The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 30, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 25, 2003
Louis G. Kovach, Ii, Belleville, MI (US);
Neil P. Young, Redwood City, CA (US);
Howard William Lewis, Whitmore Lake, MI (US);
Louis G. Kovach, II, Belleville, MI (US);
Neil P. Young, Redwood City, CA (US);
Howard William Lewis, Whitmore Lake, MI (US);
Liontech Trains LLC, Chesterfield, MI (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses implement a bi-directional model train communications protocol compatible with existing uni-directional communications protocols. In one specific embodiment, the existing uni-directional Lionel Train Master command set is expanded utilizing the checksum error nibble to flag an alternative command signal format. This expanded command set is in turn utilized to transmit a command inquiry signal from the base unit to a specifically addressed element. The addressed element in turn transmits a response based upon the expanded command set. Older model railroad elements not configured to recognize the expanded command set, regard the command inquiry signal as a transmission error and are unaffected. Newer model railroad elements not specifically addressed by the command inquiry signal ignore the command and continue operation.