Travel toy

Abstract

To provide a travel toy that enables the acquisition of logical thinking in programming.SOLUTION: A travel toy 1 comprises: a plurality of rail parts 21 that can be connected to each other; and a vehicle toy 10 that travels on a travel path 20 formed by connecting the plurality of rail parts 21. The rail parts 21 include: specific rail parts to which unique information is assigned; and command rail parts 38 to which command information to be executed at the specific parts is assigned. The vehicle toy 10 includes: an RFID reader-writer 19 that reads the unique information and the command information; and a CPU 11 that controls travel in accordance with the read command information when the unique information has been read.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a running toy.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique related to a running toy. The running toy includes a vehicle toy, a course for running the vehicle toy, and a game device. The course is configured by connecting a plurality of course parts. A white marker is attached to each connection point of the course parts, and the course is divided into a plurality of sections by the marker.

[0003] The vehicle toy includes a sensor for detecting the marker, a memory for storing parameters (operation control data) set corresponding to each of the sections, and a control unit for controlling the motor by referring to the parameters stored in the memory each time the marker is detected. The vehicle toy further includes an external interface unit for communicating with the game device, and receives the parameters from the game device through the external interface unit and stores them in the memory.

[0004] The game device is a portable computer including a touch panel screen for displaying various information and receiving input from the user, and functions as a setting unit for setting the parameters and a transmission unit for transmitting the set parameters to the vehicle toy by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the above Patent Document 1, by the user operating the game device, parameters corresponding to each section are set, and the vehicle toy travels according to the set parameters. However, since the setting of the parameters is mainly uniquely set according to the character selected by the user, the operation of the vehicle toy cannot be arbitrarily set, and it is difficult for the user to acquire logical thinking in programming through the traveling toy.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a traveling toy through which logical thinking in programming can be acquired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of travel path parts that can be connected to each other, and a vehicle toy that travels on a travel path formed by connecting the plurality of travel path parts. The travel path parts include a unique part to which unique information is given, and an instruction part that gives instruction information to be executed in the unique part to the vehicle toy. The vehicle toy includes a reading part that reads the unique information and the instruction information, and a control part that controls the operation according to the read instruction information when the unique information is read.

[0009] Also, to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of travel path parts that can be connected to each other, and a vehicle toy that travels on a travel path formed by connecting the plurality of travel path parts. The travel path parts include a unique part to which unique information is given. The vehicle toy includes an input part into which instruction information to be executed in the unique part is input, a reading part that reads the unique information, and a control part that controls the operation according to the input instruction information when the unique information is read.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the traveling toy of the present invention, logical thinking in programming can be acquired.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a railway toy as an example.

[0013] [First Embodiment]

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the railway toy 1 according to the first embodiment is a toy for running a toy of a railway vehicle (hereinafter, the vehicle toy 10), and includes a running path 20 and the vehicle toy 10 running on the running path 20.

[0015] The running path 20 of the main line 2 is formed in a U-shaped running route by connecting a plurality of rail parts 21, which are running path parts, by the user. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the running path 20 of the circular orbit is constituted by connecting a plurality of straight rail parts 22 and a plurality of curved rail parts 23 to each other. The straight rail part 22 is a rail part for linearly running the vehicle toy 10, and a pair of rails 24 extends straight, and a convex connecting part 25 connected to another rail part 21 is formed at one end thereof, and a concave connecting part 26 connected to still another rail part 21 is formed at the other end. The curved rail part 23 is a rail part in which a pair of rails 27 is curved in an arc shape, and a convex connecting part 28 and a concave connecting part 29 are formed at each end in the same manner as the straight rail part 22. The rail parts 21 are connected to each other by fitting the convex connecting parts 25, 28 provided on each rail part 21 into the concave connecting parts 26, 29 of the other rail parts 21.

[0016] Returning to Fig. 1, a first station part 30, a second station part 31, and a level crossing part 32 are provided on the above running route. The two station parts 30, 31 are parts imitating the appearances of different stations. The level crossing part 32 is a part imitating the appearance of a level crossing and includes a straight rail part 22.

[0017] Here, the plurality of rail parts 21 includes a plurality of unique rail parts. The unique rail parts of the present embodiment are the first straight rail part 33 to the third straight rail part 35. As shown in FIG. 2(c), unique information 36 is marked on the surface thereof. The unique information 36 is unique information uniquely assigned to each unique rail part so as to be distinguishable from other rail parts 21. For example, the unique information such as "Straight 1" is marked on the surface of the first straight rail part 33. Similarly, the unique information such as "Straight 2" and "Straight 3" is marked on the surfaces of the second straight rail part 34 and the third straight rail part 35. On the back side of the first straight rail part 33 to the third straight rail part 35, a passive RF tag 37 storing unique information is provided. The unique information stored in the RF tag 37 is information related to the unique information marked on the rail surface. For example, "S1" is stored in the RF tag 37 of the first straight rail part 33. In the unique information "S1", "S" means that it is a straight rail part, and it is a symbol for distinguishing from other types of rail parts 21. Also, "1" is a serial number for distinguishing from other unique rail parts. Similarly, "S2" and "S3" are stored in the RF tags 37 of the second straight rail part 34 and the third straight rail part 35. The first station part 30 is arranged along the first straight rail part 33, the second station part 31 is arranged along the second straight rail part 34, and the third straight rail part 35 is incorporated into the crossing part 32.

[0018] The main line 2 is formed by the plurality of rail parts 21 described above, and the railway toy 1 of the present embodiment includes a vehicle toy 10 that runs on the main line 2.

[0019] The vehicle toy 10 includes an exterior part imitating the appearance of a railway vehicle and a chassis provided with left and right wheels. The left and right wheels are provided so as to be able to run on a pair of rails 24, 27 of the rail part 21. As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 11, a drive circuit 12 controlled by the CPU 11, and a motor 13 driven at a constant speed by the drive circuit 12 are mounted on the chassis of the leading vehicle.

[0020] Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the railway toy 1 of the present embodiment has a branch line 3 that is joined and connected to the main line 2, and command information is input to the vehicle toy 10 that travels on the branch line 3. Specifically, the branch line 3 is composed of a plurality of command rail parts 38 (command parts) connected by the user. The plurality of command rail parts 38 are rail parts for inputting command information to be executed in the unique rail parts (the first straight rail part 33 to the third straight rail part 35), and have a pair of straight rails 41 shorter than the straight rail part 22 described above, and commands are displayed on the surface thereof. Further, the command rail part 38 has a passive type RF tag 44 on its back surface, and command information is stored in the RF tag 44.

[0021] The commands displayed on the command rail part 38 are, for example, "pass", "stop", "siren", "lighting", etc. As command information corresponding to these commands, "PASS" which is straight-ahead information, "STOP" which is stop information, "HORN" which is information indicating sounding the siren, and "LIGHT" which is information indicating lighting the headlight are stored in the RF tag 44.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the command rail part 38 with "stop" displayed, the command rail part 38 with "pass" displayed, and the command rail part 38 with "siren" displayed are connected in this order to form the branch line 3.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle toy 10 that travels on the main line 2 and the branch line 3 includes an LED 14 connected to the CPU 11, a speaker 15, an antenna 16 that outputs radio waves for communicating with an RF tag 37, and a control module 17 electrically connected to the antenna 16. The antenna 16 is provided at the head of the chassis so as to transmit radio waves toward the RF tag 37 attached to the rail part 21 and receive radio waves from the RF tag 37. The control module 17 is electrically connected to such an antenna 16, and these function as an RFID reader / writer 19.

[0024] The control module 17 is a module that controls the antenna 16 to transmit and receive information, and includes a transmission circuit and a reception circuit connected to the antenna 16, a modulation circuit connected to the transmission circuit, a demodulation circuit connected to the reception circuit, a D / A conversion circuit connected to the modulation circuit, and an A / D conversion circuit connected to the demodulation circuit. Such a control module 17 is connected to the CPU 11, and the signal received from the antenna 16 is modulated through the reception circuit, A / D converted, and input to the CPU 11. The RFID reader / writer is constituted by the antenna 16 and the control module 17.

[0025] When the vehicle toy 10 travels on the branch line 3 shown in Fig. 4(a), the CPU 11 causes the control module 17 to start communication with the RF tag 44, acquires command information from the RF tag 44 of each command rail part 38 in the process of passing through the branch line 3, and sequentially stores the acquired command information in the memory 18.

[0026] Then, the vehicle toy 10 that has entered the main line 2 from the branch line 3 travels around the main line 2 shown in Fig. 1 counterclockwise at a constant speed. Here, the CPU 11 of the vehicle toy 10 detects the RF tag 37 at a predetermined cycle via the RFID reader / writer 19, and each time information is acquired from the RF tag 37, the command information stored in the memory 18 is sequentially extracted and the vehicle toy 10 operates in accordance with the extracted command information.

[0027] For example, when the vehicle toy 10 approaches the first straight rail part 33, the CPU 11 detects the RF tag 37 of the first straight rail part 33 and reads the unique information "S1" from the RF tag 37. When the CPU 11 reads the unique information "S1", it extracts the command information "STOP" stored first in the memory 18 and stops the motor 13 in accordance with the command information. As a result, the vehicle toy 10 stops along the first station part 30.

[0028] Also, when the vehicle toy 10 approaches the second straight rail part 34, the CPU 11 detects the RF tag 37 of the second straight rail part 34 and reads the unique information "S2" from the RF tag 37. When the CPU 11 reads the unique information "S2", it extracts the command information "PASS" stored second in the memory 18 and continues to drive the motor 13 along the command information. As a result, the vehicle toy 10 will pass through the second station part 31.

[0029] Also, when the vehicle toy 10 approaches the third straight rail part 35, the CPU 11 detects the RF tag 37 of the third straight rail part 35 and reads the unique information "S3" from the RF tag 37. When the CPU 11 reads the unique information "S3", it extracts the command information "HORN" stored third in the memory 18 and outputs a siren sound from the speaker 15 along the command information. As a result, the vehicle toy 10 will pass through the level crossing part 32 while sounding the siren.

[0030] In this way, the RFID reader / writer 19 of the vehicle toy 10 functions as a reading unit that reads unique information from the first straight rail part 33 to the third straight rail part 35 and reads command information from the command rail part 38. Also, the memory 18 of the vehicle toy 10 functions as a storage unit that stores the read command information in order. Also, the CPU 11 of the vehicle toy 10 functions as a control unit that extracts the command information in the order stored in the memory 18 when the unique information is read and controls the operation of the vehicle toy 10 according to the extracted command information.

[0031] According to the railway toy 1 of the present embodiment as described above, by connecting a plurality of command rail parts 38 on which commands are displayed to each other, commands to be executed by the vehicle toy 10 are assembled. Then, the vehicle toy 10 travels on the branch line 3 formed by the plurality of command rail parts 38 to acquire the commands assembled by the user. And each time the vehicle toy 10 reads the unique information from the RF tag 37 of the unique rail part, it operates according to the command information in the acquired order. Therefore, the user can try and error a series of commands for the vehicle toy 10 while actually assembling the main line 2 and the running path 20 of the branch line 3. Thus, the user can intuitively acquire logical thinking in programming.

[0032] [Second Embodiment]

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the railway toy 100 of the second embodiment has a running path 120 configured by a plurality of rail parts 121 that can be connected to each other. The rail parts 121 are common to the first embodiment in that they have a plurality of unique rail parts (the first straight rail part 133 to the third straight rail part 135) to which unique information is given, but are different from the first embodiment in that they do not have the branch line 3 composed of the command rail parts 38. The railway toy 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a command input unit 150 on the main line 102.

[0034] The command input unit 150 is a unit that inputs command information to the vehicle toy 10, and includes a linear rail part 152 that functions as a command part, and a main body part 153 provided along the linear rail part 152. The main body part 153 includes a plurality of switches 154a, 154b, 154c, and the plurality of switches 154a, 154b, 154c function as a setting unit that sets the operation of the vehicle toy 10 by the user and inputs the set setting information to the linear rail part 152. The switch 154a is a switch for setting whether to stop at or pass through the first station part 130. The switch 154b is a switch for setting whether to stop at the second station part 131. The switch 154c is a switch for setting whether to sound a siren at the level crossing part 132. As shown in FIG. 6, the outputs of the respective switches 154a, 154b, 154c are connected to the input terminals of a passive type RF tag 151 provided on the linear rail part 152.

[0035] When the vehicle toy 10 stops on the linear rail part 152 and communication from the RFID reader / writer 19 of the vehicle toy 10 is started, the RF tag 151 detects the inputs from the switches 154a, 154b, 154c, and generates command information having a 3-bit bit field in which each of the detected inputs is assigned to a bit. Specifically, the input of the switch 154a is assigned to the LSB (bit0) of the bit field, the input of the switch 154b is assigned to bit1 of the bit field, and the input of the switch 154c is assigned to the MSB (bit2) of the bit field. The CPU 11 of the vehicle toy 10 acquires the command information via the RFID reader / writer 19, and stores the acquired command information in the memory 18.

[0036] Each RF tag 137 of the respective inherent rail parts (the first linear rail part 133 to the third linear rail part 135) stores unique information. The unique information includes a 3-bit bit field that assigns each of the inherent rail parts to bits. Specifically, in the unique information stored in the RF tag 137 of the first linear rail part 133, a flag is set in the LSB (bit0) of the bit field. In the unique information stored in the RF tag 137 of the second linear rail part 134, a flag is set in bit1 of the bit field. In the unique information stored in the RF tag 137 of the third linear rail part 135, a flag is set in the MSB (bit2) of the bit field.

[0037] Each time the vehicle toy 10 reads unique information from the inherent rail part during the process of traveling on the traveling path 120, it calculates the logical product of the read unique information and the command information stored in the memory 18 to determine the command corresponding to the inherent rail part, and performs the operation corresponding to the determined command. For example, when reading unique information from the first linear rail part 133, the LSB of the command information is extracted by obtaining the logical product of the unique information and the command information. As described above, the LSB corresponds to the input of the switch 154a. When the information indicates stopping, the CPU 11 stops the rotation of the motor 13 to stop the traveling of the vehicle toy 10. Similarly, when reading unique information from the second linear rail part 134, bit1 of the command information is extracted by obtaining the logical product of the unique information and the command information. The bit1 corresponds to the input of the switch 154b. When the information indicates passing, the CPU 11 continues the rotation of the motor 13. Further, when reading unique information from the third linear rail part 135, the MSB of the command information is extracted by obtaining the logical product of the unique information and the command information. The MSB corresponds to the input of the switch 154c as described above. When the information indicates sounding the siren, the CPU 11 outputs a siren sound from the speaker 15.

[0038] [Third Embodiment]

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the railway toy 300 of the third embodiment has a running track 320 formed by a plurality of rail parts 321 that can be connected to each other. The rail parts 321 have a plurality of unique rail parts (the first straight rail part 333 to the third straight rail part 335) to which unique information is assigned, which is common to the first and second embodiments. However, it is different from the first and second embodiments in that it does not have the branch line 3 or the command input unit 150. As shown in FIG. 8, the railway toy 300 of the present embodiment has a plurality of switches 350 in which the vehicle toy 310 functions as an input unit.

[0040] The vehicle toy 310 includes a roof part 351 that can be opened and closed, and a plurality of switches 350 are arranged inside the roof part 351. The plurality of switches 350 are switches for inputting commands executed in each unique rail part (the first straight rail part 333 to the third straight rail part 335), and are command input switches 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d for inputting commands, a clear switch 353 for clearing the input commands, and a start switch 354 for starting the vehicle toy 310. The command input switches 352a, 352b, 352c include a passing switch 352a for inputting a passing command, a stop switch 352b for inputting a stop command, a siren switch 352c for inputting a command to sound a siren, and a light switch 352d for inputting a command to turn on the headlight.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of switches 350 described above are connected to the CPU 311 of the vehicle toy 310. The CPU 311 periodically checks the inputs of the plurality of switches 350. When the command input switches 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d are pressed by the user, the CPU 311 detects the pressed command input switches 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d and stores the command information corresponding to the command input switches 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d in the memory 318 in the order of input. For example, when the user presses the stop switch 352b, the passing switch 352a, and the siren switch 352c in this order, the CPU 311 stores the stop information, the passing information, and the information indicating that the siren is to be sounded in the memory 318 in order. Also, each time the command input switches 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d are pressed, the CPU 311 counts up the number of commands and displays the counted-up number on the 7-segment LED 355. In this embodiment, the initial value of the number of commands is set to 1. In this way, the 7-segment LED 355 functions as a display unit that displays the number of input commands.

[0042] When the CPU 311 detects the input of the clear switch 353, it clears the command information stored in the memory 318, sets the number of commands to the initial value, and causes the 7-segment LED 355 to display the initial value.

[0043] When the CPU 311 detects the input of the start switch 354, it controls the drive circuit 312 to rotate the motor 313. As a result, the vehicle toy 310 will travel around the travel path 320. In the process of this circular travel, the vehicle toy 310 acquires unique information from the RF tags 337 of each of the first linear rail part 333, the second linear rail part 334, and the third linear rail part 335, and operates according to the command information previously stored in the memory 318 each time the unique information is acquired.

[0044] For example, the CPU 311 that has acquired the unique information from the RF tag 337 of the first linear rail part 333 refers to the stop information, which is the first command stored in the memory 318, and stops the motor 313. As a result, at the first station part 330, the railway vehicle 310 will stop. Also, the CPU 311 that has acquired the unique information from the RF tag 337 of the second linear rail part 334 refers to the passing information, which is the second command stored in the memory 318, and continues to rotate the motor 313 by the drive circuit 312 without stopping the motor 313. As a result, the vehicle toy 310 will pass through the second station part 331 without stopping. Further, the CPU 311 that has acquired the unique information from the RF tag 337 of the third linear rail part 335 refers to the information indicating to sound the siren, which is the third command stored in the memory 318, and outputs a siren sound from the speaker 315.

[0045] According to the railway toy 300 of this embodiment, since the user can directly input commands to the railway vehicle 310 traveling on the traveling path 320, the user can intuitively acquire programming concepts and logical thinking.

[0046] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle toy 400 of the fourth embodiment is common with the third embodiment in that a machine-readable medium storing unique information is provided on the traveling path of the traveling path 420 constituted by a plurality of rail parts 421. However, in this embodiment, it is different in that the vehicle toy 410 performs NFC (Near Field Communication) communication with the machine-readable medium provided on the traveling path 420. That is, the first linear rail part 433 to the third linear rail part 435 of this embodiment are provided with NFC tags 437 in which unique information is stored in advance. Also, the vehicle toy 410 of this embodiment is provided with an antenna 416 and a control module 417 that function as an NFC reader / writer 419 (FIG. 11).

[0048] Here, the vehicle toy 410 of the present embodiment is capable of NFC communication with the portable information terminal 450, and the command information set in the portable information terminal 450 is input to the vehicle toy 410 by NFC communication.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11, the portable information terminal 450 includes a CPU 451 and a memory 452 provided in the terminal, a display 453 disposed on the front side of the terminal, a touch panel 454 superimposed on the display 453, and an NFC reader / writer 455 provided in the terminal. The CPU 451 is controllably connected to the display 453, the touch panel 454, and the NFC reader / writer 455. A command setting program for the user to set commands for the vehicle toy 410 is installed in the memory 452. By the CPU 451 executing the program, the display 453 functions as a display unit for displaying information necessary for inputting commands, the touch panel 454 functions as an input unit for inputting commands, and the NFC reader / writer 455 functions as a communication unit for communicating the commands input by the user with the vehicle toy 410.

[0050] Specifically, when the CPU 451 of the mobile information terminal 450 executes the instruction setting program, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 451 causes the display 453 to display a GUI for setting instructions, together with the image 460 of the travel path 420. The GUI includes an instruction selection section 461, an instruction assembly section 462, and a transmission start section 463. The instruction selection section 461 is a part that allows the user to select an instruction, and includes a straight-ahead icon 464 associated with straight-ahead information for moving the vehicle toy 410 straight ahead, a stop icon 465 associated with stop information for stopping the vehicle toy 410, and a siren icon 466 associated with an instruction to sound the siren. After these straight-ahead icon 464, stop icon 465, and siren icon 466 are selected by the user, they are moved to the instruction assembly section 462. The instruction assembly section 462 is a part that arranges the selected instructions in the order of execution, and includes a plurality of arrangement sections 467 modeled after the shapes of the various icons described above. The transmission start section 463 is a button for starting the transmission of instruction information to the vehicle toy 410. When the transmission start section 463 is operated, the CPU 411 transmits the instruction information associated with the icons arranged in the instruction assembly section 462 to the vehicle toy 410 via the NFC reader / writer 455 in that order. The vehicle toy 410 receives the instruction information from the mobile information terminal 450 via the NFC reader / writer 419, and stores the received instruction information in the memory 418.

[0051] During the process of traveling on the travel path 420, the vehicle toy 410 acquires unique information from the NFC tags 437 of each of the first to third straight rail parts 433 to 435, and operates according to the instruction information stored in the memory 418 each time the unique information is acquired.

[0052] As described above, the traveling toy of the present invention has been described based on the first to fourth embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and for example, the following aspects may also be acceptable.

[0053] <Modification Example 1> For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the main line 202 may be a traveling path 220 having inner and outer running paths 205 and 204, and further including a merging rail part 250 and a branching rail part 251. Note that in this modified example, the same rail parts 21 as those in the first embodiment are used.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 14, the merging rail part 250 is a rail part where the inner and outer running paths 205 and 204 merge, and is integrally formed with a pair of straight rails 252 that extend straight from the outer running path 204 toward the merging destination, and a pair of curved rails 253 that curve in an arc shape from the inner running path 205 toward the merging destination.

[0055] The branching rail part 251 is a rail part that branches into the inner or outer running path 205, and is integrally formed with a pair of straight rails 254 that extend straight from the branching origin toward the outer circumference, and a pair of curved rails 255 that curve in an arc shape from the branching origin toward the inner circumference. The surface of the branching rail part 251 is marked with "branch 1" which is the unique information 236, and a passive RF tag 237 that stores the unique information "B1" is provided on the back surface. The RF tag 237 is arranged at the branching origin of the branching rail part 251, and the vehicle toy 10 reads the unique information from the RF tag 237 during the process of passing through the branching rail part 251 and executes the command information corresponding to the read unique information.

[0056] Here, in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 15, the vehicle toy 10 has an engaging part 260 that protrudes and retracts downward from the chassis 264 behind the antenna 16 according to the command information, and the branching rail part 251 has a branching structure 265 that engages with the engaging part 260 of the vehicle toy 10 to branch the vehicle toy 10.

[0057] For example, the engaging portion 260 of the vehicle toy 10 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the bottom surface, and is formed by a pair of side walls 261 extending vertically and a rear wall 262 formed between the pair of side walls 261. Notches 263 are formed at the lower ends of the pair of side walls 261. The engaging portion 260 is stored inside the vehicle body during normal driving, and is controlled by the CPU 11 to protrude downward from the chassis 264 when executing a branching command in the process of passing through the branching rail part 251.

[0058] The branching structure 265 of the branching rail part 251 includes a guide rail 266 shown in FIG. 14. The guide rail 266 switches the traveling direction of the vehicle toy 10 to the straight-ahead direction or the branching direction, and its direction is changed in conjunction with the movement of the engaged portion 267 engaged with the engaging portion 260 of the vehicle toy 10. The engaged portion 267 is disposed at the branching origin of the branching rail part 251, and includes a protruding piece 267a protruding upward from a cross-shaped notch hole 268 provided between the pair of rails 254, and a claw portion 267b formed at the front end of the protruding piece 267a. The protruding piece 267a is located between the pair of side walls 261 of the engaging portion 260 and abuts against the rear wall 261. The claw portion 267b fits into the notch 263 of the engaging portion 260. In this state where the engaged portion 267 is engaged with the engaging portion 260, when the vehicle toy 10 travels, the protruding piece 267a is pushed along the vertical groove 268a of the notch hole 268, and the claw portion 267b dives under the notch hole 268. In conjunction with such movement of the engaged portion 267, the guide rail 266 is switched to the branching direction.

[0059] The branching rail part 251 further includes another engaged portion 270 that engages with the engaging portion 260 of the vehicle toy 10. The other engaged portion 270 includes a protruding piece 270a protruding upward from a cross-shaped notch hole 271 provided between the pair of curved rails 255, and a claw portion 270b formed at the front end of the protruding piece 270a. The other engaged portion 270 engages with the engaging portion 260 in the same manner as the above-described engaging portion 260, and the guide rail 266 is switched to the straight-ahead direction in conjunction with the movement of the other engaged portion 270.

[0060] Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the branch line 203 of this modification has two command rail parts 238. In the first command rail part 238, a "branch" command is indicated, and branch information "BRANCH", which is command information, is stored in the RF tag 244. In the second command rail part 238, a "straight-ahead" command is indicated, and straight-ahead information "STRAIGHT", which is command information, is stored in the RF tag 244.

[0061] When the vehicle toy 10 travels on such a branch line 203, the CPU 11 of the vehicle toy 10 acquires the command information "BRANCH" and the command information "STRAIGHT" from each of the command rail parts 238 and stores them in the memory 18.

[0062] When the vehicle toy 10 traveling on the main line 202 approaches the branch rail part 251 for the first time, the CPU 11 acquires unique information from the RF tag 237 of the branch rail part 251 via the RFID reader / writer 19. When the unique information is acquired, the engaging part 260 is protruded downward based on the command information "BRANCH" extracted from the memory 18. When the engaging part 260 engages with the engaged part 267, the guide rail 266 is switched to the branch direction, and the vehicle toy 10 travels on the traveling path 220 of the inner turn 205. When the vehicle toy 10 passes through the pair of curve rails 255, the engaging part 260 and another engaging part 270 engage with each other, and the guide rail 266 is switched to the straight-ahead direction. After that, when the vehicle toy 10 approaches the branch rail part 251 for the second time, the CPU 11 acquires the unique information again from the RF tag 237 of the branch rail part 251 via the RFID reader / writer 19, and the engaging part 260 is housed in the vehicle body based on the driving information "STRAIGHT" extracted from the memory 18. As a result, the vehicle toy 10 travels straight along the guide rail 266 and travels on the traveling path 220 of the outer turn 204.

[0063] <Modification 2> In the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the unique information 36, 236 is indicated on the linear rail parts 22 and the branch rail parts 251, and the unique information is stored in the RF tags 37, 237. However, the unique information may be similarly indicated on other types of rail parts, and the unique information may be stored in the RF tags. Further, the unique information and the RF tags may be provided for all the rail parts constituting the traveling path.

[0064] <Modification Example 3> Moreover, it is not limited to the rail parts 21, and unique information may be indicated on the parts arranged on the traveling route of the traveling path, such as the station parts 130, 131 and the tunnel parts, or an RF tag for storing the unique information may be provided.

[0065] <Modification Example 4> In the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the unique information was given to the rail parts by storing the unique information in the RF tags. However, not limited to the RF tags, a one-dimensional code represented by a barcode or a two-dimensional code represented by a QR code (registered trademark) may be used, and the vehicle toy may be provided with a camera module for photographing these codes. Further, it may be a mode of image-recognizing the unique information indicated on the rail surface. That is, various information can be stored using machine-readable media such as RF tags, one-dimensional codes, and two-dimensional codes.

[0066] <Modification Example 5> In the above-described Embodiment 1, the branch line 3 is provided and a plurality of command rail parts 38 are connected in the order of commands to be executed by the vehicle toy 10, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, even a mode in which the command rail part 38 is provided immediately before the unique rail part provided on the main line 2 without providing the branch line 3 may be adopted. For example, a command rail part 38 marked with "STOP" may be connected immediately before the first straight rail part 33, a command rail part 38 marked with "PASS" may be connected to the straight line of the second straight rail part 34, and a command rail part 38 marked with "SIREN" may be connected immediately before the third straight rail part 35. According to this mode, when the vehicle toy 10 reads the command information "RUN" from the RF tag 44 of the command rail part 38 marked with "PASS" and then reads the unique information from the first straight rail part 33, the vehicle toy 10 passes through the first straight rail part 33 without stopping the motor 13 according to the command information "RUN" read immediately before. Further, when the vehicle toy 10 reads the command information "STOP" from the command rail part 38 marked with "STOP" and then reads the unique information from the second straight rail part 34, the CPU 11 of the vehicle toy 10 stops the motor 13 according to the command information "STOP" read immediately before. Further, when the vehicle toy 10 reads the command information "HORN" from the RF tag 44 of the command rail part 38 marked with "SIREN" and then reads the unique information from the third straight rail part 35, the CPU 11 of the vehicle toy 10 outputs a siren sound from the speaker 15 according to the command information "HORN" read immediately before.

[0067] <Modification Example 6> In the second embodiment, the switch 154a provided in the main body 153 may be a switch for selecting any one of "pass", "stop", "stop for a while", and "turn back". The switch 154a is, for example, a slide switch having one circuit and four contacts. A power supply is connected to one common terminal, and the above "pass", "stop", "stop for a while", and "turn back" are associated with the four contacts and are separately connected to the input terminals of the RF tag 151. Similarly, the switch 154b is a slide switch having one circuit and four contacts. A power supply is connected to one common terminal, and "pass", "stop", "stop for a while", and "turn back" are associated with the four contacts and are separately connected to the other input terminals of the RF tag 151. Similarly, the switch 154c is a slide switch having one circuit and four contacts. A power supply is connected to one common terminal, and "pass", "stop", "decelerate", and "siren" are associated with the four contacts and are separately connected to still other input terminals of the RF tag 151.

[0068] When communication with the vehicle toy 10 is started, the RF tag 151 checks the input terminals to which the switches 154a to 154c are connected. Here, since the four contacts of each of the switches 154a to 154c are connected to different input terminals, command information of 2 bits (4 patterns) for each input from the switches, and command information having a bit field of 6 bits in total are generated. Taking the switch 154a as an example, when "pass" is selected by the user, a high-level signal is input to the input terminal of the RF tag 151 to which the contact corresponding to "pass" is connected, and in this case, command information of "00" is generated. Similarly, when "stop" is selected by the user, command information of "01" is generated. When "stop for a while" is selected by the user, command information of "10" is generated. When "turn back" is selected by the user, command information of "11" is generated. Similarly, 2-bit command information is generated for the other switches 154b and 154c. Then, the command information of the switches 154a to 154c is assigned in order from the LSB in the 6-bit bit field.

[0069] In addition, for the unique rail parts in this modification example, unique information having a 6-bit bit field is stored in the RF tag 137. Specifically, the unique information of the first linear rail part 133 is information with flags set in the LSB and bit1. Also, the unique information of the second linear rail part 134 is information with flags set in bit2 and bit3. The unique information of the third linear rail part 135 is information with flags set in bit4 and bit5.

[0070] Each time the vehicle toy 10 with the above command information input reads unique information from the unique rail parts during the process of traveling on the traveling path 120, it calculates the logical product of the unique information and the command information stored in the memory 18, extracts the command information corresponding to the unique rail parts, and operates according to the extracted command information.

[0071] <Modification Example 7> In the above Embodiment 2, the command information may include a plurality of bit fields by copying the above bit field. In this aspect, when the CPU 11 of the vehicle toy 10 acquires the command information via the RFID reader / writer 19, it compares the plurality of bit fields included in the acquired command information and stores the command information in the memory 18 when the data matches. On the other hand, if the data does not match, the CPU 11 discards the acquired information. Thereby, the reliability of communication with the RF tag can be improved. Further, when the command information includes three or more bit fields, the CPU 11 may store the bit field that has the most commonality as a result of comparing each bit field of the acquired command information in the memory 18. Similarly, the unique information may also include a plurality of bit fields by copying the above bit field.

[0072] The present invention can also be implemented in various modified, corrected, or deformed forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist thereof. Also, within the range where the same action or effect is produced, it may be implemented in a form in which any of the invention-specific matters are replaced with other technologies.

[0073] For example, the present invention is not limited to railway toys and can be used in general running toys including a running path and a vehicle toy that runs on the running path. The running toy can be used, for example, in a car toy including a car toy and a course part for running the car toy.

Explanation of Signs

[0074] 1, 100, 200, 300, 400 Running toy 10, 310, 410 Vehicle toy 20, 120, 220, 320, 420 Running path 21, 121, 221, 321, 421 Rail part (running path part) 37, 44, 137, 151 RF tag (machine-readable medium) 38 Instruction lane part (instruction part) 154a, 154b, 154c Switch (switching part)

Claims

1. A plurality of track parts connectable to each other; a toy vehicle that travels on a road formed by connecting the plurality of road parts; Equipped with The travel path part is Includes unique parts with unique information attached, The vehicle toy includes: an input unit to which command information to be executed in the unique part is input; A reading unit that reads the unique information; a control unit that controls an operation according to the input command information when the unique information is read; Including, traveling toys.

2. The traveling toy according to claim 1 , wherein the input unit includes a plurality of switches for setting the operation.

3. 2. The traveling toy according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is capable of communicating with a portable information terminal, and receives command information set by a user through the portable information terminal.

4. the unique parts include a branching part that branches a traveling direction of the toy vehicle into another direction, The traveling toy according to claim 1 , wherein the command information includes a branching command for causing the toy vehicle to travel in another direction at the branching part.

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