Operation control apparatus and bicycle display

• US 10,252,762 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2016
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Kato, Ayumi, Gao, Jun, Takamoto, Ryuichiro, Miyoshi, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Trivedi, Atul
• Application Number:
  US15/220,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20170029057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 701 36
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/20 characterised by the mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/30 for providing power to equipment other than for propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/412 Speed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/22 electronic, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/01 Electric circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/028 specially adapted for rider-propelled cycles with or without additional source of power
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/16 Arrangement of switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 6/55 power-driven at crank shafts parts

Abstract

An operation control apparatus and a bicycle display device are provided that are configured for improving the usability. The operation control apparatus includes a controller, which is configured to operate a bicycle electronic apparatus that can be mounted on a bicycle. The operation control apparatus is configured to cause a predetermined control target to execute a predetermined operation of the bicycle electronic apparatus according to an operation of an operating unit inputted to the controller. The controller is configured to set at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation, according to at least one of the configuration, the type and the function of the bicycle electronic apparatus.

Claims

1. An operation control apparatus comprising:

a controller configured to be connected to a bicycle electronic apparatus that is configured to be mounted on a bicycle; and

the controller configured to operate a predetermined control target to execute a predetermined operation of the predetermined control target according to an operation of an operating unit that is inputted to the controller,

the controller being configured to set at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation, according to at least one of a configuration, a type, and function of the connected bicycle electronic apparatus.

2. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein

the controller is configured to set at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation, when at least one of the configuration, the type, or the functions of the bicycle electronic apparatus are changed.

3. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a storage unit configured to store operation target information that corresponds to at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation.

4. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein

the storage unit is configured to store the operation target information in association with connected apparatus information corresponding to at least one of the configuration, the type and the function of the bicycle electronic apparatus.

5. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein

the controller is configured to acquire the connected apparatus information by communicating with the bicycle electronic apparatus, and set at least one of the predetermined control target or the predetermined operation, based on the operation target information that corresponds to the connected apparatus information that is stored in the storage unit.

6. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein

the storage unit is configured to store a plurality of pieces of the operation target information in association with one piece of the connected apparatus information.

7. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein

the storage unit stores operation target order information related to a priority in association with the plurality of pieces of the operation target information;

and

the controller is configured to set at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation based on the operation target order information.

8. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein

the storage unit is configured to store a plurality of pieces of the operation connected apparatus information and the operation target information that respectively corresponds to the plurality of pieces of connected apparatus information.

9. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein

the storage unit is configured to store connected apparatus order information related to the priority in association with the plurality of pieces of the connected apparatus information;

and

the controller is configured to set at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation based on the connected apparatus order information.

10. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein

the controller is configured to communicate with a setting changing device to change the association between the connected apparatus information and the operation target information, which are stored in the storage unit.

11. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein

the storage unit is configured to store arrangement information related to an arrangement of the operating unit on the bicycle;

and

the controller is configured to set or change at least one of the predetermined control target and the predetermined operation based on the arrangement information.

12. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a connection part that is configured to be connected to the bicycle electronic apparatus via an electric wire.

13. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein

the electric wire and the connection part are connected by a detachable and reattachable connection.

14. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless communication unit that can communicate with the bicycle electronic apparatus.

15. The operation control apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein

the controller is configured to communicate with a first display unit equipped with a switch for a lamp of the bicycle;

and

the controller is configured to communicate with a second display unit that is not equipped with a switch for the bicycle lamp and,

the controller being configured to switching a state of a screen of the first display unit when the operating unit is operated,

the controller being configured to switch a lighting state of the bicycle lamp when the operating unit is operated.

16. A bicycle display device comprising:

a display unit;

an operating unit;

a housing configured to be attached to a bicycle and to support the display unit and the operating unit; and

a controller configured to be connected to a bicycle electronic apparatus that is configured to mount on the bicycle, the controller being configured to operate a predetermined control target according to an operation of the operating unit inputted to the controller,

the bicycle display device being configured to set the predetermined control target according to an instruction from one of the controller and an external device.