PATENT NUMBER and
`ISSUE DATE
`
`..
`· U.S. UTILITY Patent Application_
`. '--+-,,---·.,._,--.,.,---.----,---'
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`..
`FILING DATE CLASS SUBCLASS GAU
`EXAMINER. , .
`/;S', I
`AVERY rs"
`0211212002
`180
`3618
`:~:m
`Norman David; Mimlitch Robert; Torrnnce.f<.ichard;
`
`. .
`-
`APPL NUM
`10076795
`
`**APPLICANTS:
`
`.. CONTINUING DATA VEP.!FIED:
`This appln claims benefit of 60/268,447 02/12/2001
`
`I,
`
`•• FOREIGN A~PLICATIONS VERIFIED:
`
`l1D;0;;.,.1. .. ·IO ... ·~i-P..;U;.;;B;,;;L;.;;IS .. H..,D __ ....11~-..:R~E;;;;S~C;.:.:IN,;:,:;D~D;;..._....1.l _________ t
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`I
`~TTORNEY DOCKET NO
`CJ yes CJ no
`Foreign pricrily claime~
`CJ yes CJ no
`35 USC 119 conditions met
`t:V=e::rifi-::1e::-d-an_d_A_ck_n_ow_1_eclfp-ed_E_x_am_i_ne_rs_·s_in_ti_a1_s _________ --1S_0_0_9_7_-8_U_S_P_T _______ ~I
`hlTLE : System, 8J¥laratus, and method for providing control of a toy vehicle
`U,S.OEPT. OF COMM.IPAT.& TM~PTQ.43EiL(Rov. 12·94)
`
`1
`
`NOTICE OF.ALLOWANCE MAILED
`
`ISSUE FEE
`Date Paid
`Amount Dua
`
`D TERMINAL
`
`DISCLAMER
`
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`Total Clalmo
`
`O.G
`
`I Prln.t Claim for
`Sheeto. Drw9. , F1gs.Drw9. I Print Fig.
`
`DRAWING
`
`Assistant Examiner
`
`. Primary Eomlnw
`
`Appllcati n Examiner
`
`PREPARED FOR ISSUE
`WARNING: The information disclosed herein may be restricted.
`Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by Che United States Code Title 35,
`Sections 122, 181 and 368, Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark
`and contractors onlv.
`Office is restricted to authorized
`FILED WITH: D DISK (CRF)
`
`D CD-ROM
`
`(Attachad In pocket en right Inside flap)
`
`1 of 361
`
`
`ISSUE DATE
`
`..
`· U.S. UTILITY Patent Application_
`. '--+-,,---·.,._,--.,.,---.----,---'
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`.,
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`,
`..
`FILING DATE CLASS SUBCLASS GAU
`EXAMINER. , .
`/;S', I
`AVERY rs"
`0211212002
`180
`3618
`:~:m
`Norman David; Mimlitch Robert; Torrnnce.f<.ichard;
`
`. .
`-
`APPL NUM
`10076795
`
`**APPLICANTS:
`
`.. CONTINUING DATA VEP.!FIED:
`This appln claims benefit of 60/268,447 02/12/2001
`
`I,
`
`•• FOREIGN A~PLICATIONS VERIFIED:
`
`l1D;0;;.,.1. .. ·IO ... ·~i-P..;U;.;;B;,;;L;.;;IS .. H..,D __ ....11~-..:R~E;;;;S~C;.:.:IN,;:,:;D~D;;..._....1.l _________ t
`1-P ... G..,-.. P .. u.s.,!;;
`I
`~TTORNEY DOCKET NO
`CJ yes CJ no
`Foreign pricrily claime~
`CJ yes CJ no
`35 USC 119 conditions met
`t:V=e::rifi-::1e::-d-an_d_A_ck_n_ow_1_eclfp-ed_E_x_am_i_ne_rs_·s_in_ti_a1_s _________ --1S_0_0_9_7_-8_U_S_P_T _______ ~I
`hlTLE : System, 8J¥laratus, and method for providing control of a toy vehicle
`U,S.OEPT. OF COMM.IPAT.& TM~PTQ.43EiL(Rov. 12·94)
`
`1
`
`NOTICE OF.ALLOWANCE MAILED
`
`ISSUE FEE
`Date Paid
`Amount Dua
`
`D TERMINAL
`
`DISCLAMER
`
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`Total Clalmo
`
`O.G
`
`I Prln.t Claim for
`Sheeto. Drw9. , F1gs.Drw9. I Print Fig.
`
`DRAWING
`
`Assistant Examiner
`
`. Primary Eomlnw
`
`Appllcati n Examiner
`
`PREPARED FOR ISSUE
`WARNING: The information disclosed herein may be restricted.
`Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by Che United States Code Title 35,
`Sections 122, 181 and 368, Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark
`and contractors onlv.
`Office is restricted to authorized
`FILED WITH: D DISK (CRF)
`
`D CD-ROM
`
`(Attachad In pocket en right Inside flap)
`
`1 of 361
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`Date Exmr.
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`2 of 361
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`ORIGINAL
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`SUBCLASS
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`ISSUE SUP STAPLE AREA lfor additional cross-references I
`ISSUING CLASSIFICATION
`CROSS REFERENCE(S)
`SUBCLASS (ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK)
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`INTERNATIONAL
`Cl.ASSIACATION
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`INDEX OF CLAIMS
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`- (Through numeral) ... canceled
`............... Rejected
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`............... Allowed
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`•
`
`Patent Application
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`David A Norman and Robert H. Mimlitch, III and Richard Torrance
`
`For:
`
`SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTROL OF A
`TOY VEHICLE
`
`BOX APPLICATION
`Commissioner for Patents
`P. 0. Box 2327
`Arlington, VA 22202
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY EXPRESS MAIL
`
`"EXPRESS MAIL" Mailing Label No. EL916517123US
`Date of Deposit: February 12, 2002
`I hereby certify that this paper or fee is being deposited with the U.S. Postal
`Service "Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" service under
`37 CFR 1.10 on the date indicated above and is addressed to Box New
`Application, Conunissioner for Patents,P. 0. Box 2327, Arlington, VA
`22202
`
`Sir:
`
`.X.
`
`.X.
`
`_x_
`
`__x_
`
`PA TENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL LETTER
`
`Transmitted herewith for filing, please find the following:
`
`Specification, claims and abstract of the above-referenced patent application (total of 1/d.
`pages)
`
`..lL sheet(s) of drawing(s) (_formal/..K._ informal). (FIGURES 1-12)
`
`Combined Declaration and Power of Attorney (unsigned)
`
`An Assignment of the invention to: INNOVATION FIRST, INC.
`
`Applicant Claims small entity status under 37 CFR 1.9 and 1.27.
`
`Dallas2 870298 v I, 50097.00008
`
`4 of 361
`
`
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`•. .-i
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`•
`
`• Patent Application
`
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`Priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119 based on filing in the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office:
`
`Application No.
`
`Filing Date
`
`60/268,447
`
`February 12, 2001
`
`(1)
`
`(2)
`
`(No.) Certified copy (copies)
`
`are attached; or
`
`were previously filed on
`
`Other (specify):
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`The filing fee has been calculated as shown below:
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`FOR: SMALL ENTITY
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`NO. FILED
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`TOTAL CLAIMS
`
`s
`
`INDEPENDENT CLAIMS
`
`MULTIPLE DEPENDENT
`CLAIM(S) PRESENTED
`
`TOTAL FEE:
`
`45- 20
`
`8- 3
`
`25
`
`5
`
`$9
`
`$42
`
`FEE
`
`$370
`
`$225
`
`$210
`
`$260
`
`$
`
`$805.00
`
`_x_
`
`.X.
`
`Please charge my Deposit Account No. 10-0447 in the amount of $805.00. This sheet is
`attached in duplicate.
`
`A check in the amount of$
`for the filing fee of the application and a check in the
`amount of $40.00 for the filing fee for the Assignment is attached. Please charge any
`deficiency or credit any overpayment to Deposit Account No. 10-0447 .
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`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge payment of the following fees
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`10-044 7 This sheet is attached in triplicate .
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`Any additional filing fees required under 3 7 CFR 1 : 16 including fees for
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`
`Dallas2 870298 v 1. 50097.00008
`
`5 of 361
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`•
`
`• Patent Application
`
`Docket No. 50097-8USPT
`
`X
`
`Any additional patent application processing fees under 3 7 CFR 1. 17 and under
`37 CFR 1.20(d).
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`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge payment of the following fees during
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`044 7. This sheet is attached in duplicate.
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`l.20(d).
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`pursuant to 37 CFR 1.31 l(b).
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`Any filing fees under 3 7 CFR 1. 16 including fees for presentation of extra claims .
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`Respectfully submitted,
`
`JENKENS & GILCHRIST, P.C.
`
`B
`
`Date: February 12, 2002
`
`Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C.
`3200 Fountain Place
`1445 Ross Avenue
`Dallas, Texas 75202-2799
`Tel: (214) 855-4188
`Fax: (214) 855-4300
`
`Dallas2 870298 v I, 50097.00008
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`19 of 361
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`•
`
`~ a t e n t Application
`~ t No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY EXPRESS MAIL
`
`"EXPRESS MAIL" Mailing Label No
`Date of Deposit:
`I hereby certify that this paper or fee
`is being deposited with the U.S. Postal
`Service
`"Express Mail Post Office
`to
`Addressee" service under 37 CFR 1. 10 on
`the date indicated above and is addressed
`to
`the
`Commissioner
`for
`Patents,
`Trademarks, Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`Gary B. Solomon
`
`Si ature
`
`SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTROL OF A TOY
`VEHICLE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This Application for Patent claims the benefit of priority
`
`from,
`
`and hereby
`
`incorporates by reference
`
`for any and all
`
`purposes the entire disclosure of, co-pending U.S. Provisional
`
`5
`
`Application
`
`for Patent having Serial No.
`
`60/268,447,
`
`filed
`
`February 12, 2001.
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`9iJlliatent Application
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`The principals of the present invention generally relate to
`
`toy vehicles
`
`that may
`
`be
`
`ridden
`
`by
`
`people,
`
`and more
`
`5
`
`specifically, but not by way of
`
`limitation,
`
`to
`
`a
`
`system,
`
`apparatus, and method for softening the initiation of motion of
`
`the toy vehicle.
`
`Description of Related Art
`
`As shown in FIGURE 1, toy vehicles 100 for riding on or in
`
`have become popular for operators 110, such as children.
`
`The
`
`toy vehicles 100 may generally
`
`include
`
`ride-on and ride-in
`
`vehicles,
`
`including, but not limited to, automobiles,
`
`trucks,
`
`boats, airplanes, scooters, etc. Conventional control systems
`
`ros
`
`for the toy vehicles 100 have typically been limited to applying
`
`a direct current (DC)
`
`from a DC battery to a motor upon pressing
`
`or otherwise operating
`
`a
`
`"gas"
`
`pedal or other
`
`throttle
`
`mechanism. This type of control, however, basically operates as
`
`an on/off switch.
`
`In other words, when the pedal is pressed,
`
`20
`
`the motor is applied a voltage for full power (i.e. maximum
`
`angular velocity) .
`
`One reason for such a simplistic design is
`
`cost reasons.
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`4111111111,atent Application
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`FIGURE 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a conventional
`
`control system 200 for the toy vehicle 100.
`
`The conventional
`
`control system 200
`
`includes a battery 205,
`
`foot pedal switch
`
`210,
`
`forward/reverse switch 215 for dir~ction control, hi/lo
`
`5
`
`switch 220 for fast and slow speeds, and motors 225a and 225b.
`
`The toy vehicles 100 are typically limited to a battery 205 for
`
`a power source rather than using other fuel sources, such as
`
`gasoline.
`
`The battery 205 is coupled to a
`
`foot pedal switch
`
`210, which operates to provide power from the battery 205 to
`
`other electrical components of the control system 200 via line
`
`212.
`
`The
`
`battery
`
`205
`
`supplies battery voltage
`
`VaATT.
`
`Additionally,
`
`the foot pedal switch 210 operates as a failsafe
`
`device
`
`that prevents power
`
`from
`
`incidentally or accidentally
`
`being applied to the motors 225 for safety purposes.
`
`To operate
`
`as a failsafe device,
`
`the foot pedal switch 210 is a "make or
`
`id
`
`\.qo
`iJ1
`
`FU
`; . F
`
`fiJ.5
`
`break" switch with a spring return to OFF as understood in the
`
`art.
`
`The
`
`foot pedal switch 210
`
`is further coupled
`
`to
`
`the
`
`forward/reverse switch 215 via line 217 and generates a throttle
`
`signal 218.
`
`20
`
`The forward/reverse switch 215 receives battery power via
`
`line 217, is operable to switch the direction of the motors 225
`
`from forward to reverse so as to operate the toy vehicle 100
`
`forward or reverse, respectively.
`
`The forward/ reverse switch
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097.00008
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`~atent Application
`Docket No. 50097-BUSPT
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`produces
`
`two signals, FWD and REV, which are applied to the
`
`hi/lo switch 220 via lines 222a and 222b
`
`(collectively 222).
`
`The hi/low switch 220 is further coupled to the motors 225 and
`
`operable
`
`to drive
`
`the motors 225
`
`in parallel or series
`
`to
`
`5
`
`provide for high and low speed of the toy vehicle 100. Further,
`
`the hi/lo switch 220 is coupled to the negative terminal 227 of
`
`the battery 205, which is electrically coupled to the low side.
`
`As understood in the art, each of the components of the control
`
`system 200 receive power from the battery, but that power is
`
`610
`
`relatively high
`
`for solid state electronics,
`
`thereby making
`
`g1
`
`alternative control systems difficult and too expensive for the
`
`toy industry to consider a viable option.
`
`There exists several problems when utilizing the control
`
`system 200,
`
`or
`
`any other basic direct drive
`
`system
`
`for
`
`5
`
`controlling toy vehicles 100.
`
`These problems may
`
`include
`
`(i)
`
`excessive
`
`acceleration,
`
`(ii)
`
`jerk,
`
`(iii)
`
`safety
`
`(e.g.'
`
`controlling and
`
`flipping
`
`the vehicle at startup),
`
`and
`
`(iv)
`
`wearing of the mechanical components of the drive train for the
`
`toy vehicle 100. While each of these problems have existed in
`
`20
`
`the toy vehicles 100 for a long period of time, the toy industry
`
`and makers of toy vehicles 100 are very cost sensitive due to
`
`consumer pricing demands and production costs.
`
`Solutions
`
`to
`
`these problems have been unavailable due
`
`in
`
`large part
`
`to
`
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`4llatent Application
`Docket No. 50097-BUSPT
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`pricing and technical concerns of toy manufacturers for the toy
`
`vehicles 100.
`
`With
`
`regard
`
`to excessive acceleration
`
`(dV/dt)
`
`and
`
`jerk
`
`(d.A/dt),
`
`the acceleration and jerk result in a whiplash effect
`
`5
`
`on the opera tor 11 O and passenger ( s) .
`
`In terms of wearing of
`
`the mechanical components, when
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle 100 changes
`
`direction from forward
`
`to reverse and vice versa, a complete
`
`stop is not required. As all gear drives have a certain amount
`
`of backlash (i.e., small amounts of gap between gear teeth), the
`
`CO gears allow the motor to turn in the opposite direction without
`
`applying force to the output (e.g., wheels) of the drive train
`
`until the entire backlash is reduced to zero, thereby subjecting
`
`the motors 225 and drive train to the full load at full speed at
`
`each change in direction.
`
`In other words, since the motor 225
`
`has no
`
`significant
`
`initial
`
`resistance
`
`to movement
`
`in
`
`the
`
`opposite direction due to backlash,
`
`the motor 225 accelerates
`
`rapidly until
`
`the backlash is eliminated.
`
`The motor 225 is
`
`therefore moving at near full speed in the reverse direction
`
`while
`
`the vehicle
`
`is still moving
`
`in a high speed
`
`in
`
`the
`
`20
`
`opposite direction. Once the backlash is eliminated, the input
`
`and output
`
`to
`
`the drive train are rotating in
`
`the opposite
`
`direction and the gears exert substantial forces on one another
`
`as
`
`the drive
`
`train
`
`suddenly
`
`reverses direction.
`
`These
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`~ a t e n t Application
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
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`substantial forces tend to wear out the motors, gears, and other
`
`mechanical components in the drive train.
`
`In terms of safety,
`
`toy vehicles 100, such as automobiles
`
`and scooters, have the ability to flip or turnover due to the
`
`5
`
`excessive acceleration of the toy vehicle 100. Additionally,
`
`because of the high acceleration, the wheels are often unable to
`
`gain traction on the surface, especially a wet surface.
`
`The
`
`traction problem,
`
`too, may
`
`result
`
`in
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle 100
`
`becoming uncontrollable for the operator 110 and passenger (s),
`
`"°-..lO
`
`especially children. Additionally,
`
`toy manufacturers have been
`
`developing toy vehicles 100 with more speed and power thereby
`
`resulting in the exacerbation of the problems identified above.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`To overcome
`
`the problems and limitations of conventional
`
`control systems for toy vehicles, a soft-start control circuit
`
`may be integrated into the conventional control systems.
`
`The
`
`soft-start control circuit according to the principles of the
`
`present
`
`invention
`
`reduces or eliminates
`
`the above-identified
`
`20
`
`problems,
`
`including excessive acceleration,
`
`jerk,
`
`flipping of
`
`the vehicle,
`
`and wearing of mechanical
`
`components.
`
`By
`
`integrating the soft-start control circuit
`
`into
`
`the existing
`
`control systems without having to redesign the fundamentals of
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`~ a t e n t Application
`Docket No. 50097-BUSPT
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`the control systems,
`
`the
`
`toy makers quickly and easily may
`
`upgrade
`
`the
`
`toy vehicles for a cost that allows
`
`the
`
`toy to
`
`remain competitive within the consumer acceptable price range.
`
`One embodiment according to the principals of the present
`
`5
`
`invention
`
`includes a
`
`system and method for providing a soft
`
`start for a toy vehicle configured to be operated by a person.
`
`The method may include receiving a throttle signal operable to
`
`induce motion via a motor operating as a drive mechanism for the
`
`toy vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based on the
`
`throttle signal. The transition signal may be applied to affect
`
`operation of the motor.
`
`The transition signal may be a pulse
`
`width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20 and 100
`
`percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the problems
`
`= ' ,
`:=to
`·~.J.
`
`s
`
`~ of conventional control systems and appears and
`
`feels more
`
`QS
`
`realistic.
`
`The transition signal may be ramped in a linear or
`
`non-linear fashion.
`
`The system according to the principles of
`
`the present invention may couple the soft-start control circuit
`
`between a negative terminal of a battery and motor(s) of the toy
`
`vehicle,
`
`thereby allowing
`
`the soft-start control circuit
`
`to
`
`20
`
`switch a low-side voltage and not the high-side of the battery.
`
`A second embodiment according to the principals of the present
`
`invention
`
`includes a
`
`system and method for disabling a
`
`toy
`
`vehicle. According to the principles of the present invention,
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097.00008
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`
`26 of 361
`
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`•
`
`~atent Application
`Docket No. 50097-BUSPT
`
`the method
`
`includes receiving an on/off signal indicative to
`
`turn on and off the motor.
`
`A switch signal is generated to
`
`apply
`
`to
`
`the motor
`
`to
`
`induce motion of
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle.
`
`Operation of the switch signal is monitored. An improper switch
`
`5
`
`signal may be determined.
`
`The motor may be disengaged from the
`
`battery upon determining an improper switch signal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus
`
`of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the
`
`following Detailed Description when
`
`taken in conjunction with
`
`the accompanying Drawings wherein:
`
`5
`
`FIGURE 1 is an exemplary toy vehicle being ridden by an
`
`operator, such as a child;
`
`FIGURE 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a conventional
`
`control system utilized by the toy vehicle of FIGURE 1;
`
`FIGURE
`
`3
`
`is an exemplary block diagram
`
`including
`
`the
`
`conventional control system of FIGURE 2 having a soft-start
`
`control circuit that incorporates the principles of the present
`
`20
`
`invention integrated therewith;
`
`FIGURE 4 is a more detailed exemplary block diagram of the
`
`control system for
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle providing
`
`the soft-start
`
`control circuit of FIGURE 3;
`
`8
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`•
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`. . Patent Application
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`FIGURE 5 is an exemplary block diagram of the soft-start
`
`control circuit of FIGURE 3;
`
`FIGURE
`
`6
`
`is an exemplary
`
`schematic of
`
`the soft-start
`
`control circuit of FIGURES 3-5;
`
`5
`
`FIGURE 7 provides eight exemplary conditioned input signals
`
`applied to the soft-start control circuit of FIGURE 6;
`
`FIGURES 8A-8C are an exemplary set of graphs that show the
`
`response of the soft-start control circuit of FIGURE 6
`
`to a
`
`change of input conditions provided by the operator of the toy
`
`gO vehicle;
`
`FIGURE 9
`
`is an exemplary
`
`flow diagram providing a high
`
`level operation of the soft-start control circuit of FIGURES 3-
`
`6;
`
`FIGURE 10 is an exemplary block diagram of a control system
`
`5 of a toy vehicle of FIGURE 1 that does not include a foot pedal;
`
`FIGURE 11 is an exemplary schematic of a control circuit
`
`with failsafe circuitry of FIGURE 10; and
`
`FIGURE
`
`12
`
`is an exemplary
`
`flow diagram describing
`
`the
`
`failsafe operation of
`
`the
`
`control circuit with
`
`failsafe
`
`20
`
`circuitry of FIGURES 1 O and 11.
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097--00008
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`•
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`. . atent Application
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`THE
`
`PRESENTLY
`
`PREFERRED
`
`EXEMPLARY
`
`The principals of the present invention provide for a soft(cid:173)
`
`s start control circuit capable of being
`
`integrated
`
`into
`
`a
`
`conventional control system for toy vehicles.
`
`The soft-start
`
`control circuit is operable
`
`to
`
`reduce excessive acceleration
`
`generated by the conventional control systems due to switching
`
`battery voltage directly to motor (s) of the toy vehicles.
`
`A
`
`10
`
`soft-start circuit may utilize a processor for receiving signals
`
`from the conventional control system and applying a transition
`
`\ . .j
`
`signal such that the motor ( s) are not excessively accelerated.
`
`The transition signal is variable such that full power is not
`
`5
`
`substantially instantaneously applied to the motor.
`9s words,
`ru
`
`In other
`
`the transition signal causes the motor to be ramped from
`
`no power
`
`to full power.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`the soft-start
`
`ru
`
`control circuit
`
`is coupled between a ground
`
`terminal of a
`
`battery of
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle and a
`
`low-side
`
`terminal of
`
`the
`
`motor(s).
`
`The
`
`transition signal generated by
`
`the soft-start
`
`20
`
`control circuit may be a pulse width modulation signal having a
`
`duty cycle between 20 and 100 percent, linearly (e.g., ramp) or
`
`non-linearly (e.g., exponential), at startup,
`
`thereby reducing
`
`or eliminating excessive acceleration. Additionally,
`
`the soft-
`
`start control circuit may include failsafe circuitry to provide
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`•
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`~ a t e n t Application
`Docket No. 50097-8USPT
`
`the operator of
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle
`
`the ability to disable
`
`the
`
`motors of the vehicle for safety purposes.
`
`FIGURE 3 is an exemplary block diagram 300 including the
`
`conventional control system 200 having a soft-start control
`
`5 circuit 305
`
`integrated
`
`therewith.
`
`As
`
`shown,
`
`the soft-start
`
`control circuit is coupled between the negative terminal 227 of
`
`the battery 205 and
`
`the hi/lo switch 220.
`
`The soft-start
`
`control circuit 305 further receives
`
`inputs of
`
`the positive
`
`~ terminal 228 of the battery 205 and forward and reverse signals
`
`00
`
`222a
`
`and 222b.
`
`The battery voltage
`
`VsATT
`
`simply provides
`
`operational power to the soft-start control circuit 305, and the
`
`forward and reverse signals 222 provide an indication that the
`
`foot pedal switch 210 is engaged and for indicating when a shift
`
`p
`
`~5
`:_·
`
`between forward and reverse occurs.
`
`The soft-start control circuit 305 is operable to apply a
`
`transition signal
`
`312
`
`on
`
`the
`
`return path 320a
`
`and
`
`320b
`
`(collectively 315) between the motors 225 and the battery 205.
`
`The soft-start control circuit 305 is integrated in the return
`
`path 320 of
`
`the control system 300, however,
`
`it should be
`
`20
`
`understood
`
`that
`
`the soft-start control circuit 305 could be
`
`included
`
`in
`
`the
`
`forward path
`
`(i.e., between
`
`the positive
`
`terminal 228 of the battery 205 and the motors 225)
`
`to affect
`
`the high-side voltage
`
`to
`
`the motors
`
`225.
`
`However,
`
`by
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`•
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`~atent Application
`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
`
`integrating the soft-start control circuit 305
`
`in the return
`
`path 320,
`
`the circuitry is less complicated and less expensive
`
`due to not having to use field effect transistors as a high-side
`
`switch. Additionally, the soft-start control circuit 305 may be
`
`5 disabled via
`
`a
`
`jumper
`
`(e.g.,
`
`switch) or altering control
`
`parameters, either by software or hardware, of the soft-start
`
`control circuit 305.
`
`FIGURE 4 is a more detailed exemplary block diagram 300b of
`
`: :
`F
`
`the control system for the toy vehicle 100 providing the so
`
`A
`
`:::io
`
`;;
`
`start control circuit 305.
`
`The six-volt batteries 205a and 205b
`
`are connected in series so as to provide for a
`
`total battery
`
`voltage VsATT of twelve volts, which is delivered to the foot
`
`pedal switch 210 and the soft-start control circuit 305 via line
`
`the soft-start control circuit 305 utilizes the
`212. Again,
`g5 battery voltage VsATT for a power supply, and does not switch the
`rn
`
`battery voltage VsATT.
`
`If soft-start control circuit 305 were
`
`operating in the forward path of the control system,
`
`then the
`
`battery voltage VaATT would be switched.
`
`The foot pedal switch
`
`210 is normally open such that when the passenger 110 running
`
`20
`
`the
`
`toy vehicle 100 engages
`
`the
`
`foot pedal switch 210,
`
`a
`
`connection is made (i.e., the switch is closed) and the battery
`
`voltage is applied to the rest of the control system 300b. A
`
`circuit breaker 405
`
`is utilized
`
`to prevent an overcurrent
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`Docket No. 50097-SUSPT
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`situation and to avoid damaging other electrical components or
`
`the motors 225.
`
`The forward/reverse switch 215 is shown as being normally
`
`open.
`
`Upon
`
`the operator 110 shifting between
`
`forward and
`
`5
`
`reverse,
`
`the forward/reverse switch 215 closes and the motors
`
`225 are applied a reverse polarity to change driving direction
`
`of the toy vehicle 100.
`
`The forward and reverse signals 222a
`
`and 222b, are applied to the soft-start control circuit 305 for
`
`determining that the foot pedal switch 21 O is engaged and for
`
`~O
`
`indicating when a shift between forward and reverse occurs. The
`
`hi/lo switch 220 is operable to allow the passenger 110 to shift
`
`~
`
`the speed of
`
`the vehicle
`
`from
`
`low
`
`to high and vice-versa.
`
`Because the hi/ lo switch 220 is normally open,
`
`the toy vehicle
`
`100 is configured to be
`f4s motors
`
`in series (i.e., each motor operates on six vol ts as
`
`in
`
`low speed mode by operating the
`
`understood in the art) .
`
`Upon a shift from
`
`low to high speed,
`
`the hi/lo switch 220, which
`
`is
`
`a double-pole double-throw
`
`switch, configures the motors 225 to be operating in parallel,
`
`thereby operating both motors on twelve volts.
`
`20
`
`As shown,
`
`the soft-start control circuit 305 is coupled to
`
`the low-side of 230a and 230b of the motors 225 to allow the
`
`soft-start control circuit 305 to apply a transition signal 312
`
`to the motors 225. The transition signal 312 operates to affect
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
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`13
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`32 of 361
`
`
`
`•
`
`llatent Application
`Docket No. 50097-BUSPT
`
`the angular velocity of the motors 225 by altering the average
`
`voltage being applied to or drawn by the motors 22 5.
`
`In one
`
`embodiment,
`
`the
`
`transition
`
`signal
`
`312
`
`is
`
`a
`
`pulse width
`
`modulation signal having a duty cycle that ranges from about 20
`
`5
`
`to 100 percent, where the motors 225 deliver full power when the
`
`duty cycle is 100 percent.
`
`'
`...,._,
`:.
`~O
`E.J:
`
`i~
`!!
`;
`F
`
`r~,is
`
`FIGURE 5 is an exemplary block diagram 500 of an embodiment
`
`of the soft-start control circuit 305.
`
`The soft-start control
`
`circuit 305 includes an input conditioning unit 505, controller
`
`510, power supply unit 515, drive circuit signal conditioning
`
`unit 520, and drive circuit 525.
`
`The power supply unit 515 is
`
`operable to receive the plus and minus (i.e., ground) battery
`
`voltage
`
`(+VaATT and -VaATT) and generate a five-volt
`
`(+5V) supply
`
`for the other components of the soft-start control circuit 305.
`
`The
`
`input conditioning unit 505
`
`is operable
`
`to receive
`
`the
`
`forward and reverse signals 222a and 222b, which may be analog
`
`or digital,
`
`and condition
`
`the
`
`signals
`
`for
`
`input
`
`to
`
`the
`
`controller 510.
`
`In an alternative embodiment,
`
`the soft-start
`
`control circuit
`
`305
`
`simply may
`
`be
`
`powered-up
`
`and begin
`
`20
`
`performing
`
`the soft-start
`
`functionality
`
`(e.g.,
`
`acceleration
`
`control).
`
`The controller 510 receives the conditioned forward
`
`and reverse signals for generating and applying the transition
`
`signal 312 to the return path 320a, which may be ramped and/or
`
`DALLAS2 869077v2 50097-00008
`
`14
`
`33 of 361
`
`
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`•
`
`. . Patent Application
`Docket No. 50097-8USPT
`
`delayed based on the forward and reverse signals 222a and 222b.
`
`The controller 510 may utilize
`
`a processor
`
`that executes
`
`software
`
`to perform
`
`the
`
`logical decisions and generate
`
`the
`
`transition signal 312 based on an algorithm, for example.
`
`The
`
`5
`
`software may be stored in ROM or other storage device to be read
`
`by the processor and executed thereby. The drive circuit signal
`
`conditioning unit 52 0 is operable to condition or prepare the
`
`output of the controller for the drive circuit 525.
`
`The drive
`
`circuit
`
`525 operates
`
`to
`
`apply
`
`the
`
`transition
`
`signal
`
`312
`
`~O
`
`=:::.:?=
`
`generated by the controller 510 to the low-side 230a and 230b of
`
`the motors 225.
`
`FIGURE 6 is an exemplary schematic of an embodiment of the
`
`soft-start control circuit 305 of Figures 3-5.
`
`As shown,
`
`the
`
`schematic includes the input conditioning unit 505, controller
`
`llis
`
`510, power supply unit 515, drive circuit signal conditioning
`
`unit 520, and drive circuit 525.
`
`The power supply unit 515
`
`develops a five-volt source 605, which may be uti
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