| 1996: |
Trains are controlled with scale speed (km/h or mph) rather than digital speed steps. |
| 1996: |
The Railroad & Co.™ Library provides to third party developers
a standard application programming interface for different digital systems and allows several simultaneously
running applications to share a common digital system. (This library is not provided anymore). |
| 1998: |
Special support of Stationary Block Decoders allows computer control of analog and digital locomotives
in different blocks on the same track. |
| 1999: |
With Virtual Contacts the number of control points used for train indication, braking and stopping can be
increased without installing real contacts on the model railroad layout. |
| 2000: |
The combination of Train Detection with Train Tracking allows display of train positions on all
locations of the layout, that are equipped with feedback sensors. |
| 2000: |
First Handheld Controller provided in high volume, that is specifically designed for model railroad
computer control (in cooperation with Oaktree Systems). |
| 2001: |
Smart Turntable operation, that does not only allow to turn the bridge to a specific track,
but also to turn each locomotive automatically and without manual intervention to a certain direction
(e.g. heading to the left). |
| 2001: |
"Freezing" in cases of emergency allows later seamless continuation of the operation. |
| 2003: |
Virtual Occupancy indication. |
| 2004: |
AutoTrain. |
| 2005: |
+Net™ is first peer-to-peer (non-client-server) system for distributed network
based model railroad computer control. |
| 2005: |
+4DSound™ is the first true surround sound system for model railroads ready for marketing,
that synchronizes locomotive sound with the location, speed and motion phases of running trains. |
| 2006: |
+SmartHand™ is the world's first handheld railroad control system ready for marketing
with graphical track layout/switchboard display.
The ability to display signal aspects, that are calculated for the currently controlled train according to the
current traffic situation on the layout is just as novel as the high sophisticated system of rules and privileges,
with which each individual handheld in the system can be taylored to the skills, role and needs of the
particular operator. Furthermore +SmartHand™ provides several other novel and unique features. More... |
| 2008: |
TrainController™
is the first software program offered in three variants (
Gold,
Silver and
Bronze).
It thus offers an unprecedented ability to adapt
to the individual needs of each user not only in terms of functionality, but also in terms of costs.
|
| 2008: |
The new Version 7.0 of the premium edition
TrainController™ Gold
offers a total of more than 170 new features compared to the previous version 5.8.
Many of them were first implemented in a program for model railroad computer control.
An example is the completely new train management, with which it is now possible to take into account
changes of the type, the length or the composition of trains automatically and without necessary intervention
by the human operator. |
| 2009: |
TrainProgrammer™ is the first program of its kind,
which provides the possibility to change and examine the speed settings of locomotive decoders in real time
with a roller test bench connected to the computer. Another novel new feature is the ability to
automatically run in new locomotives with varying directions and speeds. |
| 2010: |
+SmartHand™ Mobile extends the existing system of +SmartHand™ Classic handheld by the ability to control a model railroad
with mobile devices (smart phones, PDAs, tablet computers, netbooks etc.).
As the first program for model railroad computer control TrainController™ can thus be operated by devices with Symbian (Nokia etc.),
Android (Google), MS Windows Mobile or MS Windows etc. with a uniform user interface. |
| 2011: |
+SmartHand™ Mobile becomes the first mobile handheld control,
which is based on HTML5 technologies. This allows the broadest range of devices to be used for mobile control and unique
flexibility with respect to arrangement of the user interface on mobile devices. |
| 2012: |
+Street™ extends the existing system by the ability to control autos on road systems.
As the first program of its kind +Street™ provides full support of
hardware based distance control systems. This allows autos to line up themselves under computer control in any number
at red traffic lights, closed crossing gates, etc. |
| 2013: |
+SmartHand™ Mobile is the first touch screen based handheld control system
for model trains, which provides a virtual rotary knob for speed control. More... |