicle sufficiently to distinguish the respective toy vehicle from
other toy vehicles. Adding new coding to RFID tags is a relatively
simple matter during the process of manufacturing the RFID tags.
Thus, it is preferred (and easily accomplished) that each
respective toy vehicle have its own distinct and unique coded
response signal emitted by its attached RFID tag.
[0014] Providing each vehicle with its own unique code for
transmission by its attached RFID tag significantly increases
versatility of the toy vehicles. For example, one user could take a
toy vehicle to a friend's track and a monitoring system at the
friend's track can distinguish the new vehicle from other vehicles
without confusion.
[0015] A display device coupled with the interrogating device in
the system of the present invention cooperated with the
interrogating device to display which vehicles are on the track and
how fast the vehicles are going. Other information may also be
displayed, including by way of example and not by way of
limitation, track records, average speeds, comparisons for each
vehicle with track records and average speeds, and other
interesting information that may be calculated from noted times at
which each respective vehicle passes the locus or position at which
the RFID tags send their coded response signals in response to
interrogation.
[0016] Interrogating devices, or display units or both
interrogating devices and display units may be coupled with a
personal computer (PC) or other computing equipment for calculating
or displaying other information. A connection with the Internet or
another network may be established with the system, directly or
through computing equipment such as a PC, for linking with other
vehicle racing systems. Using such a linking arrangement permits
organizing competitive racing events and other contemporaneous
events among vehicles at locations that are remote from each
other.
[0017] Using RFID tags for identification respective toy vehicles
is advantageous because no power is required for operating the
identification equipment carried on-board the toy vehicle and,
therefore, no power "robbing" from the vehicle occurs.
[0018] RFID tags are lightweight. The RFID tags of the present
invention are preferably embodied in a sticker that is adhesively
secured or attached to an inside surface of the vehicle. The
essentially negligible weight of the tag is advantageous because it
requires negligible additional power for the toy vehicle to haul it
about.
[0019] RFID tags are inexpensive, especially as compared with the
prior art RF transceivers used to identify toy vehicles. RFID tags
presently cost less than ten cents each.
[0020] RFID technology is easily and inexpensively scaled to meet
whatever identification demands may be presented. There is
virtually no limit to the number of identification codes that can
be provided for distinguishing individual toy vehicles. RFID tags
may be easily installed when the toy vehicles are manufactured. In
such manner, a manufacturer can keep track of individualizing
coding for each respective vehicle, and can anticipate when
additional coding will be required to maintain individuality of
code identifications among vehicles.
[0021] More than one interrogating device may be used so that
additional data may be observed, calculated or derived, such as
vehicle performance in particular portions of a track or other
data.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art monitoring
device used with a toy vehicle. In FIG. 1, a monitoring system 10
for monitoring operation of a toy vehicle 12 includes a radio
frequency (RF) transceiver 14 and an RF receiver device 16. Vehicle
12 is propelled by an on-board motor 18 powered by an on-board
battery 20. RF transceiver 14 is also powered by battery 20. RF
transceiver 14 transmits a coded signal 22 identifying vehicle 12.
RF receiver 16 receives and decodes coded signal 22 to identify
vehicle 12. Other components such as a display (not shown in FIG.
1) may be included in prior art system 10 for presenting data to a
user, including for example identity of vehicle 12, time of passing
of vehicle 12 past RF receiver device 16, number of laps past RF
receiver device 16, time elapsed between passes past RF receiver
device 16 and other data.
[0023] There are problems with prior art system 10. Powering RF
transceiver device 16 using on-board battery 20 "robs" power from
battery 20 that could otherwise be available for powering motor 20.
RF transceiver device 16 adds significant weight to vehicle 12,
thereby further reducing the speed of vehicle 12 and reducing life
of battery 20. RF transceiver device 16 is expensive, on the order
of $80.00.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring device for use
with a toy vehicle according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, a
monitoring system 40 for monitoring operation of a toy vehicle 42
includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) device 44 and an
RF interrogating device 46. Vehicle 42 is propelled by an on-board
motor 48 powered by an on-board battery 50. RFID device 44 is
preferably embodied in an RFID tag, and is most preferable embodied
in an adhesively attached RFID tag attached or secured to an inner
surface of vehicle 42.
[0025] Interrogating device 46 is preferably embodied in an RFID
reader device situated near a path 41 over which vehicle 42
travels. By way of example and not by way of limitation, path 41
may be embodied in a race track or a slot car track. Interrogating
device 46 interrogates RFID device 44 as vehicle 42 passes
interrogating device 46. The time at which passage occurs is noted
for vehicle 42. Intervals between passings may be recorded for
calculating speed of vehicle 44.
[0026] The process of interrogation generally involves
interrogating device 46 sending a coded or otherwise recognizable
radio frequency (RF) interrogating signal 52 that is received by
RFID device 44. Interrogating signal 52 excites circuitry contained
on or in RFID device 44 (e.g., a resonant circuit) and RFID device
44 emits a coded signal 54 in response to interrogating signal 52.
RFID device 44 is configured to emit a predetermined coded signal
54 that identifies vehicle 42 sufficiently to distinguish vehicle
42 from other toy vehicles (not shown in FIG. 2). Interrogating
device 46 receives and decodes coded signal 54 to identify vehicle
42. Other components such as a display device 60 may be included in
system 40 for presenting data to a user, including for example
identity of vehicle 42, time at which vehicle 42 passes
interrogating device 46, number of laps vehicle 42 makes past
interrogating device 46, time elapsed between passes by vehicle 42
past interrogating device 46 and other data.
[0027] Display device 60 is coupled with interrogating device 46
and cooperates with interrogating device 46 to display whether
vehicle 42 is alone on path 41 (or show that other vehicles also
are using path 41; not shown in FIG. 2) and how fast vehicle 42
(and other vehicles, if present) are going. Individual coding of
RFID devices 44 for each respective vehicle 42 permits individual
tracking and display of respective vehicles by display device 60
when more than one vehicle 42 is present on a track, such as path
41. Other information may also be displayed by display unit 60,
including by way of example and not by way of limitation, track
records, average speeds, comparisons for each vehicle with track
records and with average speeds, and other information that may be
calculated from noted times at which each respective vehicle passes
the locus or position at which RFID devices 44 send their coded
response signals in response to interrogation by interrogating
device 46.
[0028] Interrogating device 46, or display unit 60 or both
interrogating device 46 and display unit 60 may be coupled with a
personal computer (PC) or other computing equipment 62. Computing
equipment 62 may be used to calculate other information or effect
displaying of other information by computing equipment 62 or by
display device 60. A connection 64 with the Internet or another
network may be established with system 40, directly or through
computing equipment 62, for linking with other vehicle racing
systems (not shown in FIG. 2). Using such a linking arrangement
permits organizing competitive racing events and other
contemporaneous events among vehicles at locations that are remote
from each other.
[0029] Using RFID device 44 for identification of vehicle 42 is
advantageous because no power is required from battery 50 for
operating the RFID device 44 and, therefore, no power "robbing"
from vehicle 42 occurs.
[0030] RFID device 44 is lightweight. RFID device 44 is preferably
embodied in a sticker that is adhesively secured or attached to an
inside surface of vehicle 42. The essentially negligible weight of
RFID device 44 is advantageous because it requires negligible
additional power for the vehicle 42 to haul it about.
[0031] RFID device 44 is inexpensive, especially as compared with
the prior art RF transceivers used to identify toy vehicles (FIG.
1). Typical devices such as RFID device 44 presently cost less than
ten cents each.
[0032] More than one interrogating device 46 (not shown in FIG. 2)
may be used in system 40 so that additional data may be observed,
calculated or derived, such as vehicle acceleration, vehicle
performance in particular portions of a track or other data.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the monitoring device of
the present invention employed in connection with a slot car track
and a plurality of toy vehicles. In FIG. 3, a monitoring system 80
for monitoring operation of toy vehicles 82, 83 on a slot car track
70 includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) device 84 on
vehicle 82 and an RFID device 85 on vehicle 83. System 80 further
includes RF interrogating devices 86, 87 arranged about the
periphery of track 70. Vehicles 82, 83 are each propelled by an
on-board motor powered by an on-board battery (not shown in detail
in FIG. 3; see FIG. 2). Vehicle 82 travels in a lane 72 of track
70, and vehicle 83 travels in a lane 73 of track 70. RFID devices
84, 85 are each preferably embodied in an RFID tag, and are most
preferably each embodied in an adhesively attached RFID tag
attached or secured to an inner surface of vehicles 84, 85.
[0034] Interrogating devices 86, 87 are each preferably embodied in
an RFID reader device situated near track 70. Interrogating device
86 interrogates RFID device 84 as vehicle 82 passes interrogating
device 86, and interrogates RFID device 85 as vehicle 83 passes
interrogating device 86. Interrogating device 87 also interrogates
RFID device 84 as vehicle 82 passes interrogating device 87, and
interrogates RFID device 85 as vehicle 83 passes interrogating
device 87. The time at which passage occurs for each vehicle 82, 83
is noted by each of interrogating devices 86, 87. Noting intervals
between successive passings past a respective interrogating device
86, 87 permits calculation of the speed at which a vehicle 82, 83
is going. Using more than one interrogating device 86, 87 (in
contrast with using only one interrogating device; e.g.,
interrogating device 46, FIG. 2) permits additional data to be
observed, calculated or derived, such as vehicle performance in
particular portions of a track or other data.
[0035] The process of interrogation generally involves an
interrogating device sending an interrogating signal to a vehicle
as the vehicle passes the interrogating device. Thus, interrogating
device 86 sends a coded or otherwise recognizable radio frequency
(RF) interrogating signal 92 that is received by RFID devices 84,
85. Interrogating signal 92 excites circuitry contained on or in
RFID devices 84, 85 (e.g., a resonant circuit). RFID device 84
emits a coded signal 94 in response to interrogating signal 92.
RFID device 85 emits a coded signal 95 in response to interrogating
signal 92. Each of RFID devices 84, 85 is configured to emit a
predetermined coded signal 94, 95 that identifies a respective
vehicle 82, 83 sufficiently to distinguish each of vehicle 82, 83
from the other of vehicles 82, 83. Interrogating device 86 receives
and decodes coded signals 94, 95 to identify respective vehicles
82, 83. Interrogating device 87 operates in similar manner with
respect to vehicles 82, 83 when vehicles 82, 83 are in the vicinity
of interrogating unit 87.
[0036] Other components such as a display device and computing
equipment may be included in system 80 for use in manners similar
to their use in system 40 (FIG. 2). By way of illustration and not
by way of limitation, a display device may be coupled with either
or both interrogating devices 86, 87 and cooperate with
interrogating devices 86, 87 to display whether either of vehicles
82, 83 is alone on track 70 or how many vehicles 82, 83 are
operating on track 70 and how fast vehicles 82, 83 are going.
Individual coding of RFID devices 84, 85 for each respective
vehicle 82, 83 permits individual tracking and display for
respective vehicles 82, 83 by a display device (not shown in FIG.
3; see FIG. 2) when more than one of vehicles 82, 83 is present on
track 70. Other information may also be displayed by a display
unit, including by way of example and not by way of limitation,
track records, average speeds, comparisons for each vehicle with
track records and with average speeds, and other information that
may be calculated from noted times at which each respective vehicle
passes the locus or position at which RFID devices 84, 85 send
their coded response signals 94, 95 in response to an interrogation
signal 92, 93 received from an interrogating device 86, 87.
[0037] Interrogating devices 86, 87, or a display unit (not shown
in FIG. 3) or all of interrogating devices 86, 87 and a display
unit may be coupled with a personal computer (PC) or other
computing equipment (not shown in FIG. 3; see FIG. 2). Computing
equipment may be used to calculate other information or effect
displaying of other information by the computing equipment or by a
display device. A connection with the Internet or another network
(not shown in FIG. 3; see FIG. 2) may be established with system
80, directly or through computing equipment, for linking with other
vehicle racing systems (not shown in FIG. 3). Using such a linking
arrangement permits organizing competitive racing events and other
contemporaneous events among vehicles at locations that are remote
from each other.
[0038] It is to be understood that, while the detailed drawings and
specific examples given describe preferred embodiments of the
invention, they are for the purpose of illustration only, that the
apparatus and method of the invention are not limited to the
precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes
may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
invention which is defined by the following claims:
* * * * *