U.S. patent application number 13/674570 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-16 for data-based vehicle characteristic system.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYZUKI LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Toyzuki LLC. Invention is credited to Gregory J. Doherty.
Application Number | 20130122779 13/674570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48281083 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130122779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doherty; Gregory J. |
May 16, 2013 |
Data-Based Vehicle Characteristic System
Abstract
Toy vehicles are configured such that at least one performance
characteristic may be determined based upon information obtained
from a data card and/or from encoded information from other
sources, such as key-pads, smart phones, etc.
Inventors: |
Doherty; Gregory J.;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Toyzuki LLC; |
Loveland |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYZUKI LLC
Loveland
OH
|
Family ID: |
48281083 |
Appl. No.: |
13/674570 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61557956 |
Nov 10, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/460 ;
446/457; 446/484; 446/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 17/395 20130101;
A63H 29/24 20130101; A63H 30/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/460 ;
446/484; 446/485; 446/457 |
International
Class: |
A63H 29/24 20060101
A63H029/24; A63H 30/04 20060101 A63H030/04 |
Claims
1. A toy vehicle, comprising: a toy vehicle body including at least
one of a mechanical locomotion component and a mechanical steering
component mounted thereto; a control circuit operatively mounted to
the vehicle body and operative to control the at least one of the
mechanical locomotion component and the mechanical steering
component in accordance with one or more performance
characteristics taken from a group consisting of, vehicle top
speed, vehicle acceleration, and vehicle turning radius; and a data
card reader communicatively coupled to the control circuit; the
control circuit being configured to adjust the one or more
performance characteristics based upon data communicated to the
control circuit by the data card reader.
2. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the data card reader is
mounted to the toy vehicle body.
3. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the data card reader is
configured to obtain data from memory storage provided on a data
card.
4. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the data card reader is
configured to obtain data from an electrical component provided on
a data card.
5. The toy vehicle of claim 4, wherein the electrical component
provided on the data card is a resister component.
6. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the data card reader is
configured to obtain data from a physical shape of a data card
component.
7. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the data card reader is
configured to obtain data from two or more electrical contacts
provided on a data card.
8. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the data card reader is
configured to obtain data that is encoded onto a data card.
9. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein: the toy vehicle comprises
on-board memory storing a plurality of different sets of
performance characteristic data combinations; and the control
circuit utilizes one of the plurality of adjustment sets of
performance characteristic data combinations based upon data
communicated to the control circuit by the data card reader.
10. The toy vehicle of claim 9, wherein the on-board memory further
includes a default performance characteristic data combination, and
the control circuit utilizes the default performance characteristic
data combination if no data is communicated to the control circuit
by the data card reader to select one of the plurality of
adjustment sets of performance characteristics.
11. The toy vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of
data cards, each of the plurality of data cards being configured
operate with the data card reader to cause the data card reader to
communicate data corresponding to a respective one of the plurality
of adjustment sets of performance characteristic data
combinations.
12. The toy vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one of
an LED and an electronic display operative to indicate a value of
the one or more performance characteristics.
13. The toy vehicle of claiml, wherein the mechanical locomotion
component comprises at least one of a wheel and a propeller.
14. A toy vehicle, comprising: a toy vehicle body including at
least one of a mechanical locomotion component and a mechanical
steering component mounted thereto; a control circuit operatively
mounted to the vehicle body and operative to control the at least
one of the mechanical locomotion component and the mechanical
steering component in accordance with one or more performance
characteristics taken from a group consisting of, vehicle top
speed, vehicle acceleration, and vehicle turning radius; and the
control circuit being configured to adjust the one or more
performance characteristics based upon performance characteristic
selection data communicated to the control circuit.
15. The toy vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a data card
reader operative to communicate the performance characteristic
selection data to the control circuit based upon information read
from a data card.
16. The toy vehicle of claim 15, wherein the data card reader is
mounted to the toy vehicle body.
17. The toy vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a keypad
assembly operative to communicate the performance characteristic
selection data to the control circuit based upon keys actuated on
the keypad.
18. The toy vehicle of claim 14, further comprising an interface
for connecting to a memory device and operative to communicate the
performance characteristic selection data to the control circuit
based upon information read from a memory device received into the
interface.
19. The toy vehicle of claim 18, wherein the interface is an SD
memory card interface.
20. The toy vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a wireless
transceiver assembly operative to communicate the performance
characteristic selection data to the control circuit based upon
information received by the wireless transceiver assembly.
21. The toy vehicle of claim 20, further comprising a remote
control unit operative to wirelessly communicate the performance
selection data to the wireless transceiver.
22. The toy vehicle of claim 21, wherein the remote control unit is
operative to communicate vehicle operation information to the
control circuit, the vehicle operation information including one or
more of, move forward, move left, move right, and move
backward.
23. The toy vehicle of claim 14, wherein: the toy vehicle comprises
on-board memory storing a plurality of different sets of
performance characteristic data combinations; and the control
circuit utilizes one of the plurality of adjustment sets of
performance characteristic data combinations based upon the
performance selection data communicated to the control circuit.
24. The toy vehicle of claim 23, wherein the on-board memory
further includes a default performance characteristic data
combination, and the control circuit utilizes the default
performance characteristic data combination if no performance
selection data is communicated to the control circuit to select one
of the plurality of adjustment sets of performance
characteristics.
25. The toy vehicle of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of
data cards, each of the plurality of data cards being configured
operate a data card reader to cause the data card reader to
communicate performance selection data corresponding to a
respective one of the plurality of adjustment sets of performance
characteristic data combinations.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The current application claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional application, Ser. No. 61/557,956, filed Nov. 10, 2011,
the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The current application relates to the field of motorized
toy vehicles; and, specifically, motorized toy vehicles such as
remote control cars, trucks, helicopters, boats, tanks, airplanes
and the like.
[0003] Some known systems may allow a user to upgrade certain
vehicle components such as motors, transmission gears, and/or tires
to change the performance of a toy vehicle. Some such upgrades,
which may be referred to as "hop-ups," may involve changes to
mechanical systems and/or may require some skill and manual
dexterity to perform.
SUMMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure generally pertains to toy vehicles.
More specifically, some example embodiments according to the
present disclosure may include toy vehicles configured such that
least one performance characteristic that may be determined based
at least in part upon information obtained from a data card and/or
from alternate encoded information.
[0005] In an embodiment, a toy vehicle includes: a toy vehicle body
including a mechanical locomotion component and/or a mechanical
steering component mounted thereto; a control circuit operatively
mounted to the vehicle body and operative to control the mechanical
locomotion component and/or the mechanical steering component in
accordance with one or more performance characteristics taken that
may include vehicle top speed, vehicle acceleration, and/or vehicle
turning radius; and a data card reader communicatively coupled to
the control circuit; where, the control circuit is configured to
adjust the performance characteristic(s) based upon data
communicated to the control circuit by the data card reader. In a
more detailed embodiment, the data card reader may be mounted to
the toy vehicle body, to a remote control unit or to another
component. Alternatively, or in addition, the data card reader may
be configured to obtain data from memory storage provided on a data
card. Alternatively, or in addition, the data card reader may be
configured to obtain data from an electrical component provided on
a data card; where the electrical component provided on the data
card may be a resister component. Alternatively, or in addition,
the data card reader may be configured to obtain data from a
physical shape of a data card component. Alternatively, or in
addition, the data card reader may be configured to obtain data
from two or more electrical contacts provided on a data card.
Alternatively, or in addition, the data card reader may be
configured to obtain data that is encoded onto a data card (e.g.,
magnetically, electrically, visually, optically, etc).
[0006] In an embodiment, the toy vehicle may further include
on-board memory storing a plurality of different sets of
performance characteristic data combinations, and the control
circuit may utilize one of the plurality of adjustment sets of
performance characteristic data combinations based upon data
communicated to the control circuit by the data card reader.
Alternatively, or in addition, the on-board memory may further
include a default performance characteristic data combination, and
the control circuit utilizes the default performance characteristic
data combination if no data is communicated to the control circuit
by the data card reader to select one of the plurality of
adjustment sets of performance characteristics. Alternatively, or
in addition, the toy vehicle may further include a plurality of
data cards, where each of the plurality of data cards are
configured operate with the data card reader to cause the data card
reader to communicate data corresponding to a respective one of the
plurality of adjustment sets of performance characteristic data
combinations.
[0007] In an embodiment, the toy vehicle may further include an LED
and/or an electronic display operative to indicate a value of the
performance characteristic(s). Alternatively, or in addition, the
mechanical locomotion component may include a wheel and/or a
propeller.
[0008] In another embodiment, a toy vehicle includes a toy vehicle
body having a mechanical locomotion component and/or a mechanical
steering component mounted thereto; and a control circuit
operatively mounted to the vehicle body and operative to control
the mechanical locomotion component and/or the mechanical steering
component in accordance with one or more performance
characteristics that include vehicle top speed, vehicle
acceleration, and/or vehicle turning radius; where the control
circuit is configured to adjust the performance characteristic(s)
based upon performance characteristic selection data communicated
to the control circuit. In a more detailed embodiment, the toy
vehicle further includes a data card reader operative to
communicate the performance characteristic selection data to the
control circuit based upon information read from a data card. In a
more detailed embodiment, the data card reader may be mounted to
the toy vehicle body. Alternatively, or in addition, the toy
vehicle further includes a keypad assembly operative to communicate
the performance characteristic selection data to the control
circuit based upon keys actuated on the keypad. Alternatively, or
in addition, the toy vehicle may further include an interface for
connecting to a memory device and operative to communicate the
performance characteristic selection data to the control circuit
based upon information read from a memory device received into the
interface. In a more detailed embodiment, the interface is may be
an SD memory card interface or a similar memory card interface.
[0009] In an embodiment, the toy vehicle may include a wireless
transceiver assembly operative to communicate the performance
characteristic selection data to the control circuit based upon
information received by the wireless transceiver assembly. In a
more detailed embodiment, the toy vehicle may further include a
remote control unit operative to wirelessly communicate the
performance selection data to the wireless transceiver.
Alternatively, or in addition, the remote control unit may be
operative to communicate vehicle operation information to the
control circuit, where the vehicle operation information may
include, for example, move forward, move left, move right, and/or
move backward.
[0010] In an embodiment, the toy vehicle may include on-board
memory storing a plurality of different sets of performance
characteristic data combinations, and the control circuit utilizes
one of the plurality of adjustment sets of performance
characteristic data combinations based upon the performance
selection data communicated to the control circuit. In a more
detailed embodiment, the on-board memory may further include a
default performance characteristic data combination, and the
control circuit may utilize the default performance characteristic
data combination if no performance selection data is communicated
to the control circuit to select one of the plurality of adjustment
sets of performance characteristics. Alternatively, or in addition,
the toy vehicle may further include a plurality of data cards,
where each of the plurality of data cards is configured operate a
data card reader to cause the data card reader to communicate
performance selection data corresponding to a respective one of the
plurality of adjustment sets of performance characteristic data
combinations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a toy vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional representation of a toy vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2B is an exploded, perspective view of various
components illustrated in FIG. 2A;
[0014] FIGS. 3A-3D are perspective views of a an exemplary toy
vehicle according to the current disclosure, illustrating an
example way to insert a data card into a card reader carried by the
vehicle;
[0015] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate some examples of various exemplary
data-cards that may be used with the current disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates another example embodiment of a toy
vehicle according to the current disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an example remote control component of an
exemplary toy vehicle according to the current disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present disclosure generally pertains to toy vehicles.
More specifically, some example embodiments according to the
present disclosure may include toy vehicles configured such that
least one performance characteristic that may be determined based
at least in part upon information obtained from a data card and/or
from an alternate source of encoded information.
[0019] The present disclosure contemplates that radio-controlled
toy and hobby vehicles may be available in a wide array of classes,
scales, and quality. As described herein, toy vehicles may include,
for example and without limitation, cars, trucks, helicopters,
boats, tanks, and/or airplanes.
[0020] Some example toy vehicles according to at least some aspects
of the present disclosure may allow the user to perform vehicle
"hop-ups" by electronically adjusting one or more performance
characteristics. For example, some embodiments may use a compact
computer chip card, which may be generally similar to an SD card,
or similarly sized card. The card may contain one or more specific
vehicle variables that may specify one or more vehicle performance
characteristics, such as top speed, acceleration rate, and/or
steering radius. When the card is inserted into the vehicle, a
vehicle integrated circuit (IC) may read data from the card and may
use the data to implement new vehicle performance characteristics.
A selection of cards encoded to provide different performance
characteristics may be available to the user on the market. Thus,
users of a wide range of skill sets may perform vehicle "hop-ups"
without the limitation of manual dexterity, tools, etc.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some example embodiments
according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure, a toy
vehicle (such as a car) may include a body 101 (such as a car or
truck body, an airplane body, a boat body, a helicopter body and
the like), a mechanical locomotion component 110 (such as driven
wheels for a car, a driven propeller for a boat or airplane or
helicopter), and a mechanical steering component 112 (such as a
components for steering the car, boat, airplane or helicopter), and
a control circuit 114 configured to control the mechanical
locomotion component 110 and/or mechanical steering component 112
based upon action commands/signals (e.g., accelerate, turn right,
turn left, stop, boost, etc.) received from a remote control device
(or from some other source) and/or pre-programmed into the control
circuit. The vehicle may include a data reading device 102 (e.g., a
reader), which may be capable of reading data from one or more data
cards 104A, 104B, 104C (e.g., an SD card) or other similar encoded
devices or data storage devices, for the purpose of reading one or
more data values that may be associated with specific performance
characteristics of the vehicle including but not limited to top
speed, rate of acceleration, power boost potential and vehicle
turning rate (or degree of steering angle). For example, data card
104A may include data associated with a first set of performance
characteristics, data card 104B may include data associated with a
second set of performance characteristics, and data card 104C may
include data associated with a third set of performance
characteristics. When data card 104A is installed in reader 102,
toy vehicle 100 may operate according to the first set of
performance characteristics. When data card 104B is installed in
reader 102, toy vehicle 100 may operate according to the second set
of performance characteristics. When data card 104C is installed in
reader 102, toy vehicle 100 may operate according to the third set
of performance characteristics.
[0022] In some example embodiments according to at least some
aspects of the present disclosure, a data card 104A may include an
SD card, a micro SD card, a card with ROM and/or RAM memory, flash
memory, and/or similar conventional data storage device. Referring
to FIG. 4A, in some example embodiments according to at least some
aspects of the present disclosure, a data card 104D may include a
physical set of one or more electronic components, such as a
resistor 104DR, such that the onboard data reader (of the vehicle)
may read the resistor value on the storage media (card) and derive
one or more data values for the vehicle characteristics, such as by
comparing a read resistance value with a data array stored in the
vehicle's onboard memory.
[0023] In some example embodiments according to at least some
aspects of the present disclosure, a data card may include
information encoded onto the card. For example, and without
limitation, data may be encoded mechanically or electromechanically
onto the card. For example, referring to FIG. 4B, a data card 204
may include one or more molded shapes, such as ribs 204A, which may
be arranged to push certain contacts on/off when inserted into the
reader. Based on which of the contacts are actuated, the toy
vehicle may determine the performance characteristics that are to
be implemented. The particular arrangement of ribs on a data card
may provide a "code" to the reader.
[0024] As another example, referring to FIG. 4C, a data card 304
may include one or more electrical contacts 304A which may be
arranged similar to the contacts on the back of a conventional SD
card. The electrical contacts 304A may be internally connected (or
may remain unconnected) in a manner that allows the reader to
obtain information from the card that may be used to determine
performance characteristics that are to be implemented. For
example, some of the electrical contacts may be internally
connected with each other while others may be internally
disconnected. By determining which contacts are connected and/or
which contacts are not connected, the toy vehicle may be able to
ascertain which performance characteristics are to be implemented.
The identities of electrical contacts that are internally connected
(or disconnected) may provide a "code" to the reader.
[0025] As another example, data may be encoded onto the card in the
form of visually detectable information, such as bar-codes and the
like.
[0026] In some example embodiments according to the present
disclosure, a "code" obtained from a data card (e.g., digitally,
mechanically, electrically, etc.) may be associated with a
particular set of performance characteristics that may be
preprogrammed into a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle may be configured
to implement different sets of performance characteristics
depending at least in part upon the "code" that is obtained by the
reader.
[0027] Referring back to FIG. 1, in some example embodiments
according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure, a
vehicle may be connected by a data connection to an input device
such as a personal computing device 120 (for the purpose of the
current disclosure a personal computing device may include, without
limitation, desktop computers, laptop computers, hand-held
computers, tablet computers, smart phones and the like) and data
values for the performance characteristics may be stored into
(i.e., uploaded into) the vehicle's RAM unit and/or similar flash
data storage device using the input device. In some example
embodiments according to at least some aspects of the present
disclosure, data values may be input into a vehicle through a data
input panel, such as a keypad 122 that may mounted to or otherwise
operatively associated with the vehicle. In some example
embodiments according to at least some aspects of the present
disclosure, a data input panel (e.g., keypad 122) may include a
separate unit that may be operatively associated with (e.g.,
tethered to) a car to input the data. In some example embodiments
according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure, a toy
vehicle may be configured to receive data keyed in via a wired
and/or wireless connection, such as from personal computing device
120 and/or keypad 122. Personal computing device 120 and/or keypad
122 may be used in connection with and/or in place of data cards
104A, 104B, 104C.
[0028] In some example embodiments according to at least some
aspects of the present disclosure, a toy vehicle may be configured
to receive a code, which may reference a data array stored into the
vehicle's memory. The data array may include information pertaining
to a plurality of performance characteristics that may be retrieved
and/or loaded them into memory based at least in part upon receipt
of the code. For example, a keypad 122 may be used to input a code
(e.g., 2643), which may correspond to a first set of certain speed,
acceleration, and turning characteristics. If a different code is
received from the keypad 122, a different set of speed,
acceleration, and turning characteristics may be implemented.
[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example
configuration of an example toy vehicle 100 according to the
current disclosure, and FIG. 2B shows an exploded, perspective view
of some of the components shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2A, a
vehicle body may include a base component 210 and a translucent or
transparent cover component 212 mounted over the base component 210
and housing various components of the vehicle therein. In the
example shown in
[0030] FIG. 2A, a main printed circuit board 214 (which may include
the control circuit 114) is mounted within the vehicle body and is
electrically coupled to a data card reader component 102 (which may
be an SD card reader component in the illustrated embodiment of
FIG. 2A), which is also mounted within the vehicle body. As shown
in FIG. 2A a data card 104A has been inserted into the card reader
component, through an opening in the vehicle body. A second printed
circuit board 216 is also mounted within the vehicle body and
includes LEDs 218 or other displays that are viewable through the
translucent or transparent cover component 212. The LEDs 212 and/or
other displays may be useful to show to the user, for example, some
of the performance parameter settings as provided by the data card
104A.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an example toy vehicle 100 including
keypad 122 mounted thereto. In some example embodiments according
to at least some aspects of the present disclosure, information
associated with a vehicle's data variables may be displayed on the
vehicle, such as on a display screen 124, such as an LCD display,
TFT display, and/or other similar unit capable of displaying data
values.
[0032] An example method of operating a toy vehicle according to at
least some aspects of the present disclosure may include inserting
a memory device into a remote-controlled toy vehicle; causing the
toy vehicle to receive at least one data value (from a data-card
reader, from a personal computing device and/or from a remote
control device); causing the toy vehicle to set at least one
performance parameter based at least in part upon the at least one
data value; and operating the toy vehicle in accordance with the at
least one performance parameter. In some example methods, the
performance parameter may include at least one of top speed, rate
of acceleration, and maximum steering angle.
[0033] In some example embodiments according to at least some
aspects of the present disclosure, a vehicle may include a remotely
controlled vehicle, which may be configured for control via radio,
infrared, or other wireless signal. In some example embodiments
according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure, a
vehicle may be configured to follow a preprogrammed route and/or
may be autonomously controlled.
[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates an example remote control 400 component
of the toy vehicle, which may include a left steering button 402, a
right steering button 404 , a forward button 406, a reverse button
408, a turbo button 410, a mode switch 412 (e.g., run, off,
charge), and one or more indicator lights 414 (e.g., steering,
engine, battery, charge). It is within the scope of the current
disclosure that the card reader may be incorporated into the remote
control 400 component and vehicle performance characteristic
information associated with information ready by the card reader
may be transmitted to the vehicle control circuit in the same or
similar manner as the vehicle control information.
[0035] In some example embodiments according to at least some
aspects of the present disclosure, a toy vehicle may include one or
more of the following example features:
[0036] Full function (6 way) R/C car: "Turbo" (high speed or boost)
function. This may increase the vehicle speed limit by, for
example, about 25% of the top speed variable (TS) of the car so
long as the button is pressed. Headlights (2 white LED) and
dashboard light (1 blue LED) ON while going forward. Taillights (2
red LED) ON while going backward. On/Off slide switch on car.
Rechargeable battery (charged from transmitter), such as a
capacitor type storage unit. Overall length: 110 mm; wheelbase 60
mm. Translucent roof panel with printed circuit board mounted
underneath with the following: a. Top Speed, Torque (Acceleration),
and Steering LED indicator lights; b. LCD panel featuring 1-digit
display; "SELECT" rubber key button allows you to toggle the
display through each of the 3 variables (Speed, Torque,
Steering).
[0037] 5-button R/C Transmitter with charging function: Forward,
Reverse, Left, Right. "Turbo" (high speed) button; "Turbo" light (1
red LED) on when button pushed. "Steering" yellow LED lights when
LEFT or RIGHT button is pushed. "Motor" yellow LED lights when
FORWARD or REVERSE button is pushed. Wired plug charges car's
battery; "Charge" light (1 green LED) on while charging; when
charge is full the light turns off; charging stops. Uses 4.times.
"AA" batteries
[0038] Exemplary Data Card. Chip approximately the size of a SD
card. The user may insert this card into the car. The chip may
control one or more of the following variables: a. Top Speed--the
maximum speed of the car is controlled by this variable. The
variable "TS" may be expressed as a fraction or percentage of the
maximum potential speed of the car. For example, TS=0.70 may mean
that this car cannot exceed about 70% of the maximum speed of the
system. b. Acceleration--The time it takes for the car to achieve
top speed (TS). The variable "AC" may be expressed in unit time,
seconds. When the user releases the Forward button, the counter may
be reset. E.g., AC=2.5 may mean the car cannot achieve the TS until
about 2.5 seconds after pressing the Forward button and holding
continuously. If the user releases the Forward button, it will take
about another 2.5 seconds to reach TS. c. Steering--This is the
amount of travel of the steering wheels. The variable "ST" may be
expressed as a fraction or percentage of full travel. For example,
ST=0.75 may mean that the wheels can only rotate about 75% of the
full travel allowed by the system. There may be several chips
available so that multiple car setups can be achieved. If a chip is
not inserted into the car, then the car may use DEFAULT settings.
The chip may attach from the bottom of the car. The chip may not be
an actual SD card.
[0039] Indicator lights. While the car is charging, the dashboard
light (1 blue LED) may be on. If an SD card is not inserted when
the car is on, then a Warning light (1 yellow LED) may be on. This
light may be mounted to the roof of the car.
[0040] Controller. Some example controllers may use one or more
tactile switches. Some example embodiments may use touch sensors
instead of or in addition to tactile switches. The transmitters may
use 4.times. AA batteries. Some example embodiments may use
4.times. AAA batteries. In some embodiments, the controller may be
incorporated into the personal computing device, for example.
[0041] While example embodiments have been set forth above for the
purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments
as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in
the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is
not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may
be made without departing from the express scope of the following
claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary
to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed
herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent
and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not
have been explicitly discussed herein.
[0042] What is claimed is:
* * * * *