System and Method for Building, Registering and Racing Remotely Controlled Miniature Vehicles

Abstract

A retail store providing a customer with the opportunity to design, build and assemble your own customized vehicle and then race it on an in-store race track.

1 . A method of creating and racing remote controlled vehicles at a single store location comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts for selection by a user at the store;   receiving from a customer at the store an identification of select parts from the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts to create a first remote controlled vehicle;   registering the first remote controlled vehicle at a computer terminal at the store; and,   racing the registered first remote controlled vehicle at a race arena in the store.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing a plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts for selection by a user at the store comprises:
 providing a plurality of vehicle bodies having different body styles for selection by the customer.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of providing a plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts for selection by a user at the store comprises:
 providing a plurality of vehicle decals having different designs for selection by the customer;   providing a plurality of vehicle wheels having different styles for selection by the customer;   providing a plurality of vehicle tires having different styles for selection by the customer; and,   providing a plurality of vehicle accessories.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 displaying the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts with an SKU card for with each different type of part, the SKU card including a bar code associated with the type of part.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of receiving from a customer at the store an identification of select parts from the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts to create a first remote controlled miniature vehicle comprises:
 receiving SKU cards selected by the customer;   scanning the SKU cards by a scanner to identify the part types selected by the customer on a computer terminal; and,   obtaining the selected part types from inventory at the store.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of receiving from a customer at the store an identification of select parts from the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts to create a first remote controlled vehicle comprises:
 providing a computer terminal configured to display the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts;   receiving a selection signal at the computer terminal for the select parts identified by the customer.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of registering the first remote controlled vehicle at a computer terminal at the store comprises:
 obtaining personal identification information from the customer at a computer terminal; and,   generating a registration number associated with the customer.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 providing a digital camera coupled to the computer terminal;   taking a picture of the customer; and,   generating a picture identification card for the customer.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 providing a garage area at the store for assembling the select parts from the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts to build the first remote controlled miniature vehicle.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing sensors in the race arena coupled to the computer terminal; and,   maintaining statistics of a registered customer's vehicle as it races in the arena.   
   
   
       11 . A system for creating and racing remote controlled vehicles comprising:
 a remote controlled vehicle part selection area of a store having a plurality of vehicle parts for selection by a customer;   an assembly area of the store for assembling parts selected by the customer into a first remote controlled vehicle; and,   a computer in the store configured to receive personal information of the customer for registration of the first remote controlled vehicle.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a race arena in the store for racing the first remote controlled vehicle, the race arena including a plurality of sensors coupled to the computer.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the sensors can track the position of the first remote controlled vehicle in the arena and display the position on a display coupled to the computer. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein statistics relating to the racing of the first remote controlled vehicle are generated by the computer from input from the sensors 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the first remote controlled vehicle can be controlled by a remote controller. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a digital camera coupled to the computer for generating a picture of the customer, the computer further coupled to a printer and configured to create a registration identification card of the customer, the registration identification card including the picture of the customer. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts includes a plurality of vehicle bodies having different body styles, a plurality of vehicle wheels having different wheel styles, and a plurality of vehicle decals having different decal styles. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the statistics generated by the computer are accessible over a network connection. 
   
   
       19 . A retail store for sale of motor vehicle toys comprising:
 a store motif exuding a racing arena;   a showroom section for displaying the motor vehicles and any accessories related to the motor vehicles for making customizing design decisions thereon;   a checkout for the purchase of the vehicle; and   a pit area for assisting in the assembly of the chosen vehicle and accessories within the store.   
   
   
       20 . A method of creating and racing remote controlled vehicles at a single store location comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts for selection by a user at the store;   receiving from a customer at the store an identification of select parts from the plurality of remote controlled vehicle parts to create a first remote controlled vehicle;   providing an area of the store configured as a garage for assembling the remote controlled vehicle; and,   assembling the remote controlled vehicle parts into the first remote controlled vehicle.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 registering the first remote controlled vehicle at a computer terminal at the store; and,   racing the first remote controlled vehicle at a race arena in the store.