Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
  • A63H30/00—Remote-control arrangements specially adapted for toys, e.g. for toy vehicles
  • A63H30/02—Electrical arrangements
  • A63H30/04—Electrical arrangements using wireless transmission

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a remote control toy system utilizing radio communication, and a controller, a model and an accessory device to be used in the remote control toy system.
• a remote control toy system including tank models associated with a plurality of controllers in one-to-one correspondence, a signal generation device for periodically sending IDs uniquely assigned to respective tank models, in a time division manner, and a management device mounted on each tank model to determine whether the tank model has been shot by a beam gun of another tank model and discriminating the other party who has shot on the basis of an ID signal supplied from the signal generation device, in which shot information is fed back from the tank model to the controller.
• an obj ect of the present invention is to provide a remote control toy systemthat is advantageous in size reduction ofmodels and that can implement colorful plays , and a controller , a model and an accessory device that are to be used in the remote control toy system.
• a remote control toy system of the present invention includes a plurality of sets, each set including a controller, and a model controlled in action on the basis of data transmitted from the controller so as to correspond to an operation situation of a user , and an accessory device provided as a device independent from the controllers and the models, the accessory device being capable of conducting data communication with the controllers and the models.
• each of the controllers, the models, and the accessory device includes a radio communication module serving as a device for executing the data communication and capable of conducting bilateral data,communication based on a same standard, and a control device for implementing various controls based on data communication conducted via the radio communication module.
• each of the controller , the model and the accessory device has a radio communication module based on the same standards. Therefore, it is not necessary to mount a plurality of communication modules on the model, and consumption in the battery is also suppressed. Therefore, the size of the model can be advantageously reduced.
• bilateral data communication among the controller, the model and the accessory device is possible, it is possible to exchange various data among them and implement various controls. As a result, the interest of the play implemented by remote control of the models can be enhanced.
• controllers may be associated with models in one-to-one correspondence to form sets .
• Sets may be formed by associating controllers withmodels in one to a plural number correspondence , a plural number to one correspondence, or a plural number to a plural number correspondence.
• an accessory device that is linked to at least a controller or a model, or that cooperates with at least a controller or a model to implement a specific function is preferably used.
• a single accessory device may be used, or a combination of a plurality of accessory devices maybe used.
• the accessory device can have a function of exerting some action, such as exerting an influence on superiority or inferiority in the play, and conducting the situation of the play.
• the control device of each of the controller, the model and the accessory device is preferably formed as a computer having a microprocessor as its main component. It is desirable to implement various functions of each control device by a combination of the microprocessor and specific sof ware.
• the radio communication module is connected to a microprocessor via a general-purpose interface such as USB, and all that is required is to exchange data of a predetermined form between the microprocessor and the radio communication module. It is not necessary for the microprocessor to be conscious of a communication protocol used in radio communication. Such a radio communication module is desirable .
• radio communication modules according to various standards for implementing radio communication may be used.
• the model needs to be small in size and inexpensive in price.
• radio communication modules based on the Bluetooth standards data communication is possible not only between the accessory device and controllers andbetween the accessory device and the models but also between controllers or between models .
• various controls can be implemented. Advantages obtained when using the Bluetooth standards will be made clear more concretely in embodiments described later.
• control device of the accessory device may include a device for receiving data sent from the controller or the model, via the radio communicationmodule , a device for executingprocessing based on information contained in the received data , and a device for generating data corresponding to a result of the processing and sending the data via the radio communication module.
• the accessory device includes an information input section for accepting a user's information input
• the control device of the accessory device includes a device for executing predetermined processing on the basis of information input from the information input section, and a device for generating data corresponding to a result of the processing and sending the data via the radio communication module.
• the control device of the controller includes a device for receiving data sent from the accessory device, via the radio communication module, and a device for executing predetermined processing on the basis of the received data.
• the control device of the model includes a device for receiving data sent from the accessory device, via the radio communication module, and a device for executing predetermined processing on the basis of the received data.
• the sending device of the control device of the accessory device can execute processing of generating and sending broadcast data intended for a plurality of controllers
• the receiving device of the control device of each controller can receive the broadcast data
• the executing device of the control device of each controller can execute processing common to all controllers for which the broadcast data is intended, as the predetermined processing.
• the sending device of the control device of the accessory device can execute processing of generating and sending broadcast data intended for a plurality of models
• the receiving device of the control device of each model can receive the broadcast data
• the executing device of the control device of each model can execute processing common to all models for which the broadcast data is intended, as the predetermined processing.
• controllers or models execute the same processing by means of broadcast data
• unified action and processing can be implemented in a play using a plurality of models.
• flying can be prevented effectively if information for ordering all controllers or models to prohibit traveling, is transmitted as broadcast data until the start is permitted, and the controllers or models that have received the information execute processing for prohibiting driving of the models, as common processing.
• information for restricting the maximum velocity of each model to a constant low velocity is transmitted from the accessory device as broadcast data and the control device of a controller or a model that has received the information executes processing for restricting the velocity of model.
• each model may include a detection device for outputting a signal correlated to a play situation
• the control device of each model may include a device for effecting a predetermined decision concerning the play situation on the basis of the output signal of the detection device, and a device for generating data corresponding to a result of the decision and sending the data via the radio communication module
• the control device of the accessory device may include a device for receiving data sent from the model so as to be associated with the output signal of the detection device, via the radio communication module, a device for determining restrictions concerning action of at least one model, on the basis of the received data, and a device for generatingdata correspondingto the determined restrictions and sending the generated data via the radio communication module
• the control device of the controller or the model may include a device for receiving data corresponding to the restrictions sent from the accessory device, via the radio communication module, and a device for setting a correspondence relation between operation of the controller and action of the model on the basis of the received data.
• information for determining the play situation is sent from a model to the accessory device, and the accessory device can determine the play situation on the basis of the information. And according to the play situation, it is possible to impose some restrictions on action of at least some models .
• the control device of the controller or the model sets a correspondence relation between the operation of the controller and the action of the model on the basis of the data.
• the restrictions determined according to the play situation appears as a change of the correspondence relation between the operation of the controller and the action of the model . According to such an aspect , it becomes possible to make restrictions, such as slacked reaction of the model in response to the operation of the controller or eliminated reaction , appear .
• the play situation refers to the situation of various events associated with the play implemented by a single model or a plurality of models, such as a preparation situation, an advance situation, or an end situation.
• a preparation situation such as a preparation situation, an advance situation, or an end situation.
• the detection device of each model may detect the play situation of a single model, or may detect the situation of the play implemented by a plurality of models .
• the device for setting a correspondence relation between operation of the controller and action of the model may change a correspondence relation between an operation quantity of the controller concerning a specific action of themodel and a control quantity concerning the specific action of the model according to contents of the restrictions .
• Another remote control toy system of the present invention includes a controller, and a model controlled in action on the basis of data transmitted from the controller so as to correspond to an operation situation of a user, and each of the controller and the model includes a radio communication module based on Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing communicationbetween the controller andthemodel , and a control device for executing remote control based on data communication conducted via the radio communication module.
• the model includes a detection device for outputting a signal correlated to a play situation
• the control device of the model includes a device for effecting a predetermined decision concerning the play situation on the basis of the output signal of the detection device, and a device for generating data corresponding to a result of the decision and sending the data via the radio communication module
• the control device of the controller includes a device for receiving data sent from the model, via the radio communication module, and a device for executing predetermined processing on the basis of the received data .
• the correspondence relation between the operation of the controller and the action of the model maybe influencedby the information fedback .
• a device such as a vibrator, incorporated in the controller may be controlled on the basis of the information fed back.
• a controller used in the remote control toy system of the present invention is a controller for remote controlling a model , and includes an operation input section for accepting a user's steering operation on the model, a radio communication module based on Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing bilateral data communicationbetween the controller andthemodel , and a control device for implementing various controls based on data communication conducted via the radio communication module.
• the control device includes a device for determining steering information so as to correspond to an operation state of the operation input section, a device for generating data containing the determined steering information and sending the data via the radio communication module, a device for receiving data sent from outside, via the radio communication module, and a device for executing predetermined processing on the basis of the received data.
• Amodel used in the remote control toy system of the present invention is a model remote-controlled on the basis of steering information that is contained in data transmitted from a controller.
• the model includes a driving source for implementingpredetermined action, a radio communication odule based on Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing bilateral data communicationbetween themodel andthe controller, a detection device for outputting a signal correlated to a play situation, and a control device for implementingvarious controls basedondata communication conductedvia the radio communication module .
• the control device includes a device for receiving data containing the steering information transmitted from the controller, via the radio communication module, a device for controlling action of the driving source on the basis of the steering information, a device for effecting a predetermined decision concerning the play situation on the basis of the output signal of the detection device, and a device for generating data corresponding to a result of the decision and sending the data via the radio communication module.
• An accessory device used in the remote control toy system of the present invention is an accessory device used in combination with a controller and a model remote-controlled on the basis of data supplied from the controller.
• the accessory device includes a radio communication module based on Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing bilateral data communication between the accessory device and the controller and between the accessory device and the model, and a control device for implementing various controls based on data communication conducted via the radio communication module.
• the control device includes a device for receiving data sent from the controller or the model, via the radio communication module, a device for executing processing based on information contained in the received data, and a device for generating data corresponding to a result of the processing and sending the data via the radio communication module.
• the accessory device used in combination with a controller and a model remote-controlled on the basis of data supplied from the controller.
• the accessory device includes a radio communication module based on Bluetooth standards serving as a device for executing bilateral data communication between the accessory device and the controller and between the accessory device and the model , a control device for implementing various controls based on data communication conducted via the radio communication module , and an information input section for accepting a user's information input.
• the control device includes a device for executing predetermined processing on the basis of information input fromthe information input section, and a device for generating data corresponding to a result of the processing and sending the data via the radio communication module.
• a remote control toy systemof the present invention canbe formed.
• FIG. 1 is a general configuration diagram of a remote control toy system according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in a controller shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an automobile model shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in a management machine shown in FIG. 1;
• FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing outlines of data transmitted from respective devices ;
• FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing graphs of map data prepared in order to determine a steering angle and a velocity of an automobile model according to control quantities of a steering control section and a throttle control section of a controller;
• FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a procedure of steering information generation processing executed in a controller;
• FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling restriction management processing executed in a controller
• FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling management processing executed in a controller
• FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure of lap information notification processing executed in an automobile model ;
• FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of race management processing executed in an automobile model
• FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling restrictionmanagement executed in an automobilemodel anddamage reproduction processing executed in a controller so as to be associated with the traveling restriction management;
• FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of manual management processing executed in a management machine.
• FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a remote control toy system for effecting a race using an automobile model according to the present invention.
• a remote control toy system 1 includes four controllers 2A to 2D, four automobile models 3A to 3D respectively associated with the controllers 2A to 2D in one-to-one correspondence, one management machine 4, and a course 5.
• Suffixes A to D attached to the controllers 2A to 2D and the automobile models 3A to 3D indicate relations of association of the controllers with automobile models.
• a controller is denoted as controller 2 when it is not necessary to especially discriminate the controllers 2A to 2D
• an automobile model is denoted as automobile 3 when it is not necessary to especially discriminate the automobiles 3A to 3D.
• the controller 2 includes a steering control section 2a for ordering a steering angle of the automobile model 3 and a throttle control section 2b for ordering a traveling velocity.
• the control sections 2a and 2b can be provided in various forms, such as a lever form or a dial form, in the same way as well-known remote control controllers .
• the automobile model 3 includes a steering motor , a travelingmotor , and a gear box for converting movements of respective motors to desired movements . Since details of those mechanisms are not the purport of the present invention, however, they are not illustrated.
• the management machine 4 is provided to manage the progress of the race.
• the management machine 4 includes an information input section 4a for the user to operate in order to input various kinds of information , and an information display section 4b using a liquid crystal monitor or the like.
• the position of the management machine 4 may be altered suitably.
• the course 5 defines a traveling route of the automobile model 3.
• the course 5 includes a main course 5a taking the shape of an ellipse, and a pit lane 5b.
• Bar images 5c and 5d are provided on the main course 5a and the pit lane 5b, respectively.
• the bar images 5c and 5d are used for lap management of the automobile model 3.
• the bar images 5c and 5d have mutually different patterns .
• the bar images 5c is different from 5d in the number of bars.
• the layout of the course 5 may be altered arbitrarily.
• the Bluetooth standards are a kind of radio communication standards settled on under the management of a standardization organization "Bluetooth SIG" .
• the Bluetooth standards are standards for implementing bilateral radio communication optimized for short distances .
• One of features of the Bluetooth standards is that the power consumption is reducedby taking short distances as a target .
• power consumption at the time of transmission is in a range of approximately 20 to 30 mW.
• the automobile model 3 has at most such a size, for example, that it can be placed on a palm (for example, a scale of 1/43 as compared with an actual automobile) , then a communication distance of 10 m is necessary and sufficient.
• a module that conducts communication according to the Bluetooth standards is also reduced in size and the battery to be mounted on the automobile model 3 can also be reduced in size. Therefore, it is extremely advantageous in size reduction of the automobile model 3.
• the transmission rate is approximately 1 Mbps in theoretical value and approximately 433.9 Kbps in effective value. It is also a fact that the transmission rate compares unfavorably with the theoretical value 11 Mbps of IEEE 802.11, which is standards of the radio LA . However , in the case where it is used in data communication between devices that form the remote control toy system 1 , it is a sufficient transmission rate.
• Bluetooth standards are intended for a distance longer than the Bluetooth standards (approximately 100 m) , and consequently power consumption is large and it is difficult to mount them on small-sized models. From such a point of view, the Bluetooth standards are the most optimum standards to the remote control toy system.
• Bluetooth standards communication is conducted by using the frequency hopping spread spectrum technique, and devices are divided into masters and slaves in order to attain synchronization of a hopping pattern of that frequency.
• One master exists in one pico-net, and up to seven slaves are connected to one master. Communication is executed always between a master and a slave. Communication between slaves is implemented by intervention of a master on the way.
• the relation between a master and a slave does not mean superiority or inferiority among devices accommodated by the pico-bet . If one of devices functions as a master , other devices synchronize with the master as slaves . In FIG. 1, such an image that the management machine 4 functions as the master is represented.
• a certain controller 2 or automobile model 3 may function as the master. Since there are four controllers 2 and four automobile models 3 in FIG. 1, all devices including the management function 4 cannot be accommodated by one pico-net . In actuality , therefore , a device functioning as a slave of one pico-net functions as a master of another pico-net, and some devices conduct communication as slaves for the device.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the controller 2.
• the control system of the controller 2 includes a control device 10, a steering control section 2a, a throttle control section 2b, information input section 2c and an ID setting switch 11, which function as input devices, a ROM 12 and a RAM 13, which function as storage devices, a vibrator 15, a vibrator driving circuit 14 for driving the vibrator 15 in accordance with an order issued by the control device 10, and a Bluetooth communication module 16.
• the control device 10 is formed as a computer obtained by combining a microprocessor with peripheral devices, such as a clock circuit and a buffer memory, required for action of the microprocessor.
• the information input section 2c is provided in a suitable position of an outside surface of the controller 2.
• the user can input various kinds of information from the information input section 2c.
• the user can input information for notifying a travelling impossibility state described later or the like from the information input section 2c.
• the ID setting switch 11 is provided to set an ID number.
• the ID number is information for identifying the relation of association of a controller 2 with an automobile model 3. For example, in the case where four controllers 2 and four automobile models 3 are provided as shown in FIG. 1, 1 to 4 are prepared as ID numbers.
• a program (not illustrated) for making the control device 10 execute predetermined processing is stored and various data required for execution of the program are recorded. Execution of the program recorded on the ROM 12 conducted by the control device 10 forms a steering information control section 10a, an additional information control section 10b , a transmission data generation section 10c , a received data discrimination section lOd and a vibrator control section lOe, within the control device 10.
• the sections 10a to lOe are logical devices implemented by combinations of the microprocessor and software.
• the steering information control section 10a determines a steering angle and a velocity to be given to the automobile model 3 by referring to a control situation of the steering control section 2a and the throttle control section 2b and map data Dl recorded on the ROM 12.
• the map data Dl is data describing the relation of association of control quantities of the control sections 2a and 2b from initial positions with the steering angle and velocity to be given to the automobile model 3. The method for determining the steering angle and velocity by using the map data Dl will be described later.
• the additional information control section 10b generates additional information corresponding to the control situation of the information input section 2c.
• the transmission data generation section 10c generates data for controlling the action of the automobile model 3 associated with the controller 2, on the basis of information of the steering angle and velocity determined by the steering information control section 10a, additional information sent from the additional information control section 10b and ID information set by the ID setting switch 11.
• the data includes information specifying the ID number set by the ID setting switch, steering information specifying the steering angle, and velocity information specifying the velocity.
• additional information it is also possible to make the controller 2 send information other than information concerning the action of the automobile model 3.
• the receiveddata discrimination section lOd determines whether receiveddata delivered fromthe Bluetooth communication module 16 includes information that requires processing in the steering information control section 10a or the vibrator control section lOe. Information judged to be necessary is suppliedto the steering information control section 10a or the vibrator control section lOe. Incidentally, informationmaybe supplied fromthe receiveddata discrimination section lOd to the additional information control section 10b as well.
• the vibrator control section lOe generates driving information of the vibrator 15 in accordance with information sent from the received data discrimination section lOd, and outputs the driving information to the vibrator driving circuit 14 as a driving order.
• the vibrator 15 is provided to vibrate the controller 2.
• a module having an eccentric weight attached to a rotation axis of a small-sized motor, which is used in a controller or the like of a video game can be used as the vibrator 15.
• the Bluetooth communication module 16 is connected to the control device 10 via a predetermined interface 17.
• the Bluetooth communication module 16 is provided to transmit/receive data to/from a Bluetooth communication module of another device in accordance with a procedure (communication protocol) based upon the Bluetooth standards. Establishment of the communication protocol based upon the Bluetooth communication standards and transmission/reception of packets are controlled by the Bluetooth communication module 16. At the time of data transmission, therefore, all that the control device 10 has to do is to create and deliver transmission data in a form requested by the Bluetooth communication module 16. At the time of data reception, all that the control device 10 has to do is to interpret received data delivered from the Bluetooth communication module 16 in a predetermined form. In both data transmission and reception, it is not necessary for the control device 10 to be conscious of the communication protocol of the Bluetooth communication standards .
• data is divided into packets each having a predetermined bit length and transmitted as shown in FIG. 5A.
• One packet includes an access code, a header, and a payload.
• the access code is an identifier for specifying a transmission subj ect of a packet transmitted from the Bluetooth communication module.
• Various kinds of information for flow control are contained in the header.
• the transmission subject can be specified in the protocol level of Bluetooth by using the access code and the header, or the transmission subject can be specified by using the ID of each device.
• data exchanged in application using the Bluetooth (in this case, programs respectively for controlling the controller 2, the automobile model 3 and the management machine 4) are contained.
• data generated by the transmission data generation section 10c as shown in FIG. 5B becomes the content of the payload.
• the data of the payload is delivered from the Bluetooth communication module 16 to the received data discrimination section lOd.
• transmission data FIGGS. 5C and 5D respectively generated in the automobile model 3 and the management machine 4.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the automobile model 3.
• the control system of the automobile model 3 includes a control device 20 , a steering motor 21 and a traveling motor 22 serving as control subject devices, a steering motor driving circuit 23 and a traveling motor driving circuit 24 for driving the motors 21 and 22 on the basis of orders issued by the control device 20 , an ID setting switch 25, an image reader 26, and an acceleration sensor 27 serving as input devices, and a Bluetooth communication module 30.
• the control device 20 is formed as a computer obtained by combining a microprocessor with peripheral devices, such as a clock circuit and a buffer memory, required for action of the microprocessor.
• the ID setting switch 25 is provided to set an ID number in the same way as the ID setting switch 11 of the controller 2. By setting the same ID number by using the ID switch 11 of the controller 2 and the ID switch 25 of the automobile model 3, the controller 2 can be associated with the automobile model 3.
• the image reader 26 reads the bar images 5c and 5d provided on the course 5 of FIG. 1, and outputs signals corresponding to those patterns.
• the acceleration sensor 27 outputs a signal corresponding to vibration acceleration applied to the automobile model 3. Between the image reader 26 and the control device 20 and between the acceleration sensor 27 and the control device 20, interfaces are provided suitably, but illustration of them is omitted.
• the Bluetooth communication module 30 is connected to the control device 20 via a predetermined interface 29.
• the Bluetooth communication module 30 performs the same function as that of the Bluetooth communication module 30 shown in FIG. 2.
• AROM which is not illustrated, is connected to the control device 20.
• a received data discrimination section 20a a motor driving control section 20b, a lap decision section 20c, a damage decision section 20d and a transmission data generation section 20e are formed within O 03/061800
• the sections 20a to 20e are logical devices implemented by combinations of the microprocessor and software. However, at least a part of the sections 20a to 20e may be formed of a logical circuit.
• the received data discrimination section 20a compares received data delivered from the Bluetooth communication module 30 with an ID set by the ID setting switch 25 , determines whether the received data is data associated with its own ID, and determines whether steering information and velocity information shown in FIG. 5B are contained in the data. When both conditions are satisfied, the steering information and the velocity information contained in the data are supplied to the motor driving control section 20b.
• the motor driving control section 20b computes motor control quantities for obtaining a steering angle and a velocity corresponding to given steering information and velocity information , and outputs motor driving orders corresponding to the computation results respectively to the steering motor driving circuit 23 and the traveling motor driving circuit 24.
• the steeringmotor driving circuit 23 drives the steering motor 21 in accordance with a given motor driving order.
• the traveling motor driving circuit 24 drives the travelingmotor 22 in accordance with a givenmotor driving order .
• the automobile model 3 is driven on the basis of steering information and velocity information transmitted from a controller 2 having a coincident ID.
• the lap decision section 20c monitors an output signal from the image reader 26, and supplies information corresponding to a result of monitoring to the transmission data generation section 20e.
• the damage decision section 20d monitors the output signal of the acceleration sensor 27, and supplies information corresponding to a result of the monitoring to the transmission data generation section 20e .
• the transmission data generation section 20e generates transmission data shown in FIG. 5C on the basis of the ID number set by the ID setting switch 25 and information supplied from the lap decision section 20c and the damage decision section 20d, and delivers the transmission data to the Bluetooth communication module 30.
• the transmission data contains information specifying the ID number set by the ID setting switch 25 and traveling state notification information corresponding to the monitored results of the lap decision section 20c and the damage decision section 20d.
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the management machine 4.
• the management machine 4 includes the information input section 4a and the information display section 4b shown in FIG. 1, a control device 40, a RAM 41, and a Bluetooth communication module 42.
• the control device 40 is formed as a computer obtained by combining a microprocessor with peripheral devices , such as a clock circuit and a buffer memory, required for action of the microprocessor.
• the Bluetooth communication module 42 has the same function as that of the Bluetooth communication modules 16 and 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• Execution of a program recorded on a ROM, which is not illustrated, conducted by the control device 40 forms a race control section 40a, a transmission data generation section 40b and a received data discrimination section 40c, within the control section 40.
• the sections 40a to 40c are logical devices implemented by combinations of the microprocessor and software. However, at least a part of each of the sections 40a to 40c may be formed of a logical circuit.
• the race control section 40a executes various kinds of control required for the race management by referring to the input from the information input section 4a and received data sent from the received data discrimination section 40c .
• race situation data D3 to be referred to when the race control section 40a executes predetermined processing is stored.
• the transmission data generation section 40b generates transmission data having a form requested by the Bluetooth communication module 42 by referring to information sent from the race control section 40a, and delivers the transmission data to the Bluetooth communicationmodule 42.
• information specifying the ID number of a transmission subject and traveling restriction information are contained in the transmission data. Traveling restriction information is information generated for the purpose of setting predetermined restrictions on the action of the automobile model 3, but its concrete example will be described later.
• the received data discrimination section 40c determines whether information required for processing of the race control section 40a is contained in data sent from the Bluetooth communication module 42, and supplies the required information to the race control section 40a.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B show contents of map data recorded on the ROM 12 (FIG. 2) of the controller 2 in graph forms.
• FIG. 6A shows a relation of association of a steering angle ⁇ supplied to the automobile model 3 with an operation quantity (a steering quantity) A from an initial position of the steering control section 2a.
• FIG. 6B shows a relation of association of a velocity V supplied to the automobilemodel 3 with an operation quantity B froman initial position of the throttle control section 2b.
• the initial position of the steering control section 2a the state of going straight on at a steering angle of 0° is supposed .
• a stop state having a velocity of 0 is supposed.
• operation is conducted in the left and right angles. Supposing that the steering angle of the initial position is set to be 0* , originally the steering angle assumes a positive value when the steering operation is conducted in one of the left andright directions andthe steering angle assumes a negative value when the steering operation is conducted in the other of the left and right directions . In FIG.6A, however, only the positive direction is shown.
• FIG. 6B an example of providing the automobile model 3 with only action of going straight on is shown in FIG. 6B .
• the initial position can be altered suitably.
• a retreat i.e. , a negative value may be set.
• a plurality of relations of association are prepared as regards both the steering angle and the velocity in the remote control toy system 1.
• the relations of association are shown as steering maps 1, 2, 3, ... or velocity maps 1, 2, 3, ... in distinction.
• the map data Dl are data that represent the relations of association determined by graphs indicated as the maps 1 , 2 , 3 , ... , in a predetermined form (such as a table form) .
• the map data Dl are recorded on the ROM 12 as different data every graph of FIGS. 6A and 6B , i.e., every map 1, 2, 3, ... .
• the steering information control section 10a (FIG. 2) in the control device 10 of the controller 2 determines map data to be used for each of the steering angle and velocity, on the basis of traveling log data D2 stored on the RAM 13 and information supplied from the received data discrimination section lOd. In addition, the steering information control section 10a repetitively executes steering information generation processing shown in FIG. 7 at predetermined periods, and generates steering information (steering information and velocity information) . In the processing of FIG. 7, the steering information control section 10a detects operation states of the steering control section 2a and the throttle control section 2b conducted from the processing of the last time, and computes the steering quantity A and the throttle control quantity B from their respective initial positions (step SI) .
• the steering information control section 10a determines the steering angle ⁇ and the velocity V respectively associated with the computed steering quantity A and throttle control quantity B on the basis of the map data Dl (steps S2 and S3) .
• the steering information control section 10a supplies steering information and velocity information respectively associated with the determined values to the transmission data generation section 10c (step S4) .
• the steering information control section 10a updates traveling log data so as to reflect the operation contents of the steering control section 2a and the throttle control section 2b detected by the processing of this time in the traveling logdata D2 (FIG.2) (stepS5) .
• data specifying the steering angle and the traveling velocity are repetitively transmitted from the controller 2 to the automobile model 3 associated with the controller 2.
• the automobile model 3 only steering information contained in data transmitted from the controller 2 having a coincident ID number is supplied from the received data discrimination section 20a to the motor driving control section 20b.
• the motors 21 and 22 are driven on the basis of the information.
• a plurality of relations between the steering quantity A and the throttle control quantity B and a plurality of relations between the steering angle ⁇ and the velocity V are prepared.
• the action characteristic of the automobile model 3 varies. For example, when the same steering quantity A is given in FIG. 6A, the steering angle ⁇ becomes relatively smaller in the steering map 2 than in the steering map 1.
• the velocity map N is a special setting example. If the velocity map N is selected, the velocity V is restricted to a constant value when the throttle control quantity A has exceeded a predetermined value. The velocity map N is suitable for the case where the automobile model 3 is forced to travel at a low velocity.
• the map data Dl used by the steering information control section 10a is altered on the basis of traveling restriction information sent from the outside, especially the management machine 4, or on the basis of the traveling log data D2.
• FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing of the steering information control section 10a in the case where the traveling restriction information (seeFIG.5D) is sent from the management machine 4. If the received data discrimination section lOd of the controller 2 has received the traveling restriction information sent from the management machine 4 , then the received data discrimination section lOd supplies that traveling restriction information to the steering information control section 10a . As shown in FIG .8 , the steering information control section 10a conducts monitoring to determine whether traveling restriction information has been received (step S10) . If the traveling restriction information has been received, then the steering information control section 10a selects map data according to the contents of the traveling restrictions (step Sll) .
• the steering information control section 10a newly selects velocity map data located on the lower velocity side than the currently selected velocity map data.
• the velocity restriction information supplied from the outside may specify various contents. It is also possible to make the automobile model 3 send the traveling restriction information and alter the map data Dl on the basis of the information.
• FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a procedure of traveling management processing executed repetitively by the steering information control section 10a of the control device 10 in order to alter the map data Dl on the basis of the traveling log data D2.
• the traveling log data D2 is first analyzed (step S20) . Since operation history is preserved in the traveling log data D2 , it is possible to acquire traveling time of the automobile model 3 after the race start or information that is correlative to the traveling time, on the basis of, for example, the number of times of update. Subsequently, it is determined whether the traveling time has reached a predetermined limit time on the basis of information acquired from the traveling log data D2 (step S21) .
• traveling restrictions are set according to the content of the traveling log data D2 (step S22) .
• the steering map is gradually switched toward the side on which the steering angle becomes relatively smaller.
• the velocity map it is considered, for example, that the velocity map is gradually altered to a velocity map on the higher velocity side as the operation time increases. In this case , it is possible to represent the state in which the automobile model weight is reduced by reduction of fuel and the maximum velocity is increased.
• traveling restrictions according to an excess over a restriction time are set (step S23) .
• traveling restrictions according to an excess over a restriction time are set (step S23) .
• the traveling time has reached the limit.
• traveling restrictions according to an excess over a restriction time are set (step S23) .
• the velocitymap N of FIG.6B it is possible to forcibly bring out a state in which low velocity traveling is forced by fuel shortage or a tire limit.
• the pit-in information is information sent from the automobile model 3 as a kind of the traveling state notification information shown in FIG. 5C when the image reader 26 of the automobile model 3 has detected the bar image 5d of the pit lane 5b .
• the received data discrimination section lOd of the control device 10 supplies its pit-in information to the steering information control section 10a.
• the steering information control section 10a cancels the traveling restrictions and selects, for example, the steering map and the velocity map specified as initial values (step S25) . Incidentally, as for the traveling restrictions set in the processing of FIG. 8 as well, cancel of the traveling restrictions of the step S25 may be executed.
• FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure of lap information notification processing executedby the lap decision section 20c of the automobile model 3.
• the lap decision section 20c determines whether the image reader 26 has read a bar image (step S30) . If it is judged that a bar image has been read, then the read pattern is discriminated (step S31) . In other words, it is determined which of the bar image 5c of the main course 5a or the bar image 5d of the pit lane 5b has been read. If the bar image 5c is judged to have been read, then the transmission data generation section 20e is ordered to generate lap information. If the bar image 5d is judged to have been read, then the transmission data generation section 20e is ordered to generate pit-in information (stepS32) .
• FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the race management processing.
• the race control section 40a conducts monitoring to determine whether lap information has been sent from any automobile model 3 (step S40) .
• the race control section 40a updates race situation data D3 (FIG. 4) .
• the race situation data D3 contains various kinds of information required to grasp the race situation, such as order and the number of laps of the automobile 3. It is then determined on the basis of the race situation data D3 whether the top automobile model 3 has arrived at the final lap in the prescribed number of laps (step S42) . If the lap is not the final lap, then it is determined whether the race is finished, i.e. , whether the top automobile model 3 has reached the goal (step S43) . If the race is not finished, then the race control section 40a proceeds to step S45. If the lap is judged to be the final lap, then the race control section 40a gives a notice of the final lap via the information display section 4b (step S44) . Then the the race control section 40a proceeds to step S45.
• traveling restrictions are set on the basis of the race situation data D3. For example , in order to maintain the tension by setting a handicap according to the order, the traveling restrictions of each automobile model 3 are set so as to restrict the maximum velocity to a lower value as the order becomes higher. Thereafter, the transmission data generation section 40b is ordered to generate traveling restriction information based on the setting result (step S46) , and the race control section 40a returns to the step S40. Upon being ordered to generate traveling restriction information , the transmission data generation section 40b generates traveling restriction information so as to be associated with the ID of each automobile model 3 , andmakes the Bluetooth communicationmodule 42 transmit the traveling restriction information in order. When the controller 2 has received the transmitted traveling restriction information, the processing of FIG.
• FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing procedures of crash information notification processing conducted by the damage decision section 20d of the automobile model 3 and damage reproductionprocessing executedby the vibrator control section lOe of the controller 2 upon receiving the crash information.
• the damage decision section 20d conducts monitoring to determine whether vibration acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 27 has exceeded a predetermined value (step S50) . If the predetermined value is exceeded, then the damage decision section 20d orders the transmission data generation section 20e to generate crash information (stepS51) .
• crash information is generated so as to be associated with the ID of the automobile model 3 , and sent from the automobile model 3. If the crash information sent by this processing is received by the controller 2 having the same ID , then the received data discrimination section lOd of the controller 2 supplies the crash information to the vibrator control section lOe. As a result, the vibrator control section lOe starts the damage reproductionprocessingof FIG .12 andgenerates vibrator driving information (step S60) .
• the vibrator control section 10e ' gives a driving order to the vibrator driving circuit 14 so as to drive the vibrator 15 (step S61) .
• the vibrator control section 10e ' gives a driving order to the vibrator driving circuit 14 so as to drive the vibrator 15 (step S61) .
• FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of manual management processing executed by the race control section 40a of the management machine 4 in order to manage the race progress on the basis of information sent from the controller 2 and information input from the information input section 4a of the management machine 4.
• the manual management processing it is determined whether predetermined penalty setting operation has been conducted on the information input section 4a (step S70) . If the penalty setting operation has been conducted, then the transmission data generation section 40b is ordered to generate penalty traveling restriction information according to the setting operation (step S71) .
• the penalty setting operation is operation for imposing a predetermined penalty, such as a restriction of the maximum velocity, on an automobile model 3 that has conducted traveling violating predetermined rules, such as a rear-end collision or a traveling disturbance. Contents of the penalty setting operation and penalty traveling restrictions may be determined suitably.
• the penalty traveling restriction information generated on the basis of the order of the step S71 is sent fromthe management machine 4 as a kind of the traveling restriction information shown in FIG. 5D .
• the controller 2 Upon receiving the penalty traveling restriction information associated with the same ID as the own ID, the controller 2 alters the map according to the procedure shown in FIG. 9 and thereby generates a penalty.
• the penalty traveling restrictions are canceled by traveling on the pit lane 5b (the step S25 of FIG. 9) .
• a user of an automobile model 3 indisposed for traveling by a contact with another automobile model or the like is allowed to conduct operation of notifying the information input section 2c of the controller 2 that traveling is impossible.
• the additional information control section 10b of the controller 2 orders the transmission data generation section 10c that the traveling impossibility notification information should be included in the transmission data of FIG. 5B as the additional information.
• the race control section 40a of the management machine 4 conducts monitoring in themanualmanagementprocessing to determine whether such traveling impossibility notification information has been sent from any controller 2 (step S72) .
• the race control section 40a orders the transmission data generation section 40b to generate traveling restriction information for traveling impossibility (step S73) .
• the traveling restriction information for traveling impossibility is generated as, for example, information for ordering all controllers 2 to select the velocity map N shown in FIG. 6B .
• all automobile models 3 lap on the course 5 at a low velocity restricted by the velocity map N.
• Such traveling restriction information corresponds to a kind of broadcast data.
• the traveling restrictions for traveling impossibility can be effected by conducting a predetermined cancel operation on the information input section 4a of the management machine 4 or conducting a predetermined cancel operation on the information input section 2c of the controller 2.
• the race control section 40a of the managementmachine 4 conducts monitoring in themanual management processing to determine whether such cancel operation has been conducted on the traveling impossibility state (step S74) . If the cancel operation has been conducted, then the race control section 40a orders the transmission data generation section 40b to generate information for cancelingthe traveling restrictions caused by the traveling impossibility state (step S75) . As a result , the information for canceling the traveling restrictions is transmitted to each controller 2.
• the steering information control section 10a in the controller 2 switches the map data to, for example, map data used immediately before the traveling restrictions based on the traveling impossibility state were imposed, and the race is continued.
• Each controller 2 may be adapted to select map data set as the initial value. While the user conducts operation of notifying the controller 2 of the traveling impossibility state in the above described manual management processing, the user may conduct such an operation for the information input section 4a of the management input section 4a.
• the present invention is not limited to the embodiment heretofore described, but it can be embodied in various forms. For example, the following variants are considerable.
• each controller 2 In the case where each controller 2 has received traveling impossibility notification information, each controller 2 forcibly selects the velocity map N. As a result, the same traveling restrictions as those described above can be implemented.
• a posture detection device such as a slope sensor is provided in the automobile model 3.
• the control device 10 of the automobile model 3 determines whether a fault such as lateral turning has occurred. When a fault has occurred, the automobile model 3 is made to send traveling impossibility notification information. Upon receiving the information, each controller
• Traveling log data is recorded in the management machine 4. Traveling restriction information based on the traveling log data may be transmitted from the management machine 4 to the controller 2. (5) Traveling restriction information sent from the management machine 4 is received by the automobile model 3. A change of the action characteristic according to the contents of the restrictions may be generated by the control device 20 of the automobile model 3. For example , the motor driving control section 20b of the control device 20 of the automobile model
• the 3 may compute the product of a velocity specifiedby the controller 2 and a predetermined ratio as an actual velocity, and control the traveling motor 22 on the basis of the computed velocity.
• the model is not limited to the automobile model, but the present invention can be applied to various models such as tanks, trains, ships, airplanes and robots.
• the accessory device is not limited to the management machine. For example, a device that is disposed on a field on which tanks travel or on a track onwhichtrains travel and that conducts various actions is included in the concept of the accessory device.
• each of the controller, model and accessory device has a radio communication module based on the same standards .
• the size of the model can be advantageously reduced.
• bilateral data communication among the controller, the model and the accessory device is possible. Therefore, various data can be exchanged among them and various controls can be implemented. As a result, the interest of the play implemented by the remote control of the model can be enhanced.

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• 2002
  • 2002-01-25 JP JP2002017705A patent/JP4136382B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2003
  • 2003-01-24 CA CA002473251A patent/CA2473251C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-01-24 CN CNA038024772A patent/CN1620328A/zh active Pending
  • 2003-01-24 KR KR1020047011403A patent/KR100687110B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-01-24 EP EP03701869A patent/EP1469925A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-01-24 US US10/502,462 patent/US20050054450A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-01-24 WO PCT/JP2003/000665 patent/WO2003061800A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-01-27 TW TW092101710A patent/TWI263527B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation

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