Model Train Control System

Abstract

A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.

1 - 72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . A model train control system comprising:
 a controller comprising:
 a housing; 
 a multi-position input device coupled to the housing for permitting user control over sound effects, the multi-position input device configured to provide an input signal that varies in relation to physical actuation of the multi-position input device by a user between different positions including at least first, second and third positions; 
 a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the multi-position input device, the processor configured to generate sound effects commands to be transmitted in response to the varying input signal received from the multi-position input device; and 
 a transmitter configured to communicate the sound effects commands; and 
   a model train comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive the sound effects commands; and 
 a sound effects generator configured to select recorded sound segments from memory in response to receiving the sound effects commands from the receiver and to use said recorded sound segments to generate said sound effects; 
 wherein a first one of said sound effects commands corresponds to a first one of said recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to moving the multi-position input device from at least the first position to the second position, and a second one of said sound effects commands corresponds to a second one of the recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to moving the multi-position input device from at least the second position to the third position; and 
 wherein said first one of said recorded sound segments produces a first whistle sound, and said second one of said recorded sound segments produces a second whistle sound, said first whistle sound being different from said second whistle sound. 
   
     
     
         74 . The model train control system of  claim 73 , wherein said second whistle sound is further louder than said first whistle sound. 
     
     
         75 . The model train control system of  claim 73 , wherein the second whistle sound is different from said second whistle sound in that said second whistle sound is higher in pitch than said first whistle sound. 
     
     
         76 . The model train control system controller of  claim 73 , wherein the multi-position input device can further be moved to generate at least one non-sound effect command. 
     
     
         77 . The model train control system controller of  claim 73 , wherein the processor further generates at least one smoke command in response to actuation of said multi-position switch, said smoke command cause a smoke effect generator of the model train to produce at least one smoke effect and to do so in combination with at least one of said first and second whistle sounds. 
     
     
         78 . The model train control system of  claim 73 , wherein the multi-position input device comprises a dial rotatable to a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         79 . The model train control system of  claim 73 , wherein the multi-position input device comprises a slider movable to a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         80 . A model train set, comprising:
 a train track layout;   a remote control unit including a multi-position input device configured to provide an input signal that varies in relation to physical actuation of the sound effects input device by a user from a first position to at least second and third positions, a processor operatively coupled to the multi-position input device and configured to generate sound effects commands in response to the varying input signal received from the multi-position input device, and a transmitter configured to communicate the sound effects commands; and   a train car having a wheeled carriage traveling on the train track layout, the train car further comprising a remote control interface configured to receive the sound effects commands from the remote control unit and a sound effects generator configured to select in response to the sound effects commands recorded sound segments from memory and to use said recorded sound segments to generate different whistle sounds that vary in correspondence with the physical actuation of the sound effects input device between at least said second and said third positions;   wherein a first one of said sound effects commands corresponds to a first one of said recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to moving the multi-position input device to the second position, and a second one of said train sound effects commands corresponds to a second one of the recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to moving the multi-position input device to the third position; and   wherein said sound effects generator is configured to use said first one of said recorded sound segments to generate a first one of said whistle sounds, and to use said second one of said recorded sound segments to generate a second one of said whistle sounds, said first one of said whistle sounds being different from said second one of said whistle sounds.   
     
     
         81 . The model train set of  claim 80 , wherein said second whistle sound is further louder than said first whistle sound. 
     
     
         82 . The model train set of  claim 80 , wherein said second whistle sound has a higher pitch than said first whistle sound. 
     
     
         83 . The model train set of  claim 81 , wherein said second whistle sound is different than said first whistle sound in that said second whistle sound has a higher pitch than said first whistle sound. 
     
     
         84 . The model train control set of  claim 80 , wherein the multi-position input device can further be used to generate a non-sound effect command. 
     
     
         85 . The model train control set of  claim 80 , wherein the multi-position input device comprises a dial rotatable to a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         86 . The model train control set of  claim 80 , wherein the multi-position input device comprises a slider movable to a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         87 . A model train control system comprising:
 a controller comprising:
 a housing; 
 a sound effects input device having at least first, second and third positions and being coupled to the housing for permitting user control over a whistle sound effect, the sound effect input device configured to provide an input signal that varies in relation to physical actuation of the sound effects input device by a user to said second position and to said third position; 
 a processor disposed within the housing and being operatively coupled to the sound effects input device, the processor configured to generate sound effects commands to be transmitted in response to the input signal received from the sound effects input device; and 
 a transmitter for receiving the sound effects commands from the processor and for transmitting the sound effects commands; and 
   a model train comprising:
 a receiver for receiving the sound effects commands; and 
 a sound effects generator configured to select recorded sound segments from memory in response to receiving the sound effect commands from the receiver and to use the recorded sound segments to produce said whistle sound effect, the whistle sound effect having at least one characteristic that varies in relation with the physical actuation of the sound effects input device; 
   wherein a first one of said sound effects commands corresponds to a first one of said recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to moving the sound effects input device to the second position, and a second one of said sound effects commands corresponds to a second one of the recorded sound segments and is transmitted via the transmitter in response to moving the sound effects input device to the third position; and   wherein said sound effects generator is configured to use said first one of said recorded sound segments to generate a first whistle sound effect, and to use said second one of said recorded sound segments to generate a second whistle sound effect, said first whistle sound effect having at least one characteristic that is different from said second whistle sound.   
     
     
         88 . The model train control system of  claim 87 , wherein the sound effects input device provides a first input signal corresponding to said first whistle sound effect in response to being moved to said second position, provides a second input signal corresponding to said second whistle sound effect in response to being moved to said third position, and provides a third input signal corresponding to a third whistle sound effect in response to being moved to a fourth position. 
     
     
         89 . The model train control system of  claim 87 , wherein the at least one characteristic is pitch, and said second whistle sound effect has a pitch that is higher than said first whistle sound effect. 
     
     
         90 . The model train control system of  claim 87 , wherein the sound effects input device is a dial rotatable to a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         91 . The model train control system of  claim 87 , wherein the sound effects input device is a slider movable to a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         92 . The model train control system of  claim 87 , wherein the sound effects input device is a pressure-sensitive button.