EP0929352A1

EP0929352A1 - System for, and method of, selectively providing the operation of toy vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP0929352A1
Application number: EP97936449A
Authority: EP
Inventors: William H. Barton, Jr.; Peter C. Deangelis; Paul Eichen
Original assignee: Rokenbok Toy Co
Current assignee: Rokenbok Toy Co
Priority date: 1996-08-13
Filing date: 1997-08-07
Publication date: 1999-07-21
Also published as: WO1998006472A1; AU3911397A; CA2263354A1

Abstract

When closed, switches in pads select toy vehicles and the operation of motors for moving the vehicles in any desired direction and for moving a receptacle for holding transportable elements (e.g. marbles). When sequentially and cyclically interrogated by a central station in one embodiment, each pad sends through wires to the station signals indicating the switch closures in such pad. Such station produces first binary signals addressing the vehicle selected by such pad and second binary signals identifying the motor control operations in such vehicle. The first and second signals for each vehicle are transmitted by the central station by wireless to all of the vehicles at a common carrier frequency modulated by the first and second binary signals. The vehicle identified by the transmitted address demodulates the modulating signals and operates its motors in accordance with such demodulation. When the station fails to receive signals from a pad for a particular period of time, the vehicle selected by such pad becomes available for selection by another pad and such pad can select that vehicle or another vehicle. Stationary accessories (e.g. elevator) connected by wires to the central station become operative when selected by the pads. In another embodiment, individual ones of the pads control the operation of individual ones of the vehicles without the inclusion of a central station.

Description

SYSTEM FOR, AND METHOD OF, SELECTIVELY PROVIDING THE OPERATION OF TOY VEHICLES This invention relates to a system for pleasurable use by people of all ages with youthful minds in operating remotely controlled vehicles simultaneously in a somewhat confined area. In the system of this invention, the vehicles can be remotely controlled to perform competitive or co-operative tasks. One embodiment of the system of this invention includes pads for operation by the users, vehicles remotely controlled in accordance with the operation of the pads and a central station for co-ordinating the operation of the pads and the vehicles. In another embodiment, the vehicles are controlled by the pads without the inclusion of a central station. The invention additionally relates to methods of controlling the operation of the vehicles on a remotely controlled basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of play systems exist, and have existed for some time, in which vehicles are moved on a remotely controlled basis. However, such systems generally provide one hand-held unit and one remotely controlled vehicle for operation by the hand-held unit. Examples of a vehicle in such a system are an automobile or an airplane. Furthermore, the functions of the remotely controlled unit, other than movement along a floor or along the ground or in the air, are quite limited.

Other types of play systems involve the use of blocks for building structures. These blocks often include structure for providing an interlocking relationship between abutting blocks. In this way, elaborate structures can be created by users with creative minds.

Tests have indicated that there is a desirability, and even a need, for play systems in which vehicles are remotely operated to perform functions other than to move aimlessly along a floor or along the ground. For example, tests have indicated that there is a desirability, and even a need, for a play system in which the remotely controlled vehicles can transport elements such as blocks or marbles to construct creative structures. There is also a desirability, and even a need, for play systems in which a plurality of vehicles can be remotely controlled by switches in hand-held pads to compete against one another in performing a first task or to co-operate in performing a second task. Such a desirability, or even a need, has existed for a long period of time, probably decades, without a satisfactory resolution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a play system for use by people of all ages with youthful minds. It provides for a simultaneous control by each player of an individual one of a plurality of remotely controlled vehicles. This control is provided by the operation by each such player of switches in a hand-held unit or pad, the operation of each switch in such hand-held unit providing a control of a different function in the individual one of the remotely controlled vehicles. Each of the remotely controlled vehicles can be operated in a competitive relationship with others of the remotely controlled vehicles or in a co-operative relationship with others of the remotely controlled vehicles. The vehicles can be constructed to pick up and transport elements such as blocks or marbles and to deposit such elements at displaced positions.

When manually closed in one embodiment of the system, switches in pads control the selection of toy vehicles and the operation of motors for moving in any desired direction and for moving a receptacle for holding transportable elements (e.g. marble) or block.

When sequentially and cyclically interrogated by a central station in one embodiment, each pad in the system sends through wires to the central station signals indicating the switch closures in such pad. Such station produces first binary signals addressing the vehicle selected by such pad and second binary signals identifying the motor control operations in such vehicle.

The first and second signals for each vehicle in such embodiment are transmitted by wireless by the central station to all of the vehicles at a common carrier frequency modulated by the first and second binary signals. The vehicle identified by the transmitted address demodulates the modulating signals and operates its motors in accordance with such demodulation. When the station fails to receive signals from a pad for a particular period of time, the vehicle selected by such pad becomes available for selection by another pad and such pad can select that vehicle or another vehicle.

A cable may couple two (2) central stations (one as a master and the other as a slave) in such embodiment so as to increase the number of pads controlling the vehicles. Stationary accessories (e.g. elevator) connected by wires to the central station become operative when selected by the pads.

In another embodiment of the invention, a key in a vehicle socket closes contacts to reset a microcontroller in the vehicle to a neutral state. Ribs disposed in a particular pattern in the key operate switches in a particular pattern in the vehicle to provide an address for the vehicle with the vehicle inactive but powered.

When the vehicle in such other embodiment receives such individual address from an individual one of the pads in a plurality within a first particular time period thereafter, the vehicle is operated by commands from such pad. Such individual pad operates such vehicle as long as such vehicle receives commands from such individual pad within the first particular period after the previous command from such individual pad. During this period, the vehicle has a first illumination to indicate that it is being operated.

When the individual pad fails to provide commands to such vehicle in such other embodiment within such first particular time period, the vehicle becomes inactive but powered and provides a second illumination. While inactive but powered, the vehicle can be addressed and subsequently commanded by any pad including the individual pad, which thereafter commands the vehicle. The vehicle becomes de-activated and not illuminated if (a) the vehicle is not selected by any of the pads during a second particular time period after becoming inactivated but powered or, alternatively, (b) all of the vehicles become inactivated but powered and none is selected during the second particular period. The key can thereafter be actuated to operate the vehicle to the inactive but powered state.

In a third embodiment of the invention, individual ones of p ads remotely control the operation of selective ones of vehicles. In each pad, (a) at least a first control provides for the selection of one of the vehicles, (b) second controls provide for the movement of the selected vehicle and (c) third controls provide for the operation of working members (e.g. pivotable bins) in the selected vehicle.

Each pad in such third embodiment provides a carrier signal, preferably common with the carrier signals from the other pads. Each pad modulates the carrier signal in accordance with the operation of the pad controls. The first control in each pad provides an address distinctive to the selected one of the vehicles and modulates the carrier signal in accordance with such address. Each pad sends the modulated carrier signals to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern, different for each pad, with respect to time.

Each vehicle in such third embodiment demodulates the carrier signals to recover the address distinctive to such vehicle. Each vehicle then provides a movement of such vehicle and an operation of the working members in such vehicle in accordance with the modulations provided in the carrier signal by the operation of the second and third controls in the pads selecting such vehicle.

Each vehicle in such third embodiment is controlled by an individual one of the pads for the time period that such pad sends control signals to such vehicle within a particular period of time from the last transmission of such control signals to such vehicle. Thereafter such vehicle can be selected by such pad or by another pad.

Such third embodiment does not include a central station. In such third embodiment, the signals from the pads are transmitted directly to the vehicles to control the operation of the vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram, primarily in block form, of a system constituting one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram, primarily in block form, of the different features in a pad included in the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram, primarily in block form, of the different features included in a central station included in the system shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram, primarily in block form, of the different features in a vehicle included in the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle and a key which is insertable into a socket in the vehicle to provide an individual address for the vehicle; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the vehicle and the key with the key inserted into the vehicle; Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the key as seen from a position in front of and to one side of the key; Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the key as seen from a position in back of and to one side of the key; Figures 9a-9h are front elevational views of different keys each with an individual combination of ribs to provide an individual address to a vehicle in which such key is inserted; Figures lOa-lOh are bottom plan views respectively of the keys shown in Figures 9a-9h and particularly show the disposition of the ribs which provide the individual address for each of the different keys; Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of a vehicle and a key with the key partially inserted into a socket in the vehicle and shows the disposition of first switches in the vehicle with such partial insertion of the key into the socket; Figure 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the vehicle and key shown in Figure 11 and is similar to Figure 11 except that it shows the key fully inserted into the socket in the vehicle and shows the disposition of the first switches in the vehicle with such full insertion of the key into the socket; Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the vehicle and the key shown in Figures 11 and 12 and shows a first particular disposition of the key in the vehicle socket and the disposition of electrical contacts in the vehicle with such a relationship between the key and the vehicle; Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the vehicle and the key shown in Figures 11-13 and shows a second particular disposition of the key in the vehicle socket and the disposition of the electrical contacts in the vehicle with such a relationship between the key and the vehicle; Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the vehicle and the key shown in Figures 11-14 and shows a third particular disposition of the key in the vehicle socket and the disposition of the electrical contacts in the vehicle with such a relationship between the key and the vehicle; Figure 16 is a schematic diagram, primarily on block form, of a system constituting another embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a schematic diagram, primarily in block form, of the different features of a pad included in the system shown in Figure 16; and Figure 18 is a schematic diagram, primarily in block form, of the different features in a vehicle included in the system shown in Figure 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a system generally indicated at 10 in Figure 1 is provided for controlling the selection and operation of a plurality of toy vehicles. Illustrative examples of toy vehicles constitute a dump truck generally indicated at 12, a fork lift generally indicated at 14, a skip loader generally indicated at 16 and another form of skip loader generally indicated at 17. The toy vehicles such as the dump truck 12, the fork lift 14 and the skip loaders 16 and 17 are simplified versions of commercial units performing functions similar to those performed by the toy vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17. For example, the dump truck 12 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable bin or container 18; the fork lift 14 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable platform 20; the skip loader 16 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable bin or container 22 disposed at the front end of the skip loader; and the skip loader 17 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable bin or container 23 disposed at the rear end of the skip loader. The working or transport members such as the pivotable bin or container 18, the pivotable platform 20 and the pivotable bins or containers 22 and 23 are constructed to carry storable and/or transportable elements such as blocks 24 or marbles 26 shown schematically in Figure 1.

Each of the dump truck 12, the fork lift 14 and the skip loaders 16 and 17 may include a plurality of motors. For example, the dump truck 12 may include a pair of reversible motors 28 and 30 (Figure 4) operable to move the dump truck forwardly, rearwardly, to the right and to the left. The motor 28 controls the movement of the front and rear left wheels and the motor 30 controls the movement of the front and rear right wheels.

When the motors 28 and 30 are simultaneously operated in one direction, the dump truck 12 moves forwardly. The vehicle 12 moves rearwardly when the motors 28 and 30 are operated in the opposite direction. The vehicle 12 turns toward the left when the motor 30 is operated without simultaneous operation of the motor 28. The vehicle 12 turns toward the right when the motor 28 is operated without a simultaneous operation of the motor 30.

The vehicle 12 spins to the left when the motor 30 operates to move the vehicle forwardly at the same time that the motor 28 operates to move the vehicle rearwardly. The vehicle 12 spins to the right when the motors 28 and 30 are operated in directions opposite to the operations of the motors in spinning the vehicle to the left.

Another reversible motor 32 in the dump truck 12 operates in one direction to pivot the bin 18 upwardly and in the other direction to pivot the bin downwardly. An additional motor 33 may operate in one direction to turn the bin 18 to the left and in the other direction to turn the bin to the right.

The construction of the motors 28, 30, 32 and 33 and the disposition of the motors in the dump truck to operate the dump truck are considered to be well known in the art. The fork lift 14 and the skip loaders 16 and 17 may include motors corresponding to those described above for the dump truck 12.

The system 10 may also include stationary plants or accessories. For example, the system 10 may include a pumping station generally indicated at 34 (Figure 1) for pumping elements such as the marbles 26 through a conduit 36. The system may also include a conveyor generally indicated at 38 for moving the elements such as the marbles 26 upwardly on a ramp 40. When the marbles reach the top of the ramp 40, the elements such as the marbles 26 may fall into the bin 18 in the dump truck 12 or into the bin 22 in the skip loader 16. For the purposes of this application, the construction of the pumping station 34 and the conveyor 38 may be considered to be within the purview of a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The system 10 may also include a plurality of hand-held pads generally indicated at 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d (Figure 1) . Each of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d may have a substantially identical construction. Each of the pads may include a plurality of actuatable buttons. For example, each of the pads may include a 4-way button 44 in the shape of a cross. Each of the different segments in the button 44 is connected to an individual one of a plurality of switches 46, 48, 50 and 52 in Figure 2.

When the button 44 is depressed at the segment at the top of the button, the switch 46 is closed to obtain the operation of the motors 28 and 30 (Figure 4) in moving the selected one of the vehicle 12 forwardly. Similarly, when the segment at the bottom of the button 44 is depressed, the switch 48 is closed to obtain the operation of the motors 28 and 30 (Figure 4) in moving the vehicle 12 rearwardly. The selective depression of the right and left segments of the button 44 cause the motors 28 and 30 to operate in spinning the vehicle in individual ones of the two (2) opposite directions. It will be appreciated that pairs of segments of the button 44 may be simultaneously depressed. For example, the top and left portions of the button 44 may be simultaneously depressed to obtain a simultaneous movement of the vehicle 12 forwardly and to the left. This is in accordance with the operation of a microcontroller which will be described in detail subsequently. However, a simultaneous actuation of the top and bottom segments of the button 44 will not have any effect since they represent contradictory commands. This is also true of a simultaneous depression of the left and right segments of the button 44.

Each of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d may include a button 56 (Figure 1) which is connected to a switch 57 (Figure 2) . Successive depressions of the button 56 on one of the pads within a particular period of time cause different ones of the stationary accessories or plants such as the pumping station 34 and the conveyor 38 to be energized. For example, a first depression of the button 56 in one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d may cause the pumping station 34 to be energized and a second depression of the button 56 within the particular period of time in such pad may cause the conveyor 38 to be energized. When other stationary accessories are included in the system 10, each may be individually energized by depressing the button 56 a selective number of times within the particular period of time. When the button 56 is depressed twice within the particular period of time, the energizing of the pumping station 34 is released and the conveyor 38 is energized. This energizing of a selective one of the stationary accessories occurs at the end of the particular period of time. A button 58 is provided in each of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d to select one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17. The individual one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 selected at any instant by each of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d is dependent upon the number of times that the button is depressed in that pad within a particular period of time. The system disclosed and claimed in this invention operates in a similar manner. For example, one (1) depression of the button 58 may cause the dump truck 12 to be selected and two (2) sequential selections of the button 58 within the particular period of time may cause the fork lift 14 to be selected.

Every time that the button 58 is actuated or depressed within the particular period of time, a switch 59 (in Figure 2) is closed. The particular period of time for depressing the button 58 may have the same duration as, or a different time than, the particular period of time for depressing the button 56. An adder is included in the pad 12 to count the number of depressions of the button 58 within the particular period of time. This count is converted into a plurality of binary signals indicating the count. The count is provided at the end of the particular period of time.

Buttons 60a and 60b are also included on each of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d. When depressed, the buttons 60a and 60b respectively close switches 62a and 62b in Figure 2. The closure of the switch 62a is instrumental in producing an operation of the motor 32 in a direction to lift the bin 18 in the dump truck 12 when the dump truck has been selected by the proper number of depressions of the button 58. In like manner, when the dump truck 12 has been selected by the proper number of depressions of the switch 58 , the closure of the switch 62b causes the selective one of the bin 18 in the dump truck 12, the platform 20 in the fork lift 14 and the bin 22 in the skip loader 16 and the bin 23 in the skip loader 17 to move downwardly as a result of the operation of the motor 32 in the reverse direction.

It will be appreciated that other controls may be included in each of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d. For example, buttons 61a and 61b may be included in each of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d to pivot the bin 18 to the right or left when the vehicle 12 has been selected. Such movements facilitate the ability of the bin 18 to scoop elements such as the blocks 24 and the marbles 26 upwardly from the floor or ground or from any other position and to subsequently deposit such elements on the floor or ground or any other position.

Switches 63a and 63b (Figure 2) are respectively provided in the pad 42a in association with the buttons 61a and 61b and are closed by the respective actuation of the buttons 61a and 61b to move the bin or the platform in the selected one of the vehicle 12 to the left or right when the vehicle has been selected. It will be appreciated that different combinations of buttons may be actuated simultaneously to produce different combinations of motions. For example, a bin in a selected one of the vehicles may be moved at the same time that the selected one of the vehicles is moved.

A central station generally indicated at 64 in Figure 1 processes the signals from the individual ones of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d and sends the processed signals to the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 when the button 58 on an individual one of the pads has been depressed to indicate that the information from the individual ones of the pads is to be sent to the vehicles. The transmission may be on a wireless basis from an antenna 68 (Figure 1) in the central station to antennas 69 on the vehicles.

The transmission may be in packets of signals. This transmission causes the selected ones of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 to perform individual ones of the functions directed by the depression of the different buttons on the individual ones of the pads. When the commands from the individual ones of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d are to pass to the stationary accessories 34 and 38 as a result of the depression of the buttons 56 on the individual ones of the pads, the central station processes the commands and sends signals through cables 70 to the selected ones of the stationary accessories.

Figure 2 shows the construction of the pad 42a in additional detail. It will be appreciated that each of the pads 42b, 42c and 42d may be constructed in a substantially identical manner to that shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the pad 42a includes the switches 46, 48, 50 and 52 and the switches 57, 59, 62a, 62b, 63a and 63b. Buses 74 are shown as directing indications from the switches 46, 48, 50, 52, 57, 59, 62a, 62b, 63a and 63b to a microcontroller generally indicated at 76 in Figure 2. Buses 78 are shown for directing signals from the microcontroller 76 to the switches. The microcontroller 76 is shown as including a read only memory (ROM) 80 and a random access memory (RAM) 82. Such a microcontroller may be considered to be standard in the computing industry. However, the programming in the microcontroller and the information stored in the read only memory 80 and the random access memory 82 are individual to this invention.

The read only memory 80 stores permanent information and the random access memory stores volatile (or impermanent) information. For example, the read only memory 80 may store the sequence in which the different switches in the pad 42a provide indications of whether or not they have been closed. The random access memory 82 may receive this sequence from the read only memory 80 and may store indications of whether or not the switches in the particular sequence have been closed for each individual one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d.

The pad 42a in Figure 2 receives the interrogating signals from the central station 64 through a line 84. These interrogating signals are not synchronized by clock signals on a line 86. Each of the interrogating signals intended for the pad 42a may be identified by an address individual to such pad. When the pad 42a receives such interrogating signals, it sends to the central station 64 through lines 88 a sequence of signals indicating the status of the successive ones of the switches 46, 48, 50 and 52 and the switches 57, 59, 62a, 62b, 63a and 63b. These signals are synchronized by the clock signals on the line 86. It will be appreciated that the status of each of the switches 57 and 59 probably is the first to be provided in the sequence since these signals indicate the selection of the stationary accessories 34 and 38 and the selection of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17.

As previously indicated, the pad 42a selects one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 in accordance with the number of closings of the switch 59. As the user of the pad 42a provides successive actuations or depressions of the button 58, signals are introduced to a shift register 90 through a line 92 to indicate which one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 would be selected if there were no further depressions of the button. Each one of the depressions of the button 58 causes the indication to be shifted to the right in the shift register 90. Such an indication is provided on an individual one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) generally indicated at 93. The shifting of the indication in the shift register 90 may be synchronized with a clock signal on a line 95. Thus, the illuminated one of the light emitting diodes 93 at each instant indicates at that instant the individual one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 that the pad 42a has selected at such instant.

The central station 64 is shown in additional detail in Figure 3. It includes a microcontroller generally indicated at 94 having a read only memory (ROM) 96 and a random access memory (RAM) 98. As with the memories in the microcontroller 76 in the pad 42a, the read only memory 96 stores permanent information and the random access memory 98 stores volatile (or impermanent) information. For example, the read only memory 96 sequentially selects successive ones of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d to be interrogated on a cyclic basis. The read only memory 96 also stores a plurality of addresses each individual to a different one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17.

Since the read only memory 96 knows which one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d is being interrogated at each instant, it knows the individual one of the pads responding at that instant to such interrogation. The read only memory 96 can provide this information to the microcontroller 94 when the microcontroller provides for the transmittal of information to the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17. Alternatively, the microcontroller 76 in the pad 42a can provide an address indicating the pad 42a when the microcontroller sends the binary signals relating to the status of the switches 46, 48, 50 and 52 and the switches 57, 59, 62a, 62b, 63a and 63b to the central station 64.

As an example of the information stored in the random access memory 98 in Figure 3, the memory stores information relating to each pairing between an individual one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d and a selective one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 in Figure 1 and between each individual one of such pads and a selective one of the stationary accessories 34 and 38. The random access memory 98 also stores the status of the operation of the switches 46, 48, 50 and 52 for each pad and the operation of the switches 57, 59, 62a, 62b, 63a and 63b for each pad.

When the central station 64 receives from the pad 42a the signals indicating the closure (or the lack of closure) of the switches 46, 48, 50 and 52 and the switches 57, 59, 62a, 62b, 63a and 63b, the central station retrieves from the read only memory 96 the address of the individual one of the vehicles indicated by the closures of the switch 59 in the pad. The central station may also retrieve the address of the pad 42a from the read only memory 96.

The central station 64 then formulates in binary form a composite address identifying the pad 42a and the selected one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 and stores this composite address in the random access memory 98. The central station 64 then provides a packet or sequence of signals in binary form including the composite address and including the status of the opening and closing of each of the switches in the pad 42a. This packet or sequence indicates in binary form the status of the closure each of the switches 46, 48, 50 and 52 and the switches 57, 59, 62a, 62b, 63a and 63b.

Each packet of information including the composite addresses and the switch closure information for the pad 42a is introduced through a line 102 in Figure 3 to a radio frequency transmitter 104 in the central station 64. The radio frequency transmitter 104 is enabled by a signal passing through a line 106 from the microcontroller 94. This enabling signal is produced by the microcontroller 94 when the microcontroller confirms that it has received signals from the pad 42a as a result of the interrogating signals from the central station 64.

When the radio frequency transmitter 104 receives the enabling signal on the line 106 and the address and data signals on the line 102, the antenna 68 (also shown in Figure 1) transmits signals to all of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17. However, only the individual one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 with the address indicated in the packet of signals from the central station 64 will respond to such packet of signals.

The microcontroller 94 stores in the random access memory 98 the individual ones of the vehicles such as the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 being energized at each instant by the individual ones of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d. Because of this, the central station 64 is able to prevent the interrogated one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d from selecting one of the energized vehicles. Thus, for example, if the vehicle 14 is being energized by one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d at a particular instant, a first depression of the button 58 in the pad being interrogated at that instant will cause the vehicle 12 to be initially selected and a second depression of the button by such pad will cause the vehicle 14 to be skipped and the vehicle 16 to be selected.

Furthermore, in the example above where the pad 42a has previously selected the vehicle 14, the microcomputer 94 in the central station 64 will cause the vehicle 14 to be released when the pad 42a selects any of the vehicles 12, 16 and 17. When the vehicle 14 becomes released, it becomes available immediately thereafter to be selected by any one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d. The release of the vehicle 14 by the pad 42a and the coupling between the pad 42a and a selected one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 are recorded in the random access memory 98 in the microcontroller 94. The vehicles 12 , 14 , 16 and 17 are battery powered. As a result, the energy in the batteries in the vehicles 12 , 14 , 16 and 17 tends to become depleted as the batteries provide the energy for operating the vehicles. The batteries in the vehicles 12 and 14 are respectively indicated at 108 and 110 in Figure 3. The batteries 108 and 110 are chargeable by the central station 64 because the central station may receive AC power from a wall socket. The batteries are charged only for a particular period of time. This particular period of time is preset in the read only memory 96. When each battery is being charged for the particular period of time, a light 109 in a circuit with the battery becomes illuminated. The charging current to each of the batteries 108 and 110 may be limited by a resistor 111. The light 109 becomes extinguished when the battery has been charged.

Each central station 64 may have the capabilities of servicing only a limited number of pads. For example, each central station 64 may have the capabilities of servicing only the four (4) pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d. It may sometimes happen that the users of the system may wish to be able to service more than four (4) pads. Under such circumstances, the microcontroller 94 in the central station 64 and a microcontroller, generally indicated at 94a, in a second central station corresponding to the central station 64 may be connected by cables 114a and 114b to an adaptor generally indicated at 115.

One end of the cable 114b is constructed so as to be connected to a ground 117 in the adaptor 115. This ground operates upon the central station to which it is connected so that such central station is a slave to, or subservient to, the other central station. For example, the ground 117 in the adaptor 115 may be connected to the microcomputer 94a so that the central station including the microcomputer 94a is a slave to the central station 64. When this occurs, the microcontroller 94 in the central station 64 serves as the master for processing the information relating to the four (4) pads and the four (4) vehicles in its system and the four (4) pads and the four (4) vehicles in the other system.

The expanded system including the microcomputers 94 and 94a may be adapted so that the address and data signals generated in the microcomputer 94a may be transmitted by the antenna 68 in the central station 64 when the central station 64 serves as the master station. The operation of the central station 64a may be clocked by the signals extending through a line 118 from the central station 64 to the adaptor 115 and through a corresponding line from the other central station to the adaptor.

The vehicle 12 is shown in additional detail in Figure 4. Substantially identical arrangements may be provided for the vehicles 14, 16 and 17. The vehicle 12 includes the antenna 69 for receiving from the central station 64 signals with the address of the vehicle and also includes a receiver 121 for processing the received signals. The vehicle 12 also includes the motors 28, 30, 32 and 33. Each of the motors 28, 30, 32 and 33 receives signals from an individual one of transistor drivers 120 connected to a microcontroller generally indicated at 122. The microcontroller 122 includes a read only memory (ROM) 124 and a random access memory (RAM) 126. As with the memories in the pad 42a and the central station 64, the read only memory 124 may store permanent information and the random access memory 126 may store volatile (or impermanent) information. For example, the read only memory 124 may store information indicating the sequence of the successive bits of information in each packet for controlling the operation of the motors 28, 30, 32 and 33 in the vehicle 12. The random access memory 126 stores information indicating whether there is a binary 1 or a binary 0 at each successive bit in the packet.

The vehicle 12 includes a plurality of switches 128, 130 and 132. These switches are generally pre-set at the factory to indicate a particular Arabian number such as the number "5". However, the number can be modified by the user to indicate a different number if two central stations are connected together as discussed above and if both stations have vehicles identified by the numeral "5". The number can be modified by the user by changing the pattern of closure of the switches 128, 130 and 132. The pattern of closure of the switches 128, 130 and 132 controls the selection of an individual one of the vehicles such as the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17.

The pattern of closure of the switches 128, 130 and 132 in one of the vehicles can be changed when there is only a single central station. For example, the pattern of closure of the switches 128, 130 and 132 can be changed when there is only a single central station with a vehicle identified by the numeral "5" and when another user brings to the central station, from such other user's system, another vehicle identified by the numeral ^M5".

The vehicle 12 also includes a light such as a light emitting diode 130. This diode is illuminated when the vehicle 12 is selected by one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d. In this way, the other users can see that the vehicle 12 has been selected by one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d in case one of the users (other than the one who selected the vehicle 12) wishes to select such vehicle. It will be appreciated that each of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17 may be generally different from the others so each vehicle may be able to perform functions different from the other vehicles. This is another way for each user to identify the individual one of the vehicles that the user has selected.

As previously indicated, the user of one of the pads such as the pad 42a selects the vehicle 12 by successively depressing the button 58 a particular number of times within a particular time period. This causes the central station 64 to produce an address identifying the vehicle 12. When this occurs, the central station 64 stores information in its random access memory 98 that the pad 42a has selected the vehicle 12. Because of this, the user of the pad 42a does not thereafter have to depress the button 58 during the time that the pad 42a is directing commands through the station 64 to the vehicle 12. As long as the buttons on the pad 42a are depressed within a particular period of time to command the vehicle 12 to perform individual functions, the microprocessor 94 in the central station 64 will direct the address of the vehicle 12 to be retrieved from the read only memory 96 and to be included in the packet of the signals transmitted by the central station to the vehicle 12.

The read only memory 96 in the microprocessor 94 at the central station 64 stores information indicating a particular period of time in which the vehicle 12 has to be addressed by the pad 42a in order for the selective coupling between the pad and the vehicle to be maintained. The random access memory 98 in the microcontroller 94 stores the period of time from the last time that the pad 42a has issued a command through the central station 64 to the vehicle 12. When the period of time in the random access memory 98 equals the period of time in the read only memory 96, the microcontroller 94 will no longer direct commands from the pad 42a to the vehicle 12 unless the user of the pad 42a again depresses the button 58 the correct number of times within the particular period of time to select the vehicle 12.

The vehicle 12 also stores in the read only memory 124 indications of the particular period of time in which the vehicle 12 has to be addressed by the pad 42a in order for the selective coupling between the vehicle and the pad to be maintained. This period of time is the same as the period of time specified in the previous paragraph. The random access memory 126 in the microcontroller 122 stores the period of time from the last time that the pad 42a has issued a command to the vehicle 12.

As previously indicated, the button 58 in the pad 42a does not have to be actuated or depressed to issue the command after the pad 42a has initially issued the command by the appropriate number of depressions of the button. When the period of time stored in the random access memory 126 of the microcomputer 122 in the vehicle equals the period of time in the read only memory 124, the microcontroller 122 issues a command to extinguish the light emitting diode 130. This indicates to the different users of the system, including the user previously controlling the operation of the vehicle 121 that the vehicle is available to be selected by one of the users including the user previously directing the operation of the vehicle.

When one of the vehicles such as the vehicle 12 is being moved in the forward direction, the random access memory 126 records the period of time during which such forward movement of the vehicle 12 is continuously occurring. This period of time is continuously compared in the microcontroller 122 with a fixed period of time recorded in the read only memory 124. When the period of time recorded in the random access memory 126 becomes equal to the fixed period of time recorded in the read only memory 124, the microcontroller 122 provides a signal for increasing the speed of the movement of the vehicle 12 in the forward direction. Similar arrangements are provided for each of the vehicles 14, 16 and 17. This increased speed may illustratively be twice that of the original speed.

The system and method described above have certain important advantages. They provide for the individual operation of a plurality of vehicles by a plurality of users, either on a competitive or a co- operative basis. Furthermore, the vehicles can be operated on a flexible basis in that a vehicle can be initially selected for operation by one user and can then be selected for operation by another user after the one user has failed to operate the vehicle for a particular period of time. The vehicles being operated at each instant are also easily identified visually by the illumination of the lights 130 on the vehicle. The apparatus and method of this invention are also advantageous in that the vehicles are operated by the central station 64 on a wireless basis without any physical or cable connection between the central station and the vehicles.

Furthermore, the central station 64 is able to communicate with the vehicles in the plurality through a single carrier frequency. The system and method disclosed above are also advantageous in that the vehicles can selectively perform a number of different functions including movements forwardly and rearwardly and to the left and the right and including movements of a container or bin or platform on the vehicle upwardly and downwardly or to the left or the right. Different movements can also be provided simultaneously on a co-ordinated basis.

There are also other significant advantages in the system and method disclosed above. Two or more systems can be combined to increase the number of pads 142 controlling the operation of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17. In effect, this increases the number of users capable of operating the system. This combination of systems can be provided so that one of the systems is a master and the other is a slave. This prevents any confusion from occurring in the operation of the system. The system is also able to recharge the batteries in the vehicles so that use of the vehicles can be resumed after the batteries have been charged.

The system and method disclosed above are also advantageous in the provision of the pads and the provision of the buttons and switches in the pads. As will be appreciated, the pads are able to select vehicles and/or stationary accessories through the operation of a minimal number of buttons and to provide for the operation of a considerable number of different functions in the vehicles with a minimal number of buttons. In co- operation with the central station, the pads are able to communicate the selection of vehicles to the central station without indicating to the station, other than on a time shared basis, the identities of the vehicles being selected. After selecting a vehicle, each pad does not thereafter have to indicate the identity of the vehicle as long as the pad operates the vehicle through the central station within a particular period of time from the last operation of the vehicle by the pad through the central station.

This invention also provides an improved system for providing selectable addresses in the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17. The invention includes a plurality of keys generally indicated at 150 and individually indicated at 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e, 150f, 150g and 150h in Figures 9 and 10. Each of the keys may have substantial dimensions so that they will not be easily lost by children using the vehicles. For example, the height of each key may be about three inches (3") and the width of each key may be about one and one half inches (1 1/2") . The thickness of each key may be relatively small. Each key may be disposed in a vehicle which has a length of about six inches (6") and a width of about three inches (3") and a height of about three inches (3") .

Each of the keys 150 has a body 151 (Figures 7 and 8) . As will be seen from the subsequent discussion, each of the keys 150 is constructed to provide an address individual to that key. This may be seen from the following table where the left column indicates the individual ones of the keys 150a-150h and the right column indicates an address individually distinguishing each of the keys from the others: Kev Individual Address 150a 1 150b 2 150c 3 150d 4 150e 5 150f 6 150g 7 150h 8 Although the individual address for each key is shown as an Arabian integer, it will be appreciated that the individual address for such vehicle will probably be in an individual pattern of binary signals.

The body 151 on each of the keys 150a-150h is provided with an individual pattern of ribs 152a, 152b, 152c and 152d. (Figures 9 and 10) . This may be seen from the

following table indicating the individual pattern of ribs for each of the keys I50a-150h: Key Individual Address-Pattern of Ribs 150a 152a, 152b, 152c, 152d 150b 152a, 152b, 152c 150c 152a, 152b, 152d 150d 152a, 152b 150e 152b, 152c, 152d 150f 152b, 152c 150g 152b, 152d 150h 152b It will be appreciated that sixteen (16) different combinations may be provided with the four (4) ribs 152a- 152d. Only eight (8) combinations are shown in the table above and in Figures 9a-9h and lOa-lOh on the assumption that the system will contain only eight (8) vehicles. However, sixteen (16) different vehicles may be identified by the different patterns of the ribs 152a-152d. It will also be appreciated that a different number of ribs then four (4) may be provided to change the number of vehicles that can be provided in the system.

Each of the keys 150a-150h is adapted to be disposed in a socket 154 (Figures 5 and 6) in any one of the vehicles 12, 14, 16 and 17. Each of the keys 150a- 150h may be provided with guides 156 at its opposite sides (1) to fit in slots 157 in the socket and provide for a snug fit of the keys in the socket 154, (2) to provide for a controlled movement of the key into the socket, (3) to provide lateral stability to the key after the disposition of the key in the socket and (4) to prevent the key from coming out of the socket except by manual removal of the key from the socket. When one of the keys 150 (e.g. the key 150d) is disposed in the socket 154 of one of the vehicles (e.g. the vehicle 12) , the ribs 152a and 152b in the key 150d engage springs 158a and 158b (Figures 11 and 12) operatively coupled to the movable contacts of a pair of switches 160a and 160b (included in a bank of switches 160a, 160b, 160c and 160d) and move these contacts from engagement with the stationary contacts of the switches. As a result, only the switches 160c and 160d remain closed. This causes the vehicle 12 to have an address identified by a binary pattern of 0011. As will be seen from the subsequent discussion, any one of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d can select the vehicle 12 by three (3) manual depressions of the button 58 in such pad within a particular period of time. The manual depression of the button 58 in the pad three (3) times within the particular period of time corresponds to the binary address of 0011 where the least significant bit is at the right.

The number of manual depressions of the button 58 to select an individual one of the vehicles may actually be dependent upon the previous actuation of the button. For example, the button 58 in a pad may have been previously actuated twice to select the vehicle identified by the numeral "2". If the user of such pad now desires to select the vehicle identified by the numeral "3 " , such user would only have to actuate the button 58 once. Similarly, if the user has previously selected the vehicle identified by the numeral "2" by actuating the pad twice and now desires to select vehicle identified by the numeral "1", the user would actuate the button 58 in the pad an additional seven (7) times. An electrically conductive shorting bar 164 (Figures 8 and 9) is disposed between the ribs 152a and 152b and the ribs 152c and 152d. The bar 164 engages a pair of contacts 166a and 166b (Figures 13-15) and establishes a continuous circuit to the microcontroller 122 in the vehicle 12. This causes the microcontroller 122 in the vehicle 12 to reset all of the different parameters in the random access memory 126 to initializing values. For example, the random memory 126 in the vehicle 12 may be set to initializing values of zero (0) for the switches 160a-160d. After a brief period of time (e.g. 1/2 second) provided in the microcontroller 122, the microcontroller may then cause the pattern of 0011 to be provided in the random access memory 126 in the vehicle 12 in accordance with the pattern of the ribs in the key 150d.

A decal 166 (Figures 5 and 7) is disposed on the front and the rear of each of the keys 150 to identify that key by an individual Arabian number. For example, the Arabian number "3" is disposed on the decal 166 which is disposed on the front of the key I50d to identify such key and distinguish such key from the other keys. A V- shaped cut 168 is provided on the top of each key 150 at the front and rear of the key. A light emitting diode (LED) 170 is disposed in each of the keys 150 at a position just below the neck of the V-shaped cut 168. A clear light conducting plastic 172 is disposed in the V- shaped cut 168 to conduct light from the light emitting diode 170. Electrically conductive pins 174 are provided on the opposite sides of each of the keys 150 near the bottom of the key to establish a continuous circuit to the light emitting diode 170 when the key is inserted in the socket 154 in the vehicle such as the vehicle 12.

A finger 176 made from a suitable material such as rubber and looking like an antenna (but not actually an antenna) may extend upwardly from the top of each of the keys 150. The finger 176 is provided to add a semblance of high level technology to the key 150, particularly for young children. However, the finger 176 has no utility in the key. A button 178 below the decal 166 also has no utility in the key.

When the key 150d is inserted into the socket 154 of the vehicle 12, the bar 164 establishes an electrical circuit across the switches 166a and 166b and causes the microcontroller 122 to initialize all of the parameters in the random access memory 126 and to initialize the address of the vehicle in the random access memory 126. Although the switches 150c and 150d are closed at the same time as the switches 166a and 166b, the microcontroller 122 in the vehicle 12 does not establish the address of the vehicle in the random access memory 126 until after the parameters have been initialized by the closure of the switches 166a and 166b as discussed above.

The microcontroller 122 causes the vehicle 12 to operate in the inactive but powered state when the address of the vehicle 12 has been entered into the random access memory 126 as a result of the disposition of the key 150d in the socket 154. In the inactive but powered state, the vehicle 12 is capable of receiving from any of the pads 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d the address entered into the random access memory 126. When the vehicle 12 receives this address from an individual one of the pads 42a-42d, it operates in accordance with commands received from such individual one (e.g. the pad 42b) of the pads.

The light emitting diode 170 is continuously illuminated in accordance with instructions from the microcontroller 122 during the time that the individual one of the pads 42a-42d (e.g. the pad 42b) is operating the vehicle. This illumination is visible to the users of all of the pads 42a-42d because of the diffusion of the light from the light emitting diode 170 through the light conducting plastic 172. It indicates to all of the users that the vehicle 12 is being commanded by one of the pads (e.g. the pad 42b) and is not available to be operated by any of the other pads.

The continuous illumination of the light emitting diode 170 exists as long as the user of the pad 42b continues to issue commands to the vehicle 12 within a first particular period of time after the last time that such pad has issued a command to such vehicle. If the pad 42b fails to issue any command to the vehicle 12 within such first particular period of time, the microcontroller 122 in the vehicle 12 causes the vehicle to operate in the inactive but powered state. In this state, the vehicle is able to be selected by any of the pads including the pad 42b. In the inactive but powered state of the vehicle 12, the microcontroller 122 causes the light emitting diode 170 to be illuminated periodically. In other words, the light emitting diode 170 is blinked on and off at a particular rate. When the vehicle 12 is in the inactive but powered state, it can be addressed by any of the pads 42a- 42d including the pad 42b, which previously addressed the vehicle. Assume that the pad 42c addresses the vehicle 12 while the vehicle is in the inactive but powered state. The vehicle 12 will now be commanded by the pad 42c to operate until such time as the pad 42c fails to issue a command to the vehicle within the first particular period of time after the last issuance of a command from the pad to the vehicle. The vehicle will also operate in the inactive but powered state when the pad 42a has previously selected and operated the vehicle and the pad now selects and operates a different vehicle such as the vehicle 14. The microcontroller 94 in the central station keeps account of this.

As will be seen, the vehicle 12 is in the inactive but powered state under three (3) different circumstances. One circumstance occurs when one of the keys 150 is inserted in the socket 154 in the vehicle 12. The second circumstance occurs when one of the pads (e.g. the pad 42a) selects the vehicle 12 and then fails to issue a command to the vehicle within the first particular time after the last issuance of a command from the pad to the vehicle. The third circumstance occurs as discussed in the last sentence of the previous paragraph.

The vehicle 12 is programmed to remain in the inactive but powered state for a second particular period of time independent of the first particular period of time. If the vehicle 12 is not addressed by any of the pads 42a-42b in the second particular period of time, the vehicle becomes de-activated. Alternatively, if no commands have been given by any of the pads 42a-42d to any of the vehicles in the second particular period of time, all of the vehicles become de-activated. When the vehicle 12 becomes de-activated, the light emitting diode 170 is not illuminated. This indicates to the users that power has been removed from the vehicle.

As previously described, the bar 164 establishes an electrical continuity between the switches 166a and 166b when the key 150 is inserted into the socket 154 in the vehicle 12. To insure that the ribs 152a and 152b in the key 150d will continue to engage the movable contacts of the associated switches 160a and 160b, the key 150d continues to move into the socket 154 to a position between the bar 164 and a bar 180 directly above the bar 164. This is indicated in Figure 15. The bar 180 corresponds in construction and operation to the bar 164. In the position shown in Figure 15, the contacts 166a and 166b are not shorted.

If the vehicle 12 should become de-activated as discussed above and a user should thereafter wish to operate the vehicle, the user presses the key 150d downwardly until the bar 180 engages the contacts 166a and 166b. This is shown in Figure 15. This causes the contacts 166a and 166b to be shorted, causing the microcontroller 122 to be initialized and the random access memory 126 to receive the address of the key 150d. The vehicle 12 then becomes operative in the inactive but powered state as discussed above. When the key 150d is released, the key is moved by the action of a spring 182 back to a position where the contacts are between the bars 164 and 180 in displaced relationship to the bars. This position is shown in Figure 15. In this way, the key 150d can be moved downwardly again into continuity with the contacts 166a and 166b (which constitute a switch with the bar 164 or the bar 180) if the vehicle should thereafter be de-activated again. This continuity is established by the action of the bar 180 on the switches 166a and 166b as shown in Figure 14.

Figure 13 shows the key in position in the socket so that the bar 164 establishes continuity with the contacts 166a and 166b. Figure 14 shows the key in position in the socket so that non-conductive material in the key engages the contacts 166a and 166b. In this position, no electrical continuity is established between the contacts 166a and 166b. Figure 15 shows the key in position in the socket so that the bar 180 establishes continuity with the contacts 166a and 166b.

The system and method disclosed above have certain important advantages. They provide for the insertion of one of the keys 150 (e.g. the key 150d) into the socket 154 in one of the vehicles (e.g. the vehicle 12) to provide the vehicle with an address individual to such key. They also provide for the initializing of the parameters in the random access memory 126 in the vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 can then be selected by any of the pads 42a-42b by operating the button 58 a number of times dependent upon the individual number (e.g. "3") provided for the vehicle by the key 150d.

The system and method disclosed above have other important advantages. They provide for the operation of the vehicle 12 by the pad 42a (by way of example) after the vehicle is selected by the pad. If the pad 42a fails to operate the vehicle within the first particular period of time, the vehicle becomes inactive but powered and can be selected by any of the pads including the pad 42a. If any of the three (3) circumstances discussed above then occurs, the vehicle becomes de-activated. The vehicle can again become inactive but powered by pressing the key 150d downwardly in the socket 154.

In another embodiment of the invention, a system generally indicated at 10 in Figure 16 is provided for controlling the selection and operation of a plurality of toy vehicles. Illustrative examples of toy vehicles constitute a dump truck generally indicated at 212, a fork lift generally indicated at 214, a skip loader generally indicated at 216 and another form of skip loader generally indicated at 217. The toy vehicles such as the dump truck 212, the fork lift 214 and the skip loaders 216 and 217 are simplified versions of commercial units performing functions similar to those performed by the toy vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217.

For example, the dump truck 212 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable bin or container 218; the fork lift 214 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable platform 220; the skip loader 216 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable bin or container 222 disposed at the front end of the skip loader; and the skip loader 217 may include a working or transport member such as a pivotable bin or container 223 disposed at the rear end of the skip loader. The working or transport members such as the pivotable bin or container 218, the pivotable platform 220 and the pivotable bins or containers 222 and 223 are constructed to carry storable and/or transportable elements such as blocks 224 or marbles 226 shown schematically in Figure 1.

Each of the dump truck 212, the fork lift 214 and the skip loaders 216 and 217 may include a plurality of motors. For example, the dump truck 212 may include a pair of reversible motors 228 and 230 (Figure 17) operable to move the dump truck forwardly, rearwardly, to the right and to the left. The motor 228 controls the movement of the front and rear left wheels and the motor 230 controls the movement of the front and rear right wheels. Similar motors may be provided for each of the fork lift 214 and the skip loaders 216 and 217.

When the motors 228 and 230 are simultaneously operated in one direction, the dump truck 212 moves forwardly. The vehicle 212 moves rearwardly when the motors 228 and 230 are moved in the opposite direction. The vehicle 212 turns toward the left when the motor 230 is operated without a simultaneous operation of the motor 228. The vehicle 212 turns toward the right when the motor 228 is operated without a simultaneous operation of the motor 230.

The vehicle 212 spins to the left when the motor 230 operates to move the vehicle forwardly at the same time that the motor 228 operates to move the vehicle rearwardly. The vehicle 212 spins to the right when the motors 228 and 230 are operated in directions opposite to the operations of the motors in spinning the vehicle to the left. Another reversible motor 232 in the dump truck 212 operates in one direction to pivot the bin 218 upwardly and in the other direction to pivot the bin downwardly. An additional motor 233 may operate in one direction to turn the bin 218 to the left and in the other direction to turn the bin to the right.

The construction of the motors 228, 230, 232 and 233 and the disposition of the motors in the dump truck 212 to operate the dump truck are considered to be well known in the art. The fork lift 214 and the skip loaders 216 and 217 may include motors corresponding to those described above for the dump truck 212.

The system 210 shown in Figures 16-18 may also include stationary plants or accessories. For example, the system 210 may include a pumping station generally indicated at 234 (Figure 21) for pumping elements such as the marbles 226 through a conduit 236. The system may also include a conveyor generally indicated at 238 for moving the elements such as the marbles 226 upwardly on a ramp 240. When the marbles 226 reach the top of the ramp 240, the marbles may fall into the bin 218 in the dump truck 212 or into the bin 222 in the skip loader 216. For the purposes of this application, the construction of the pumping station 234 or the conveyor 238 may be considered to be within the purview of a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The system 210 may also include a plurality of hand-held pads generally indicated at 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d (Figure 21) . Each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d may have a substantially identical construction. Each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d may include a plurality of actuatable buttons. For example, each of the pads may include a 4-way button 244 in the shape of a cross. Each of the different segments in the button 244 is connected to an individual one of a plurality of switches 246, 248, 250 and 252 in Figure 222.

When the button 244 is depressed at the segment at the top of the button, the switch 246 is closed to obtain the operation of the motors 228 and 230 (Figure 17) in moving the vehicle 212 forwardly. Similarly, when the segment at the bottom of the button 244 is depressed, the switch 248 is closed to obtain the operation of the motors 228 and 230 (Figure 17) in moving the vehicle 212 rearwardly. The operation of the right and left segments of the button 244 cause the motors 228 and 230 to operate in turning the selected vehicle toward the right and the left.

It will be appreciated that pairs of segments of the button 244 may be simultaneously depressed. For example, the top and left portions of the button 244 may be simultaneously depressed to obtain a simultaneous movement of the vehicle 212 forwardly and to the left. However, a simultaneous actuation of the top and bottom segments of the button 244 will not have any effect since they represent contradictory commands. This is also true of a simultaneous depression of the left and right segments of the button 244.

Each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d may include a button 256 (Figure 16) which is connected to a switch 257 (Figure 17) . Successive depressions of the button 256 on one of the pads within a particular period of time cause different ones of the stationary accessories or plants such as the pumping station 234 and the conveyor 238 to be energized. For example, a first depression of the button 256 in one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d may cause the pumping station 234 to be energized and a second depression of the button 256 in such pad within the particular period of time may cause the conveyor 238 to be energized instead of the pumping station. When other stationary accessories are included in the system 210, each may be individually energized by depressing the button 256 a selective number of times within the particular period of time. This energizing of a selective one of the stationary accessories occurs at the end of the particular period of time.

A button 258 is provided in each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d to select one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217. The individual one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 selected at any instant by each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d is dependent upon the number of times that the button is depressed in that pad within a particular period of time. For example, one (1) depression of the button 258 may cause the dump truck 212 to be selected and two (2) sequential selections of the button 258 within the particular period of time may cause the fork lift 214 to be selected. An adder is included in the pad 212 to count the number of depressions of the button 256 within the particular period of time.

Every time that the button 258 is actuated or depressed within the particular period of time, a switch 259 in Figure 17 is closed. The particular period of time for depressing the button 258 may be the same as, or different from, the particular period of time for depressing the button 256. An adder is included in the pad 212 to count the number of depressions of the button 258 within the particular period of time. This count is converted into a plurality of binary signals indicating the count. The count is provided at the end of the particular period of time.

Buttons 260a and 260b are also included on each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d. When depressed, the buttons 260a and 260b respectively close switches 262a and 262b in Figure 17. The closure of the switch 262a is instrumental in producing an operation of the motor 232 in a direction to lift the bin 218 in the dump truck 212 when the dump truck has been selected by the proper number of depressions of the button 258. In like manner, when the dump truck 212 has been selected by the proper number of depressions of the switch 258, the closure of the switch 262b causes the bin 218 in the dump truck 212 to move downwardly as a result of the operation of the motor 232 in the reverse direction.

It will be appreciated that other controls may be included in each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d. For example, buttons 261a and 261b may be included in each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d to pivot the bin 218 to the right or left when the vehicle 212 has been selected. Such movements facilitate the ability of the bin 218 to scoop elements such as the blocks 224 and the marbles 226 upwardly from the floor or ground or from any other position and to subsequently deposit such elements on the floor or ground or any other position. Switches 263a and 263b (Figure 18) are respectively provided in the pad 242a in association with the buttons 261a and 261b and are closed by the respective actuation of the buttons 26la and 261b to move the bin or the platform in the vehicle 212 to the left or right when the vehicle has been selected. It will be appreciated that different combinations of buttons may be actuated simultaneously to produce different combinations of motions. For example, a bin in a selected one of the vehicles may be moved at the same time that the selected one of the vehicles is moved.

Each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d processes the signals produced in such pad as a result of the closure of the switches in such pad and sends the processed signals to the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 when the button 258 on an individual one of the pads has been depressed to indicate that the information from such pad is to be sent to the vehicles. The transmission may be on a wireless basis from antennas 268a, 268b, 268c and 268d (Figure 16) in the respective ones of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d to antennas 269 on the vehicles.

The transmission may be in packets of signals. This transmission causes the selected ones of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 to perform individual ones of the functions directed by the depression of the different buttons on the individual ones of the pads. When the commands from the individual ones of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d are to pass to the stationary accessories 234 and 238 as a result of the depression of the buttons 256 on the individual ones of the pads, the pads process the commands and send signals to the selected ones of the stationary accessories. These signals may pass to the selected ones of the stationary accessories or on a remote wireless basis as to antennas 271.

Figure 17 shows the construction of the pad 242a in additional detail. It will be appreciated that each of the pads 242b, 242c and 242d may be constructed in a substantially identical manner to that shown in Figure 17. As shown in Figure 17, the pad 242a includes the switches 246, 248, 250 and 252 and the switches 257, 259, 262a, 262b, 263a and 263b. Buses 274 are shown as. directing indications from the switches 246, 248, 250, 252, 257, 259, 262a, 262b, 263a and 263b to a microcontroller included in the pad 242a and generally indicated at 276 in Figure 22. Buses 278 are shown for directing signals from the microcontroller 276 to the switches in the pad 242a.

The microcontroller 276 is shown as including a read only memory (ROM) 280 and a random access memory (RAM) 282. Such a microcontroller may be considered to be standard in the computing industry. However, the programming in the microcontroller and the information stored in the read only memory 280 and the random access memory 282 are individual to this invention.

The read only memory 280 stores permanent information and the random access memory stores volatile (or impermanent) information. For example, the read only memory 280 may store the sequence in which the different switches in the pad 242a provide indications of whether or not they have been closed. The random access memory 282 may receive this sequence from the read only memory 280 and may store indications of whether or not the switches in the particular sequence have been closed for each individual one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d. This sequence of switch openings and closings is then used to modulate the carrier signals transmitted on a wireless basis from the pad 242a.

As previously indicated, the pad 242a selects one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 in accordance with the number of closings of the switch 259 within a particular period of time. As the user of the pad 242a provides successive actuations or depressions of the button 258, signals are introduced to a shift register 284 through a line 285 to indicate which one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 would be selected if there were no further depressions of the button. Each of the depressions of the button 258 causes the indication to be shifted to the right in the shift register 284. Such an indication is provided on an individual one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) generally indicated at 287. The shifting of the indication in the shift register 284 may be synchronized with a clock signal on a line 281. Thus, the illuminated one of the light emitting diodes 287 at each instant indicates at that instant the individual one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 that the pad 242a has selected at such instant.

Each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d formulates in binary form a composite address identifying such pad and the selected one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 and stores this composite address in the random access memory 282. For example, the pad 242a may form a composite address identifying itself and also identifying the vehicle 212 when the pad 242a has selected the vehicle 212. The pad 242a then provides a packet or sequence of signals in binary form including the composite address and including the status of the opening and closing of each of the switches in the pad 242a. This packet or sequence indicates in binary form the status of the closure each of the switches 246, 248, 250 and 252 and the switches 257, 259, 262a, 262b, 263a and 263b in the pad.

Each packet of information including the composite address and the switch closure information for the pad 242a is introduced through a line 292 in Figure 17 to a radio frequency transmitter 294 in the pad. The radio frequency transmitter 294 is enabled by a signal through a line 295 from the microcontroller 276. This enabling signal is produced by the microcontroller 276 when the microcontroller confirms that it has received signals from the different switches in the pad 242a. Radio frequency transmitters are provided in each of the pads 242b, 242c and 242d corresponding to the radio frequency transmitter 294 in the pad 242a.

When the radio frequency transmitter 294 receives the enabling signal and the address and data signals from the pad 242a, the antenna 268a (also shown in Figure 16) transmits signals to all of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217. However, only the individual one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 with the address indicated in the packet of signals from the pad 242a will respond to such packet of signals. In the example discussed above, only the vehicle 212 will respond to the signals from the pad 242a because only the vehicle 212 is addressed by the pad 242a. Furthermore, in the example above where the pad 242a has previously selected the vehicle 212, the microcontroller 276 in the pad 242a will cause the vehicle 212 to be released when the pad 242a thereafter selects any of the vehicles 214, 216 and 217. When the vehicle 212 becomes released, it becomes available immediately thereafter to be selected by any one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d. The release of the vehicle 212 by the pad 242a and the coupling between the pad 242a and a selected one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 are recorded in the random access memory 282 in the microcontroller 276.

The vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 are battery powered. As a result, the energy in the batteries in the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 tends to become depleted as the batteries provide the energy for operating the vehicles. The battery in the vehicle 212 is indicated at 292 in Figure 23. The battery 292 is chargeable because the vehicle is constructed to receive AC power from a wall socket. The battery 292 is charged only for a particular period of time. This particular period of time is preset in the read only memory 204 in each of the vehicles. When each battery is being charged for the particular period of time, a light 293 in a circuit with the battery becomes illuminated. The charging current to the battery 292 may be limited by a resistor 296. The light 293 becomes extinguished when the battery 292 has been charged.

The vehicle 22 is shown in additional detail in Figure 18. Substantially identical arrangements may be provided for the vehicles 214, 216 and 217. The vehicle 212 includes the antenna 269 for receiving from one of the pads such as the pad 242a signals with the address of the vehicle and also includes a receiver 300 for processing the received signals. The vehicle 212 also includes the motors 228, 230, 232 and 233. Each of the motors 228, 230, 232 and 233 receives signals from an individual one of transistor drivers 303 connected to a microcontroller generally indicated at 302.

The microcontroller 302 includes a read only memory (ROM) 304 and a random access memory (RAM) 306. As with the memories in the pad 242a, the read only memory 304 may store permanent information and the random access memory 306 may store volatile (or impermanent) information. For example, the read only memory 304 may store information indicating the sequence of the successive bits of information in each packet for controlling the operation of the motors 228, 230, 232 and 233 in the vehicle 212. The random access memory 306 may store information indicating whether there is a binary 221 or a binary 220 at each successive bit in the packet.

The vehicle 212 includes a plurality of switches 308, 310 and 312. These switches are generally pre-set at the factory to indicate a particular Arabian number such as the number "5". However, the number can be modified by the user to indicate a different number. The number can be modified by the user by changing the pattern of closure of the switches 308, 310 and 312. The pattern of closure of the switches 108, 310 and 312 controls the selection of the vehicle such as the vehicle 212. For example, the pattern of closure of the switches 308, 310 and 312 can be changed when another user brings to a first user's system, from such other user's system, another vehicle identified by the number "5" and the first user's system already includes a vehicle identified by the numeral "5".

The vehicle 212 also includes a light such as a light emitting diode 314. This diode is illuminated when the vehicle 212 is selected by one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d. In this way, the other users can see that the vehicle 212 has been selected by one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d in case one of the users (other than the one who selected the vehicle 212) wishes to select such vehicle. It will be appreciated that each of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 may be generally different from the others so each vehicle may be able to perform functions different from the other vehicles.

This is another way for each user to identify the individual one of the vehicles that the user has selected. It will also be appreciated that each of the vehicles 214, 216 and 217 includes a light such as a light emitting diode corresponding to the light emitting diode 314 in the vehicle 212.

As previously indicated, the user of one of the pads such as the pad 242a selects the vehicle 212 by successively depressing the button 258 a particular number of times within a particular time period. This causes the pad 242a to produce an address identifying the vehicle 212. When this occurs, the vehicle 212 stores information in its random access memory 306 that the pad 242a has selected such vehicle. Because of this, the user of the pad 242a does not thereafter have to depress the button 258 during the time that the pad 242a is directing commands to the vehicle 212. This simplifies the operation of the pad 242a to control the operation of the vehicle 212. As long as the buttons on the pad 242a are thereafter depressed within a particular period of time to command the vehicle 212 to perform individual functions, the microcontroller 302 in the vehicle 212 will direct the vehicle to respond to commands from the pad 242a. The vehicle 212 can respond to the commands because the pad 242a sends its address even though it may not send the address of the vehicle 212.

The read only memory 304 in the microcontroller 302 at the vehicle 212 stores information indicating a particular period of time in which the vehicle 212 has to be addressed by the pad 242a in order for the selective coupling between the pad and the vehicle to be maintained. The random access memory 306 in the microcontroller 302 at the vehicle 212 stores the period of time from the last time that the pad 242a has issued a command to the vehicle 212. When the period of time in the random access memory 306 equals the period of time in the read only memory 304, the vehicle 212 will no longer respond to commands from the pad 242a unless the user of the pad 242a again depresses the button 258 the correct number of times within the particular period of time to select the vehicle 212. When the vehicle 212 no longer responds to commands from the pad 242a, it is free to be selected by any of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d.

As previously indicated, the button 258 in the pad 242a does not have to be actuated or depressed to issue the command after the pad 242a has initially issued the command by the appropriate number of depressions of the button. When the period of time stored in the random access memory 306 of the microcontroller 302 in the vehicle 212 equals the period of time in the read only memory 304, the microcontroller 302 issues a command to extinguish the light emitting diode 314. This indicates to the different users of the system, including the user previously controlling the operation of the vehicle 212, that the vehicle is available to be selected by one of the users including the user previously directing the operation of the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the microcontroller 276 in the pad 242a may also determine the period of time that the pad 242 has failed to issue a command to the vehicle 212. When this period of time exceeds a period of time stored in the read only memory 280, the microcontroller 276 may issue a command that the pad 242a no longer has control over the operation of the vehicle 212. Such an operation of the microcontroller 276 may be in addition to, or instead of, the command issued by the microcontroller 302 in the vehicle 212 as discussed in the previous paragraph.

When one of the vehicles such as the vehicle 212 is being moved in the forward direction, the random access memory 306 records the period of time during which such forward movement of the vehicle 212 is continuously occurring. This period of time is continuously compared in the microcontroller 302 with a fixed period of time recorded in the read only memory 304. When the period of time recorded in the random access memory 306 becomes equal to the fixed period of time recorded in the read only memory 304, the microcontroller 302 provides a signal for increasing the speed of the movement of the vehicle 212 in the forward direction. Similar arrangements are provided for each of the vehicles 214, 216 and 217. This increased speed may illustratively be twice that of the original speed.

Since more than one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d may be sending signals at approximately the same time or within a limited period such as approximately 0.25 milliseconds, confusion may exist at the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217. This is particularly true when the pads send signals to the vehicles at a common carrier frequency. For example, the vehicle 212 may be confused because it is simultaneously receiving signals from the pads 242a and 242b and cannot separate the signals received from the pad 242a from the signals received from the pad 242b. This may be resolved by having each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d send a sequence of signal packets every time that such pad is operated by the user.

The signals in each packet in the sequence may be modulated with the same information as the signals in the other packets in the sequence. The sequence of the signal packets may occur over a period of time significantly less than one (1) second. For example, each sequence may occur in a period of approximately two hundred milliseconds (200msec). This sequence tends to limit the possibility that there may be a conflict at one of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 because more than one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d may be transmitting signals to the vehicles at the same time.

The possibility of a conflict in the reception at the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 of signals from more than one of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d becomes even more significantly reduced by making the successive packets of the signals in the sequence from each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d pseudo random with respect to time. This possibility becomes substantially eliminated by making the pseudo random sequence of the signal packets with respect to time from each of the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d different from the pseudo random sequence with respect to time from the other pads.

It will be appreciated that the possibility of collisions between the reception by the vehicle 212 of signals simultaneously from more than one of the pads is minimized from the outset by limiting the transmissions of signals from the pads only when the controls in the pads are operated. Each of the pads is generally operated only to change the movement of the vehicle selected by such pad or to change the operation of the driving members in such pad. At times, however, each of the pads may be operated to maintain a previous course of action in the vehicle selected by such pad when the time is expiring for such pad to maintain control over the operation of such selected vehicle unless such pad sends additional control signals to such vehicle. The discussion in this paragraph applies with equal effect to each of the vehicles 214, 216 and 217.

The system and method described above and shown in Figures 16-18 have certain important advantages. They provide for the operation of a plurality of vehicles by a plurality of users, either on a competitive or a co- operative basis. Furthermore, the vehicles can be operated on a flexible basis in that a vehicle can be initially selected for operation by one user and can then be selected for operation by another user after the one user has failed to operate the vehicle for a particular period of time. The vehicles being operated at each instant are also visible by the illumination of the lights 314 on the vehicle. The apparatus and method of this invention are also advantageous in that the vehicles are operated on a wireless basis without any physical or cable connection between the vehicles such as the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 217 and the pads such as the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d selecting the vehicles.

Furthermore, the pads such as the pads 242a, 242b, 242c and 242d are able to communicate with the vehicles in the plurality through a single carrier frequency. The system and method of this invention are also advantageous in that the vehicles can selectively perform a number of different functions including movements forwardly and rearwardly and to the left and the right and including movements of a container or bin or platform on the vehicle upwardly and downwardly or to the left or the right. Different movements can also be provided simultaneously on a coordinated basis. All of these movements for each vehicle are provided by the operation of controls on the individual one of the pads selecting the vehicle.

There are also other significant advantages in the system and method of this invention. Two or more systems can be combined to increase the number of pads 342 controlling the operation of the vehicles 212, 214, 216 and 17. In effect, this increases the number of users capable of operating the system. This combination of systems can be provided so that one of the systems is a master and the other is a slave. This prevents any confusion from occurring in the operation of the system. The system is also able to recharge the batteries in the vehicles so that use of the vehicles can be resumed after the batteries have been charged.

The system and method of this invention are also advantageous in the provision of the pads and the provision of the button and switches in the pads. As will be appreciated, the pads are able to select vehicles and/or stationary accessories through the operation of a minimal number of buttons and to provide for the operation of a considerable number of different functions in the vehicles with a minimal number of buttons. In co- operation with the central station, the pads are able to communicate the selection of vehicles to the central station without indicating to the station, other than on a time shared basis, the identities of the vehicles being selected. After selecting a vehicle, each pad does not thereafter have to indicate the identity of the vehicle as long as the pad operates the vehicle through the central station within a particular period of time from the last operation of the vehicle by the pad through the central station.

Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments which will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

C A I M S

1. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle having a socket for receiving a key, a plurality of switches disposed in the vehicle adjacent the socket, each of the switches having first and second contacts, the first contact in each switch being movable relative to the second contact in such switch between a first position providing a closure with the second contact and a second position providing an opening with the second contact, a key insertable into the vehicle socket, the key having bumps at strategic positions along the length of the key to engage the first contacts of the switches in the vehicle at such strategic positions for movement of the first contacts between the positions of closure and opening with the second contacts, the pattern of the ribs for the key being individual to such key to provide the vehicle with an address dependent upon the pattern of the ribs in the key, and means in the vehicle for responding to addresses transmitted to the vehicle from an individual one of the pads corresponding to the address pattern established in the vehicle by the key and to commands transmitted to the vehicle from the individual one of the pads with such addresses from such individual one of the pads.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, the responding means including a microcontroller in the vehicle for storing the address established in the vehicle by the pattern of the switch closures and openings and including means for comparing the addresses transmitted from the pads with the address stored in the microcontroller to activate the vehicle when the comparing means indicates correspondence between the stored address and the addresses transmitted from an individual one of the pads.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, means in the vehicle for maintaining the vehicle activated in accordance with the reception by the vehicle of commands from the individual one of the pads within a particular time period from the last previous command from the individual one of the pads and for inactivating the vehicle, but retaining the vehicle powered, when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive a command from the individual one of the pads within such particular time period, and (2) the individual one of the pads selects a different one of the vehicles.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, the particular time period constituting a first particular time period, and means for de-activating the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive from any of the pads the address individual to such vehicle during a second particular period of time after the vehicle has been inactivated but powered and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles in the second particular period of time.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 2, means in the vehicle for resetting the microcontroller in response to the insertion of the key in the vehicle socket, and means in the vehicle for storing in the microcontroller the address represented by the key after the microcontroller has been reset.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 4, the responding means including a microcontroller in the vehicle for storing the address established in the vehicle by the pattern of the switch closures and openings and including means for comparing the addresses transmitted from the pads with the address stored in the microcontroller to activate the vehicle when the comparing means indicates correspondence between the stored address and the addresses transmitted from an individual one of the pads, means in the vehicle for resetting the microcontroller in response to the insertion of the key in the vehicle socket, and means in the vehicle for storing in the microcontroller the address represented by the key after the microcontroller has been reset.

7. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of different addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, a plurality of switches in the vehicle, means in the vehicle for mechanically operating the switches between open and closed positions to provide an individual address for the vehicle in accordance with the pattern of the opening and the closing of the switches, means responsive in the vehicle to the reception of the individual address from an individual one of the pads and to commands accompanying such address from the individual one of the pads for operating the vehicle in accordance with such commands, means in the vehicle for continuing to operate the vehicle for a particular period of time in accordance with the last command from the individual one of the pads before the commencement of such particular period of time even when no command is received from such individual one of the pads during such particular period of time, and means operative in the vehicle at the end of the particular period of time for (1) inactivating the vehicle, while retaining the vehicle powered, when the vehicle has not received a command from the individual one of the pads during such particular period of time and (2) for inactivating the vehicle, while retaining the vehicle powered, when the individual one of the pads selects a different vehicle.

8. In a combination as set forth in claim 7, means operative in the vehicle, during the period of time that the vehicle is inactive but powered, for responding to the individual address and an accompanying command from any one of the pads, including the individual one of the pads, to operate the vehicle in accordance with such command and to continue to operate the vehicle in accordance with subsequent commands from such any one of the pads.

9. In a combination as set forth in claim 7, means in the vehicle for responding only to the commands from the individual one of the pads after the addressing of the vehicle by the individual one of the pads and until the particular period of time when the vehicle becomes inactive but powered.

10. In a combination as set forth in claim 8, the particular period of time constituting a first particular period of time, means operative in the vehicle for de-activating the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive the individual address from any of the pads, including the individual one of the pads, for a second particular period of time after the first particular period of time, the second particular period of time being unrelated to the first particular period of time and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles during the second particular period of time.

11. In a combination as set forth in claim 10, means in the vehicle for responding only to the commands from the individual one of the pads after the addressing of the vehicle by the individual one of the pads and until the particular period of time when the vehicle becomes inactive but powered.

12. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of different addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, a plurality of switches in the vehicle, means in the vehicle for mechanically operating the switches between open and closed positions to provide an individual address for the vehicle in accordance with the pattern of the opening and the closing of the switches, a microcontroller in the vehicle, the microcontroller being operable to be set to particular parameters including the individual address and to be reset for subsequent setting to other parameters than the particular parameters including an address different than the individual address, means operable in conjunction with the mechanical opening and closing of the switches for resetting the microcontroller, means in the microcontroller for setting the individual address of the vehicle in the microcontroller after the mechanical operation of the switches and the resetting of the microcontroller, and means responsive in the vehicle to the reception of the individual address from an individual one of the pads and to commands accompanying such individual address from such individual one of the pads for operating the vehicle in accordance with such commands.

13. In a combination as set forth in claim 12, means in the vehicle for operating the vehicle in accordance with the commands from the individual one of the pads even when the commands from the individual one of the pads is not preceded in such individual one of the pads by the address of the vehicle.

14. In a combination as set forth in claim 12, means in the vehicle for setting the vehicle to an inactive but powered state when one of the following occurs: (1) the individual one of the pads has failed to communicate a command to the vehicle for a particular period of time after the last communication of a command to the vehicle from the individual one of the pads and (2) the individual one of the pads selects a different vehicle.

15. In a combination as set forth in claim 14, the particular period of time constituting a first particular period, and means in the vehicle for de-activating the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive the individual address for a second period of time from any of the pads, including the individual one of the pads, after the vehicle has been set to the inactive but powered, state and (2) none of the pads issues a command to any of the vehicles for the second period of time.

16. In a combination as set forth in claim 12, a key, means in the vehicle for receiving the key, the key being constructed for operation in combination with the vehicle and with the microcontroller in the vehicle, when the key is received in the vehicle, for resetting the microcomputer and for setting the microcomputer to the individual address.

17. In a combination as st forth in claim 15, means in the vehicle for operating the vehicle in accordance with the commands from the individual one of the pads even when the commands from the individual one of the pads is not preceded in such individual one of the pads by the address of the vehicle, the particular period of time constituting a first particular period, and means in the vehicle for de-activating the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive the individual address for a second period of time from any of the pads, including the individual one of the pads, after the vehicle has been set to the inactive, but powered, state and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles for the second period of time.

18. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, a plurality of switches in the vehicle, means in the vehicle for mechanically operating first individual ones of the switches between open and closed positions to provide an individual address for the vehicle in accordance with the pattern of the opening and closing of the first individual ones of the switches, a microcontroller settable in the vehicle to the individual address in accordance with the pattern of the opening and closing of the first individual ones of the switches in the vehicle, the microcontroller being operative to store the individual address to which it has been set, first means including a second individual one of the switches for resetting the microcontroller before the setting of the microcontroller to the individual address by the first individual ones of the switches, and second means responsive to the setting of the individual address in the microcomputer and to the individual address transmitted to the vehicle from an individual one of the pads and to commands transmitted, with the individual address, to the vehicle from the individual one of the pads for operating the vehicle in accordance with such commands.

19. In a combination as set forth in claim 18, a socket in the vehicle, and a key insertable into the socket to set the first individual ones of the switches into the individual pattern and to operate the second individual ones of the switches to reset the microcomputer.

20. In a combination as set forth in claim 19, each of the first individual ones of the switches having first and second contacts, the key having bumps each disposed to engage the first contact of a particular one of the first individual ones of the switches for displacement relative to the second contact of such switch upon the insertion of the key into the socket in the vehicle, the key being constructed to provide electrical continuity between the second individual ones of the switches upon the insertion of the key into the socket in the vehicle to obtain a resetting of the microprocessor.

21. In a combination as set forth in claim 18, the vehicle including wheels and first motors operatively coupled to the wheels to move the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly and to turn the vehicle, the vehicle also including a working member movable upwardly and downwardly in the vehicle and a second motor for moving the working member upwardly and downwardly, the second means including third means for operating the first motors in accordance with the commands from the individual one of the pads to propel the vehicle, the second means including fourth means for operating the second motor in accordance with the commands from the individual one of the pads to move the working member upwardly and downwardly.

22. In a combination as set forth in claim 21, a socket in the vehicle, and a key insertable into the socket to set the first individual ones of the switches into the individual pattern and to operate the second individual ones of the switches to reset the microcomputer, each of the first individual ones of the switches having first and second contacts, the key having bumps each disposed to engage the first contact of a particular one of the first individual ones of the switches for displacement relative to the second contact of such switch upon the insertion of the key into the socket in the vehicle, the key being constructed to provide electrical continuity between the second individual ones of the switches upon the insertion of the key into the socket in the vehicle to obtain a resetting of the microcontroller.

23. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands with such addresses, a key, a vehicle having a socket for receiving the key, a microcontroller in the vehicle, a plurality of switches in the vehicle, first ones o^ΛZth_Zsw^xZchaZ in the vehicle being operable to set the microcontroller to any address dependent upon the operation of the switches, a second one of the switches being operable to reset the microcontroller to a neutral value not indicative of any address, the key being constructed to operate the first switches to reset the microcontroller to the neutral value and to set the microcontroller to an individual address dependent upon the characteristics of the key, and means in the vehicle for initially resetting the microcontroller to the neutral value in accordance with the operation of the second switch by the key and for then setting the microcontroller to the individual address in accordance with the operation of the first switches by the key.

24. In a combination as set forth in claim 23, means responsive in the vehicle to the individual address from an individual one of the pads and to commands accompanying such address from the individual one of the pads for operating the vehicle in accordance with such commands.

25. In a combination as set forth in claim 23, detent means in the vehicle and in the key for cooperating with each other to retain the key in a position in the socket in the vehicle to maintain the first switches in position relative to the socket in the vehicle for providing the particular address in the microcontroller.

26. In a combination as set forth in claim 25, the key and the socket being constructed for movement of the detent means in the key past the detent means in the socket to a position for obtaining a resetting of the microcontroller and a setting again of the microcontroller to the individual address.

27. In a combination as set forth in claim 24, means in the vehicle, including the microcontroller, for disposing the vehicle in an inactive but powered state when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive a command from the individual one of the pads for a particular time after the last previous reception by the vehicle of a command from the individual one of the pads (2) the key is initially disposed in the vehicle socket and (3) the individual one of the pads selects a different vehicle, and means in the vehicle for responding in the inactive but powered state to the individual address from any one of pads, including the individual one of the pads, and to commands accompanying such individual address from such any one of the pads to operate the vehicle in accordance with such commands.

28. In a combination as set forth in claim 27, the particular time constituting a first particular time, means in the vehicle, including the microcontroller, for de-activating the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive the individual address from any one of the pads, including the individual one of the pads, during a second particular period of time after the vehicle has been set to the inactive but powered state and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles during the second particular period of time.

29. In a combination as set forth in claim 28, detent means in the vehicle and in the key for cooperating with each other to retain the key in a position in the socket in the vehicle to maintain the first switches in position relative to the socket in the vehicle for providing the particular address in the microcontroller, the key and the socket being constructed for movement of the detent means in the key past the detent means in the socket to a position for obtaining a resetting of the microcontroller and a setting again of the microcontroller to the individual address.

30. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, a microcontroller in the vehicle, first means in the vehicle, including the microcontroller, for providing the vehicle with an individual address, second means responsive in the vehicle to the transmission of the individual address from an individual one of the pads and to the transmission of commands with such individual address from such individual one of the pads for operating the vehicle in accordance with such commands, third means responsive in the vehicle to the operation of the vehicle in accordance with the commands from the individual one of the pads for providing a first illumination of the vehicle, fourth means responsive in the vehicle to the failure of the vehicle to receive commands from the individual one of the pads for a particular period of time after the last reception of a command from the individual one of the pads for operating the vehicle in an inactive but powered state, and fifth means responsive in the vehicle to the operation of the vehicle in the inactive but powered state for providing a second illumination of the vehicle different from the first illumination of the vehicle.

31. In a combination as set forth in claim 30, sixth means responsive in the vehicle to the reception of a command by the vehicle from the individual one of the pads during the particular time period for instituting a new count in the vehicle of the particular period of time.

32. In a combination as set forth in claim 30, the particular period of time constituting a first particular period of time, sixth means responsive in the vehicle to the failure of the vehicle to receive a command from the individual one of the pads for the first particular period of time for responding to the individual address from any of the pads, including the individual one of the pads, and to commands accompanying such address from such any one of the pads to provide an operation of the vehicle in accordance with such commands, the third means being operative in accordance with the response by the sixth means to the individual address from such any of the pads for providing the first illumination of the vehicle.

33. In a combination as set forth in claim 30, the particular time period constituting a first particular time period, sixth means for deactivating the vehicle in response to one of the following: (1) a failure of the vehicle in the inactive but powered state to receive the individual address from any of the pads in a second particular period of time unrelated to the first particular period of time and (2) a failure of any of the pads to give a command to any of the vehicles in the second particular period of time, and seventh means responsive to the de-activation of the vehicle for providing a third state of illumination of the vehicle unrelated to the first and second states of illumination of the vehicle.

34. In a combination as set forth in claim 32, seventh means responsive in the vehicle to the reception of a command by the vehicle from the individual one of the pads during the first particular period of time for instituting a new count of the first particular period of time in the vehicle, eighth means for de-activating the vehicle in response to one of the following: a failure of the vehicle in the inactive but powered state to receive the individual address from any of the pads, including the individual one of the pads, in a second particular period of time unrelated to the first particular period of time and (2) a failure of any of the pads to give a command to any of the vehicles in the second particular period of time, and ninth means responsive to the de-activation of the vehicle for providing a third state of illumination of the vehicle unrelated to the first and second states of illumination of the vehicle.

35. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, a microcontroller in the vehicle, first means in the vehicle, including the microcontroller, for providing the vehicle with an individual address, second means in the vehicle, including the microcontroller, for disposing the vehicle in an inactive but powered state after the vehicle has been provided with the individual address, third means in the vehicle for measuring the period of time, after the provision of the individual address in the vehicle, during which the vehicle is in the inactive but powered state, and fourth means in the vehicle for de-activating the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive the first address from any of the pads for a particular period of time after the vehicle has become operative in the inactive but powered state and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles for the particular period of time.

36. In a combination as set forth in claim 35, fifth means in the vehicle for providing a first state of illumination when the vehicle is in the inactive but powered state, and sixth means in the vehicle for providing a second state of illumination in the vehicle when the vehicle becomes de-activated, the second state of illumination in the vehicle being unrelated to the first state of illumination in the vehicle.

37. In a combination as set forth in claim 35, fifth means responsive in the vehicle to the individual address from any individual one of the pads during the operation of the vehicle in the inactive but powered state and to the commands accompanying such individual address for operating the vehicle in accordance with such commands, and sixth means responsive in the vehicle to the operation of the vehicle by the fifth means for providing in the vehicle a third state of illumination unrelated to the first and second states of illumination.

38. In a combination as set forth in claim 37, the particular period of time constituting a first particular period, seventh means responsive in the vehicle to each operation of the vehicle by the fifth means as a result of the reception by the vehicle of the individual address from an individual one of the pads for initiating a count of the time until the next operation of the vehicle as a result of the reception by the vehicle of the individual address from the individual one of the pads, and eighth means responsive in the vehicle to the count by the seventh means of a second particular period of time unrelated to the first particular period of time for disposing the vehicle in the inactive but powered state.

39. In a combination as set forth in claim 38, ninth means in the vehicle for providing a second state of illumination when the vehicle is in the inactive but powered state, the second state of illumination in the vehicle being unrelated to the first state of illumination in the vehicle, and tenth means in the vehicle for providing a third state of illumination in the vehicle when the vehicle becomes de-activated, the third state of illumination in the vehicle being unrelated to the first and second states of illumination in the vehicle.

40. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands in such addresses, a plurality of vehicles. a plurality of microcontrollers each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles, a plurality of first means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles and including the microcontroller in such individual one of the vehicles for providing such individual one of the vehicles with an individual address, a plurality of second means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles and each operative to dispose the individual one of the vehicles in an inactive but powered state when such individual one of the vehicles is provided with the individual address, a plurality of third means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles for measuring the period of time, after the provision of the individual address in such individual one of the vehicles, during which such individual one of the vehicles is in the inactive but powered state, a central station for transmitting addresses, and commands accompanying such addresses, from the pads in the plurality to the vehicles, and a plurality of fourth means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles for de-activating such vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) such vehicle fails to receive the individual address from the central station for a particular period of time after the vehicle has started to operate in the inactive but powered state and (2) none of the vehicles receives a command from any of the pads for the particular period of time.

41. In a combination as set forth in claim 40, a plurality of fifth means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles for providing a first state of illumination in such vehicle when such vehicle is in the inactive but powered state, and a plurality of sixth means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles for providing a second state of illumination in such vehicle when such vehicle becomes de-activated, the second state of illumination for each vehicle being unrelated to the first state of illumination for such vehicle.

42. In a combination as set forth in claim 40, a plurality of fifth means each responsive in an individual one of the vehicles to the individual address transmitted to such vehicle from the central station as a result of the operation of an individual one of the pads, during the operation of such vehicle in the inactive but powered state, and to the commands transmitted from the central station and accompanying such individual address for operating such vehicle in accordance with such commands, and a plurality of sixth means each responsive to the operation of an individual one of the vehicles by the operation of the fifth means in such individual one of the vehicles for providing in such individual one of the vehicles a third state of illumination unrelated to the first and second states of illumination.

43. In a combination as set forth in claim 42, the particular period of time constituting a first particular period, a plurality of seventh means each responsive in an individual one of the vehicles to each operation of such individual one of the vehicles by the central station as a result of the reception by such vehicle of the individual address from such individual one of the pads for providing a count of the time until the next operation of such vehicle as a result of the reception by such vehicle from the central station of the individual address from such individual one of the pads, and a plurality of eighth means each responsive in an individual one of the vehicles to the count by the individual one of the seventh means in such vehicle of a second period of time unrelated to the first particular period of time for providing the vehicle with the inactive but powered state during such second particular period of time.

44. In a combination as set forth in claim 43, a plurality of ninth means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles for providing a second state of illumination in such vehicle when such vehicle is in the inactive but powered state, the second state of illumination in the vehicle being unrelated to the first state of illumination in the vehicle, and a plurality of tenth means each disposed in an individual one of the vehicles for providing a third state of illumination in such vehicle when such vehicle becomes de-activated, the third state of illumination in each vehicle being unrelated to the first and second states of illumination in such vehicle.

45. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, a microcontroller in the vehicle, a plurality of first switches for providing the microcontroller with an individual address, each of the switches having open and closed states, means associated with the first switches for setting the switches to an individual pattern of open and closed states representative of the individual addresses and for setting the second switches to the closed states, a second switch having open and closed states and operable in the closed state to set the microcontroller to a neutral state, and means operative to set the microcontroller to the neutral state and then to set the microcontroller to the individual address represented by the pattern of closure of the first switches.

46. In a combination as set forth in claim 45, means for providing the vehicle with a particular illumination when the microcontroller in the vehicle is set to the individual address.

47. In a combination as set forth in claim 46, means for providing the vehicle with an inactive but powered state when the vehicle is provided with the individual address, means for maintaining the vehicle in the inactive but powered state only for a particular period of time if one of the following does not occur: (1) the vehicle is addressed by any of the pads in such particular period of time and (2) the pad addressing the vehicle thereafter addresses a different vehicle and (3) , and means for maintaining the vehicle with the particular illumination during the time that the vehicle is in the inactive but powered state.

48. In a combination as set forth in claim 47, means for de-activating the vehicle if one of the following occurs: the vehicle is not addressed by any of the pads during the particular period of time that the vehicle is in the inactive but powered state of the vehicle and (2) none of the pads addresses any of the vehicles during the particular period of time, and means for discontinuing the particular illumination of the vehicle when the vehicle becomes de- activated.

49. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, a microcontroller in the vehicle, means in the vehicle, including the microcontroller, for providing the microcontroller with an individual address, means responsive to the provision of the individual address in the microcontroller for operating the vehicle in an inactive but powered state, and means for de-activating the vehicle if one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive the individual address from any of the pads for a particular period of time during which the vehicle is operated in the inactive but powered state and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles for the particular period of time.

50. In a combination as st forth in claim 49, means for providing the vehicle with a particular illumination during the time that the vehicle is operated in the inactive but powered state, and means for discontinuing the particular illumination in the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle does not receive the individual address from any of the pads during the particular period of time that the vehicle is operating in the inactive but powered state and (2) none of the pads receives a command from any of the vehicles during the particular period of time.

51. In a combination as set forth in claim 49, means in the vehicle for receiving the individual address from one of the pads during the particular period of time, and means in the vehicle for providing the vehicle with a second illumination different from the first illumination when the vehicle receives the individual address from such one of the pads during the particular period of time.

52. In a combination as set forth in claim 51, the receiving means in the vehicle also receiving commands with the individual address from such one of the pads, and means in the vehicle for operating the vehicle in accordance with the commands received from such one of the pads.

53. In a combination as set forth in claim 50, the particular illumination constituting a first particular illumination, means in the vehicle for receiving the individual address from one of the pads during the particular period of time, and means in the vehicle for providing the vehicle with a second particular illumination different from the first particular illumination when the vehicle receives the individual address from such one of the pads during the particular period of time, the receiving means in the vehicle also receiving commands with the individual address from such one of the pads, and means in the vehicle for operating the vehicle in accordance with the commands received from such one of the pads.

54. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle, first means in the vehicle for providing the vehicle with an individual address, a key disposable in the vehicle for co-operating with the first means to provide the vehicle with the individual address, means responsive to the individual address in the vehicle upon the disposition of the key in the vehicle for operating the vehicle in an inactive but powered state, and means for de-activating the vehicle if one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle fails to receive the individual address from any of the pads for a particular period of time during which the vehicle is operated in the inactive but powered state and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles during the particular period of time.

55. In a combination as set forth in claim 54, means for providing the vehicle with a particular illumination during the time that the vehicle is operated in the inactive but powered state, and means for discontinuing the particular illumination in the vehicle when one of the following occurs: (1) the vehicle does not receive the individual address from any of the pads during the particular period of time that the vehicle is operating in the inactive but powered state and (2) none of the pads gives a command to any of the vehicles during the particular period of time.

56. In a combination as set forth in claim 55, the key being disposed in the vehicle in a co- operative relationship with the vehicle for actuation in the vehicle to operate the vehicle again in the inactive but powered state after the vehicle becomes de-activated.

57. In a combination as set forth in claim 56, means in the vehicle for receiving the individual address from one of the pads during the particular period of time, and means in the vehicle for providing the vehicle with a second illumination different from the first illumination when the vehicle receives the individual address from such one of the pads during the particular period of time.

58. In a combination as set forth in claim 57, the receiving means in the vehicle also receiving commands with the individual address from such one of the pads, and means in the vehicle for operating the vehicle in accordance with the commands received from such one of the pads.

59. A key for activating a vehicle in accordance with the disposition of switches and contacts in the vehicle, a body, a plurality of ribs disposed on the body in a pattern providing an individual address to the vehicle when the key is disposed in the vehicle, the ribs being disposed to activate the switches in the vehicle, a conductive bar disposed on the body to close the contacts when the key is disposed in the vehicle, and light illuminating means disposed on the body for illuminating the key when the key is disposed in the vehicle and the switches become activated.

60. A key as set forth in claim 59, including, means disposed on the body for guiding the key into a socket in the vehicle.

61. A key as set forth in claim 59, including, the conductive bar constituting a first conductive bar, a second conductive bar disposed on the body in displaced relationship to the first conductive bar in the direction of movement of the key into the vehicle to close the contacts after the first conductive bar has closed the contacts and the contacts have thereafter been opened.

62. A key as set forth in claim 59, including, contacts disposed on the body and connected to the illuminating means for providing for an illumination of the illuminating means when the key is disposed in the vehicle.

63. A key as set forth in claim 59, including, a light illuminating panel disposed in communication with the illuminating means to conduct light from the illuminating means.

64. A key as set forth in claim 60, including, the conductive bar constituting a first conductive bar, a second conductive bar disposed on the body in displaced relationship to the first conductive bar in the direction of movement of the key into the vehicle to close the contacts after the first conductive bar has closed the contacts and the contacts have thereafter been opened, contacts disposed on the body and connected to the illuminating means for providing for an illumination of the illuminating means when the key is disposed in the vehicle, a light illuminating panel disposed in communication with the illuminating means to conduct light from the illuminating means.

65. In combination, a vehicle, a socket in the vehicle, a key disposable in the socket and including a body, a plurality of ribs disposed on the body of the key in a pattern providing an individual address to the vehicle when the key is disposed in the vehicle, a plurality of switches disposed in the vehicle for activation by the ribs, a conductive bar on the body, and conductive contacts disposed in the vehicle for closure by the conductive bar in accordance with the movement of the key into the socket.

66. In a combination as set forth in claim 65, the conductive bar constituting a first conductive bar, a second conductive bar disposed on the body in displaced relationship to the first conductive bar, the second conductive bar being disposed on the body to close the contacts upon a continued movement of the key into the socket past the position where the first conductive bar engages the contacts.

67. In a combination as set forth in claim 66, a spring in the vehicle for returning the key to a position in the socket, after the engagement of the contacts by the second conductive bar, where the conductive bars are between the contacts..

68. In a combination as set forth in claim 67 wherein light illuminating means are disposed on the body for illuminating the key when the key is disposed in the vehicle socket and the switches become activated and wherein contacts are disposed on the body and are connected to the light illuminating means for providing for an illumination of the light illuminating means when the key is disposed in the vehicle socket.

69. In a combination as set forth in claim 68 wherein a light illuminating panel is disposed in communication with the light illuminating means to conduct light from the light illuminating means.

70. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having at least one member movable to perform selective functions and each having second controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of such selective functions by such movable member, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of a selective one of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective operation of the movable member in such selective one of the motorized vehicles in performing individual ones of such selective functions, and first means responsive to the selective operations of the switches in the individual ones of the pads for energizing selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for providing for selective movements of the selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for the selective operations of the movable members in the selective ones of the motorized vehicles.

71. In a combination as recited in claim 70, second means responsive in the pads to the selective operation of the switches for transmitting signals indicating the operation of such switches, and third means included in the first means for energizing the selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for producing signals providing for the selective movements of the selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for the selective operations of the individual ones of movable members in the selective ones of the motorized vehicles.

72. In a combination as recited in claim 71, fourth means being responsive to the signals from the second means for the individual pads to produce signals coded at a common carrier frequency and to modulate set signals in accordance with the operation of the individual ones of the switches in such individual ones of the pads, and fifth means disposed at the selective ones of the motorized vehicles for demodulating the modulated signals representative of such selective ones of the motorized vehicles to energize such selective ones of the motorized vehicles and to produce the selective movements of such selective one of the motorized vehicles and to produce the selective operations of the movable member in the selective ones of the motorized vehicles.

73. In combination, a plurality of vehicles each movable forwardly and rearwardly and each turnable in first and second opposite horizontal directions and each having a working member movable in first and second opposite vertical directions, each of the vehicles having drive members providing for the movement of such vehicle forwardly and rearwardly and turnable in the opposite horizontal directions and for the movement of the working member in the opposite vertical directions, a central station for sending signals to individual ones of the vehicles to provide controlled movements of such individual ones of the vehicles forwardly and rearwardly and controlled turnable movements of the vehicles in the first and second opposite horizontal directions and controlled movements of the working member in such individual ones of the opposite vertical directions, the central station providing signals with characteristics individual to each of the vehicles in the plurality, and a plurality of pads each associated with any selected one of the vehicles in the plurality and each having a plurality of controls individually operable to introduce to the central station signals providing for the transmission to such individual of the vehicles by the central station of signals indicating to such individual one of the vehicles the drive members to be actuated in such individual one of the vehicles and the type of actuation to be provided to such drive members and such working members in such individual one of the vehicles.

74. In a combination as set forth in claim 73, the central station including means for providing a signal having a common carrier frequency for all of the vehicles and for modulating the common carrier frequency signal with signals identifying each individual one of the vehicles in the plurality and identifying the individual ones of the drive members in the vehicle and the individual ones of the working members and identifying the operation to be performed on such individual one of the drive members and working members.

75. In a combination as set forth in claim 73, each of the vehicles including means for receiving the signal at the common carrier frequency from the central station and for demodulating the modulations individual to such vehicle and for operating the drive members and the working members in such vehicle in accordance with such demodulations.

76. In a combination as set forth in claim 75, means in the vehicles for demodulating the signals from the central station with the addresses identifying such vehicles and for operating the drive members and the working members in accordance with such demodulated signals.

77. In combination as set forth in claim 75, at least one motorized accessory providing an individual operation when energized, the pads in the plurality having additional controls for providing signals to the central station for energizing the motorized accessory, the central station including means responsive to the signals in the pads in response to the operation of the additional controls for energizing the motorized accessory.

78. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having movable members to perform selective functions and each having second controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of such selective functions, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of a selective one of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective energizing of the first and second controls in such selective one of the motorized vehicle, and a central station responsive to the selective operation of the switches in each individual one of the pads for providing for an operation of individual ones of the first and second controls in the selective one of the vehicles.

79. In a combination as set forth in claim 78, the central station being connected by wires to the pads in the plurality and communicating by wireless to the vehicles in the plurality.

80. In a combination as set forth in claim 79, the central station providing common carrier signals for communication with all of the vehicles in the plurality and providing on such carrier signals modulations providing addresses individual to each selective one of the vehicles in the plurality and identifying the operation of the individual ones of the first and second switches in the pad communicating with such individual one of the vehicles.

81. In combination for use with control means having properties of providing packets of signals, each packet including a binary address and binary signals identifying individual ones of different controls, a toy vehicle displaced from the control means, wheels on the vehicle for moving the vehicle, first motive means disposed in the vehicle and selectively operable for propelling the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly and for turning the vehicle in opposite horizontal directions, a working member disposed on the vehicle and movable in opposite vertical directions, second motive means disposed in the vehicle for moving the working member in the opposite vertical directions, first controls operable in the vehicle to provide controlled movements of the vehicle by the first motive means forwardly and rearwardly and to turn the vehicle in the opposite horizontal directions, second controls operable in the vehicle to provide controlled movements of the working member in the opposite vertical directions, means in the vehicle for receiving the packets of signals transmitted from the control means, the packets of signals including a selective binary address identifying the vehicle and binary signals indicating the selective energizing of the first and second controls in the vehicle, first means in the vehicle for decoding the binary signals to recover the packets with the selective address, second means in the vehicle for decoding, in the packets with the selective address, the binary signals indicating the energizing of the first and second controls, and third means in the vehicle for energizing selective ones of the first and second motive means in accordance with the decoding by the second means of the binary signals indicating the energizing of the first and second controls.

82. In a combination as set forth in claim 81, means disposed on the vehicle for providing a visual indication that the vehicle has been energized by the packets from the control means.

83. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in individual ones of the pads and each individually operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of operations in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads, first means for receiving on a cyclic basis from successive ones of the pads signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and the operation of individual ones of the first and second controls in the successive ones of the pads, second means responsive to the signals indicating the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads for producing addresses identifying such individual ones of the vehicles and identifying the selection of such individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads, and third means responsive to the production by the second means of the addresses identifying the individual ones of the vehicles for transmitting signals representing such addresses in the successive ones of the pad, and signals indicating the operation of the controls in the successive ones of the pads to obtain the selective ones of the operations in the individual ones of the vehicles.

84. In a combination as set forth in claim 83, the central station being connected by wires to the pads and the central station including an antenna for transmitting on a wireless basis to the vehicles the signals representing the addresses of the vehicles and representing the operation of the controls at the pads.

85. In combination in a vehicle for use with control means having properties of providing packets of signals, each packet including first signals providing a particular binary address of such vehicle in relation to binary addresses for other vehicles and second signals following the binary address and providing binary indications of different controls to be provided in the vehicle, the vehicle being usable with transportable elements, first means for decoding the signals in the packets from the control means with the particular binary address to activate the particular vehicle, second means responsive to first ones of the second signals in the packets from the control means with the particular address for moving the vehicle in selective ones of forward and reverse directions, third means responsive to second ones of the second signals in the packets from the control means with the particular address for turning the vehicle selectively to the left and to the right, fourth means in the vehicle for receiving and holding the transportable elements and for providing a release of the transportable elements, and fifth means responsive to third ones of the second signals in the packets with the particular address for selectively operating the fourth means in receiving, holding and releasing the transportable elements.

86. In a combination as set forth in claim 85, sixth means in the vehicle for providing a visual indication of the vehicle during the period of time that the vehicle being operated.

87. In a combination as set forth in claim 85, sixth means including a plurality of switches settable in the vehicle to vary the binary address to which the vehicle responds in the pattern of the first signals from the control means.

88. In a combination as set forth in claim 87, seventh means in the vehicle for providing a visual indication of the activation of the vehicle during the period of time that the vehicle is activated, and eighth means including a plurality of switches manually settable in the vehicle to vary the binary address to which the vehicle responds in the pattern of the first signals from the control means.

89. In a combination as set forth in claim 87, an antenna for receiving the first and second signals from the control means.

90. In combination for providing first signals indicating an individual one of a plurality of vehicles to be activated and indicating individual ones of a plurality of functions to be performed in the individual one of the vehicles, an individual one of a plurality of hand-held pads, a plurality of switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads, at least a first one of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, second ones of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the performance of individual ones of the functions in the plurality, first means for periodically activating the hand-held pads in the plurality to indicate the operation of such switches in such activated pads, and second means responsive to the activation of the pads on the cyclic basis for sending signals indicating the operation of the first and second ones of the switches in the hand-held pads.

91. In a combination as set forth in claim 90, the second means in the individual one of the hand-held pads including means for sending the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first and second ones of the switches in the hand-held pad.

92. In a combination as set forth in claim 90, the at least first one of the switches in the plurality being operable in a particular number of successive actuations to provide for a selection of the individual one of the vehicle in the plurality in accordance with such particular number of successive actuations, and third means for visually indicating the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality.

93. In a combination as set forth in claim 92, the second means in the individual one of the hand-held pads including means for sending to the central station the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first and second ones of the switches in the hand-held pad.

94. In a method of selectively controlling the operation of toy vehicles in a plurality, the steps of: providing a plurality of pads each having a plurality of controls individually operable to select different vehicles in a plurality and to select functions to be performed in the selected ones of the vehicles in the plurality, operating controls in the different pads to obtain the selection by each pad of an individual one of the vehicles and to select individual ones of the functions to be performed in the individual one of the vehicles, providing for a periodic activation of the pads in the plurality to determine the selection by each pad of an individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, providing for the transmission by each one individual one of the pads in the plurality, upon the periodic activation of such individual one of the pads in the plurality, of signals indicating the individual one of the vehicles selected by such activated one of the pads and signals indicating the individual ones of the functions to be performed by such individual one of the vehicles, and providing for each individual one of the vehicles an address indicating such individual one of the vehicles when such vehicle is selected by the activated one of the pads, and operating such individual one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of the controls in the activated one of the pads when the activated one of the pads sends an address corresponding to the address in the individual one of the vehicle.

95. In a method as set forth in claim 94, the steps of: receiving at each of the vehicles the signals indicating the address and the functions to be performed by such vehicle, and decoding at each of the vehicles the signals indicating the functions to be performed by such individual one of the vehicles when the received signals indicate the address of such individual one of the vehicles.

96. In a method as set forth in claim 94, the steps of: providing in packets the signals indicating the address of the individual one of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, and responding at such individual one of the vehicles to the packets of signals indicating the address of such individual one of vehicles to perform in such individual one of the vehicles the functions indicated by the signals in such packets.

97. In a method as set forth in claim 94, the steps of: providing a plurality of stationary accessories each operative to perform an individual function, operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to select an individual one of the stationary accessories, and providing for the transmission to the individual one of the stationary accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of such individual one of the stationary accessories when such individual one of the stationary accessories is selected by such individual one of the pads and when such individual one of the pads is activated.

98. In a method as set forth in claim 97, including the step of: providing for the transmission of signals to the vehicles on a wireless basis.

99. In a method as set forth in claim 94, the steps of: providing in packets the signals indicating the address of the individual one of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, decoding at each of the vehicles the packets of signals indicating the functions to be performed by such individual one of the vehicles when the received signals indicate the address of such individual one of the vehicles, performing in the individual one of the vehicles the functions indicated in the decoded packets, providing a plurality of stationary accessories each operative to perform an individual function, operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to select an individual one of the stationary accessories, providing for the transmission to the individual one of the stationary accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of such individual one of the stationary accessories when such individual one of the stationary accessories is selected by such individual one of the pads and when such individual one of the pads is activated, and providing for the transmission of signals from the central station to the vehicles on a wireless basis.

100. In a method at a central station for controlling the operation of individual ones of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with the selection of such vehicles by individual ones of a plurality of pads and in accordance with the operation in such individual ones of the pads of controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of a plurality of different functions in such individual ones of the vehicles, the steps of: receiving from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality on a periodic basis first signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and second signals indicating the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, producing first patterns of signals indicating the addresses of the individual ones of the vehicles selected by the individual ones of the pads in accordance with the sequential receipt on the periodic basis of the first signals from the individual ones of the pads, producing for each individual one of the vehicles a second pattern of signals indicating the individual ones of the different functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, combining the first and second patterns of signals on the periodic basis for each individual one of the vehicles to produce packets of such first and second signals, and transmitting the packets of the signals in the first and second patterns for each of the vehicles in the plurality on the periodic basis to obtain the reception of the packets in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the addresses represented by the patterns of the first signals in the packets and to obtain the performance of the individual ones of the functions in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the patterns of the second signals in such packets.

101. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in an individual one of the pads and each operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of functions in the selected one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual one of the pads, first means for receiving on a cyclic basis from successive ones of the pads signals indicating the operation of the first controls to select individual ones of the vehicles and the operation of individual ones of the second controls in the successive ones of the pads to perform the selective ones of the functions in the selected one of the vehicles, second means responsive to the signals indicating the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads for producing first signals constituting addresses identifying such individual ones of the vehicles, and third means responsive, after the operation of the second means for each selected one of the vehicles, to the operation of the second selective ones of the controls in the pad for such selected one of the vehicles to produce second signals for obtaining in such selected one of the vehicles the functions identified by the second selective ones of the controls even when the first selective ones of such controls for such selected one of the vehicles are not operated.

102. In a combination as set forth in claim 101, the second means producing the first signals in a binary code identified by a plurality of signals individual to each individual one of the vehicles, and the third means producing binary signals each indicating the operation or the lack of operation of an individual one of the functions in the individual one of the vehicles.

103. In a combination as set forth in claim 101, wires extending from the central station to provide communication with the pads, and an antenna for providing a wireless communication with the vehicles in accordance with the operation of the controls in the pads.

104. In a combination as set forth in claim 101, fourth means for discontinuing the operation of the third means for each individual one of the vehicles when there is no operation, for a particular period of time, of the controls providing in the associated one of the pads for the operation of such individual one of the vehicles after such pad has last produced signals controlling the performance of at least one of the functions in such individual one of the vehicles.

105. In combination in a vehicle for use with control means having properties of providing packets of signals, each packet including first signals providing a particular binary address of such vehicle in relation to binary addresses for other vehicles and second signals following the binary address and providing binary indications of different controls to be provided in the vehicle, the vehicle being usable with transportable elements, first means for decoding the signals in the packets from the control means with the particular binary address to activate the particular vehicle, second means responsive to first ones of the second signals in the packets from the control means with the particular address for moving the vehicle in selective ones of forward and reverse directions, third means responsive to second ones of the second signals in the packets from the control means with the particular address for turning the vehicle selectively to the left and to the right, fourth means in the vehicle for receiving and holding the transportable elements and for providing a release of the transportable elements, and fifth means responsive to third ones of the second signals in the packets with the particular address for selectively operating the fourth means in receiving, holding and releasing the transportable elements, sixth means responsive to a failure for a particular period of time to receive any of the second signals from the control means with the particular address after the actuation of the vehicle for making the particular vehicle for selection by any of the control means.

106. In a combination as set forth in claim 105, sixth means in the vehicle for providing a visual indication of the activation of the vehicle during the period of time that the vehicle is activated.

107. In a combination as set forth in claim 105, sixth means including a plurality of switches manually settable in the vehicle to vary the binary address to which the vehicle responds in the pattern of the first signals from the control means.

108. In a combination as set forth in claim 105, seventh means in the vehicle for providing a visual indication of the activation of the vehicle during the period of time that the vehicle is activated, and eighth means including a plurality of switches manually settable in the vehicle to vary the binary address to which the vehicle responds in the pattern of the first signals from the control means.

109. In a combination as set forth in claim 105, an antenna for receiving the first and second signals from the control means.

110. In a method at a central station for controlling the operation of individual ones of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with the selection of such vehicles by individual ones of a plurality of pads and in accordance with the operation in such individual ones of the pads of controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of a plurality of different functions in such individual ones of the vehicles, the steps of: receiving from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality sequentially on a cyclic basis first signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and second signals indicting the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, producing first patterns of signals indicating the addresses of the individual ones of the vehicles selected by the individual ones of the pads in accordance with the sequential receipt on the cyclic basis of the first signals from the individual ones of the pads, producing for each individual one of the vehicles a second pattern of signals indicating the individual ones of the different functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, combining the first and second patterns of signals on the cyclic basis for each individual one of the vehicles to produce packets of such first and second signals, and transmitting the packets of the signals in the first and second patterns for each of the vehicles in the plurality on the cyclic basis to obtain the reception of the packets in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the addresses represented by the patterns of the first signals in the packets and to obtain the performance of the individual ones of the functions in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the patterns of the second signals in such packets, providing a memory, storing in the memory the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality by the individual ones of the pads in the plurality, and eliminating from the memory the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality by the individual ones of the pads in the plurality when the central station fails to receive from the individual ones of the pads for a particular period of time any signals indicating any functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality.

111. In a method as set forth in claim 110, preventing each individual one of the vehicles from being selected by one of the pads in the plurality other than the individual one of the pad when such individual one of the vehicles has been previously selected by the individual one of the pads in the plurality and the functions of such individual one of the vehicles are still being performed in accordance with the signals received at the central station from the individual one of the pads in the plurality.

112. In combination in a vehicle for use with control means having properties of providing packets of signals, each packet including first signals providing a particular binary address of such vehicle in relation to binary addresses for other vehicles and second signals following the particular binary address and providing binary indications of different controls to be provided in the vehicle, the vehicle being usable with transportable elements, first means for decoding the first signals in the packets from the control means with the particular binary address to activate the particular vehicle, second means responsive to first ones of the second signals in the packets from the control means with the particular address for moving the vehicle in selective ones of forward and reverse directions, third means responsive to second ones of the second signals in the packets from the control means with the particular address for turning the vehicle selectively to the left and to the right, fourth means in the vehicle for receiving and holding the transportable elements and for providing a release of the transportable elements, and fifth means responsive to third ones of the second signals in the packets with the particular address for selectively operating the fourth means in receiving, holding and releasing the transportable elements, the control means being a central station, the vehicle being displaced from the central station and receiving the signals in the packets on a wireless basis from the central station.

113. In combination for providing first signals indicating an individual one of a plurality of vehicles to be activated and indicating individual ones of a plurality of functions to be operated in the individual one of the vehicles, an individual one of a plurality of hand-held pads, a plurality of switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads, at least a first one of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, second ones of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the operation of individual ones of the functions in the plurality, first means for periodically activating the hand-held pads in the plurality to indicate the operation of such switches in such activated pads, and second means responsive to the activation of the pads on the cyclic basis for sending signals indicating the operation of the first and second ones of the switches in the hand-held pads, the at least first one of the switches in the plurality being operable in a particular number of successive actuations to provide for a selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality in accordance with such particular number of successive actuations, and third means for visually indicating the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, fourth means responsive to the successive actuations of the first ones of the switches in the plurality for skipping the selection of the vehicles being operated by other pads in the plurality.

114. In a combination as set forth in claim 113, the second means in the individual one of the hand-held pads including means for sending to the central station the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first switch and the second ones of the switches in the hand- held pad.

115. In a method at a central station for controlling the operation of individual ones of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with the selection of such vehicles by individual ones of a plurality of pads and in accordance with the operation in such individual ones of the pads of controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of a plurality of different functions in such individual ones of the vehicles, the steps of: receiving from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality on a periodic basis first signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and second signals indicating the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, producing first patterns of signals indicating the addresses of the individual ones of the vehicles selected by the individual ones of the pads in accordance with the sequential receipt on the periodic basis of the first signals from the individual ones of the pads, producing for each individual one of the vehicles a second pattern of signals indicating the individual ones of the different functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, combining the first and second patterns of signals on the periodic basis for each individual one of the vehicles to produce packets of such first and second signals, and transmitting the packets of the signals in the first and second patterns for each of the vehicles in the plurality on the periodic basis to obtain the reception of the packets in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the addresses represented by the patterns of the first signals in the packets and to obtain the performance of the individual ones of the functions in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the patterns of the second signals in such packets, and preventing each individual one of the vehicles from being selected by one of the pads in the plurality when such individual one of the vehicles has been previously selected by another one of the pads in the plurality and the functions of such individual one of the vehicles are still being performed in accordance with the signals received at the central station from the other one of the pads in the plurality.

116. In a combination as set forth in claim 71, means in each pad for providing a visual indication in such pad of the individual one of the vehicle selected by the operation of the switches in such pad.

117. In a combination as set forth in claim 73, means in each of the pads for visually indicating the individual one of the vehicles selected by the controls in such pad.

118. In a combination as set forth in claim 78, means in each of the pads for visually indicating in such pad the individual one of the vehicles selected by the operation of the switches in such pad.

119. In a combination as set forth in claim 82, means in the vehicle for extinguishing the light indication in the vehicle when the vehicle has not received the packets of signals from the control means for a particular period of time.

120. In a combination as set forth in claim 82, means in the vehicle for providing for the selection of the vehicle by the control means in accordance with the packets of signals any of the pads, when the vehicle fails to receive packets of signals from the control means from a selected one of the pads for a particular period of time.

121. In a combination as set forth in claim 85, seventh means for discontinuing the visual indication in the vehicle when the first means in the vehicle fails to receive signals from the control means for a particular period of time.

122. In a combination as set forth in claim 83, means for providing for the activation of the particular vehicle by any one of the pads when the particular vehicle fails to receive from the control means for at least a particular period of time, signals identifying the selective one of the pads controlling the operation of such particular vehicle.

123. In a combination as set forth in claim 90, means for visually indicating in the hand-held pad the individual one of the vehicles selected by the individual one of the hand-held pads.

124. In a method as set forth in claim 94, the step of: visually indicating in each of the pads the individual one of the vehicles selected by such pad.

Ill

125. In a method as set forth in claim 94, the step of: visually indicating in each of the pads the individual one of the vehicles selected by such pad, providing for the selection of each individual one of the pads, including the pad previously selecting such individual one of the vehicles, when such individual one of the vehicles fails to receive for a particular period of time signals from the pad previously selecting such individual one of the vehicles.

126. In a method as set forth in claim 124, the step of: discontinuing the visual indication in each of the pads of the vehicle selected by such pad when such pad fails to send signals to such vehicle for a particular period of time, and visually indicating in each pad one of the vehicles other than the vehicle previously selected by such pad when such pad selects such other one of the vehicles.

127. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such controls, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches operable to control the selection of an individual one of the vehicles and the energizing of the selected one of the vehicles to provide a movement of such motorized vehicle in the different directions, and a central station for sending signals to individual ones of the vehicles to provide controlled movements of such individual ones of the vehicles in different directions in accordance with the operation of the switches in individual ones of the pads.

128. In a combination as set forth in claim 127, the central station including means for providing a signal having a common carrier frequency for all of the vehicles and for modulating the common carrier frequency signal with signals identifying each individual one of the vehicles in the plurality and identifying the selective operation of the switches in each of the pads.

129. In a combination as set forth in claim 128, each of the vehicles including means for receiving the signal at the common carrier frequency from the central station and for demodulating the modulations individual to such vehicle and for providing a movement of such vehicle in accordance with the modulations provided for such vehicle.

130. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such controls, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches individually operable to control the selection of an individual one of the motorized vehicles and the operation of individual ones of the controls in the selected one of the vehicles to provide a movement of such motorized vehicle in the different directions, and means in the vehicle for providing for the selection of such individual one of the vehicles by any of the pads when the switches in the individual one of the pads providing for the selection of such vehicle and for the operation of the individual ones of the controls in such vehicle are not operated for a particular period of time.

131. In a combination as set forth in claim 130, each of the vehicles having a member movable on the vehicle independently of any movement of the vehicle and having additional controls to provide a movement of such member, and each of the pads having additional switches individually operable to control the operation of such additional controls in the selected one of the vehicles to provide a movement of such member in the selected one of the vehicles independently of any movement of such selected one of the vehicles.

132. In a combination as set forth in claim 130 wherein, the selection means in each of the vehicles includes a microcomputer in such vehicle for indicating the period of time that the additional controls in the vehicle have not been operated and for providing for a release of such vehicle for operation by any of the pads when the switches in the pad providing for the selection of such vehicle have not been operated for the particular period of time.

133. In a combination as set forth in claim 130, each of the pads having an illuminable light disposed on such pad, means on each individual one of the pads for illuminating the light on such pad when the switches in such pad are being operated within the particular period of time, each of the vehicles having an illuminable light disposed on such vehicle and individually identifying such vehicle, and means on each individual one of the vehicles for illuminating the light on such vehicle when the individual ones of the controls on such vehicle are being operated in accordance with the operation of the switches in one of the pads.

134. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such controls, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches individually operable to control the selection of an individual one of the motorized vehicles and the operation of individual ones of the controls in the selected one of the vehicles to provide a movement of such motorized vehicle in the different directions, each of the vehicles being illuminable to identify such vehicle, and means on each individual one of the vehicles for illuminating such vehicle when the individual ones of the controls on such vehicle are being operated in accordance with the operation of the switches in one of the pads.

135. In a combination as set forth in claim 134, means in each of the vehicles for maintaining the operation of such vehicle by an individual one of the pads and for providing an illumination of such vehicle, after such individual one of the pads has selected such vehicle for operation, and means in each of the vehicles for providing for the selection of such vehicle by any one of the pads, and for discontinuing the illumination of such vehicle, upon a failure of the individual one of the pads to operate any individual ones of the controls in such vehicle for a particular period of time.

136. In a combination as set forth in claim 130, each of the vehicles having a member movable on the vehicle independently of any movement of the vehicle and having additional controls to provide a movement of such member, and each of the pads having additional switches individually operable to control the operation of such additional controls in the selected one of the vehicles to provide a movement of such member in the selected one of the vehicles independently of any movement of such selected one of the vehicles.

137. In a combination as set forth in claim 130 wherein the selection means in each of the vehicles includes a microcomputer in such vehicle for indicating the period of time that the additional controls in the vehicle have not been operated and for providing for a release of such vehicle for operation by any of the pads when the switches in the pad providing for the selection of such vehicle have not been operated for the particular period of time.

138. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in individual ones of the pads and each individually movable in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads, a microcomputer in the central station, means including the microcomputer in the central station for indicating the individual ones of the pads being operated at each instant and the individual one of the vehicles selected by such individual ones of the pads, and means including the microcomputer for discontinuing the indications of the operation of individual ones of the pads and the operation of the individual ones of the vehicles by such individual ones of the pads when such individual ones of the pads are no longer operating such individual ones of the vehicles.

139. In a combination as set forth in claim 138, each of the vehicles being individually illuminable to indicate the operation of such vehicle by one of the pads, and means in the central station for providing for the illumination each individual one of the vehicles when such vehicle is being operated by an individual one of the pads , and means in the central station for providing for the discontinuance in the illumination of each individual one of the vehicles when such vehicle is no longer being operated by an individual one of the pads.

140. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having members to perform selective functions and each having second controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of such selective functions by such movable members, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of selective ones of the motorized accessories and a selective one of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective operation of the movable members in such selective one of the motorized vehicles in performing individual ones of such selective functions, and first means responsive to the selective operations of the switches in the individual ones of the pads for energizing selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for providing for selective movements of the selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for the selective operations of individual ones of the movable members in the selective ones of the motorized vehicles, second means responsive in the pads to the selective operation of the switches for transmitting signals indicating the operation of such switches, and third means included in the first means for energizing the selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for producing signals providing for the selective movements of the selective ones of the motorized vehicles and for the selective operations of the individual ones of movable members in the selective ones of the motorized vehicles, the first means being displaced from the pads and the vehicles, fourth means in the first means for interrogating in sequence successive ones of the pads in the plurality to determine the operation of the switches in the pads and for receiving the signals from the interrogated pads and for producing addresses representing the interrogated pads and the vehicles selected and for producing signals indicating the operation of the switches in the interrogated pads, and fifth means disposed at the selective ones of the motorized vehicles and responsive to the addresses produced by the fourth means for energizing the selective ones of the vehicles represented by such addresses and responsive to the signals indicating the operation of the switches in the interrogated pads for producing the movements of the selective ones of the vehicles and for producing the selective operations of the movable members in the selective ones of the vehicles.

141. In a combination as set forth in claim 140, the third means being responsive to the signals from the second means for the individual pads to produce signals coded at a common carrier frequency in accordance with the operation of the individual ones of the switches in such individual ones of the pads, and fourth means disposed at the selective ones of the motorized vehicles for decoding the coded signals representative of such selective ones of the motorized vehicles to energize such selective ones of the motorized vehicles and to produce the selective movements of such selective ones of the motorized vehicles and to produce the selective operations of the movable members in the selective ones of the motorized vehicles.

142. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having movable members to perform selective functions and each having second controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of such selective functions, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of a selective one of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective energizing of the first and second controls in such selective one of the motorized vehicle, and a central station responsive to the selective operation of the switches in each individual one of the pads for providing for an operation of individual ones of the first and second controls in the selective one of the vehicles, the central station including means for sequencing the pads in the plurality on a cyclic basis to determine if there is a selective operation of the switches in the sequenced ones of the pads and including means for communicating the selective operation of such switches to the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality to obtain the operation of the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the selective operation of such individual ones of the switches.

143. In a combination as set forth in claim 142, the central station including means for retaining a communication previously established between the individual ones of the pads and the individual ones of the vehicles when there is a selective operation, within a particular period of time after the last previous communication between the individual ones of the pads and the individual ones of the vehicles, of the switches in the individual ones of the vehicles during the sequencing of the pads in the plurality and for discontinuing such previously established communication when there is not a selective operation of the switches in the individual ones of the pads within such particular period of time.

144. In a combination as recited in claim 142, the central station providing common carrier signals for communication with all of the vehicles in the plurality and providing on such carrier signals modulations providing addresses individual to each selective one of the vehicles in the plurality and identifying the operation of the individual ones of the first and second switches in the pad communicating with such individual one of the vehicles.

145. In combination for use with control means having properties of providing packets of signals, each packet including a binary address and binary signals identifying individual ones of different controls, a toy vehicle displaced from the control means, wheels on the vehicle for moving the vehicle, first motive means selectively operable for propelling the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly for turning the vehicle in opposite horizontal directions, a working member disposed on the vehicle and movable in opposite vertical directions, second motive means for moving the working member in the opposite vertical directions, first controls operable to provide controlled movements of the vehicle by the first motive means forwardly and rearwardly and in the opposite horizontal directions, second controls operable to provide controlled movements of the working member in the opposite vertical directions, means in the vehicle for receiving the packets of signals transmitted from the control means, the packets of signals including a selective binary address identifying the vehicle and binary signals indicating the selective energizing of the first and second controls in the vehicle, first means in the vehicle for decoding the binary signals to recover the packets with the selective address, second means in the vehicle for decoding, in the packets with the selective address, the binary signals indicating the energizing of the first and second controls, and third means for energizing selective ones of the first and second motive means in accordance with the decoding by the second means of the binary signals indicating the energizing of the first and second controls, means operatively coupled in the vehicle to the first motive means and responsive to the decoding of the first means for providing an initial movement of the vehicle at a first particular speed in the forward direction, and means responsive in the vehicle to the continued movement of the vehicle at the first particular speed in the forward direction for a particular period of time for increasing the movement of the vehicle to a second particular speed in the forward direction.

146. In a combination as set forth in claim 145, means disposed on the vehicle for providing an indication that the vehicle has been energized by the packets from the control means.

147. In a combination as set forth in claim 145, the vehicle constituting a first vehicle and there being other vehicles and controls in the other vehicles corresponding to the first and second controls in the first vehicle, the packets of the signals from the control means including a carrier signal having a common frequency for the first vehicle and for the other vehicles and including the selective address identifying in binary form the first vehicle and having other addresses identifying in binary form the other vehicles and having binary indications following the selective address of the first vehicle and indicating in binary form the selective operations of the first and second controls and having binary indications following the other addresses of the other vehicles and indicating in binary form the operations of the controls in the other vehicles corresponding to the first and second controls of the first vehicle, the first means being responsive to the address in the packets for the first vehicle for recovering the binary indications representing the operation of the first and second controls in the first vehicle, the second means being responsive to the recovered binary indications representing the operation of the first and second controls in the first vehicle for determining the controls operated at each instant, and the third means energizing the selective ones of the first, second and third motive means in accordance with the determination by the second means.

148. In combination for use with control means having properties of providing packets of signals, each packet including a binary address and binary signals identifying individual ones of different controls, a toy vehicle displaced from the control means, wheels on the vehicle for moving the vehicle, first motive means selectively operable for propelling the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly f o r turning the vehicle in opposite horizontal directions, a working member disposed on the vehicle and movable in opposite vertical directions, second motive means for moving the working member in the opposite vertical directions, first controls operable to provide controlled movements of the vehicle by the first motive means forwardly and rearwardly and in the opposite horizontal directions, second controls operable to provide controlled movements of the working member in the opposite vertical directions, means in the vehicle for receiving the packets of signals transmitted from the control means, the packets of signals including a selective binary address identifying the vehicle and binary signals indicating the selective energizing of the first and second controls in the vehicle, first means in the vehicle for decoding the binary signals to recover the packets with the selective address, second means in the vehicle for decoding, in the packets with the selective address, the binary signals indicating the energizing of the first and second controls, and third means for energizing selective ones of the first and second motive means in accordance with the decoding by the second means of the binary signals indicating the energizing of the first and second controls, means operatively coupled in the vehicle to the first motive means and responsive to the operation of the second means for providing an initial movement of the first vehicle at a first particular speed in the forward direction, and means responsive in the vehicle to the continued movement of the vehicle at the first particular speed in the forward direction for a particular period of time for increasing the speed of movement of the vehicle to a second particular speed in the forward direction, and means disposed on the vehicle for providing an indication that the vehicle has been energized by the packets of signals from the central station.

149. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads and each individually operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of operations in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads, first means for receiving on a cyclic basis from successive ones of the pads signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and the operation of individual ones of the first and second controls in the successive ones of the pads, second means responsive to the signals indicating the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads for producing addresses identifying such individual ones of the vehicles and identifying the selection of such individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads, third means responsive to the production by the second means of the addresses identifying the individual ones of the vehicles for transmitting signals representing such addresses and signals indicating the operation of the controls in the successive ones of the pads to obtain the selective ones of the operations in the individual ones of the vehicles, the central station constituting a first central station, a second central station including first means, second means and third means in the second central station respectively corresponding to the first, second and third means in the first central station, and fourth means for connecting the first and second central stations in a particular relationship to provide for the operation of the first, second and third means in one of the central stations under the control of the other one of the central stations.

150. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads and each individually operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of operations in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads, first means for receiving on a cyclic basis from successive ones of the pads signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and the operation of individual ones of the first and second controls in the successive ones of the pads, second means responsive to the signals indicating the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads for producing addresses identifying such individual ones of the vehicles and identifying the selection of such individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads, third means responsive to the production by the second means of the addresses identifying the individual ones of the vehicles for transmitting signals representing such addresses and signals indicating the operation of the controls in the successive ones of the pads to obtain the selective ones of the operations in the individual ones of the vehicles, means for charging the vehicles, and means for terminating the charge of the vehicles after the vehicles have been charged for a particular period of time.

151. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads and each individually operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of operations in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads, first means for selectively interrogating successive ones of the pads on a cyclic basis to receive from such successive ones of the interrogated pads signals identifying the first and second selective ones of the controls operated in such successive ones of the selected pads, second means for receiving from the successive ones of the interrogated pads signals identifying the first and second selective ones of the controls operated in such successive ones of the successive pads, third means for providing a first plurality of signals constituting for each successive one of the pads, an address for the individual one of the vehicles identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive one of the pads and a second plurality of signals identifying the operation of the second controls in such successive one of the pads, and fourth means for transmitting the first and second pluralities of signals for each successive one of the pads to the plurality of vehicles.

152. In a combination as set forth in claim 151, the second means in the central station receiving, from each successive one of the pads, a plurality of binary signals having first and second logical levels, each of the binary signals having a first binary level indicating the operation of an individual one of the controls in such successive one of the pads, and the third means providing for each successive one of the pads a first plurality of binary signals identifying the address of the individual one of the vehicles identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive ones of the pads and a second plurality of binary signals identifying the operation of the second controls in such successive one of the pads.

153. In a combination as set forth in claim 151, the second means initially receiving from each successive one of the interrogated pads signals identifying the operation of the first selective ones of the controls in such successive one of the interrogated pads and subsequently receiving from such successive one of the interrogated pads signals identifying the operation of the second selective ones of the controls in such successive one of the interrogated pads for the period of time that such successive one of the interrogated pads is operating the vehicle initially identified by the operation of the first controls in each successive one of the pads, and the third means providing the first plurality of signals constituting for each successive one of the pads the address for the individual one of the vehicles identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive one of the pads when the third means subsequently receives from such successive one of the interrogated pads, for the period of time that such successive one of the interrogated pads is operating the vehicle initially identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive one of the pads, the signals identifying the operation of the second controls in such successive one of the interrogated pads.

154. In a combination as set forth in claim 151, the first means including a read only memory for selectively interrogating the successive ones of the pads on the cyclic basis to receive from each successive ones of the interrogated pads signals identifying the first and second selective ones of the controls operated in such successive ones of the selected pads, the read only memory also including the addresses for the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality, the third means including a random access memory for providing the first plurality of signals constituting, for each successive one of the pads, the address for the individual one of the vehicles identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive one of the pads and for providing a second plurality of signals identifying the operation of the second controls in such successive one of the pads, the random access memory also providing a memory of the individual one of the vehicles being operated at each instant by each individual one of the pads.

155. In a combination as set forth in claim 154, the second means initially receiving, from each successive one of the interrogated pads, the signals identifying the operation of the first and second selective ones of the controls operated in such successive one of the interrogated pads and subsequently receiving from the successive one of the interrogated pads, for the period of time that such successive one of the interrogated pads is operating the vehicle initially identified by the operation of the first and second controls in such successive one of the pads, the signals identifying the operation of the second controls in such successive one of the interrogated pads, the third means providing the first plurality of signals constituting, for each successive one of the pads, the address for the individual one of the vehicles identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive one of the pads when the third means subsequently receives from such successive one of the interrogated pads, for the period of time that such successive one of the interrogated pads is operating the vehicle initially identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive one of the pads, the signals identifying the operation of the second controls in such successive one of the interrogated pads, the first means including a read only memory for selectively interrogating the successive ones of the pads on the cyclic basis to receive from such successive ones of the interrogated pads signals identifying the first and second selective ones of the controls operated in such successive ones of the selected pads, the read only memory also including the addresses for the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality, the third means including a random access memory for providing the first plurality of signals constituting, for each successive one of the pads, the address for the individual one of the vehicles identified by the operation of the first controls in such successive one of the pads and a second plurality of signals identifying the operation of the second controls in such successive one of the pads, the random access memory also providing a memory of the individual one of the vehicles being operated at each instant by each individual one of the pads.

156. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in an individual one of the pads and each operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of functions in the selected one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual one of the pads, first means for receiving on a cyclic basis from successive ones of the pads signals indicating the operation of the first controls to select individual ones of the vehicles and the operation of individual ones of the second controls in the successive ones of the pads to perform the selective ones of the functions in the selected one of the vehicles, second means responsive to the signals indicating the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles by the successive ones of the pads for producing first signals constituting addresses identifying such individual ones of the vehicles , and third means responsive, after the operation of the second means for each selected one of the vehicles, to the operation of the second selective ones of the controls in the pad for such selected one of the vehicles to produce second signals for obtaining in such selected one of the vehicles the functions identified by the second selective ones of the controls even when the first selective ones of such controls for such selected one of the vehicles are not operated, the central station constituting a first central station, a second central station including first means, second means and third means in the second central station respectively corresponding to the first, second and third means in the first central station, and fourth means for connecting the first and second central stations in a particular relationship to provide for the operation of the first, second and third means in one of the central stations under the control of the other one of the central stations.

157. In a combination as set forth in claim 156, the second means producing the first signals in a binary code identified by a plurality of signals individual to each individual one of the vehicles, and the third means producing binary signals each indicating the operation or the lack of operation of an individual one of the functions in the individual one of the vehicles.

158. In a combination as set forth in claim 157, wires extending from the central station to provide communication with the pads, and an antenna for providing a wireless communication with the vehicles in accordance with the operation of the controls in the pads.

159. In a combination as set forth in claim 156, fourth means for discontinuing the operation of the third means for each individual one of the vehicles when there is no operation, for a particular period of time, of the controls providing in the associated one of the pad, for the operation of such individual one of the vehicles after such pad has last produced signals controlling the performance of at least one of the functions in such individual one of the vehicles.

160. In combination for use with first and second pluralities of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with first and second pluralities of vehicles, each plurality of vehicles being associated with an individual one of the first and second pluralities of pads, each of the vehicles in each of the pluralities being individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in a selective one of the pads in the associated plurality and each operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of functions in the selected one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the selective one of the pads, a first central station responsive to the operation of the first and second selective ones of the controls in each individual one of the pads in the first plurality to obtain the selection of an individual one of the vehicles in the first plurality and the performance of individual ones of the functions in such selected one of the vehicles in the first plurality, a second central station responsive to the operation of the first and second selective ones of the controls in each individual one of the pads in the second plurality to obtain the selection of an individual one of the vehicles in the second plurality and the performance of individual ones of the functions in such selected one of the vehicles in the first plurality, and means connected to the first and second central stations to have one of the central stations act as a master and the other central station act as a slave.

161. In a combination as set forth in claim 160, the last mentioned means including a cable providing a grounded connection at one end and the grounded end being connected to the other one of the central stations to obtain the operation of the other one of the central stations as a slave station.

162. In a combination as set forth in claim 160, at least one means in at least the master one of the central stations for charging the vehicles, and means in at least the master one of the central stations for discontinuing the charge of the vehicles after a particular period of time.

163. In a combination as set forth in claim 160, means in the master one of the central stations for providing a memory of the individual ones of the vehicles being operated by the pads in the first and second pluralities at each instant, and means in the master one of the central stations for skipping over the individual ones of the vehicles in the first and second pluralities at each instant when such individual ones of the vehicles are being operated by individual ones of the pads in the first and second pluralities at the time that the first selective ones of the controls in one of the pads other than the individual ones of the pads in the first and second pluralities are being operated to select one of the vehicles in the first and second pluralities.

164. In combination in a central station for use with a plurality of pads each having a plurality of individually operable controls and for use with a plurality of vehicles each individually selectable in accordance with the operation of first selective ones of the controls in an individual one of the pads and each operable to perform selective ones of a plurality of functions in the selective one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of second selective ones of the controls in the individual one of the pads, first means for sequentially interrogating each of the pads to determine if the first controls in each of the sequentially interrogated pads has been operated, second means responsive to the operation of the first controls in individual ones of the sequentially interrogated pads for sending first signals to the vehicles identified by such first controls to obtain an activation of such vehicles, and third means responsive to the activation of the individual one of the vehicles for sending second signals to such identified vehicles in accordance with the operation of the second controls in the individual ones of the sequentially interrogated pads to obtain the performance in such individual ones of the vehicles of the functions represented by the operation of the second controls operated in the individual ones of the sequentially interrogated pads.

165. In a combination in the central station as set forth in claim 164, fourth means included in the second means for providing addresses identifying the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality in accordance with the operation of the first controls in the individual ones of the sequentially operated pads and for producing the first signals in accordance with such addresses, and fifth means included in the third means for sending the second signals for each of the individual ones of the vehicles after the sending of the first signals for such individual ones of the vehicles.

166. In a combination in the central station as set forth in claim 164, the fifth means being operable to send the second signals for each of the individual ones of the vehicles after the sending of the first signals for such individual ones of the vehicles without thereafter receiving the first signals for such individual ones of the vehicles.

167. In a combination as set forth in claim 164, sixth means for discontinuing the operation of the fifth means for each individual one of the vehicles when there is no operation for a particular period of time of the controls providing, individual one of, in the pads controlling the operation of the individual one of the vehicles, for the operation of such individual one of the vehicles after such pads has produced signals indicating the selection of such individual one of the vehicles.

168. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having a plurality of motors for moving the vehicles forwardly and rearwardly and turning the vehicle to the right and left and each having a working member movable upwardly and downwardly and motors for moving the working member upwardly and downwardly, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of controls for selecting an individual one of the motorized vehicles, for operating the motors in the selected one of the vehicles to move the selected one of the vehicles forwardly and rearwardly and turning the selected one of the vehicles to the right and left and to move the working member in the selected one of the vehicles upwardly and downwardly, a central station for interrogating in sequence the pads in the plurality to determine the operation of the controls in such interrogated ones of the pads for selectively operating the motors in the selected one of the vehicles to move the selected one of the vehicles forwardly and rearwardly and to turn the selected one of the vehicles to the right and left and to move the working member in such selected one of the vehicles upwardly and downwardly, first means responsive in the central station to the operation of the controls in each interrogated one of the pads for producing a first plurality of signals providing an address for the one of the vehicles selected by such individual one of the pads and a second plurality of signals identifying to such selected one of the vehicles the controls operated in such individual one of the pads, and second means in the central station for sending the signals in the first and second pluralities to the vehicles in the plurality.

169. In a combination as set forth in claim 168, third means in the selected one of the vehicles in the plurality for receiving the signals transmitted in the first and second pluralities from the central station for the different pads in the plurality and for decoding such signals in accordance with the address for the selected one of the vehicles and for operating the motors in such selected one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of the controls providing in the individual one of the pads for the selection of the selection one of the vehicles.

170. In a combination as set forth in claim 168, fourth means in the vehicles for releasing the selection of the selected one of the vehicles in the plurality from the individual one of the pads in the plurality when the individual one of the pads fails to provide an operation of any of the controls in the individual one of the pads for a particular period of time.

171. In a combination as set forth in claim 168, a plurality of wires extending from each of the pads in the plurality to the central station, the central station having an antenna for sending the signals on a wireless basis in the first and second pluralities to the vehicles in the plurality, and an antenna on each of the vehicles in the plurality for receiving the signals transmitted in the first and second pluralities from the central station to the vehicles in the plurality.

172. In a combination as set forth in claim 168, the central station including means for providing the signals in the first and second pluralities for transmission in a binary coded form to the vehicles in the plurality, and each individual one of the vehicles in the plurality including means for decoding the signals transmitted in the binary coded in the first and second pluralities and including the signals indicating in the binary coded form address the individual to such individual one of the vehicles.

173. In a method at a central station for controlling the operation of individual ones of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with the selection of such vehicles by individual ones of pads in a plurality and in accordance with the operation in such individual ones of the pads of controls to obtain the performance of a plurality of different functions in such individual ones of the vehicles, the steps of: sequentially interrogating the individual ones of the pads on a cyclic basis to determine from such individual ones of the pads the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, receiving from the interrogated pads signals indicating the individual ones of the vehicles selected by such interrogated ones of the pads and indicating the individual ones of the functions to be performed in such selected ones of the vehicles, providing a first plurality of signals indicating the address of each selected one of the vehicles and a second plurality of signals indicating the functions to be performed in such selected one of the vehicles, and transmitting packets with the first and second pluralities of signals to the individual ones of the vehicles to obtain the reception by such individual ones of the vehicles of the packets of signals in which the addresses represented by the first plurality of signals corresponds to the addresses of such individual ones of the vehicles.

174. In a method as set forth in claim 173, including the steps of: providing a memory of the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles by the individual ones of the pads, and thereafter providing the signals indicating in the memory the addresses of the individual ones of the vehicles selected by each individual ones of the pads when the central station receives from such individual ones of the pads the signals indicating the functions to be performed by such individual ones of the vehicles without receiving the signals selecting such individual ones of the vehicles, and transmitting the packets with the first and second pluralities of signals to the vehicles.

175. In a method as set forth in claim 173, the steps of: releasing each individual one of the vehicles to provide for the selection of such individual one of the vehicles by one of the pads in the plurality, including the individual one of the pads, when the central station fails to receive for a particular period of time signals from such individual one of the pads upon the interrogation of such individual one of the pads by the central station.

176. In a method as set forth in claim 173, the steps of: there being a plurality of stationary accessories for selection by the individual ones of the pads in the plurality, receiving from the individual ones of the pads signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the stationary accessories by such individual ones of the pads, and transmitting signals to the individual ones of the stationary accessories in accordance with the signals from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality to obtain the operation of such individual ones of the stationary accessories.

177. In a method as set forth in claim 176 wherein the central station interrogates the individual ones of the pads on the cyclic basis through wires connected between the central station and the pads and receives signals from the pads through wires connected between the central station and the pads and wherein the central station transmits the signals to the individual ones of the stationary accessories through wires connected between the central station and the individual ones of the stationary accessories and wherein the central station transmits the signals to the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality on a wireless basis.

178. In a method as set forth in claim 175, the steps of: there being a plurality of stationary accessories for selection by the individual ones of the pads in the plurality, receiving from the individual ones of the pads signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the stationary accessories by such individual ones of the pads, and transmitting signals to the individual ones of the stationary accessories in accordance with the signals from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality to obtain the operation of such individual ones of the stationary accessories and wherein the central station interrogates the individual ones of the pads on the cyclic basis through wires connected between the central station and the individual ones of the pads and receives signals from the individual ones of the pads through wires connected between the central station and the individual ones of the pads and wherein the central station transmits the signals to the individual ones of the stationary accessories through wires connected between the central station and the individual ones of the stationary accessories and wherein the central station transmits the signals to the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality on a wireless basis.

179. In a method in an individual one of pads of co-operating with a central station to select an individual one of a plurality of vehicles and to obtain the operation of individual ones of a plurality of functions in the individual one of the vehicles, providing in the individual one of the pads a plurality of controls operable to provide for the selection of the individual one of the vehicle and to provide for the performance of individual ones of the functions in such individual one of the vehicles, receiving from the central station, on a cyclic basis with the other ones of the pads in the plurality, signals interrogating the individual one of the pads to determine the pattern of operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads, and sending to the central station a plurality of signals, upon the reception of the interrogating signals from the central station in a pattern to indicate the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality and the performance of individual ones of the functions in such individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality.

180. In a method as set forth in claim 179, there being a plurality of stationary accessories, providing at least one additional control operable to obtain the selection of individual ones of the accessories, and sending to the central station signals indicating the operation of the least one additional control upon the reception of the interrogation from the central station.

181. In a combination as set forth in claim 140 wherein the first means is displaced from the pads and the vehicles.

182. In a combination as forth in claim 145, the first means being included in a central station, the packets of the binary signals being transmitted from the central station, the receiving means in the vehicle receiving the packets of the binary signals transmitted from the central station, the packets including the selective binary address identifying the vehicle and the binary signals indicating the selective energizing of the first and second controls in the vehicle.

183. In combination for providing first signals indicating an individual one of a plurality of vehicles to be activated and indicating individual ones of a plurality of functions to be operated in the individual one of the vehicles, an individual one of a plurality of hand-held pads, a plurality of switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads, at least a first one of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, second ones of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the operation of individual ones of the functions in the plurality, first means for periodically activating the hand-held pads in the plurality to indicate the operation of such switches in such activated pads, and second means responsive to the activation of the pads on the cyclic basis for sending signals indicating the operation of the first and second ones of the switches in the hand-held pads, and a central station for producing the first signals, the first means receiving particular ones of a cyclic sequence of interrogating signals from the central station to interrogate the hand-held pads as to the operation of the individual one of the first and second one of the switches in such individual one of the hand- held pads, and the second means being responsive to the particular ones of the cyclic sequence of the interrogating signals from the central station for sending to the central station signals indicating the operation of the first and second ones of the switches in the hand-held pads.

184. In a method of selectively controlling the operation of toy vehicles in a plurality, the steps of: providing a plurality of pads each having a plurality of controls individually operable to select different vehicles in a plurality and to select functions to be performed in the selected ones of the vehicles in the plurality, operating controls in the different pads to obtain the selection by each pad of an individual one of the vehicles and to select individual ones of the functions to be performed in the individual one of the vehicles, providing a central station, providing for an interrogation of the pads in the plurality sequentially on a cyclic basis by the central station to determine the selection by each pad of an individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, providing for the transmission by each interrogated one of the pads in the plurality to the central station, upon the interrogation of such individual one of the pads in the plurality by the central station, of signals indicating the individual one of the vehicles selected by such interrogated one of the pads and signals indicating the individual ones of the functions to be performed by such individual one of the vehicles, providing in the central station, for each individual one of the vehicles, an address indicating such individual one of the vehicles when such vehicle is selected by the interrogated one of the pads, and providing for the transmission by the central station to the vehicles of signals indicating the address of the individual one of the vehicles selected by the interrogated one of the pads and indicating the functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles.

185. In a method as set forth in claim 184, the steps of: receiving at each of the vehicles the signals transmitted from the central station, and decoding at each of the vehicles the signals indicating the functions to be performed by such individual one of the vehicles when the received signals indicate the address of such individual one of the vehicles.

186. In a method as set forth in claim 184, the steps of: providing in packets at the central station the signals indicating the address of the individual one of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, and responding at such individual one of the vehicles to the packets of signals indicating the address of such individual one of the vehicles to perform in such individual one of the vehicles the functions indicated by the signals in such packets.

187. In a method as set forth in claim 184, the steps of: providing a plurality of stationary accessories each operative to perform an individual function, operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to select an individual one of the stationary accessories, providing for the transmission by each interrogated one of the pads to the central station, upon the interrogation of such individual one of the pads by the central station, of signals indicating the operation of the control in such pad to select the individual one of the stationary accessories, and providing for the transmission by the central station to the individual one of the stationary accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of such individual one of the stationary accessories when such individual one of the stationary accessories is selected by such individual one of the pads and when such individual one of the pads is interrogated by the central station.

188. In a method as set forth in claim 187, including the step of: providing for the transmission of signals between the pads and the central station through wires and providing for the transmission of signals from the central station to the stationary accessories through wires and providing for the transmission of signals from the central station to the vehicles on a wireless basis.

189. In a method as set forth in claim 184, the steps of: providing in packets at the central station the signals indicating the address of the individual one of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, decoding at each of the vehicles the packets of signals indicating the functions to be performed by such individual one of the vehicles when the received signals indicate the address of such individual one of the vehicles, performing in the individual one of the vehicle the functions indicated in the decoded packets, providing a plurality of stationary accessories each operative to perform an individual function, operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to select an individual one of the stationary accessories, providing for the transmission by each interrogated one of the pads, upon the interrogation of such individual one of the pads by the central station, of signals indicating the operation of the control in such pad to select the individual one of the stationary accessories, providing for the transmission by the central station to the individual one of the stationary accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of such individual one of the stationary accessories when such individual one of the stationary accessories is selected by such individual one of the pads and when such individual one of the pads is interrogated by the central station, and providing for the transmission of signals between the pads and the central station through wires and providing for the transmission of signals from the central station to the stationary accessories through wires and providing for the transmission of signals from the central station to the vehicles on a wireless basis.

190. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having movable members to perform selective functions and each having second controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of such selective functions, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of a selective one of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective energizing of the first and second controls in such selective one of the motorized vehicle, and a central station responsive to the selective operation of the switches in each individual one of the pads for providing for an operation of individual ones of the first and second controls in the selective one of the vehicles, the central station including means for retaining a communication previously established between the individual ones of the pads and the individual ones of the vehicles when there is a selective operation, within a particular period of time after the last previous communication between the individual ones of the pads and the individual ones of the vehicles, of the switches in the individual ones of the vehicles during the sequencing of the pads in the plurality and for discontinuing such previously established communication when there is not a selective operation of the switches in the individual ones of the pads within such particular period of time.

191. In a combination as set forth in claim 190, the central station being connected by wires to the pads in the plurality and communicating by wireless to the vehicles in the plurality.

192. In a combination as set forth in claim 190, the central station providing common carrier signals for communication with all of the vehicles in the plurality and providing on such carrier signals modulations providing addresses individual to each selective one of the vehicles in the plurality and identifying the operation of the individual ones of the first and second switches in the pad communicating with such individual one of the vehicles.

193. In a combination as set forth in claim 190, the central station being connected by wires to the pads and the central station including an antenna for transmitting on a wireless basis to the vehicle the signals representing the addresses of the vehicles and the operation of the controls at the pads to the vehicle.

194. In a method at a central station for controlling the operation of individual ones of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with the selection of such vehicles by individual ones of a plurality of pads and in accordance with the operation in such individual ones of the pads of controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of a plurality of different functions in such individual ones of the vehicles, the steps of: receiving from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality sequentially on a cyclic basis first signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and second signals indicating the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, producing first patterns of signals indicating the addresses of the individual ones of the vehicles selected by the individual ones of the pads in accordance with the sequential receipt on the cyclic basis of the first signals from the individual ones of the pads, producing for each individual one of the vehicles a second pattern of signals indicating the individual ones of the different functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, combining the first and second patterns of signals on the cyclic basis for each individual one of the vehicles to produce packets of such first and second signals, and transmitting the packets of the signals in the first and second patterns for each of the vehicles in the plurality on the cyclic basis to obtain the reception of the packets in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the addresses represented by the patterns of the first signals in the packets and to obtain the performance of the individual ones of the functions in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the patterns of the second signals in such packets, maintaining the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles by the individual ones of the pads as long as the central station continues to receive from such individual ones of the pads second signals, within a particular period of time after the previous reception of such second signals, indicating the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles.

195. In a method at a central station for controlling the operation of individual ones of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with the selection of such vehicles by individual ones of a plurality of pads and in accordance with the operation in such individual ones of the pads of controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of a plurality of different functions in such individual ones of the vehicles, the steps of: receiving from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality sequentially on a cyclic basis first signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and second signals indicating the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, producing first patterns of signals indicating the addresses of the individual ones of the vehicles selected by the individual ones of the pads in accordance with the sequential receipt on the cyclic basis of the first signals from the individual ones of the pads, producing for each individual one of the vehicles a second pattern of signals indicating the individual ones of the different functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, combining the first and second patterns of signals on the cyclic basis for each individual one of the vehicles to produce packets of such first and second signals, and transmitting the packets of the signals in the first and second patterns for each of the vehicles in the plurality on the cyclic basis to obtain the reception of the packets in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the addresses represented by the patterns of the first signals in the packets and to obtain the performance of the individual ones of the functions in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the patterns of the second signals in such packets, the central station constituting a first central station and the pads in the plurality constituting a first plurality and the vehicles in the plurality constituting a first plurality, providing a second central station which operates in the same manner as the first central station and which responds to the signals from the pads in a second plurality to control the selection and operation of the vehicles in a second plurality, and making the operation of the second central station a slave to the operation of the first central station.

196. In a method at a central station for controlling the operation of individual ones of a plurality of vehicles in accordance with the selection of such vehicles by individual ones of a plurality of pads and in accordance with the operation in such individual ones of the pads of controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of a plurality of different functions in such individual ones of the vehicles, the steps of: receiving from the individual ones of the pads in the plurality sequentially on a cyclic basis first signals indicating the selection of individual ones of the vehicles and second signals indicating the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, producing first patterns of signals indicating the addresses of the individual ones of the vehicles selected by the individual ones of the pads in accordance with the sequential receipt on the cyclic basis of the first signals from the individual ones of the pads, producing for each individual one of the vehicles a second pattern of signals indicating the individual ones of the different functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, combining the first and second patterns of signals on the cyclic basis for each individual one of the vehicles to produce packets of such first and second signals, and transmitting the packets of the signals in the first and second patterns for each of the vehicles in the plurality on the cyclic basis to obtain the reception of the packets in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the addresses represented by the patterns of the first signals in the packets and to obtain the performance of the individual ones of the functions in the individual ones of the vehicles in accordance with the patterns of the second signals in such packets, providing a memory, storing in the memory the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality by the individual ones of the pads in the plurality, and eliminating from the memory the selection of the individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality by the individual ones of the pads in the plurality when the central station fails to receive from the individual ones of the pads for a particular period of time any signals indicating any functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles in the plurality, maintaining the selection of an individual ones of the vehicles by the individual ones of the pads as long as the central station continues to receive from the individual ones of the pads second signals, within a particular period of time after the previous reception of such second signals, indicating the different functions to be performed in such individual ones of the vehicles, the central station constituting a first central station and the pads in the plurality constituting a first plurality and the vehicles in the plurality constituting a first plurality, providing a second central station which operates in the same manner as the first central station and which responds to the signals from the pads in a second plurality to control the selection and operation of the vehicles in a second plurality, and making the operation of the second central station a slave to the operation of the first central station.

197. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having at least one member movable to perform selective functions independent of the movement of such vehicle and each having second controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of such selective functions by such movable member, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of a selective one of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective operation of the movable member in such selective one of the motorized vehicles in performing individual ones of such selective functions, and each individual one of the pads including first means responsive to the selective operations of the switches in the individual one of the pads for energizing a selective one of the motorized vehicles and for providing for selective movements of the selective one of the motorized vehicles and for the selective operation of the movable members in the selective one of the motorized vehicles.

198. In a combination as recited in claim 197, second means responsive in each individual one of the pads to the selective operation of the switches in such individual one of the pads for transmitting signals indicating the operation of such switches, and third means included in each individual one of the vehicles for receiving the signals transmitted by the pads to obtain an operation of the first means in such vehicle in accordance with the signals transmitted to such vehicle by one of the pads.

199. In a combination as recited in claim 197, fourth means responsive to the signals from the second means for each individual one of the pads to produce signals at a carrier frequency and to modulate such signals in accordance with the operation of the individual ones of the switches in such individual one of the pads, the carrier frequency being common to the carrier frequency of the signals from the fourth means in the other ones of the pads, and fifth means disposed at the selective one of the motorized vehicles for demodulating the modulated signals representative of such selective one of the motorized vehicles to energize such selective one of the motorized vehicles and to produce the selective movements of such selective one of the motorized vehicles and the operations of the movable member in the selective one of the motorized vehicles.

200. In a combination as recited in claim 199, means in each of the vehicles for making such vehicle available for selection by any one of the pads when such vehicle fails to receive signals within a particular period of time from the particular one of the pads previously controlling the operation of such vehicle.

201. In a combination as set forth in claim 197, the second means in each individual one of the pads being operative to transmit the signals from such second means in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern with respect to time for each individual one of the second means being different from the pseudo random pattern with respect to time from the other ones of the second means in the other ones of the pads.

202. In combination, a plurality of vehicles each movable forwardly and rearwardly and each turnable in first and second opposite horizontal directions and each having a working member movable in first and second opposite vertical directions independently of the movement of the vehicle, each of the vehicles having drive members providing for the movement of such vehicle forwardly and rearwardly and turnable in the opposite horizontal directions and for the movement of the working member in the opposite vertical direction, and a plurality of pads each associated with any selected one of the vehicles in the plurality and each having a plurality of controls individually operable to indicate to such individual one of the vehicles the drive members and the working members to be actuated in such individual one of the vehicles and the type of actuation to be provided to such drive members and such working member in such individual one of the vehicles, and first means in each individual one of the pads for sending signals to any selective one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads to provide controlled movements of such selective one of the vehicles forwardly and rearwardly and controlled turnable movements of such selective one the vehicles in the first and second opposite horizontal directions and controlled movements of the working member in such selective one of the vehicles in first and second opposite directions, the first means providing address signals with characteristics individual to such selective one of the vehicles to obtain an operation only of such selective one of the vehicles.

203. In combination as set forth in claim 202, the first means in each individual one of the pads being operative to transmit the signals from such individual one of the second means in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern for the second means in each individual one of the pads being different from the pseudo random pattern from the second means in the other ones of the pads .

204. In a combination as set forth in claim 202, the first means in each individual one of the pads including means for providing a signal having a common carrier frequency for all of the vehicles and for modulating the common carrier signal with signals identifying the selective one of the vehicles in the plurality and for identifying the individual ones of the drive members in the selective one of the vehicles and the working member in the selective one of the vehicles and the operations to be performed by such individual one of the drive members and such working member in the selective one of the vehicles, the carrier frequency for each of the pads being the same as the carrier frequency for the other ones of the pads.

205. In a combination as set forth in claim 204, each selective one of the vehicles including means for receiving the carrier signal from the individual one of the pads and for demodulating the carrier signal and for operating the drive members and the working member in such selective one of the vehicles in accordance with such demodulations.

206. In a combination as set forth in claim 202, means in the selective one of the vehicles for demodulating the signals from the individual one of the pads, such signals having the addresses identifying such selective one of the vehicles, and for operating the drive members and the working member in such selective one of the vehicles in accordance with such demodulated signals.

207. In combination as set forth in claim 206, second means in each of the pads for providing for the wireless transmission of the signals by the individual one of the pads to the selective one of the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern of the signals from each of the pads being different from the pseudo-random pattern of the signals from the other pad.

208. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having at least one movable member to perform selective functions other than the movement of the vehicle and each having second controls to obtain the performance by such movable member of individual ones of such selective functions, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of a selective one of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective energizing of the first and second controls in such selective one of the motorized vehicle, first means responsive in each individual one of the pads to the selective operation of the switches in such individual one of the pads for sending signals to a selective one of the vehicles to provide for an operation of individual ones of the first and second controls in the selective one of the vehicles, and second means responsive in the selective one of the vehicles to the signals from the first means in the individual one of the pads for providing for the operation of the individual ones of the first and second controls in the selective one of the vehicles.

209. In a combination as set forth in claim 208, the first means being operative in each individual one of the pads for sending the signals to the selective one of the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern with respect to time of the signals from each of the pads being different from the pseudo random pattern with respect to time of the signals from the other ones of the pads.

210. In a combination as set forth in claim 208, the first means in each individual one of the pads providing a common carrier signal for communication with all of the vehicles in the plurality and providing on such carrier signal modulations providing addresses individual to each selective one of the vehicles in the plurality and identifying the operation of the individual ones of the first and second switches in such individual one of the pads.

211. In combination for providing first signals indicating an individual one of a plurality of vehicles to be activated and indicating individual ones of a plurality of functions to be performed in the individual one of the vehicles, an individual one of a plurality of hand-held pads , a plurality of switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads, at least a first one of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, second ones of the switches in the plurality being operable to provide for the performance of individual ones of the functions in the plurality, first means for activating the individual one of the hand-held pads in the plurality, whenever the first one of the switches and individual ones of the second ones of the switches in such individual one of the hand-held pads are operated, to indicate the operation of such switches in such activated pads, and second means responsive to the activation of the individual one of the hand-held pads for sending on a wireless basis to the vehicles signals indicating the operation of the first one of the switches and the individual ones of the second switches in such individual one of the hand-held pads.

212. In a combination as set forth in claim 211, the second means in the individual one of the hand-held pads including means for sending on the wireless basis to the vehicles the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first one of the switches and the individual ones of the second ones of the switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads.

213. In a combination as set forth in claim 211, the first one of the switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads being operable in a particular number of successive actuations to provide for a selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality in accordance with such particular number of successive actuations, and third means for visually indicating the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality.

214. In a combination as set forth in claim 211, the second means in the individual one of the hand-held pads including means for sending to the vehicles the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first one of the switches and the individual ones of the second switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads.

215. In a combination as set forth in claim 211, means in the individual one of the hand-held pads for sending the signals on the wireless basis to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time, the pseudo random pattern for such individual one of the pads with respect to time being different from the pseudo random pattern of the signals from the other ones of the pads with respect to time.

216. In a combination as set forth in claim 215, the second means in the individual one of the hand-held pads including means for sending on the wireless basis to the vehicles the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first one of the switches and the individual ones of the second ones of the switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads, the first one of the switches in the individual one of the hand-held pads being operable in a particular number of successive actuations to provide for a selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality in accordance with such particular number of successive actuations, and third means for visually indicating the selection of the individual one of the vehicles in the plurality, and the second means in the individual one of the hand-held pads including means for sending to the central station the signals indicating, in a particular sequence and in a binary-coded form, the operation of the first one of the switches and the individual one of the second switches in the individual ones of the hand-held pads.

217. In a method of selectively controlling the operation of a plurality of toy vehicles, the steps of: providing a plurality of pads each having a plurality of controls individually operable to select different vehicles in a plurality and to select functions to be performed in the selected ones of the vehicles in the plurality, operating controls in each of the pads to obtain the selection by such pad of an individual one of the vehicles and to obtain a selection of individual ones of the functions to be performed in the individual one of the vehicles, providing for the transmission by each of the pads in the plurality to the vehicles on a remote and wireless basis of signals indicating the selection of an individual one of the vehicles by such pad and signals indicating the individual ones of the functions to be performed by such selected one of the vehicles, and providing for the transmission of such signals by each of the pads on a pseudo random basis with respect to time, the pseudo random basis with respect to time of the signals from each pad being different from the pseudo random basis with respect to time of the signals from the other pads, providing in each pad for each individual one of the vehicles an address indicating such individual one of the vehicles when such vehicle is selected by such pad, and operating such individual one of the vehicles in accordance with the operation of the controls in one of the pads and the address of such individual one of the vehicles by the pad selecting such individual one of the vehicles.

218. In a method as set forth in claim 217, the steps of: receiving at each of the vehicles the signals indicating the address and the functions to be performed by such vehicle, and decoding at each of the vehicles the signals indicating the functions to be performed by such vehicle when the received signals indicate the address of such vehicle.

219. In a method as set forth in claim 217, the steps of: providing in packets the signals indicating the address of an individual one of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, and responding at such individual one of the vehicles to the packets of signals indicating the address of such individual one of vehicles to perform in such individual one of the vehicles the functions indicated by the signals in such packets.

220. In a method as set forth in claim 217, the steps of: providing a plurality of stationary accessories each operative to perform an individual function, operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to select an individual one of the stationary accessories, and providing for the transmission to the individual one of the stationary accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of such individual one of the stationary accessories when such individual one of the stationary accessories is selected by such individual one of the pads and when such individual one of the pads is activated.

221. In a method as set forth in claim 217, the steps of: providing in packets at the individual ones of the pads the signals indicating the address of the individual one of the vehicles and the functions to be performed in such individual one of the vehicles, decoding at each of the vehicles the packets of signals transmitted by the individual ones of the pads and indicating the functions to be performed by such individual one of the vehicles when the signals received at the vehicles indicate the address of such individual one of the vehicles, performing in the individual one of the vehicles the functions indicated in the decoded packets, providing a plurality of stationary accessories each operative to perform an individual function, operating a particular one of the controls in each of the pads to select an individual one of the stationary accessories, providing for the transmission from the individual ones of the pads to the individual one of the stationary accessories of signals for obtaining the operation of such individual one of the stationary accessories when such individual one of the stationary accessories is selected by such individual one of the pads and when such individual one of the pads is activated, and providing for the transmission of signals from the central station to the vehicles on a wireless basis.

222. In combination, a plurality of pads disposed in spaced relationship to one another, a plurality of vehicles disposed in spaced relationship to one another and in spaced relationship to the pads, first means in each individual one of the pads for sending carrier signals at a particular frequency to the vehicles and for modulating such carrier signals with addresses identifying such individual one of the pads and identifying an individual one of the vehicles being selected by such individual one of the pads, a plurality of controls in each individual one of the pads, each of the controls in each individual one of the pads providing upon activation for an individual operation in a selected one of the vehicles, first ones of the controls in each individual one of the pads providing for a movement of selected ones of the vehicles and second ones of the controls means in each individual one of the vehicles providing for an operation of the vehicle other than the movement of the vehicles, second means in each individual one of the pads for providing signals coding the operation of the individual ones of the controls in the individual ones of the pads, third means in each of the pads for transmitting the signals from such pads to the vehicles in the plurality, fourth means in each of the vehicles for receiving the signals transmitted by the pads at the particular frequency, fifth means responsive in each individual one of the vehicles to the received signals addressing such individual one of the vehicles for decoding the signals providing for the operation of the vehicle, and sixth means in each individual one of the vehicles for providing an operation of the first and second one of the controls in such individual one of the vehicles in accordance with the signals decoded by such individual one of the vehicles, such operation including a movement of the vehicle.

223. In a combination as set forth in claim 221, the controls in each of the vehicles providing for a controlled movement of the vehicle in the forward and reverse direction and for a turning of the vehicle, the sixth means in each individual one of the vehicles providing for controlled movements of the vehicles in the forward and reverse directions and for turning the vehicles in accordance with the signals decoded by such individual one of the vehicles.

224. In a combination as set forth in claim 221, means in each of the vehicles for visually indicating the selection of the vehicle by an individual one of the pads, and means in each individual one of the vehicles for providing for the continued operation of such vehicle by such individual one of the pads in accordance with signals transmitted to such vehicle by such individual one of the pads within particular time intervals.

225. In a combination as set forth in claim 221, means in each individual one of the pads for providing for the successive transmissions of signals from such individual one of the pads, in accordance with the operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads, in a pseudo random pattern of time between such successive transmissions, such pseudo random pattern of time between such successive transmissions for each pad being different from the pseudo random of time between successive transmissions for each pad being different from the pseudo random of time between successive transmissions for the other pads.

226. In combination, a plurality of motorized vehicles each having first controls to provide a movement of such vehicle in different directions in accordance with the operation of individual ones of such first controls and each having members to perform selective functions other than a movement of the vehicle and each having second controls to obtain the performance of individual ones of such selective functions by such movable members, a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the energizing of selective ones of the motorized vehicles and controlling the selective operation of the movable members in such selective one of the motorized vehicles in performing individual ones of such selective functions, first means in the pads for sending signals to the motorized vehicles to address individual ones of the motorized vehicles for activating the first controls in such individual ones of the motorized vehicles and to obtain the performance of the selective functions by the individual ones of the members in the individual ones of the motorized vehicles, and second means responsive in the individual ones of the vehicles to the signals from the first means for activating the first controls in such individual ones of the vehicles to obtain controlled movements of such vehicles and for activating individual ones of the members in such vehicles to obtain the performance of the selective ones of the functions by such members.

227. In a combination as set forth in claim 224 wherein the first means in the pads sends signals in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time to the second means in the vehicles and wherein the pseudo random pattern of such signals with respect to time in each of the pads is different from the pseudo random pattern with respect to time of the other pads in the plurality.

228. In a combination as set forth in claim 224 wherein the first means in each of the pads provides carrier signals at substantially the same frequency as the first means in the other pads and provides for each individual one of the vehicles a plurality of address signals in a pattern individual to such individual one of the vehicles to address such individual one of the vehicles and modulates the carrier signals with such address signals to select such individual one of the vehicles and wherein the second means in each of the vehicles receives the modulated carrier signals from the different pads and demodulates such signals to provide for the activation of the first controls and the members in such vehicle when the demodulated signals indicate that such vehicle has been addressed.

229. In a combination as set forth in claim 226 wherein the first means in each of the pads produces information signals, after the production of the address signals, in accordance with the selective operation of the switches in such pad to modulate the carrier signals in accordance with such selective operation and wherein the second means demodulates the modulated signals in the vehicle selected by each individual one of the pads to obtain the selective operation of the first controls and the members in such vehicle.

230. In a combination as set forth in claim 227 wherein the first means sends signals in a pseudo random pattern with respect to time to the second means in the vehicle and wherein the pseudo random pattern with respect to time each of the pads is different from the pseudo random pattern with respect to time of the other pads in the plurality.

231. In combination, a plurality of pads displaced from one another, each of the pads having a plurality of selectively operated controls, each of the pads being operative to produce sets of address signals individual to different ones of the pads, a plurality of vehicles displaced from one another and displaced from the pads, each of the vehicles in the plurality being responsive to an individual set of address signals from any individual one of the pads to be controlled thereafter in its operation in accordance with controls from such selective one of the pads, first means in each of the pads for providing for the selection of any individual one of the vehicles and for providing for a controlled operation of such selected one of the vehicles in accordance with the selective operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads, second means in each individual one of the pads for sending a set of address signals to the vehicles, and for addressing such signals to any individual one of the vehicles in accordance with the selective operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads to obtain an operation of such individual one of the vehicles in accordance with the selective operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads, and third means in each individual one of the vehicles for activating such vehicle in accordance with the reception of the signals representing the selective address for such vehicle from the individual one of the pads selecting such vehicle and for providing for an operation of such individual one of the vehicles in accordance with the signals received by such vehicle from the individual one of the pads in representation of the operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads.

232. In a combination as set forth in claim 229 wherein the second means in each of the pads sends carrier frequencies at the same frequency as the carrier signals from the other pads and modulates such carrier signals in accordance with the address of the individual one of the vehicles selected by such individual one of the pads and in accordance with the controls selectively operated on such individual one of the pads and wherein the third means in the individual one of the vehicles demodulates the carrier signals addressed to such individual one of the vehicles and provides for the operation of such vehicle in accordance with the signals representing the operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads.

233. In a combination as set forth in claim 229, wherein the second means in each individual one of the pads sends the signals in a pseudo random relationship with respect to time different from the pseudo-random relationship with respect to time of the signals sent by the other pads to provide for the reception by the individual one of the vehicles selected by such individual one of the pads of the signals addressed by such individual one of the pads to such individual one of the vehicles.

234. In a combination as set forth in claim 229, wherein the third means in each individual one of the vehicles provides for a continued operation of such individual one of the vehicles, in accordance with the controls previously operated in the individual one of the pads selecting such vehicle, for a particular period of time after each operation of such controls without any further operation of such controls.

235. In a combination as set forth in claim 229, wherein the third means in each individual one of the vehicles releases such vehicle from control by the individual one of the pads selecting such vehicle when such third means does not receive signals from the second means in such individual one of the pads for at least the particular period of time.

236. In a combination as set forth in claim 232, the second means in each of the pads sends carrier frequencies at the same frequency as the carrier signals from the other pads and modulates such carrier signals in accordance with the address of the individual one of the vehicles selected by such individual one of the pads and in accordance with the controls selectively operated on such individual one of the vehicles and provides for the operation of such vehicle in accordance with the signals representing the operation of the controls in such individual one of the pads, and wherein the second means in each individual one of the pads sends the signals in a pseudo random relationship with respect to time different from the pseudo random relationship with respect to time of the signals sent by the other pads to provide for the reception by the individual one of the vehicles selected by such individual one of the pads of the signals addressed by such individual one of the pads to such individual one of the vehicles.

237. In combination for providing a controlled operation of a plurality of vehicles on a wireless basis a plurality of pads each including first controls selectively operable to provide controlled movements of a selected one of the vehicles and each including second controls selectively operable to provide individual operations of the selected one of the vehicles other than movements of the vehicle, first means included in each of the pads for providing first signals identifying such pad, second signals addressing the individual one of the vehicles second means for transmitting the first, second, third and fourth signals from each of the pads to the vehicles in the plurality, and third means for providing for the transmission of the signals by the second means in each of the pads in a pseudo-random relationship with respect to time different from the pseudo-random relationship with respect to time of the other pads in the plurality.

238. In a combination as set forth in claim 235, fourth means for providing in each of the pads a carrier signal substantially the same as the carrier signals provided by the fourth means in the other pad and for modulating the first, second, third and fourth signals from such pad, on the carrier signals produced by the fourth means for such pad.

239. In a combination as set forth in claim 237, a plurality of antennas each disposed on an individual one of the pads for transmitting the modulated carrier signals from such pad to the vehicles in the plurality.

240. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle constructed to provide a particular address and to operate in accordance with the reception of the particular address from any one of the pads and with the reception of commands from such pad, first means in the vehicle for providing for an inactive but powered state in the vehicle, second means responsive to the reception of the particular address and the commands from any of the pads for operating the vehicle in accordance with such commands, and third means for de-activating the vehicle upon the failure of the vehicle to receive the particular address and the commands from any one of the pads within a particular period of time after the vehicle becomes powered but inactive.

241. In a combination as set forth in claim 240, an illuminable light, means in the vehicle for illuminating the light with first particular characteristics when the vehicle is being operated in accordance with commands from any one of the pads, and means in the vehicle for illuminating the light with second particular characteristics when the vehicle is powered but inactive.

242. In combination for use in a system including a plurality of pads each operable to provide a plurality of individual addresses and commands with such addresses, a vehicle constructed to provide a particular address and to operate in accordance with the reception of the particular address from any one of the pads and with the reception of commands from such pad, first means for operating the vehicle in accordance with the reception of the particular address the particular address from any one of the pads and with the reception of commands from such pad, first means for operating the vehicle in accordance with the reception of the particular address from any particular one of the pads and the reception of commands from such pad, second means in the vehicle for providing a powered but inactive state in the vehicle upon the failure of the vehicle to receive commands from the particular one of the vehicles for a first particular period of time, and third means in the vehicle for deactivating the vehicle after the failure of the vehicle to receive an address and commands from any one of the vehicles from a second particular period of time after the vehicle becomes powered but inactive.

243. In a combination as set forth in claim 242, an illuminable light, means in the vehicle for illuminating the light in the vehicle with first particular characteristics when the vehicle is being operated in accordance with commands from any one of the pads, and means in the vehicle for illuminating the light in the vehicle with second particular characteristics when the vehicle is powered but inactive.

244. In a combination as set forth in claim 243, means in the vehicle for discontinuing the illumination of the light when the vehicle is deactivated.