US2015306514A1PendingUtilityA1
Toy Skateboard
Est. expiryApr 23, 2034(~7.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
A63H 17/26A63H 29/00A63C 17/12A63C 17/01A63H 33/30A63H 11/00A63H 17/25A63H 29/22A63H 30/04A63H 33/42A63H 17/262A63H 17/00
62
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Claims
Abstract
In one embodiment there is a toy skateboard having two configurations. In the first configuration, a pair of non-motorized truck assemblies are attached to the deck, and the upper surface of the deck has a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the skateboard. In the second configuration, the rear non-motorized truck assembly is replaced with a motorized rear truck assembly, wherein the movement of the skateboard is controlled by the processor in response to remote signals. In addition, the processor may detect a back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of a motor caused by a manual manipulation of a wheel controlled by the motor. The processor would have sleep and wake states and would transition between the two when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modifiedWe claim:
1 . A toy skateboard assembly comprising:
a deck having a front region, rear region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a front non-motorized truck assembly and a rear non-motorized truck assembly configured for attachment to the lower surface of the deck, the front and rear non-motorized truck assemblies having a pair of freely rotatable front wheels and rear wheels, respectively, and wherein the pairs of front and rear wheels extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the deck when attached; a motorized rear truck assembly configured for attachment to the lower surface of the deck, the motorized rear truck assembly configured to house at least (i) a battery, (ii) a processor, (iii) a receiver in communication with the processor, and (iv) a pair of motors, each motor separately controlling a rear wheel, of a pair of rear wheels, and wherein the pair of rear wheels are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and behind the pair of front wheels, and said receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheels; a first configuration, defined by having the front non-motorized truck assembly attached to the lower surface towards the front region and having the rear non-motorized truck assembly removably attached to the lower surface towards the rear region, and wherein the upper surface defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard; and a second configuration, defined by removing the rear non-motorized truck assembly and removably attaching the motorized rear truck assembly to the lower surface towards the rear region, wherein the movement of the toy skateboard is controllable by the processor in response to said signals.
2 . The toy skateboard of claim 1 , wherein the motorized rear truck assembly includes a housing defined to include a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface towards the rear region and wherein the battery, processor, and pair of motors are completely positioned within the housing below the top profile of the housing.
3 . The toy skateboard of claim 2 , wherein the motorized rear truck assembly includes a the housing, and the housing has a front end and a rear end with an intermediate region there-between, and wherein the battery is further defined to include two battery compartments separately positioned in the front end and rear end of the housing and the pair of motors and the pair of rear wheels being positioned between the two battery compartments.
4 . The toy skateboard of claim 3 , wherein the rear end of the housing containing one of the battery compartments is angled upwardly to match an angle of the rear end of the deck such that the at least one battery contained in said battery compartment is angled.
5 . The toy skateboard of claim 1 wherein the receiver is defined as an IR sensor for receiving signals from the remote control unit, the IR sensor being positioned in the motorized rear truck assembly under the lower surface of the deck such that the IR sensor is positioned to receive signals reflected from a surface under the deck of the skateboard.
6 . The toy skateboard of claim 1 further comprising a circuit in communication with the processor and battery, and configured to change the battery voltage to a fixed voltage.
7 . The toy skateboard of claim 1 , wherein the remote control unit includes one or more signals to initiate a set of pre-program instructions on the processor to control the pair of rear wheels to perform one or more skateboard maneuvers.
8 . The toy skateboard of claim 7 , wherein the one or more skateboard maneuvers include, but are not limited to, a skateboard trick, a hill climb, variable speed control, and playback of user recorded input.
9 . The toy skateboard of claim 8 , wherein the remote control unit includes one or more function to record and store user input, and a function to replay the stored commands.
10 . The toy skateboard of claim 9 , wherein said replay of commands can be interrupted when the user initiates a new command during said replay.
11 . The toy skateboard of claim 1 , wherein the pair of motors, includes a first motor coupled to a first rear wheel, of the pair of rear wheels, and the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor caused by a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel, and the processor is further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state and is configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
12 . The toy skateboard of claim 11 , wherein said processor is further configured to control the pair of motors in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, and when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
13 . The toy skateboard of claim 12 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor in an opposite direction due to a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
14 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a front region, rear region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a front non-motorized truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the front region and having a pair of front wheels freely rotatably thereto; a motorized rear truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the rear region, and the motorized rear truck assembly having a housing configured to include a battery, a processor, a pair of motors to separately drive a pair of rear wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned behind the pair of front wheels, and a receiver in communication with the processor and configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheels; and a center of gravity defined by the toy skateboard and positioned below the lower surface of the deck.
15 . The toy skateboard of claim 14 , wherein the housing of the motorized rear truck assembly includes a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface towards the rear region, and wherein the motorized rear truck assembly is completely removable from the deck such that the rear motorized truck assembly is replaceable with a non-motorized rear truck assembly similarly configured to the front truck assembly and wherein the upper surface of the deck thus defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard.
16 . The toy skateboard of claim 14 , wherein the pair of motors, includes a first motor coupled to a first rear wheel, of the pair of rear wheels, and the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor caused by a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel, and the processor is further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state and is configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
17 . The toy skateboard of claim 16 , wherein said processor is further configured to control the pair of motors in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, and when said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
18 . The toy skateboard of claim 17 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor in an opposite direction due to a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
19 . The toy skateboard of claim 14 , wherein the receiver is defined as an IR sensor for receiving signals from the remote control unit, the IR sensor being positioned in the motorized rear truck assembly under the lower surface of the deck such that the IR sensor is positioned to receive signals reflected from a surface under the deck of the skateboard.
20 . The toy skateboard of claim 14 , wherein the housing includes a front end and a rear end with an intermediate region therebetween, and wherein the battery includes two battery compartments separately positioned in the front end and rear end and the pair of motors is positioned between the two battery compartments.
21 . The toy skateboard of claim 20 , wherein the rear end of the housing containing one of the battery compartments is angled upwardly to match an angle of the rear end of the deck such that the at least one battery contained in said battery compartment is angled.
22 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a front region, rear region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a front non-motorized truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the front region and having a pair of front wheels freely rotatably thereto; a motorized rear truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the rear region, and the motorized rear truck assembly having a housing defined to include a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface towards the rear region and the housing configured to include at least a battery, a processor, a pair of motors to separately control a pair of rear wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck, and the pair of rear wheels being positioned behind the pair of front wheels, the housing further including a receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheels; and wherein the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force voltage generated by the rotation of one or more of the pair of motors due to a manual manipulation by a human on one or more of the rear wheels, and the processor being further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state, and wherein the processor includes a function to transition between the sleep state and the wake state, when the detected back electromotive force voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
23 . The toy skateboard of claim 22 , wherein said processor is further configured to control the pair of motors in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, and when said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
24 . The toy skateboard of claim 23 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor in an opposite direction due to a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
25 . The toy skateboard of claim 22 , wherein the rear motorized truck assembly is removably secured to the lower surface such that the rear motorized truck assembly is replaceable with a rear non-motorized truck assembly and wherein the upper surface of the deck defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard.
26 . The toy skateboard of claim 22 , wherein the receiver is defined as an IR sensor for receiving signals from an external remote control unit, the IR sensor is positioned in a window defined in the housing under the deck and the IR sensor is configured to receive signals sent by the remote control unit and reflected from a surface under the deck of the skateboard.
27 . The toy skateboard of claim 22 , wherein the housing includes a front end and a rear end with an intermediate region therebetween, and wherein the battery includes two battery compartments separately positioned in the front end and rear end and the pair of motors being positioned between the two battery compartments.
28 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a front region, rear region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a front non-motorized truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the front region and having a pair of front wheels freely rotatably thereto; a motorized rear truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the rear region, and the motorized rear truck assembly having a housing defined to include a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface towards the rear region and the housing configured to include at least a battery, a processor, a pair of motors to control and separately rotate a pair of rear wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned behind the pair of front wheels, and the housing further including a receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheels; and a circuit in communication with the processor and battery, the circuit being configured to varying the battery voltage to a fixed voltage.
29 . The toy skateboard of claim 28 , wherein the pair of motors, includes a first motor coupled to a first rear wheel, of the pair of rear wheels, and the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor caused by a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel, and the processor is further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state and is configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
30 . The toy skateboard of claim 29 , wherein said processor is further configured to control the pair of motors in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
when said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
31 . The toy skateboard of claim 29 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor in an opposite direction due to a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
32 . The toy skateboard of claim 28 , wherein the rear motorized truck assembly is removably secured to the lower surface such that the rear motorized truck assembly is replaceable with a rear non-motorized truck assembly and wherein the upper surface of the deck defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard.
33 . The toy skateboard of claim 28 , wherein the receiver is defined as an IR sensor for receiving signals from the remote control unit, the IR sensor being positioned in the motorized rear truck assembly under the lower surface of the deck such that the IR sensor is positioned to receive signals reflected from a surface under the deck of the skateboard.
34 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a front region, rear region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a front non-motorized truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the front region and having a pair of front wheels freely rotatably thereto; a motorized rear truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the rear region, and the motorized rear truck assembly having a housing defined to include a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface towards the rear region and the housing configured to include at least a battery, a processor, a pair of motors to control and separately rotate a pair of rear wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned behind the pair of front wheels, and the housing further including a receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheels; and a weight removably secured to a portion of the deck to adjust a center of gravity and configured to adjusts a center of spin.
35 . The toy skateboard of claim 34 , wherein the pair of motors, includes a first motor coupled to a first rear wheel, of the pair of rear wheels, and the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor caused by a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel, and the processor is further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state and is configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
36 . The toy skateboard of claim 35 , wherein said processor is further configured to control the pair of motors in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, and when said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
37 . The toy skateboard of claim 36 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor in an opposite direction due to a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
38 . The toy skateboard of claim 34 , wherein the rear motorized truck assembly is removably secured to the lower surface such that the rear motorized truck assembly is replaceable with a rear non-motorized truck assembly and wherein the upper surface of the deck defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard.
39 . The toy skateboard of claim 34 , wherein the receiver includes an IR sensor for receiving signals from a remote control unit, the IR sensor being positioned in a window defined in the housing under the deck and the IR sensor is configured to receive signals sent by the remote control unit reflected from a surface under the deck of the skateboard.
40 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a front region, rear region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a front non-motorized truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the front region and having a pair of front wheels freely rotatably thereto; a motorized rear truck assembly removably secured to the deck, and the motorized rear truck assembly having a housing defined to enclose a battery, a processor, a pair of motors to control and separately rotate a pair of rear wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned behind the pair of front wheels, and the housing further including a receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheels, such that movement of the skateboard is accomplished without an object on the upper surface of the deck.
41 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 , wherein the rear wheels are secured to the removably motorized rear truck assembly at a position defined wherein an uppermost plane of the rear wheels is below the lower surface of the deck.
42 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 , wherein pair of rear wheels and pair of front wheels are positioned below the lower surface of the deck at a substantially single plane.
43 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 , wherein the motorized rear truck assembly is removably secured to the lower surface is configured to be replaced with a non-motorized rear truck assembly, such that the upper surface of the deck defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard.
44 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 , wherein the pair of motors, includes a first motor coupled to a first rear wheel, of the pair of rear wheels, and the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor caused by a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel, and the processor is further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state and is configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
45 . The toy skateboard of claim 44 , wherein said processor is further configured to control the pair of motors in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, when said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
46 . The toy skateboard of claim 45 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor in an opposite direction due to a manual manipulation of the first rear wheel in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.
47 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 further comprising a circuit in communication with the processor and battery, and the circuit being configured to vary the battery voltage to a fixed voltage to define a more consistent performance from the battery.
48 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 , wherein the receiver is defined as an IR sensor for receiving signals from the remote control unit, the IR sensor being positioned in the motorized rear truck assembly under the lower surface of the deck such that the IR sensor is positioned to receive signals reflected from a surface under the deck of the skateboard.
49 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 , wherein the battery, pair of motors, processor, and receiver are completely configured within the removably motorized rear truck assembly and below the top profile thereof.
50 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 , wherein the removably motorized rear truck assembly includes a front end and a rear end with an intermediate region therebetween, and wherein the battery includes two or more battery compartments separately positioned in the front end and rear end and the pair of motors being positioned between the two battery compartments.
51 . The toy skateboard of claim 40 further comprising a removable weight connected to the deck to adjusts a center of spin.
52 . A toy skateboard having a deck, a front truck secured to a lower surface of the deck with a pair of freely rotatable front wheels, a motorized rear truck secured to the lower surface, wherein the rear truck has a housing defined to include a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface of the deck and the housing configured to include at least a battery, a processor, a pair of motors to control and separately rotate a pair of rear wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned behind the pair of front wheels, and the housing further including a receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheel, and wherein the rear truck is completely removably from the deck such that the rear truck is replaceable with a non-motorized rear truck similarly configured to the front truck and wherein the upper surface of the deck defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard.
53 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a first region, a second region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a truck assembly secured to the lower surface, the truck assembly having a housing with a defined first end and second end, the housing configured to include a first non-motorized pair of first wheels freely rotatable transversely to a longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned near the first end of the housing adjacent the first region of the deck, the housing further having at least a battery, a processor, a pair of motors to control and separately rotate a pair of second wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned behind the pair of first wheels, and the housing further including a receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of second wheel.
54 . The toy skateboard of claim 53 , wherein the truck assembly is removably secured to the lower surface of the deck and replaceable with a pair of non-motorized truck assemblies secured to the lower surface, each non-motorized truck assembly having a pair of wheels freely rotatably and wherein the upper surface of the deck defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard
55 . The toy skateboard of claim 53 , wherein the receiver is defined as an IR sensor for receiving signals from the remote control unit, the IR sensor being positioned in the motorized rear truck assembly under the lower surface of the deck such that the IR sensor is positioned to receive signals reflected from a surface under the deck of the skateboard.
56 . The toy skateboard of claim 53 , wherein the pair of motors, includes a first motor coupled to one of the second wheels and the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor caused by a manual manipulation of the second wheel, and the processor is further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state and is configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
57 . The toy skateboard of claim 56 , wherein said processor is further configured to control the pair of motors in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, and when said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move the second wheel momentarily, (b) move the second wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the second wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the second wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the second wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the second wheel continuously.
58 . The toy skateboard of claim 57 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of the first motor in an opposite direction due to a manual manipulation of the second wheel in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move the second wheel momentarily, (b) move the second wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the second wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the second wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the second wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the second wheel continuously.
59 . The toy skateboard of claim 53 , wherein the processor includes a function configured to record and playback signals received from the receiver and configured as user defined controls to the pair of second wheels.
60 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a first region, a second region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a non-motorized truck assembly secured to the lower surface towards the first region and having one or more freely rotatable first wheels; a motorized truck assembly removably secured to the deck, and the motorized truck assembly having a housing defined to enclose, below the lower surface of the deck: (i) a battery, (ii) a processor, (iii) a pair of motors to control and separately rotate a pair of second wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned laterally away from the pair of first wheels, and (iv) a receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of second wheels.
61 . The skateboard of claim 60 , wherein the motorized truck assembly is removably attached to the lower surface of the deck.
62 . A toy skateboard having a deck, a front truck secured to a lower surface of the deck with a pair of freely rotatably front wheels, the toy skateboard further comprising:
a motorized rear truck secured to the lower surface and have a pair of rear wheels, the rear truck having a housing configured to include a battery, a processor, a receiver configured to receive signals from a remote control unit to send signals to the processor, and a first motor configured to rotate a first wheel in response to the signals; and the processor being further configured to detect a voltage generated by the first motor when a human generated force causes the first wheel to rotate, and the processor being further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state; and a pre-programmed processor function configured to cause the processor to transition from one state to another state, of the defined sleep state and wake state, when the voltage generated by the human generated force causing the first wheel to rotate reaches a pre-determined trigger voltage defined by the processor.
63 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 , wherein when the voltage generated reaches a pre-determined trigger voltage causing the processor to transition from one state to another state, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed tactile outputs to the first wheel.
64 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect a second voltage generated by the first motor when a human generated force causes the first wheel to rotate, and when the processor transitions from one state to another state, the processor is further configured to control the first motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed tactile outputs to the first wheel:
(a) accelerating the wheel forward momentarily; (b) accelerating the wheel forward continuously; (c) accelerating the wheel in reverse momentarily; (d) accelerating the wheel in reverse continuously; (e) braking the wheel; (f) oscillating the rotation of the wheel;
65 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 , wherein when the processor transitions from one state to another state, the processor is further configured to a delay by a pre-determined time internal prior to the control of the first motor in accordance with the pre-programmed tactile output to the first wheel.
66 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 , wherein the pre-programmed tactile output to the first wheel are at less than 100% motor speed.
67 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 , wherein the pre-programmed tactile output to the first wheel are at variating motor speeds.
68 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 further comprising:
a second motor in communication with the processor, the second motor configured to rotate a second wheel, and wherein the pre-programmed tactile output is further configured to control both motors and rotate both wheels.
69 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 further comprising:
an electrical circuit designed to augment the voltage generated to trip the pre-determined trigger voltage defined by the processor.
70 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 further comprising a reduction gear train meshed between the first motor and first wheel.
71 . The toy skateboard of claim 62 , wherein the rear truck is completely removable from the deck such that the rear truck is replaceable with a non-motorized rear truck similarly configured to the front truck and wherein the upper surface of the deck defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard.
72 . A toy vehicle comprising:
a motor configured to cause a motion of an element of said toy, said motion of said element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said motor; and a processor configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of said motor due to said manipulation by a human, and said processor being further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state; and said processor comprising a function configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
73 . The toy vehicle of claim 72 , wherein said element is a wheel.
74 . The toy vehicle of claim 72 ,
wherein said processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
75 . The toy vehicle of claim 74 , wherein when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, said processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in auditory perception, and when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move said element momentarily, (b) move said element continuously, (c) resist motion of said element momentarily, (d) resist motion of said element continuously, (e) oscillate said element momentarily, and (f) oscillate said element continuously.
76 . The toy vehicle of claim 72 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of said motor in an opposite direction due to said manipulation by a human in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response: (a) move said element momentarily, (b) move said element continuously, (c) resist motion of said element momentarily, (d) resist motion of said element continuously, (e) oscillate said element momentarily, and (f) oscillate said element continuously.
77 . The toy vehicle of claim 76 , wherein said pre-programmed motions are selected based on the rotation direction of the motor and based on whether the processor is in the wake state or sleep state.
78 . The toy vehicle of claim 76 , wherein when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to a delay by a pre-determined time internal prior to the said pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response.
79 . The toy vehicle of claim 76 , wherein the pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response are at less than 100% motor speed.
80 . The toy vehicle of claim 76 , wherein the pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response are at variating motor speeds.
81 . The toy vehicle of claim 76 further comprising:
a second motor configured to cause a motion of a second element of said toy, said motion of said second element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said motor;
said processor is further configured to control said second motor, and wherein the pre-programmed output is further configured to control both motors and rotate both wheels resulting in a tactile response.
82 . The toy vehicle of claim 81 , wherein said element is a wheel.
83 . The toy vehicle of claim 76 further comprising:
an electrical circuit designed to alter said back EMF voltage prior to detection by said processor.
84 . A toy vehicle comprising:
a motor configured to cause a motion of an element of said toy, said motion of said element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said motor; and a processor configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the actuation of said motor due to said manipulation by a human; and said processor being further configured to include at least two states; and said processor comprising a function configured to transition between states when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value; and said processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
85 . The toy vehicle of claim 84 , wherein said element is a wheel.
86 . The toy vehicle of claim 84 , wherein the pre-programmed tactile responses is turning said motor in a forward or reverse direction or braking said motor.
87 . The toy vehicle of claim 84 further comprising:
a second motor configured to cause a motion of a second element of said toy, said motion of said second element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said motor;
said processor is further configured to control said second motor, and wherein the pre-programmed output is further configured to control both motors and rotate both wheels resulting in a tactile response.
88 . The toy vehicle of claim 87 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of said motor in an opposite direction due to said manipulation by a human in an opposite direction; and
when either of said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control said motors resulting in a tactile response.
89 . The toy vehicle of claim 88 further comprising:
an electrical circuit designed to alter said back EMF voltage prior to detection by said processor.
90 . The toy vehicle of claim 88 , wherein said pre-programmed motions are selected based on the rotation direction of the motor and based on whether the processor is in the wake state or sleep state.
91 . The toy vehicle of claim 88 , wherein when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to a delay by a pre-determined time internal prior to the said pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response.
92 . The toy vehicle of claim 88 , wherein the pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response are at less than 100% motor speed.
93 . A toy vehicle comprising:
a motor configured to cause a motion of an element of said toy, said motion of said element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said motor; and a processor configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the actuation of said motor due to said manipulation by a human; and said processor being further configured to include at least two states of the following states:
(a) a lower power state configured to turn the at least one motor off and power the vehicle off;
(b) a lower power sleep state configured to turn the at least one motor off and put the processor in a low power sleep state and halt executing code;
(c) a wake state configured to power the vehicle on;
(d) a wake state configured to bring the processor out of a low power sleep state and begin to executing code;
(e) a user controllable drive state configured to control the at least one motor and rotate the at least one wheel;
(f) a user controllable drive state configured to control the at least one motor and rotate the at least one wheel at a slower than maximum speed;
(g) a user controllable drive state configured to control the at least one motor and rotate the at least one wheel in accordance to a pre-programmed set of instructions and user input from a remote device to cause the vehicle to perform a maneuver;
(h) a non-user autonomous drive state configured to control the at least one motor and rotate the at least one wheel; and
said processor comprising a function configured to transition between states when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value; and said processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
94 . The toy vehicle of claim 93 , wherein said element is a wheel.
95 . The toy vehicle of claim 93 further comprising:
a second motor configured to cause a motion of a second element of said toy, said motion of said second element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said motor;
said processor is further configured to control said second motor, and wherein the pre-programmed output is further configured to control both motors and rotate both wheels resulting in a tactile response.
96 . The toy vehicle of claim 93 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of said second motor due to said manipulation by a human in an opposite direction; and
said processor comprising a function to transition between said states when said detected second back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value; and said processor is further configured to control said second motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected second back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
97 . The toy vehicle of claim 93 , wherein said pre-programmed motions are selected based on the rotational direction of the motor and based on whether the processor is in the wake state or sleep state.
98 . The toy vehicle of claim 93 , wherein when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to a delay by a pre-determined time internal prior to the said pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response.
99 . A toy vehicle comprising:
a motor configured to cause a motion of an element of said toy, said motion of said element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said motor; and a processor configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of said motor due to said manipulation by a human, and said processor being further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state; and said processor comprising a function configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, wherein said processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
100 . The toy vehicle of claim 99 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of said motor in an opposite direction due to said manipulation by a human in an opposite direction; and
when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control said motor resulting in a tactile response, and wherein said tactile response is selected based on the rotation direction of the motor and based on whether the processor is in the wake state or sleep state.
101 . The toy vehicle of claim 100 , wherein said element is a wheel.
102 . A toy vehicle comprising:
a low inductance motor powered by a high frequency switched voltage at a frequency high enough to create continuous conduction; an H-bridge circuit configured to control a direction of the motor; an adjustable high frequency DC-DC switch configured to convert a supply voltage to an output voltage, lower than the supply voltage, for use by the H-bridge circuit to power the low inductance motor in a forward or reverse direction; and a processor having instructions configured to change the output voltage from the DC-DC switch from a first voltage to a second voltage.
103 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the motor has an inductance of approximately less than 500 uH.
104 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the motor has an inductance of about 140 uH.
105 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the DC-DC switch is operating at a frequency greater than 250 kHz.
106 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the DC-DC switch is operating at a frequency substantially about 1500 kHz.
107 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the DC-DC switch is changed digitally.
108 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the output voltage from the DC-DC switch is selected by a voltage divider with a first resistor value and a second resistor value and wherein the second resistor value is selected by the instructions from the processor such that the output voltage from the DC-DC switch can define a first output voltage and a second output voltage.
109 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the output voltage from the DC-DC switch is selected by a voltage divider with a first resistor value and a second resistor value and wherein the second resistor value is selected by the instructions from the processor such that the output voltage from the DC-DC switch can define a first output voltage, a second output voltage, and a third output voltage.
110 . The toy vehicle of claim 109 , wherein the second resistor value is selected from a pair of resistors, defined separately to create the first output voltage and the second output voltage respectively and defined in series to create the third output voltage.
111 . The toy vehicle of claim 102 , wherein the processor further includes instructions to the H-bridge circuit to only control the direction of the motor.
112 . A toy vehicle comprising:
an electromechanical actuator configured to cause a motion of an element of said toy, said motion of said element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said electromechanical actuator; and a processor configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the actuation of said electromechanical actuator due to said manipulation by a human; and said processor being further configured to include at least two states; and said processor comprising a function configured to transition between states when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value; and said processor is further configured to control said motor in accordance with one or more pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
113 . The toy vehicle of claim 112 , wherein said element is a wheel.
114 . The toy vehicle of claim 112 , wherein the pre-programmed tactile responses is turning said electromechanical actuator in a forward or reverse direction or braking said motor.
115 . The toy vehicle of claim 112 further comprising:
a second electromechanical actuator configured to cause a motion of a second element of said toy, said motion of said second element further accessible for manipulation by a human to in turn rotate said second electromechanical actuator;
said processor is further configured to control said second electromechanical actuator, and wherein the pre-programmed output is further configured to control both electromechanical actuators and rotate both wheels resulting in a tactile response.
116 . The toy vehicle of claim 115 , wherein said processor is further configured to detect a second back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of said electromechanical actuator in an opposite direction due to said manipulation by a human in an opposite direction; and
when either of said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control said electromechanical actuators resulting in a tactile response.
117 . The toy vehicle of claim 116 further comprising:
an electrical circuit designed to alter said back EMF voltage prior to detection by said processor.
118 . The toy vehicle of claim 116 , wherein said pre-programmed motions are selected based on the rotation direction of the electromechanical actuator and based on whether the processor is in the wake state or sleep state.
119 . The toy vehicle of claim 116 , wherein when either said detectable back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to a delay by a pre-determined time internal prior to the said pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response.
120 . The toy vehicle of claim 116 , wherein the pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response are at less than 100% electromechanical actuator speed.
121 . The toy vehicle of claim 115 , wherein the tactile response is configured in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions:
(a) move one or more of said elements momentarily, (b) move one or more of said elements continuously, (c) resist motion of one or more of said elements momentarily, (d) resist motion of one or more of said elements continuously, (e) oscillate one or more of said elements momentarily, and (f) oscillate one or more of said elements continuously.
122 . An electromechanical system wherein a two electrical motors actuate motive elements, and wherein a user can manipulate some or all of said motive elements to reciprocally produce motion in some or all of said two electrical motors, further comprising:
a current-limited connection from a first terminal of a first said electrical motor to a first logic circuit; a resistive connection between a second terminal of a said first said electrical motor to a first terminal of a second said electrical motor; a current-limited connection from a second terminal of said second said electrical motor to a second logic circuit; wherein said first and second logic circuits detect the sum of the back EMF of said two electrical motors and are in communication with a processor.
123 . The electromechanical system of claim 122 , wherein the electromechanical system is a skateboard.
124 . The skateboard of claim 123 , wherein the said two electrical motors actuate wheels in a rear truck, wheels in the rear truck accessible for manipulation by a user.
125 . An electromechanical system wherein a two electrical motors actuate motive elements, and wherein a user can manipulate some or all of said motive elements to reciprocally produce motion in some or all of said two electrical motors, further comprising:
a current-limited connection from a first terminal of a first said electrical motor to a logic circuit; a resistive connection between a second terminal of a said first said electrical motor to a first terminal of a second said electrical motor; wherein said logic circuit detects the sum of the back EMF of said two electrical motors and is in communication with a processor.
126 . The electromechanical system of claim 125 , wherein the electromechanical system is a skateboard.
127 . The skateboard of claim 126 , wherein the said two electrical motors actuate wheels in a rear truck, wheels in the rear truck accessible for manipulation by a user.
128 . A toy skateboard assembly comprising:
a deck having a first region, a second region, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a pair of non-motorized truck assemblies configured for separate attachment to the lower surface of the deck, the truck assemblies each having a pair of freely rotatable wheels, respectively, and wherein the pairs of wheels extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the deck when attached; a motorized truck assembly configured for attachment to the lower surface of the deck, the motorized truck assembly configured to house at least (i) a battery, (ii) a processor, (iii) a receiver in communication with the processor, and (iv) a pair of motors, each motor separately controlling a motorized wheel, of a pair of motorized wheels, and wherein the pair of motorized wheels are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and behind one of said pair of freely rotatable wheels defined by the non-motorized truck assembly, and said receiver configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of motorized wheels; a first configuration, defined by having the pair of non-motorized truck assemblies separately attached to the lower surface towards the first region and towards the second region, and wherein the upper surface defines a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the toy skateboard; and a second configuration, defined by removing one of the non-motorized truck assemblies and attaching the motorized truck assembly to the lower surface, wherein the movement of the toy skateboard is controllable by the processor in response to said signals.
129 . The toy skateboard of claim 128 , wherein the motorized truck assembly includes a housing defined to include a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface towards the first or second region and wherein the battery, processor, and pair of motors are completely positioned within the housing below the top profile of the housing.
130 . A toy skateboard comprising:
a deck having a pair of ends longitudinally separately along a longitudinal axis of the deck, an upper surface, and a lower surface; a motorized truck assembly secured to the lower surface, the motorized truck assembly having a housing configured to include a battery, a processor, at least a first pair of motors to separately drive a first pair of wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned about one of the ends of the deck, and, a second pair of motors to separately drive a second pair of wheels positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the deck and positioned about the other end of the deck; a receiver in communication with the processor and configured to receive signals to control the movement of the pair of rear wheels; and a center of gravity defined by the toy skateboard and positioned below the lower surface of the deck.
131 . The toy skateboard of claim 130 , wherein the motorized truck assembly includes a housing defined to include a top profile substantially conforming to a portion of the lower surface towards the first or second region and wherein the battery, processor, and pair of motors are completely positioned within the housing below the top profile of the housing.
132 . The toy skateboard of claim 130 , wherein the motorized truck assembly is removably for replacement with two pair of non-motorized truck assemblies configured for separate attachment to the lower surface of the deck, each non-motorized truck assembly has a pair of freely rotatable wheels, respectively, and wherein the pairs of wheels extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the deck when attached.
133 . The toy skateboard of claim 130 , wherein the first pair of motors, includes one motor coupled to one of the first wheels, and the processor is configured to detect a back electromotive force (“EMF”) voltage generated by the rotation of the one motor caused by a manual manipulation of said first wheel coupled thereto, and the processor is further configured to include at least a sleep state and a wake state and is configured to transition between said sleep state and said wake state when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
134 . The toy skateboard of claim 133 , wherein when said detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value, the processor is further configured to control the one motor in accordance with one or more of the following pre-programmed motions resulting in a tactile response:
(a) move the rear wheel momentarily, (b) move the rear wheel continuously, (c) resist motion of the rear wheel momentarily, (d) resist motion of the rear wheel continuously, (e) oscillate the rear wheel momentarily, and (f) oscillate the rear wheel continuously.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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