FLYING ACTION FIGURE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/687,369, filed June 3, 2005; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/688,314, filed June 6, 2005; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/755,725, filed December 29, 2005; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/764,109, filed January 31 , 2006; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/764,661 , filed February 1 , 2006; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/774,504, filed February 16, 2006; and U.S. Patent Application No. filed June 4, 2006, entitled "FLYING

ACTION FIGURE." The complete disclosure of the above-identified patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to toy aircraft and, more particularly, to flying action figures.

Background of the Disclosure

[0003] Examples of remotely controlled aircraft are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,957,230, 4,206,411 , 5,087,000, 5,634,839, and 6,612,893. Examples of remotely controlled aircraft utilizing differential thrust for flight control are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,087,000, 5,634,839, and 6,612,893. The disclosures of these and all other publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0004] In one example, a flying action figure may include an airframe, which may include a body and at least one wing. The body may be configured into a humanoid shape. The flying action figure may include at least one propulsion unit, which may be mounted to the airframe. The at least one propulsion unit may be operable to propel the flying action figure. The flying action figure may include at least one energy source, which may be mounted to the airframe. The flying action figure may include a controller, which may be mounted to the airframe. The controller may couple the at least one energy source to one or more of the at least one propulsion unit. The controller may be configured to control operation of one or more of the at least one propulsion unit to control flight of the flying action figure.

[0005] In one example, a flying action figure may include a body having an upper surface and first and second wings, which may be connected to the body. At least a portion of at least one of the first and second wings may be configured to resemble at least a portion of a cape attached to the upper surface of the body. The flying action figure may include a first motor, which may be disposed on the first wing. The first motor may drive a first propeller. The flying action figure may include a second motor, which may be disposed on the second wing. The second motor may drive a second propeller. The flying action figure may include a battery. The flying action figure may include a control circuit, which may be electrically connected to the battery. The control circuit may be electrically connected to at least one of the first and second motors. The control circuit may be configured to control flight of the flying action figure, such as by selectively supplying power from the battery to at least one of the first and second motors.

[0006] In one example, a flying action figure may include a humanoid body and at least one wing connected to the body. The at least one wing may include first and second portions. The flying action figure may include a first propulsion unit, which may be disposed on the first portion of the at least one wing, and a second propulsion unit, which may be disposed on the second portion of the at least one wing. The flying action figure may include at least one energy source, which may be connected to at least one of the first and second propulsion units. The flying action figure may include a control circuit, which may be configured to control flight of the flying action figure, such as by controlling energy supplied from the at least one energy source to at least one of the first and second propulsion units.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a flying action figure.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a top view of the flying action figure of Fig. 1.

[0009] Fig. 3 is a front view of the flying action figure of Fig. 1.

[0010] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the flying action figure of Fig. 1.

[0011] Fig. 5 is a side view of the flying action figure of Fig. 1.

[0012] Fig. 6 is a quasi-sectional view of the wing of the flying action figure of Fig. 1 , taken generally along line 6-6 in Fig. 2.

[0013] Fig. 7 is a partially cutaway view of a forward portion of the flying action figure of Fig. 1.

[0014] Fig. 8 illustrates a remote control transmitter and charger suitable for use with a flying action figure.

[0015] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a transmitter and charger circuit suitable for use with the remote control transmitter and charger of Fig. 8.

[0016] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a reception and control circuit suitable for use with a flying action figure.

[0017] Fig. 11 is a block diagram of a controller chip suitable for use with the reception and control circuit of Fig. 10.

Detailed Description

[0018] An illustrative example of a flying action figure is shown generally at 20 in Figs. 1-5. Unless otherwise specified, flying action figure 20 may, but is not required to, contain at least one of the structure, components, functionality, and/or variations as the other flying action figures described and/or illustrated herein. Flying action figure 20 may include an airframe 22, at least one propulsion unit 24, at least one energy source 26, and a controller 28.

[0019] Airframe 22 may include a fuselage or body 30 and at least one wing 32, which may be connected to body 30. In some embodiments, at least a portion of body 30 and/or at least one wing 32 may be fabricated from a foamed plastic, such as expanded polystyrene ("EPS") foam and/or expanded polypropylene ("EPP") foam. In some embodiments, at least a portion of body 30, such as a forward region, may be fabricated from a resilient material, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate ("EVA") foam, or the like.

[0020] Body 30 may be configured into a humanoid shape, as shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1-7. As used herein, humanoid shape refers to a humanoid body, which should be understood to include any bipedal animal, whether real or fictional, such as, for example, one having arms and hands with opposable thumbs. Body 30 may extend under the wing 32 and may include at least one member 36 that extends forward of a leading edge 38 of wing 32. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1-7, member 36 may be configured to resemble at least one appendage of a humanoid body, such as arm 40. In some embodiments, at least a portion of member 36, such as fists 42, may be fabricated from a resilient material, such as EVA foam, or the like.

[0021] In some embodiments, a region of body 30 may be configured to resemble a head 44. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1 -7, head 44 may be disposed adjacent leading edge 38 of wing 32. In some embodiments, at least a portion of head 44, such as face 46, may be fabricated from an injection- molded plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS"), which may be attached to head 44 and/or body 30 via insert molding, co-molding, with an adhesive, and/or using any other suitable process.

[0022] At least one reinforcement 48 may be provided on one or more of the at least one member 36 and/or on body 30 in some embodiments of flying action figure 20. Reinforcement 48 may be internal and/or external. For example, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, reinforcement 48 may include a reinforced region 50 on at least some exterior surface regions of body 30 and/or one or more of the at least one member 36. As shown in Fig. 1 , reinforced region 50 may extend along at least a portion of the surface region of arms 40 and/or body 30. As an illustrative nonexclusive

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example, in a body 30 fabricated from EPS or EPP, the reinforced regions 50 on at least some exterior surfaces of body 30 and/or one or more of the at least one member 36 may be fabricated from a plastic such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, PET plastic, or the like. Reinforced regions 50 may be injection molded and/or formed using any other suitable method such as blow-molding, vacuum-forming, or the like. Body 30 and/or one or more of the at least one member 36 may be at least partially molded and/or co-molded into reinforced region 50, such as in the manner of bicycle helmets, or reinforced regions 50 may be at least partially attached to body 30 and/or one or more of the at least one member 36 with an adhesive or other fastener, such as adhesive tape, or the like. The reinforced region may increase the strength of member 36, such as to make member 36 more resistant to breakage, and may provide a degree of abrasion resistance to portions of body 30, such as to minimize abrasion which may occur when flying action figure 20 lands on a rough surface.

[0023] In some embodiments, reinforcement 48 may include a reinforcing insert 52 that may be molded into one or more of the at least one member 36 and/or body 30. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Fig. 7, reinforcing insert 52 may generally extend through at least a portion of one or more of the at least one member 36 and/or body 30. For example, reinforcing insert 52 may define a loop extending through body 30, arms 40 and fists 42. In some embodiments, reinforcing insert 52 may include at least one extension 54, which may extend into head 44. Reinforcing insert 52 may be fabricated by injection molding from any suitable material, such as polypropylene or the like and may be incorporated into body 30 and/or one or more of the at least one member 36 using any suitable process, such as insert molding. In some embodiments, reinforcing insert 52 may include one or

more wing attachment points 56, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0024] The at least one wing 32 may include at least one first wing 58 and at least one second wing 60. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1 -5, flying action figure 20 may be configured as a monoplane. In some embodiments (not shown), flying action figure 20 may include additional wings such that flying action figure 20 may be configured as a biplane, triplane, or the like. In some embodiments (not shown), wing 32 may be of a relatively high aspect ratio, such as at least 3:1 , or at least 5:1. In some embodiments, at least one of first wing 58 and second wing 60 may be integrally connected to body 30. In some embodiments, first wing 58 may be integrally connected to second wing 60 such that wing 32 may form an integral unit that may be attached to body 30. When wing 32 is an integral unit, wing 32 may include a first portion 62 and a second portion 64.

[0025] At least a portion of wing 32, such as at least a portion of at least one of first wing 58 and second wing 60, may be configured to resemble at least a portion of a cape 66, as shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1 -7. For example, first wing 58 may be integrally connected to second wing 60 such that wing 32 forms an integral unit that may be attached to the upper surface or back 68 of body 30, which may correspond to the back of the humanoid body represented by body 30. Wing 32 may be configured as a compound-delta wing or an ogee delta wing, as shown in Figs. 1-2, such that wing 32 may resemble a cape 66 attached to the upper surface or back 68 of body 30. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1 -2, configuration of flying action figure 20 as a tailless delta-wing aircraft, such as an ogee tailless-delta aircraft, may simulate a large flowing cape 66 attached to the upper surface or back 68 of body 30.

[0026] In some embodiments, at least a portion of wing 32, such as at least a portion of at least one of first wing 58 and second wing 60, may be at least partially hollow. As shown in Fig. 6, wing 32 may include an upper wing skin 70 and a lower wing skin 72, each of which may extend over at least a portion of first wing 58 and/or second wing 60. Upper wing skin 70 and a lower wing skin 72 may enclose at least one cavity 74 therebetween. In some embodiments, first wing 58 and/or second wing 60 may include at least one spar 76. Although the illustrative embodiment presented in Fig. 6 includes one spar 76 and two cavities 74, wing 32 may include any number of cavities and/or spars, which may be arranged in any suitable orientation, both longitudinally and transversely.

[0027] In some embodiments, flying action figure 20 may include at least one horizontal stabilizer (not shown). The horizontal stabilizer may be attached to airframe 22 in any suitable location, such as on body 30 or wing 32. In some embodiments, the horizontal stabilizer may be mounted to a rear region 80 of body 30. In some embodiments, the horizontal stabilizer may be mounted to body 30 forward of wing 32. In some embodiments, the horizontal stabilizer may be separately attached to airframe 22. In some embodiments, the horizontal stabilizer may be integrally formed with at least a portion of airframe 22, such as body 30.

[0028] In some embodiments, flying action figure 20 may include at least one vertical stabilizer. The vertical stabilizer may be attached to airframe 22 in any suitable location, such as on body 30 or wing 32. In some embodiments, the vertical stabilizer may be mounted to a rear region 80 of body 30. In some embodiments, the vertical stabilizer may be separately attached to airframe 22. In some embodiments, the vertical stabilizer may be integrally formed with at least a portion

of airframe 22, such as body 30 or wing 32. For example, as shown in Figs. 3-5, at least a portion of wing 32, such as one or more wingtips 84, may be at least partially obliquely oriented relative to the remainder of the wing 32, which may at least partially provide yaw-stabilization for flying action figure 20. Such upturned wingtips 84, which may be configured to resemble the outer portions of cape 66, may effectively serve as vertical stabilizers 82.

[0029] Propulsion unit 24 may be operable to propel flying action figure 20, such as by providing thrust. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1 - 5, one or more of the at least one propulsion units 24 may include at least one motor 86, which may drive at least one propeller 88. The at least one motor 86 may be any device configured to deliver a mechanical power output or thrust. For example, one or more of the at least one motor 86 may be an electric motor or an internal combustion engine such as a reciprocating engine, a turbine, or the like. In some embodiments, a single motor may drive a plurality of propellers, which may be coaxial, such as through a gearbox or other power transmission mechanism. In some embodiments, a plurality of motors may drive a single propeller. In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one propeller 88 may be connected to one or more of the at least one motor 86 through a set of gears (not shown), such as a set of reduction gears configured such that the propeller rotates at a proportionally lower speed relative to the corresponding motor or motors.

[0030] A suitable number of propulsion units 24 may be mounted to airframe 22 in any suitable location or combination of locations. For example, at least one propulsion unit 24 may be mounted on body 30 and/or at least one propulsion unit 24 may be mounted on wing 32. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in

Fig. 1 -5, flying action figure 20 may include a first propeller 90 driven by a first propulsion unit or motor 92, which may be disposed on the first wing 58 or the first portion 62 of wing 32, and a second propeller 94 driven by a second propulsion unit or motor 96, which may be disposed on the second wing 60 or the second portion 64 of wing 32. When a propulsion unit is mounted on wing 32, the propulsion unit may be mounted directly to wing 32, or the propulsion unit may be mounted in a nacelle 98, which may be at least partially integral to wing 32. In some embodiments, nacelle 98 may be at least partially fabricated from a foamed plastic, such as EPS, EPP, or the like.

[0031] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one propulsion unit 24 may be mounted to airframe 22 proximate a trailing edge 100 of wing 32. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in Figs. 1 -5, first motor 92 may be disposed on the trailing edge 100 of first wing 58, and second motor 96 may be disposed on the trailing edge 100 of second wing 60. In such an embodiment, first propeller 90 and second propeller 94 may be arranged into a pusher configuration.

[0032] The at least one energy source 26, which may be connected to one or more of the at least one propulsion unit 24, may be mounted to airframe 22 in any suitable location, such as at least partially within body 30 and/or at least partially within wing 32, such as to provide flying action figure 20 with a suitable center of gravity. Energy source 26 may be any suitable source of energy that may be configured to store, produce, and/or supply a form of energy appropriate for the at least one propulsion unit 24. For example, when the at least one propulsion unit 24 includes an electric motor, the at least one energy source 26 may be a source of electric energy, such as an electric storage cell, a battery, a capacitor, and/or a

generator or the like, which may be configured to deliver an appropriate level of current, power, and voltage to provide flying action figure 20 with a desirable level of flight performance. Such cells, batteries or capacitors may be rechargeable, or they may be replaceable.

[0033] When a replenishable energy source, such as rechargeable cells, batteries or capacitors, are used, flying action figure 20 may be configured such that energy source 26 may be recharged or replenished without removing energy source 26 from flying action figure 20. For example, flying action figure 20 may be provided with a recharging plug or receptacle 102, which may be disposed on airframe 22, such as on wing 32, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0034] The controller 28 may be mounted to airframe 22 in any suitable location, such as at least partially within the body 30 and/or wing 32, and may include a control circuit 104. Controller 28 may couple the at least one energy source 26 to one or more of the at least one propulsion unit 24 such that controller 28 may control flight of flying action figure 20 by controlling the operation of the at least one propulsion unit 24. For example, when the at least one propulsion unit 24 includes at least one electric motor and the at least one energy source 26 includes a battery, control circuit 104 may be electrically connected to the battery and to the at least one electric motor, such as to at least one of first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96. In such an example, control circuit 104 may be configured to control the flight of flying action figure 20 by regulating current supplied from the battery to the at least one electric motor, such as to at least one of first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96. In some embodiments, control circuit 104 may include a power switch 106 (shown in Fig. 2),

wnicn may be configured to disconnect the at least one energy source 26 from one or more of the at least one propulsion unit 24 and/or from controller 28.

[0035] Controller 28 may include a gate array 108, such as within control circuit 104. A gate array is a type of integrated circuit that may also be referred to as an uncommitted logic array (LJLA). A gate array is an approach to the design and manufacture of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS). A gate array may be a prefabricated circuit, which typically lacks a particular function, that may include transistors, standard logic gates, and/or other active devices placed at regular predefined positions, such as on a silicon wafer or die. A desired circuit may be created from a gate array by adding metal interconnects to the chips on the silicon wafer during manufacturing. As such, a gate array may be an integrated circuit having a fixed circuit or circuits that may be used to replace a plurality of discrete transistors and/or other logic components.

[0036] Gate array 108 may be configured to control operation of the at least one propulsion unit 24 to control the flight of flying action figure 20. For example, when the at least one propulsion unit 24 includes at least one electric motor and the at least one energy source 26 includes a battery, gate array 108 may be electrically connected to the battery and to the at least one electric motor, such as to at least one of first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96. In such an example, gate array 108 may be configured to control the flight of flying action figure 20 by regulating current supplied from the battery to the at least one electric motor, such as to at least one of first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96.

[0037] Controller 28 may control the flight of flying action figure 20 through differential thrust from the at least one propulsion unit 24. For example, controller 28 may jointly and/or independently vary the thrust output from first motor 92 and second motor 96. The degree of control that may be achieved with differential thrust from the at least one propulsion unit 24 may be sufficient such that traditional movable aerodynamic control surfaces may be partially or entirely omitted from flying action figure 20 such that the flight of flying action figure 20 may be controlled solely by controlling the thrust from the at least one propulsion unit 24.

[0038] An aircraft that is controllable by differential thrust, such as flying action figure 20, may be referred to as propulsion controlled aircraft ("PCA"). The pitch (which generally corresponds to up-and-down motion) of a PCA may be controlled such as by equally varying the current supplied to at least some of the motors in unison. For example, increasing the current supplied to both first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96 may cause flying action figure 20 to enter a climb in addition to increasing the speed of the aircraft. Conversely, decreasing the current to both first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96 may cause flying action figure 20 to slow and enter a descent. Flying action figure 20 may be made to turn by increasing the current supplied to some motors relative to the current supplied to other motors, which may result in differential thrust being produced. For example, if the thrust output of first propulsion unit or motor 92 is higher than the thrust output of second propulsion unit or motor 96, flying action figure 20 may yaw and roll toward the second propulsion unit or motor 96, which may result in a turn toward the second propulsion unit or motor 96. Conversely, a higher thrust output from second propulsion unit or motor 96, may cause flying action figure 20 to yaw and roll toward first propulsion unit or

motor 92, which may result in a turn toward first propulsion unit or motor 92.

[0039] Some embodiments of flying action figure 20 may include a radio receiver 110, which may be mounted to airframe 22 in any suitable location, such as at least partially within the body 30 and/or wing 32. Radio receiver 110 may include an antenna 112, which may be mounted to airframe 22 in any suitable location. Radio receiver 110 may be connected to controller 28 and/or control circuit 104, such that radio receiver 110 may be configured to receive a signal from a transmitter and send the signal to controller 28 and/or control circuit 104. Flying action figure 20 may be configured such that controller 28 and/or control circuit 104 may control flight of flying action figure 20 by controlling the operation of the at least one propulsion unit 24 in response to a signal received by radio receiver 110 and sent to controller 28 and/or control circuit 104. For example, when the at least one propulsion unit 24 includes at least one electric motor and the at least one energy source 26 includes a battery, radio receiver 110 may be electrically connected to control circuit 104, which may be electrically connected to the battery and to the at least one electric motor, such as to at least one of first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96. In such an example, control circuit 104 may be configured to control the flight of flying action figure 20 by regulating current supplied from the battery to the at least one electric motor, such as to at least one of first propulsion unit or motor 92 and second propulsion unit or motor 96, in response to a signal received by radio receiver 110.

[0040] An illustrative example of a remote control transmitter and charger suitable for use with flying action figure 20 is shown generally at 116 in Fig. 8. Remote control transmitter and charger 116 may include a power switch 118, a charger

circuit 120, a transmitter circuit 122, a housing 124, an antenna 126 mounted to housing 124, a pitch axis controller 128, a yaw axis controller 130, and at least one additional function button 132.

[0041] Power switch 118 may include a plurality of positions such as "off," "on," and "charge." When power switch 118 is in the off position, the various functionalities of remote control transmitter and charger 116 may be disabled. When power switch 118 is in the on position, transmitter circuit 122 may be enabled. When the power switch is in the charge position, charger circuit 120 may be enabled such that the at least one energy source 26 of flying action figure 20, such as rechargeable battery 142, may be recharged.

[0042] Charger circuit 120 may include a charger cord 134, a charger plug 136, and a charger cord storage compartment 138. Charger plug 136 may be configured to connect with the recharging plug or receptacle 102 on flying action figure 20. When not in use, charger cord 134 and charger plug 136 may be stored in the charger cord storage compartment 138. An illustrative example of charger circuit 120 is shown schematically in Fig. 9. Charger circuit 120 may include a charge indicator 140, which may provide an indication of whether the at least one energy source 26 of flying action figure 20, such as rechargeable battery 142, is charged or whether it is being recharged, and a timer 144 for the charger circuit 120, such as a Texas Instruments CD4060B.

[0043] An illustrative example of transmitter circuit 122 is also shown schematically in Fig. 9. Transmitter circuit 122 may include a plurality of switches 146, 148, 150, 152 and 154 corresponding to various flight maneuvers to be

performed by flying action figure 20. For example, switch 146 may correspond to left-turning flight, switch 148 may correspond to right-turning flight, switch 150 may correspond to low speed flight, switch 152 may correspond to normal flight , and switch 154 may correspond to high speed flight. Pitch axis controller 128 and yaw axis controller 130 may be configured to close appropriate combinations of switches 146, 148, 150, 152 and 154 to select a desired flight pattern. For example, pitch axis controller 128 may be configured to selectively close switches 150, 152, and/or 154, and yaw axis controller 130 may be configured to selectively close switches 146 and/or 148. Transmitter circuit 122 may include a five-function remote control encoder 156, such as a Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd. SPRC205A, to encode an appropriate signal based on the desired flight pattern such that transmitter circuit 122 may transmit the signal to radio receiver 110 in flying action figure 20. In some embodiments, the at least one additional function button 132 may be configured as an "emergency stop" switch, which may be configured to shut down the motors on flying action figure 20.

[0044] An illustrative example of a reception and control circuit suitable for use with a flying action figure that includes a radio receiver 110 is shown schematically at 166 in Fig. 10. In some embodiments, reception and control circuit 166 may include radio receiver 110, at least a portion of controller 28 and/or control circuit 104, and a rechargeable battery 142. As shown in the illustrative example presented in Fig. 10, reception and control circuit 166 may include an amplifier/demodulator 168, such as a Toshiba TA31136, a five-function remote control decoder 170, such as a Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd. SPRC206A, which may be configured to decode the signal received from a transmitter, and a motor controller 172, which may be embodied as a gate array 108. Motor controller 172 may control the flight of flying action figure 20

by regulating current supplied from the battery 142 to first motor 92 and second motor 96, in response to a signal received from remote control decoder 170.

[0045] An illustrative example of motor controller 172 is illustrated with the block diagram presented in Fig. 11. Motor controller 172 may receive input signals 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182, which correspond to right, left, slow, normal, and fast flight modes, respectively. In response to input signals 174, 176, 178, 180 and 182, the control logics 184 of motor controller 172 may determine an appropriate power level for first motor 92 and second motor 96, which may correspond to left and right motors, respectively. Motor controller 172 may be configured to output pulse width modulated ("PWM") signals 186 and 188 to control the power output of first motor 92 and second motor 96, respectively. The pulse width modulated ("PWM") signals 186 and 188 may range from 0%, which corresponds to the motors being off, to 100%, which corresponds to the motors running at full power. Motor controller 172 may be configured to selectively cause at least one of first motor 92 and second motor 96 to run in reverse, such as to cause flying action figure 20 to perform a stunt, such as a spin, or the like. Motor controller 172 may be configured to disable at least one of first motor 92 and second motor 96. Motor controller 172 may be configured to control at least one LED that may be disposed on flying action figure 20.

[0046] The following PWM ratios for first motor 92 and second motor 96, as controlled by motor controller 172, are exemplary only. The specific ratios should not be considered limiting. Rather, the given exemplary ratios merely offer guidance as to whether the relative power output of first motor 92 should be greater than, equal to, or less than the relative power output of second motor 96 for a given flight mode. In response to a right input signal 174, motor controller 172 may output a

KWM ratio tor first motor 92 to be 100% on and second motor 96 to be 70% on. In response to a left input signal 176, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for first motor 92 to be 70% on and second motor 96 to be 100% on. In response to a slow input signal 178, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for both first motor 92 and second motor 96 to be 30% on. In response to a normal input signal 180, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for both first motor 92 and second motor 96 to be 89% on. In response to a fast input signal 182, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for both first motor 92 and second motor 96 to be 100% on.

[0047] In some embodiments, motor controller 172 may cause flying action figure 20 to perform a stunt in response to an appropriate signal, such as from remote control transmitter and charger 116. In response to a stunt signal, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for both first motor 92 and second motor 96 to be 100% on, but with one of the first motor 92 and second motor 96 running in reverse, which may cause flying action figure 20 to spin. Motor controller 172 may output such a PWM ratio for first motor 92 and second motor 96 for a predefined period of time and/or for the duration of the stunt signal. After the predetermined period of time and/or termination of the stunt signal, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for both first motor 92 and second motor 96 to be 89% on for a predetermined period of time, such as 1.5 seconds, which may stabilize flying action figure 20 after the stunt. After the stabilizing flight period, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for first motor 92 to be 100% on and second motor 96 to be 70% on for a predetermined period of time, such as 1.0 seconds, which may cause flying action figure 20 to turn right. After the aforementioned stunt mode, the stabilizing flight period, and/or the right turn period, motor controller 172 may output a PWM ratio for both first motor 92 and second motor 96 to be 100% on, which may cause flying

action figure 20 to ciimb for a predetermined period of time, such as 3.0 seconds.

[0048] In some embodiments, motor controller 172 may be configured to operate one or more LEDs that may be mounted on flying action figure 20. The one or more LEDs may include a left LED and a right LED. Motor controller 172 may be configured to operate the LEDs in various predefined modes, which may correspond to various flight modes of flying action figure 20. For example, when flying action figure 20 is in a fast flight mode, the left and right LEDs may both be on. When flying action figure 20 is in a normal flight mode, the left and right LEDs may both flash at a rate such as 4.5 Hz with a duty cycle such as 50%. When flying action figure 20 is in a slow flight mode, the left and right LEDs may both flash at a rate such as 1.5 Hz with a duty cycle such as 50%. When flying action figure 20 is in a turn, one LED may flash while the other LED may be off. For example, when flying action figure 20 is in a left turn, the left LED may flash at a rate such as 4.5 Hz with a duty cycle such as 50% while the right LED may be off. When flying action figure 20 is in a right turn, the right LED may flash at a rate such as 4.5 Hz with a duty cycle such as 50% while the left LED may be off. When flying action figure 20 is in a stunt flight mode, such as while spinning, the left and right LEDs may alternately flash, such that only one LED is on at any given time, such as at a rate such as 4.5 Hz with a duty cycle such as 50%.

[0049] It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and non-

obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0050] It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.