U.S. patent application number 10/542523 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for remote-control toy, and extension unit, moving body, and auxiliary device for remote-control toy.
This patent application is currently assigned to Konami Corporation. Invention is credited to Takashi Yamaguchi.
Application Number | 20060194507 10/542523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32767701 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060194507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamaguchi; Takashi |
August 31, 2006 |
Remote-control toy, and extension unit, moving body, and auxiliary
device for remote-control toy
Abstract
A remote-control toy has a controller for transmitting a code
signal through infrared rays according to operation contents by a
user, and a movable body for being controlled based on the code
signal. This remote-control toy includes: an indicator that is
provided within the boundary of movement of the movable body, and
includes at least one detectable element; a detecting device that
is provided to the movable body, and detects the detectable
element; a transmitting device for transmitting a detection signal
through a radio wave in response to the detection of the element;
and a processing unit for determining the state of the movable body
based on the detection signal, and for performing a predetermined
process based on the determined state.
Inventors: |
Yamaguchi; Takashi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
Konami Corporation
4-1, Marunouchi 2-chome
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
JP
100-6330
|
Family ID: |
32767701 |
Appl. No.: |
10/542523 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
January 16, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/00311 |
371 Date: |
October 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/454 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 18/12 20130101;
A63H 18/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/454 |
International
Class: |
A63H 30/00 20060101
A63H030/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 17, 2003 |
JP |
2003-045131 |
Claims
1. A remote-control toy comprising: a controller for transmitting a
code signal through infrared rays according to operation contents
by a user; a movable body for being controlled based on the code
signal; an indicator that is provided within a boundary of movement
of the movable body or to the movable body, and includes at least
one element to be detected; a detecting device for detecting the
element, the detecting device being provided within the boundary of
movement of the movable body or to the movable body, whichever the
indicator is not provided to; a transmitting device for
transmitting a predetermined detection signal through a radio wave,
in response to a detection of the element detected by the detecting
device; and a processing unit for determining a state of the
movable body based on the detection signal, and for performing a
predetermined process based on the determined state of the movable
body.
2. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein the
indicator is provided within the boundary of movement of the
movable body, the detecting device and the transmitting device are
provided to the movable body, and the processing unit determines
the state of the movable body, based on the code signal and the
detection signal, and performs the predetermined processing based
on determination result.
3. The remote-control toy according to claim 2, wherein the
indicator is provided at a plurality of locations within the
boundary of movement, each indicator has a plurality of elements to
be detected, the elements being formed to have a pattern that vary
with a location within the boundary of movement, the processing
unit determines the location of the movable body within the
boundary of movement, based on a pattern of the detection signal
corresponding to a pattern of the elements to be detected in the
indicator, and the processing unit changes contents of the
processing according to the determined location.
4. The remote-control toy according to claim 2, wherein the
indicator is provided for a plurality of structures that are formed
within the boundary of movement, each indicator has a plurality of
elements to be detected, the elements to be detected having
patterns that vary with the types of the structures, the processing
unit determines the type of the structure at which the movable body
is located, based on the pattern of the detection signal
corresponding to the pattern of the elements to be detected in the
indicator, and the processing unit changes the contents of the
processing according to the determined type of structure.
5. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein the
processing unit determines whether the movable body is in a
predetermined operating state at the location at which the elements
to be detected are detected, based on the code signal received at
the time of receiving the detection signal, and the processing unit
performs the predetermined processing when the movable body is in
the predetermined operating state.
6. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein the movable
body is formed as a model that runs on a track, and the indicator
is located on the track or on a side of the track.
7. The remote-control toy according to claim 6, wherein the model
is formed by connecting a plurality of compartments, a driving unit
that drives the model based on the code signal, and a transmission
unit that includes the detecting device and the transmitting
device, and transmits the detection signal, are mounted on
different compartments from each other.
8. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein a
relationship between the movable body and the code signal
transmitted from the controller is distinguished by an
identification code contained in the code signal, and a
relationship between the processing unit and a detection signal
transmitted from the transmitting device is distinguished by the
frequency of the detection signal.
9. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein the
indicator is provided to the movable body, and the detecting device
is provided in such a manner that a detecting range includes at
least a part of the boundary of movement of the movable body, and
the processing unit performs an operation corresponding to passing
through the detecting range of the detecting device, in response to
reception of the detection signal.
10. The remote-control toy according to claim 9, wherein the
indicator is provided at a location on the movable body, the
location varying with a type of the movable body, the detecting
device includes a detector for each location of the indicator, and
the transmitting device outputs the detection signal, which has a
frequency different for each detector.
11. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein the
predetermined processing includes generation of an auditory effect
or visual effect.
12. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein the
processing unit is mounted to the controller or to an extension
unit that can be mounted to the controller.
13. The remote-control toy according to claim 1, wherein the
transmitting device has a battery as a power source.
14. A remote-control toy comprising: a controller for transmitting
a code signal through infrared rays according to operation contents
by a user; a movable body for being controlled based on the code
signal; an indicator that is provided within the boundary of
movement of the movable body, and includes at least one element to
be detected; a detecting device for detecting the element, the
detecting device being mounted on the movable body; a transmitting
device for transmitting a predetermined detection signal through a
radio wave, the transmitting device being mounted on the movable
body and, in response to detection of the element detected by the
detecting device; and a processing unit for determining a state of
the movable body based on the code signal and the detection signal,
and for performing a predetermined process based on the determined
state.
15. An extension unit for being applied to a remote-control toy
that includes a controller for transmitting a code signal through
infrared rays according to the operation contents by a user, a
movable body for being controlled based on the code signal, and an
indicator that is provided within the boundary of movement of the
movable body and includes at least one element to be detected, the
movable body including a detecting device for detecting the element
to be detected, and a transmitting device for transmitting a
predetermined detection signal through a radio wave in response to
detection of the element detected by the detecting device, the
extension unit comprising: a receiving unit for receiving the
detection signal; and a processing unit for determining a state of
the movable body based on the code signal and the detection signal,
and for performing a predetermined process based on the determined
state.
16. A movable body for being applied to a remote-control toy that
includes a controller for transmitting a code signal through
infrared rays according to operation contents by a user, and an
indicator that is provided within a predetermined boundary of
movement and includes at least one element to be detected, the
movable body for being controlled based on the code signal, the
movable body comprising: a detecting device that detects the
element to be detected; and a transmitting device that is mounted
on the movable body, the transmitting device for transmitting a
predetermined detection signal through a radio wave in response to
detection of the element detected by the detecting device.
17. A remote-control toy that comprising: a controller for
transmitting a code signal through infrared rays according to
operation contents by a user; a movable body for being controlled
based on the code signal; an indicator that is provided within the
movable body, and includes at least one element to be detected; a
detecting device for detecting the element, the detecting device
being provided within the boundary of movement of the movable body;
a transmitting device for transmitting a predetermined detection
signal through a radio wave in response to detection of the element
detected by the detecting device; and a processing unit for
determining a state of the movable body based on the detection
signal, and for performing a predetermined process based on
determination result.
18. An extension unit for being applied to a remote-control toy
that includes a controller for transmitting a code signal through
infrared rays according to operation contents by a user, a movable
body for being controlled based on the code signal, an indicator
that is provided to the movable body and includes at least one
element to be detected, a detecting device for detecting the
element to be detected, and a transmitting device for transmitting
a predetermined detection signal through a radio wave in response
to detection of the element detected by the detecting device, the
detecting device being provided so that a detecting range is at
least a part of the boundary of movement of the movable body, the
extension unit comprising: a receiving unit for receiving the
detection signal; and a processing unit for perfomring a
predetermined operation that is associated with the passing through
the detecting range of the detecting device, in response to
reception of the detection signal.
19. The extension unit according to claim 15, which is adapted to
be mounted to the controller.
20. An auxiliary device for being applied to a remote-control toy
that includes a controller for transmitting a code signal through
infrared rays according to operation contents by a user, and a
movable body for being controlled based on the code signal, the
auxiliary device comprising: a detecting device that is provided so
that a detecting range is at least a part of the boundary of
movement of the movable body, and includes a plurality of detectors
that each detect element to be detected in a plurality of
indicators that are provided at a location different for each
movable body; and a transmitting device for transmitting a
predetermined detection signal through a radio wave in response to
detection of the element detected by the detectors, and for sending
the detection signal at a frequency different for each of the
detectors.
Description
TECHNICAL FILED
[0001] The present invention relates to a remote-control toy that
transmits a signal using infrared rays from a controller to a
movable body, so as to control the movable body.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As remote-control toys utilizing infrared rays, structures
in which controllers exchange ID information, assigned to each
controller, to one another so as to prevent the transmission
periods of the controllers from overlapping one another are
provided so that two or more combinations of controllers and
movable bodies (models) can be used at the same location at the
same time.
[0003] In each of the conventional remote-control toys, signal
transmission from each movable body to a controller is not carried
out. One of the reasons for it is that, if bidirectional
communication using infrared rays is performed between a controller
and a movable body, the transmission period of the controller and
the movable body is prolonged, and the responsiveness of the
movable body to an input operation through the controller might
deteriorate. However, the controller cannot determine the state of
the movable body, unless any information is not supplied from the
movable body to the controller. As a result, staging such as
audio-visual effects cannot be obtained precisely according to the
state of the movable body.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0004] Therefore, the present invention is to provide a
remote-control toy that can increase the excitement of playing by
transmitting information from each movable body, without any
influence on the structure that transmits signals from controllers
to movable bodies using infrared rays.
[0005] The above described problems are eliminated by a
remote-control toy that has a controller that transmits a code
signal through infrared rays according to operation contents by a
user, and a movable body that is controlled to drive based on the
code signal. This remote-control toy includes: an indicator that is
provided within a boundary of movement of the movable body or to
the movable body, and includes at least one element to be detected;
a detecting device that is provided within the boundary of movement
of the movable body or to the movable body, whichever the indicator
is not provided to, and detects the element to be detected; a
transmitting device that transmits a predetermined detection signal
through a radio wave in response to detection of the element
detected by the detecting device; and a processing unit that
determines a state of the movable body based on the detection
signal, and performs predetermined processing based on
determination result.
[0006] With the remote-control toy of the present invention, the
detection signal is transmitted from the movable body utilizing a
radio wave. Accordingly, it is not necessary to give consideration
to crosstalk with code signals transmitted from the controller to
the movable body. When the detecting device detects the element to
be detected of the indicator, the detection signal is transmitted
through a radio wave in response to the detection. Accordingly, the
processing unit can at least determine that the movable body has
reached the position in which the element to be detected is
located, and can perform the processing associated with the
detection. Thus, more excitement of playing can be provided
compared with the conventional example in which information is not
transmitted from the movable body. Since the detection signal is
simply transmitted at the moment of detection of the element to be
detected, the transmitting device is also simplified. Accordingly,
with the transmitting device being mounted onto the movable body,
the size of the movable body can be advantageously made smaller,
and the power consumption of the transmitting device can also be
reduced. Especially, if the power source of the transmitting device
is a battery, the service life of the battery can be effectively
prolonged.
[0007] In the first preferred aspect of the present invention, the
indicator may be provided within the boundary of movement of the
movable body, the detecting device and the transmitting device may
be mounted to the movable body, and the processing unit determines
the state of the movable body, based on the code signal and the
detection signal, and performs the predetermined processing based
on determination result.
[0008] Since the code signal contains an operating instruction
directed to the movable body, if the operating instruction is
referred to, it can be determined how the movable body is
operating. Based on the combination of the operation and the
detection signal, the state of the movable body can be determined
concretely. Accordingly, the contents of the operation according to
the state of the movable body can be varied, and more excitement of
playing can be provided.
[0009] In the first aspect, the remote-control toy may be formed as
follows.
[0010] The indicator may be provided at a plurality of locations
within the boundary of movement. Each indicator has a plurality of
element being formed to have a pattern that vary with a location
within the boundary of movement. The processing unit determines the
location of the movable body within the boundary of movement, based
on the pattern of the detection signal corresponding to the pattern
of the elements to be detected in the indicator. The processing
unit changes the contents of the processing according to the
determined location.
[0011] Alternatively, the indicator may be provided for a plurality
of structures that are formed within the boundary of movement. Each
indicator has a plurality of elements to be detected, and the
elements to be detected form patterns that vary with the types of
the structures. The processing unit determines the type of the
structure at which the movable body is located, based on a pattern
of the detection signal corresponding to a pattern of the elements
to be detected in the indicator. The processing unit changes
contents of the processing according to the determined type of
structure.
[0012] With these aspects, the processing is associated with the
location or the structure located within the boundary of movement.
Thus, more excitement of playing can be provided.
[0013] The processing unit may determine whether the movable body
is in a predetermined operating state at the location at which the
elements to be detected are detected, based on the code signal
received at the time of receiving the detection signal. The
processing unit performs the predetermined processing when the
movable body is in the predetermined operating state. By
determining the operating state, various effects can be performed,
reflecting the operating state of the movable body in the contents
of the processing. For example, the processing performed when the
movable body is moving is different from the processing performed
when the movable body is stopped.
[0014] The movable body may be formed as a model that runs on a
track, and the indicator may be located on the track or on a side
of the track. The model may be formed by connecting a plurality of
compartments. A driving unit that drives the model based on the
code signal, and a transmission unit that includes the detecting
device and the transmitting device, and transmits the detection
signal, may be mounted on different compartments from each
other.
[0015] In the case where a relationship between the movable body
and the code signal transmitted from the controller is
distinguished by an identification code contained in the code
signal, a relationship between the processing unit and a detection
signal transmitted from the transmitting device is distinguished by
the frequency of the detection signal.
[0016] In a second preferred aspect of the present invention, the
indicator maybe provided to the movable body, and the detecting
device may be provided in such a manner that a detecting range is
at least a part of the boundary of movement of the movable body.
The processing unit may perform an operation corresponding to
passing through the detecting range of the detecting device, in
response to reception of the detection signal.
[0017] In this aspect, the detecting range is set in a particular
position within the boundary of movement of the movable body, so
that the movable body running past the particular position is
detected, and the operation associated with the movable body
running past can be performed. Thus, more excitement of playing is
provided in a game such as a race in which each movable body is
required to run past a particular position.
[0018] In the second aspect, the indicator may be provided at a
location on the movable body, and the location varies with a type
of movable body. The detecting device may include a detector for
each location of the indicator. The transmitting device may output
the detection signal, which has a frequency different for each
detector. In such a case, the locations of indicators are varied,
thereby passing through of each movable body can be detected to be
distinguished and the detecting signal having a frequency different
from each type of movable body can be transmitted. Thus, the
present invention can be applied to the situation where movable
bodies of various kinds are used at the same time.
[0019] In the remote-control toy of the present invention, the
predetermined processing may include generation of an auditory
effect or visual effect. The processing unit may be mounted to the
controller or to an extension unit that can be mounted to the
controller. In these aspects, sound or an image can be output
according to the state of the movable body at the controller or in
the vicinity of the controller.
[0020] Other aspects of the present invention include the following
remote-control toys, extension units, movable body, and auxiliary
device.
[0021] Another remote-control toy of the present invention has a
controller that transmits a code signal through infrared rays
according to the operation contents by a user, and a movable body
that is controlled to drive based on the code signal. This
remote-control toy includes: an indicator that is provided within
the boundary of movement of the movable body, and includes at least
one element to be detected; a detecting device that is mounted to
the movable body, and detects the element to be detected; a
transmitting device that is mounted to the movable body and
transmits a predetermined detection signal through a radio wave in
response to the detection of the element detected by the detecting
device; and a processing unit that determines a state of the
movable body based on the code signal and the detection signal, and
performs predetermined processing based on determination
result.
[0022] An extension unit of the present invention is applied to a
remote-control toy that includes a controller that transmits a code
signal through infrared rays according to operation contents by a
user, a movable body that is controlled to drive based on the code
signal, and an indicator that is provided within the boundary of
movement of the movable body and includes at least one element to
be detected. A detecting device that detects the element to be
detected, and a transmitting device that transmits a predetermined
detection signal through a radio wave in response to detection of
the element detected by the detecting device are mounted to the
movable body. The extension unit includes a receiving unit that
receives the detection signal, and a processing unit that
determines a state of the movable body based on the code signal and
the detection signal, and performs predetermined processing based
on determination result.
[0023] A movable body of the present invention is applied to a
remote-control toy that includes a controller that transmits a code
signal through infrared rays according to operation contents by a
user, and an indicator that is provided within a predetermined
boundary of movement and includes at least one element to be
detected. The movable body is controlled to drive based on the code
signal. This movable body includes a detecting device that detects
the element to be detected, and a transmitting device that is
mounted to the movable body and transmits a predetermined detection
signal through a radio wave in response to the detection of the
element detected by the detecting device.
[0024] Yet another remote-control toy of the present invention
includes a controller that transmits a code signal through infrared
rays according to operation contents by a user, and a movable body
that is driven and controlled based on the code signal. This
remote-control toy includes: an indicator that is provided to the
movable body, and includes at least one element to be detected; a
detecting device that is provided within the boundary of movement
of the movable body, and detects the element to be detected; a
transmitting device that transmits a predetermined detection signal
through a radio wave in response to detection of the element
detected by the detecting device; and a processing unit that
determines a state of the movable body based on the detection
signal, and performed predetermined processing based on
determination result.
[0025] Another extension unit of the present invention is applied
to a remote-control toy that includes a controller that transmits a
code signal through infrared rays according to operation contents
by a user, a movable body that is controlled to drive based on the
code signal, an indicator that is provided to the movable body and
includes at least one element to be detected, a detecting device
that detects the element to be detected, and a transmitting device
that transmits a predetermined detection signal through a radio
wave in response to detection of the element detected by the
detecting device. The detecting device is provided so that a
detecting range is at least a part of the boundary of movement of
the movable body. The extension unit includes a receiving unit that
receives the detection signal, and a processing unit that performs
a predetermined operation that is associated with the passing
through the detecting range of the detecting device, in response to
reception of the detection signal.
[0026] This extension unit may be mounted to the controller.
[0027] An auxiliary device of the present invention is applied to a
remote-control toy that includes a controller that transmits a code
signal through infrared rays according to operation contents by a
user, and a movable body that is controlled to drive based on the
code signal. The auxiliary device includes: a detecting device that
is provided so that a detecting range is at least a part of the
boundary of movement of the movable body, and includes a plurality
of detectors that each detect element to be detected in a plurality
of indicators that are provided at a location different for each
movable body; and a transmitting device that transmits a
predetermined detection signal through a radio wave in response to
detection of the element detected by the detectors, and outputs the
detection signal at a frequency different for each of the
detectors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 shows the structure of a model side of a
remote-control toy according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 shows the structure of a controller side of the
remote-control toy according to the first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 3A shows an example of an arrangement of indicators and
structures on the rails;
[0031] FIG. 3B shows the patterns of the detection signal of an
indicator;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a sound output control routine to
be executed according to the first embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a schematic structure of a remote-control toy
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the features of the second embodiment;
and
[0035] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a lap control routine to be
executed according to the second embodiment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0036] FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B show a remote-control toy according
to a first embodiment of the present invention. This remote-control
toy 1 drives a train model 3 as a movable body on rails 4, based on
a code signal transmitted as infrared rays from a controller 2
shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, four controllers 2A to 2D are shown,
but all the controllers 2A to 2D have the same structures as one
another. Therefore, the controllers 2A to 2D will be hereinafter
referred to as the controller 2, unless there is a need to
distinguish them from one another.
[0037] The controller 2 includes a CPU 5. The CPU 5 generates drive
control information according to an operation performed on an input
device 6 by a user. The CPU 5 then outputs a control signal (a code
signal) to a light emitter circuit 7. The control signal contains
the drive control information and identification code (ID) allotted
uniquely to the respectively controllers 2A to 2D. The
identification code is, for example, any of 1 to 4, and the drive
control information contains an instruction value for the running
direction and the running speed of the model 3. When two or more
models 3 can be selectively controlled by a single controller 2,
model select information for designating which model 3 is to be
controlled may be added to the drive control information. The light
emitter circuit 7 transmits the code signal sent from the CPU 5
through an infrared signal at a predetermined carrier frequency.
The carrier frequency of the infrared signal is the same for all
the controllers 2A to 2D. To avoid crosstalk of code signals
transmitted from the controllers 2A to 2D, each controller 2 has a
light receiver circuit 8 that receives the code signal. The
transmission period of the code signal transmitted of each
controller 2 is allocated to the corresponding identification code
in advance within a predetermined period of time (200 milliseconds,
for example) in such a manner that each transmission period does
not overlap another transmission period. The CPU 5 refers to the
identification code contained in the code signal received by the
light receiver circuit 8, and determines the own transmission
period. The CPU 5 then causes the light emitter circuit 7 to output
the code signal in the determined transmission period. The
controller 2 has an output terminal unit 9 that outputs the code
signal through a cable. The other components than the controller 2
shown in FIG. 2 will be described later.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the model 3 has compartments 3a, 3b, and
3c that are joined to one another. The top compartment 3a has a
driving unit 10 that drives the model 3 based on the code signal
transmitted from the controller 2. The driving unit 10 includes a
light receiver circuit 11 that receives the code signal transmitted
from the controller 2, a driving device 13 that drives wheels 12, a
drive control device 14 that controls the operation of the driving
device 13 based on the code signal received by the light receiver
circuit 11, a power source battery 15, and so on. The driving
device 13 includes a motor as a power source. The drive control
device 14 determines the identification code contained in the code
signal sent from the light receiver circuit 11. If the
identification code is the same as the identification code allotted
to the model 3, the drive control device 14 operates the driving
device 13 in the direction and at the speed according to the drive
control information contained in the code signal. The
identification code allotted to the model 3 should be the same as
one of the identification codes that can be allotted to the
controllers 2.
[0039] In the second compartment 3b, a transmission unit 20 for
detection signals is mounted. The transmission unit 20 includes a
detecting device 21 that is attached to the bottom surface of the
compartment 3b, a transmitting device (a transmitter circuit) 22,
and a power source battery 23. The detecting device 21 detects the
element to be detected 26 of an indicator provided on the rails 4
to output a predetermined detection signal (an ON signal). Any one
of various sensors, such as a microswitch or a photoswitch, can be
employed as the detecting device 21. In the case of employing a
microswitch as the detecting device 21, the element to be detected
26 may be formed with convexities that can be in contact with the
microswitch. In the case of employing a reflective photoswitch as
the detecting device 21, the element to be detected 26 may be
formed with reflection layers that exhibit high reflectance for the
light emitted from the photoswitch. Alternatively, any suitable
combination of the detecting device 21 and the detectable elements
26 can be employed. The transmitting device 22 transmits the
detection signal from the detecting device 21 through a radio wave
of a predetermined carrier frequency from an antenna 22a. Here, the
carrier frequency varies with the respective identification codes
allotted to the models 3.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3A, it is possible to provide structures
such as a station 27A and a railroad crossing 27B on the rails 4 or
on the side thereof. Hereinafter, the structures may be described
with reference numeral 27. The detectable elements 26 (the hatched
portions in FIG. 3) of the indicator 25 are provided to form
different patterns for each type of the structures 27. Each of the
patterns is formed by arbitrarily combining the lengths and the
number of detectable elements 26. For example, the indicator 25 of
the station 27A in FIG. 3A is formed with two short detectable
elements 26 and one long detectable element 26 that are aligned.
When model 3 approaches the station 27, the detecting device 21
detects the detectable elements 26 in sequence, thereby the
transmission unit 20 transmits the detection signal with the
pattern shown in FIG. 3B. In FIG. 3B, when a detectable element 26
is detected, the detection signal is ON. The duration of the ON
state of the pattern of the detection signal varies with the
running speed of the model 3. The indicators 25 with reverse
patterns are placed on both sides of the structure 27 respectively,
so that the transmission unit 20 can output detection signals with
the same patterns with respect to the same structure 27, regardless
of from which direction the model 3 approaches the structure
27.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the output terminal unit 9 of the
controller 2 can be connected to an extension unit 30 through a
cable. The extension unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a receiver circuit
32 that receives the detection signal transmitted from the model 3
through an antenna 32a, and a sound generator circuit 33. The
functions of the extension unit 30 will be described later. The
extension unit 30 may be disposed independently of the controller
2, or may be detachably provided to the controller 2. Further, the
extension unit 30 maybe contained in the housing of the controller
2.
[0042] The code signal from the output terminal unit 9 is supplied
to the CPU 31, and is also supplied to a booster signal mixer 35
via the extension unit 30. The booster signal mixer 35 mixes the
code signals output from the output terminal units 9 of the
respective controllers 2, and distributes the mixed code signals to
boosters 36. The boosters 36 amplify the code signals transmitted
from the mixer 35, and transmits the amplified signals through
infrared signals with a predetermined carrier frequency, like the
light emitting circuit 7 of each controller 2. The boosters 36 are
disposed scatteringly in places in the area where the rails 4 are
set. With the use of the boosters 36, the placement area of the
rails 4 can be expanded beyond the transmission range of the
controllers 2.
[0043] Next, the functions of the extension unit 30 are described.
The receiver circuit 32 of the extension unit 30 receives only the
radio wave of the carrier frequency corresponding to the
identification code of the controller 2 connected via the output
terminal unit 9, among the radio waves of various carrier
frequencies transmitted from the transmission unit 20 of the model
3. Upon receipt of the detection signal from the receiver circuit
32, the CPU 31 determines the state of the model 3 based on the
detection signal and the code signal obtained from the controller 2
via the output terminal unit 9. According to the determination
result, the CPU 31 issues a sound producing instruction to the
sound generator circuit 33. The sound generator circuit 33 holds
various sound effects in the memory thereof, and outputs a sound
effect that is designated by the CPU 31, from a speaker 34.
[0044] The above functions of the extension unit 30 are realized by
implementing the sound output control routine shown in FIG. 4
repeatedly by the CPU 31. By implementing the sound output control
routine, the CPU 31 functions as a processing unit.
[0045] In the sound output control routine shown in FIG. 4, the CPU
31 first determines whether the receiver circuit 32 has received a
detection signal in step S1. If the receiver circuit 32 has not
received a detection signal, the operation comes to an end. If the
receiver circuit 32 has received a detection signal, the operation
moves on to step S2, in which the detection signal is obtained from
the receiver circuit 32 and is stored in a predetermined reception
memory (not shown). Instep S3, the CPU 31 determines whether the
detection has ended. If the detection has not ended, the operation
returns to step S2 to continue obtaining the detection signal. As
described above, detectable elements 16 are patterned in each
indicator 25. Accordingly, immediately after a detection signal is
received, the next detection signal corresponding to the next
detectable element 16 might be transmitted. Therefore, for example,
the existence of a detection signal should be monitored
continuously during a certain period of time in steps S2 and S3,
and, when a change in the detection signal is not detected, it can
be determined that the detection has ended in step S3. After the
detection end, the operation moves on to step S4. In step S4, the
drive control information is obtained from the code signal
transmitted from the output terminal unit 9. In step S5, based on
the drive control information and the detection signal, the CPU 31
determines the situation of the model 3. For example, when a
detection signal with the pattern shown in FIG. 3B is transmitted,
the running speed of the model 3 is obtained from the drive control
information, and the duration of the ON state of the detection
signal is converted into a length, so as to determine the pattern
of the detectable elements 26 of the indicator 25 corresponding to
the pattern of the detection signal. Judging from the pattern of
the indicator 25, the CPU 31 can determine that the model 3 is
approaching the station 27A. When the driving control information
for instructing the CPU 31 to reduce the running speed of the model
3 or to stop the model 3, as well as to detect the indicator 25
corresponding to the station 27A, the CPU 31 can determine that the
model 3 is going to stop at the station 27A.
[0046] After the situation of the model 3 is determined in the
above manner, the operation moves on to step S6. In step S6, the
CPU 31 instructs the sound generator circuit 33 to output the sound
corresponding to the determined situation, and then ends the
routine. The sounds of public announcements for the names of
stations and various calls for attention are stored as sound
effects in the memory of the sound generator circuit 33, so that
sound suitable for the model 3 approaching the station 27A or
stopping at the station 27A can be output from the speaker 34. When
the model 3 approaching the railroad crossing 27B is detected, a
different sound effect (such as warning sound of a crossing or
alarm whistle) is output. The sound effect is different from that
for the model 3 approaching the station 27A. In this manner, the
contents of each process are suitably changed according to the
situation of the model 3.
[0047] Although a sound effect is generated according to the
detection of the indicators 25 in the above described routine, it
is also possible for the extension unit 30 to determine the
situation of the model 3 based only on a detection signal and
generate a sound effect. Further, it is also possible for the
extension unit 30 to generate a sound effect based only on the
drive control information. As an example of the former case, a
control operation can be considered that the type of the indicator
25 is determined based on the ratio of the greater length to the
shorter length of the detection signal patterns, and each sound
effect is generated corresponding to the model 3 running past the
structure 27 or stopping at the structure 27. As an example of the
latter case, an example may be considered that start or stop of the
model 3 is determined from the drive control information, and a
start sound or a stop sound is generated, regardless of whether a
detection signal exists. Instead of or in addition to the auditory
effect by a sound output, the extension unit 30 may generate a
visual effect such as an image output or a blinking lamp according
to the state of the model 3. The indicator 25 can be located at the
place which has a specified meaning even if the place does not have
the structure 27. The types of the structures may be employed from
various points of view. For example, a different indicator 25 may
be allocated to each station name, so that each station name has
different structure from one another. The indicators 25 may not be
located only on the rails 4, but also may be located on the sides
of the rails 4, as long as the detecting device 21 can detect
them.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0048] FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B show a remote-control toy according to a
second embodiment of the present invention. This remote-control toy
51 is designed so that a car race is performed by driving
automobile models 53A to 53D as movable bodies on a course 54,
based on code signals transmitted through infrared rays from
controller 52A to 52D each. The controllers 52A to 52D have the
same structures from one another, and will be hereinafter referred
to as the controllers 52, unless there is a need to distinguish
them. Likewise, the models 53A to 53D have the same structures as
one another, and will be hereinafter referred to as the models 53,
unless there is a need to distinguish them. The code signal
transmission period of controller 52 is controlled using
identification codes in the same manner as in the first embodiment,
and explanation of it is omitted herein. In this embodiment four
integers of 1 to 4 are prepared for the identification codes
(ID).
[0049] The remote-control toy 51 of this embodiment is
characterized by the point where it has become possible to confirm
the number of laps of model 53 through a reception unit 60 mounted
onto each controller 52 by using lap management system 55. In the
following, the characteristic components are described.
[0050] The lap management system 55 includes a pair of a light
emitting unit 56 and a light receiving unit 57 that are located on
both ends of the goal line 54a, a transmission unit 58 that is
connected to the light receiving unit 57, and a management unit 59
that is connected to the transmission unit 58. As shown in FIG. 6A,
an indicator 65 is detachably attached to each model 3. The
indicator 65 includes a shaft 66 and a flag 67 that is attached as
a detectable element to the upper end of the shaft 66. The height
of the flag 67 from the road surface 54b of the course 54 varies
with the identification codes allotted to the models 3.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 6B, the light emitting unit 56 has four
light emitting elements 56a to 56d corresponding to the
identification codes 1 to 4 with different heights from each other.
The light receiving unit 57 has four light receiving elements 57a
to 57d corresponding to the identification codes 1 to 4 with
different heights different from each other. The light emitting
elements 56a to 56d emit predetermined detecting light horizontally
along the goal line 54a. The light receiving elements 57a to 57d
receive the detecting light, and output predetermined detection
signals to the transmission unit 58 at the moment when the
detecting light is shut. Each height from the road surface 54b of
the detecting light emitted from each of the light emitting
elements 56a to 56d is adjusted to the height at which the
detecting light is shut off by the flat 67 of the indicator 65 of
the corresponding identification code. Accordingly, when the model
3 of the ID 4 runs past the goal line 54a, only the detecting light
emitted to the light receiving element 57d corresponding to the ID
4 is shut off by the flag 67, and only the light receiving element
57d outputs a detection signal. The sensitivity of each of the
light receiving elements 57a to 57d is set in such a manner that
the light receiving elements 57a to 57d do not react to the shaft
66 of each indicator 65.
[0052] The transmission unit 58 transmits the detection signals
from the light receiving elements 57a to 57d from an antenna 58a
through radio waves of predetermined carrier frequencies. The
carrier frequencies for the light receiving elements 57a to 57d
differ from one another. The management unit 59 is used to display
the state of the flag 67 detected by the light receiving unit 57,
to set the conditions for transmission from the transmission unit
58 and so on.
[0053] The reception unit 6 receives radio waves having only one
carrier frequency among radio waves of various carrier frequencies
transmitted from the transmission unit 58 by a receiver circuit 6a
via an antenna 6b. The carrier frequency received by the receiver
circuit 6a should be made equal to the carrier frequency
corresponding to the identification code of the controller 52 to
which the reception unit 6 is mounted. The reception unit 6 has a 6
built therein. The 6 functions as a processing unit by repeatedly
performing the lap control routine shown in I.7.
[0054] In the lap control routine shown in I.7, the 6 first
determines whether a detection signal has been received in step. If
a detection signal has not been received, the CPU 61 ends this
routine. If a detection signal has been received, the operation
moves on to step S12, and "1" is added to the number of laps stored
in a predetermined memory. In step S13, the number of laps is
output, and this routine comes to an end. The number of laps may be
output as an audio output or display of a numeric value on a
monitor or the like. Other than the number of laps, it is possible
in step S13 to make a notification that the model 3 has run past
the goal line 54a, or to output the number of remaining laps if the
number of laps to run is predetermined.
[0055] In this embodiment, the reception unit 60 is equivalent to
an extension unit, and the lap control system 55 is equivalent to
an auxiliary device. The reception unit 60 may be disposed at some
other location at a distance from each corresponding controller 2.
The reception unit 60 may be built in the housing of each
corresponding controller 2.
[0056] Each of the above embodiments is merely an example, and the
present invention is not limited to those embodiments. Various
changes and modifications can be made to those embodiments For
example, it is possible to change the structures of the controllers
and the models. In the above embodiments, each of the CPU 31 of the
extension unit 30 and the CPU 61 of the reception unit 60 functions
as a processing unit. However, the built-in CPUs in the controllers
2 and 52 may function as processing units, and the function of an
extension unit may be incorporated into the one function of the
controllers 2 and 52.
[0057] As described so far, according to the present invention, it
is determined at least that a movable body has reached a location
where a detectable element is provided by using a detection signal,
and a certain operation in association with the detection is
performed. Accordingly, more excitement of playing can be provided
to users, compared with the conventional cases where any
information is not transmitted from a movable body. Furthermore, as
detection signals are transmitted through radio waves, the
structure of transmitting signals through infrared rays from
controllers to movable bodies is not affected by the transmission
of the detection signals.
* * * * *