Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
  • A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
  • A63H18/02—Construction or arrangement of the trackway
  • A63H18/023—Track control means, e.g. switches
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
  • A63H18/00—Highways or trackways for toys; Propulsion by special interaction between vehicle and track
  • A63H18/16—Control of vehicle drives by interaction between vehicle and track; Control of track elements by vehicles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
  • A63H17/00—Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; ; Cranes, winches or the like; Accessories therefor
  • A63H17/26—Details; Accessories
  • A63H17/36—Steering-mechanisms for toy vehicles
  • A63H17/395—Steering-mechanisms for toy vehicles steered by program
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
  • A63H19/00—Model railways
  • A63H19/24—Electric toy railways; Systems therefor

Definitions

• the invention relates to a system for controlling moving objects on a guide circuit. It is more particularly applicable, for example, to systems of car games guided on a circuit.
• Games relating to automobile circuits in which cars are guided, for example by guideways are known in the art.
• these systems generally provide for several circuits each guiding a car. Each car is guided by the commands supplied to the circuit. If several cars are on the same circuit, they will then be guided, in the same way, according to the orders given to the circuit. This induces, for the manipulator, a certain monotony in the use of the system and, in the long run, a certain weariness which can generate a lack of interest in this type of game.
• the subject of the invention is a system making it possible to solve this problem. It relates to a system making it possible to provide the unexpected and spontaneity in the control of a circuit of vehicles such as a circuit of automobiles. guided.
• the invention has the advantage of making it possible moreover to control several vehicles independently on the same circuit.
• the invention relates to a method for controlling movable objects moved by actuators, in particular miniature cars, on an evolution circuit.
• Movable objects are guided by manipulators by means of a guide circuit comprising several channels.
• the guide circuit is common to the different moving objects moving on the same evolution circuit. The process includes the following steps:
• step, for the manipulator of transmitting to the mobile object control instructions relating to the chosen mobility strategy, in particular control instructions relating to its speed and to the guidance path used,
• the method is such that the mobility strategy is characterized by at least one of the initialization parameters specifying:
• the mobility strategy is also characterized by at least one of the following parameters specifying driving: - speed parameter, - lane change parameter,
• the method is such that to configure the mobile object according to the chosen mobility strategy, the method further comprises the step, for the manipulator, of entering data and / or macros commands in a memory area located in the mobile object.
• the memory area is associated with a microcontroller controlling the actuators.
• the method is such that, in order to transmit command instructions relating to the chosen mobility strategy to the mobile object, the method comprises the step of initializing each of the mobile objects by assigning them an identifier, in particular an alphanumeric identifier.
• This identifier can also be characterized by a specific communication channel.
• the method further comprises the following steps:
• the method further includes the step for the microcontroller to control the actuators based on the extracted command instructions.
• the method is such that the multiplexing is a time multiplexing.
• the time multiplexing is such that each phase of transmission of the control instructions associated with a given moving object is followed by an electrical energy supply phase.
• the method further comprises the step of supplying power to the actuators of the moving object by an electrical circuit associated with the guide circuit and / or by a battery and / or by a rechargeable battery. in the moving object.
• the method is such that, in order to transmit command instructions relating to the chosen mobility strategy to the mobile object, the method further comprises the following steps:
• a signal in particular an optical signal, for example an infrared signal and / or a sound signal and / or an electromagnetic signal
• the method further comprises the step for the microcontroller to control the actuators as a function of the control instructions extracted from the signal.
• the method further comprises the following steps:
• the step for a determined mobile object, of transmitting a guidance signal, in particular an optical signal, for example an infrared signal, intended for a receiver disposed on the guidance circuit and / or the evolution circuit; - the step, for the receiver, to decode the guidance signal to produce a signal for controlling the state of a switch associated with said receiver and fitted on the guide circuit, - the step for the switch to change status according to the control signal;
• a guidance signal in particular an optical signal, for example an infrared signal
• the manipulator transmitting control instructions to the mobile object finds that the lateral evolutions of the mobile object on the evolution circuit are practically of the same nature as those observed. by an observer who would operate a steering wheel for changing the direction of said mobile object and whose point of view would be associated with said mobile object.
• a moving object moving on the evolution circuit can double another located in front, by moving laterally.
• the receiver is arranged on the guide circuit and / or the evolution circuit before the switch and at a distance from the latter such that the change of state of the switch cannot cause a modification of the evolution of another mobile object than the one that first activated the switch.
• the method is such that it further comprises the step of automatically switching the switch to a predetermined state after the passage of a mobile object having actuated it.
• the predetermined state is the initial state.
• the method further comprises the step of determining the number of turns of the evolution circuit carried out by each mobile object by detecting a label associated with a mobile object determined by means of a reader, in particular an optical reader. and / or electromagnetic, integral with the evolution circuit.
• the method further comprises the step of timing the time taken by a determined mobile object to perform a determined number of turns of the evolution circuit.
• the timing is carried out by detecting the passage of a label associated with the mobile object considered by means of a reader, in particular optical and / or electromagnetic, integral with the evolution circuit.
• System The invention also relates to a system for controlling mobile objects moved by actuators, in particular miniature cars, on an evolution circuit. Movable objects are guided by manipulators by means of a guide circuit comprising several channels. The guide circuit is common to the different moving objects moving on the same evolution circuit.
• the manipulator has chosen a priori or in real time a mobility strategy for the mobile object.
• the system includes:
• - configuration means for configuring the mobile object according to the chosen mobility strategy, and / or
• Transmission means for transmitting to the mobile object control instructions relating to the chosen mobility strategy, in particular control instructions relating to its speed and to the guidance path used.
• the mobile object can be an automaton evolving autonomously on the evolution circuit without the intervention of the manipulator. It can also be programmed to interpret instructions from manipulator commands in order to generate changes corresponding to the manipulator's expectations.
• the mobile object includes selection means for selecting the guideway used according to the mobility strategy.
• the selection means are implemented by the mobile object during its movement on the evolution circuit.
• the system is such that the mobility strategy is characterized by at least one of the following initialization parameters specifying:
• the system is such that the setting means comprise a control member for entering data and / or macro commands in a memory area located in the mobile object.
• the memory area is associated with a microcontroller controlling the actuators.
• each mobile object is identified by an identifier, in particular an alphanumeric identifier.
• the system further comprises a base comprising: - joysticks actuated by the manipulator to acquire control instructions,
• each microcontroller of each mobile object makes it possible to extract multiplexed command instructions those associated with the identifier which has been assigned to the mobile object concerned.
• the microcontroller controls the actuators according to the extracted command instructions.
• the system is such that the multiplexing means carry out a time multiplexing of the control instructions with the power supply.
• the time multiplexing is such that each phase of transmission of the control instructions associated with a determined mobile object is followed by a phase of supply of electrical energy.
• the system further comprises a supply of electrical energy to the actuators composed by an electrical circuit associated with the guide circuit and / or by a battery and / or by a rechargeable battery in the moving object.
• Each mobile object is identified by an identifier, in particular an alphanumeric identifier.
• the system also includes a base comprising:
• - Transmission means for transmitting to mobile objects a signal, in particular an optical signal for example infrared and / or a sound signal and / or an electromagnetic signal.
• Each microcontroller of each mobile object makes it possible to extract from the signal the command instructions associated with the identifier assigned to the mobile object concerned.
• the microcontroller controls the actuators according to the extracted command instructions.
• the guide circuit is in the form of several guide tracks.
• Each movable object comprises a guide element cooperating with the guide tracks.
• the guide tracks are interconnected by switches.
• the mobile object comprises transmission means for transmitting a guidance signal, in particular an optical signal, for example an infrared signal, intended for a switching receiver.
• the referral receiver associated with a specific referral, is arranged on the guide circuit and / or the evolution circuit.
• the turnout receiver includes decoding means for decoding the guide signal and producing a turnout control signal.
• the switch comprises a mobile element actuated by the switch control signal. This mobile element is capable of taking at least two positions.
• the mobile object can thus select, during its movement on the evolution circuit, the appropriate guidance path according to the mobility strategy.
• the referral receiver is disposed on the guide circuit and / or the evolution circuit before the referral and at a distance therefrom such as the change in position of the element. mobile of the switch cannot cause a change in the evolution of another mobile object than that which actuated the switch first.
• the system is such that it further comprises return means for automatically switching the switch to a predetermined state after the passage of a moving object having actuated it.
• the predetermined state is the initial state.
• the system further comprises a label reader, in particular an optical reader and / or an electromagnetic reader, integral with the evolution circuit, for detecting a label associated with a determined mobile object, in particular optical and / or electromagnetic.
• the label reader is integral with the evolution circuit.
• the system further comprises calculation means, associated with the label reader, for determining the number of turns of the evolution circuit effected by each mobile object.
• the system further comprises a label reader, in particular an optical reader and / or an electromagnetic reader, integral with the evolution circuit, for detecting a label associated with a determined mobile object.
• the system further comprises timing means, associated with the label reader, for timing the time taken by a determined mobile object to perform a determined number of laps of the evolution circuit.
• FIGS. 2a and 2b which represent an example of a switch according to the invention
• FIGS. 3a and 3b which represent an application of the invention to a system in which the supply of electrical energy to the vehicles allowing their movement and the speed and guidance information are provided by the same circuit, for example the circuit of vehicle guidance,
• FIG. 4 which represents the control circuits of the system according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 which represents the circuits provided in each vehicle
• FIGS. 6a and 6b which represent a variant of referral to which the invention can be applied
• FIG. 1 schematically represents the system according to the invention.
• the system comprises a circuit C1, C2, C3 on which mobile objects such as one or more vehicles VI, V2, V3 must circulate.
• the circuit C1, C2, C3 is supplied with electrical energy in a manner known per se.
• the power necessary for the movement of vehicles VI, V2, V3 is supplied via a transformer T1 and the guide circuit C1, C2, C3.
• vehicles VI, V2, V3 also receive speed and trajectory controls via the guide circuit.
• Interposed between the transformer and the guiding circuit is provided a circuit making it possible to transmit, by the guiding circuit, speed and guiding information of the vehicles VI, V2, V3.
• Each vehicle VI, V2, V3 can receive information or an information packet containing speed information and guidance control information.
• the control of each vehicle VI, V2, V3 is therefore independent of the control of the other vehicle vehicles VI, V2, V3 traveling on the circuit.
• each vehicle VI, V2, V3 has an information transmitter El.
• the guide circuit Cl has, associated with each switch A1, A2, A3 and before each switch in the direction of traffic, an information receiver Dl.
• a vehicle receives a guidance command, it controls the transmission of this information to its transmitter El.
• the vehicle's transmitter El passes close to the receiver Dl, the latter receives this information, decodes it and controls the operation of the switch A1.
• the receiver Dl has commanded the switching of the switch A1 so that the vehicle is oriented towards circuit track C3.
• all the switches such as A1 of the circuit have a rest position such that after operating the switch and after passing the vehicle, the switch returns to a rest position.
• the system 7 may be designed so that normal movement of the vehicle is such that it traverses the circuit with switches at rest.
• ⁇ transmitter 1 of a vehicle No. emits no information and detectors such as Dl remain inactive.
• the manipulator wishes to turn the vehicle, for example to the right in FIG. 2a, it emits a command to change the guidance
• the transmitter El emits a command signal
• the detector Dl detects and controls the operation (switching) of the switch A1 which passes into the position shown in FIG. 2b and which automatically returns to the position of FIG. 2a after passage of the vehicle.
• the receiver has no decoding function. Relative position of transmitters and receivers
• Transmitters such as El can be placed under vehicles.
• the receivers such as D1 will be placed on the circuit on the vehicle traffic lane, for example between the raceways.
• Transmitters such as El can also be placed on a side wall of the vehicle or at the front and oriented towards the side of the track. The receivers will then be placed on the side of the track at a height such that they are along the maximum emission axis of the emission lobe of the vehicle transmitters.
• the transmitters El will preferably be placed in the front part of the vehicle to trigger the switch as soon as possible when the vehicle approaches the switch. Relative position of receivers and switches
• the receivers such as Dl are located along the track at a distance from the switches Al such as a vehicle when it is at the maximum speed that the system can be diverted by the switch Al which follows the detector Dl just after having .was detected by this detector.
• the transmission of the information transmitted from a position of the manipulator to a vehicle can be done by the vehicle guidance circuits by radio frequency, ultrasound or by optical transmission.
• the electrical supply to the vehicle allowing it to move is provided in the vehicle itself using an electric battery.
• FIG. 3 a description will now be given of the application of the invention to a system in which the supply of electrical energy to the vehicles enabling their movement and the speed and guidance information are provided by the same circuit, for example the vehicle guidance circuit.
• FIG. 3a shows a block diagram of power supply and information transmission in which the electric power supply to vehicles is periodically interrupted for brief periods during which the centralized control system transmits guidance and speed information to vehicles.
• the electric power supply to vehicles is periodically interrupted for brief periods during which the centralized control system transmits guidance and speed information to vehicles.
• FIG 3a we assume that we have three vehicles.
• information is transmitted to the attention of vehicle VI (data VI).
• V2 vehicle V2 data
• V3 data V3
• a data transmission time ts to a vehicle can be approximately 5 ms.
• An electrical power supply time t can be approximately 20 ms.
• a practical example providing 8 vehicles would lead to having a cycle time t of 200 ms. _
• FIG. 3b represents a variant in which the data VI, V2, V3 of a cycle are grouped together in the same interruption in the supply of electrical energy to the vehicles.
• FIG. 3c represents an alternative embodiment in which the speed and guidance information are superimposed on the power supply current.
• FIG. 4 represents an exemplary embodiment of a control station supplying electrical energy to the guide circuit and from which the vehicles are controlled.
• the guide circuit then comprises elements which conduct electricity.
• This control station comprises a transformer TR generally supplied with alternating current by the sector and providing a low voltage supply.
• a processing unit UTl comprises a speed information transmission circuit Wl and a guidance information transmission circuit. These circuits are controlled by control levers J1, J2, J3, of known type.
• the joystick Jl makes it possible to control the vehicle VI
• the joystick J2 makes it possible to control the vehicle V2
• the joystick J3 makes it possible to control the vehicle V3.
• a central control unit UC1 makes it possible to periodically and alternately connect the circuit Cl to the transformer TR and to the processing unit UTl.
• the processing unit UTl controls the successive emission of speed and guidance information transmitted from the joysticks Jl, J2, J3. It adds to each of this information an identity (IDENT) representing the control lever and consequently the vehicle ordered. Successive transmissions are made according to a process of the type in relation to one of FIGS. 3a to 3c.
• FIG. 5 shows a VI vehicle.
• the vehicle ALIM unit is connected by an electrical connection device, for example brushes, to the guide circuit.
• the ALIM unit is therefore supplied during the periods of connection of the transformer TR to the guide circuit Cl and supplies the electrical power to the motor M and to all the electronic circuits of the vehicle.
• a processing unit UT2 is also electrically connected to the guide circuit C1, by the brushes. It therefore receives the speed and guidance information transmitted by each controller with, associated with this information, an identity.
• the vehicle processing unit VI recognizes the identity relating to the lever J1 and therefore to itself and takes into account the information associated with this identity.
• the processing unit UT2 processes this information according to the characteristics imparted to this vehicle (for example, parameters: driving type, vehicle type, speed, type of tires, fuel allocation, etc.). .) and retransmits speed and guidance information processed.
• a UC2 control unit provides:
• a receiver Dl On the guide circuit side, a receiver Dl is located along the circuit.
• the receiver Dl When the receiver Dl receives guide information when passing a vehicle, it switches the position of the switch A1, in particular by means of an electromagnet.
• each switch In a simplified version, each switch has only two positions as in FIG. 2a.
• the guidance information is only a simple switching information that the receiver Dl is content to detect in order to control the switching of Al.
• a switch may have more than two positions and switch a channel C1 to more than two other possible channels.
• FIGS. 6a and 6b show that a channel C1 can be connected, as desired, to a channel C2, C3 or C.
• the guidance information transmitted by the transmitter El contains an indication of direction and it must be interpreted by the receiver Dl.
• the emitter El has several light sources such as diodes.
• the combination of illuminated diodes makes it possible to represent a control order.
• two diodes allow to control a switch to four positions, three diodes to control a switch to eight positions.
• the control unit UC2 will then control, as a function of the guidance information received, the lighting of determined diodes corresponding to this information.
• Each receiver such as D1 will have as many detector diodes as each vehicle has transmitter diodes. Depending on the diodes that have detected a signal, the receiver D1 will control the position of the switch.
• the transmitters must be positioned on the vehicles as a function of the position of the detectors, and vice versa, so that, during the passage of the vehicle, the different diodes of El pass in front of the diodes of the same rank of Dl.
• FIG. 7a and 7b show a device for obtaining the return of a switch to the rest position after passage of a vehicle.
• the switch A1 is at rest and communicates the section of track C1 with the section of track C2.
• Switching the switch A1 has the effect of connecting the track section C1 with the track section C2.
• the needle of the switch A1 has a portion Bl curved towards the inside of the track section C3. When the vehicle that triggered this switch passes over the switch, it pushes on the portion Bl and forces the switch to return to its rest position.
• switching of the switch can be done using a nozzle Q located under the vehicle and down into the support plate containing the guidance system.
• the part Bl is not a hindrance for the passage of the wheels of the vehicle.
• the end piece is located under the vehicle at the front of the vehicle to control the return of the switch to the rest position immediately after its passage.
• each vehicle has, under the vehicle, an identification label L.
• This label is read optically, electrically or electromagnetically by a CL sensor located along the guide circuit.
• This sensor is connected to the processing unit UTl which can thus calculate different performances achieved by the vehicle, such as speed, distance traveled.

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• Toys (AREA)
• Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=29725334

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (11)

Families Citing this family (17)

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• 2002
  • 2002-12-18 FR FR0216095A patent/FR2848872B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-09-29 DE DE20315048U patent/DE20315048U1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-12-17 EP EP03809996A patent/EP1575688A2/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-12-17 AU AU2003302186A patent/AU2003302186A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-17 JP JP2004561583A patent/JP2006510427A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-12-17 CN CNB2003801065357A patent/CN100446830C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-12-17 WO PCT/FR2003/050184 patent/WO2004056438A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2003-12-17 US US10/539,435 patent/US20060073760A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-17 BR BRPI0317561-8A patent/BR0317561A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-12-17 KR KR1020057011473A patent/KR20050121661A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-12-17 CA CA002510447A patent/CA2510447A1/fr not_active Abandoned

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