Multiprocessor control system for cycles, for instance for race bicycles

• US 20040254650A1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
• Inventors: Campagnolo, Valentino, Guderzo, Gianfranco
• Granted Patent: US 7,200,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/2
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/045 having single actuating means operating both front and rear derailleur
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/002 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

An electronic control system for cycles, for use with a set of sensors, a set of actuators, and a set of control members associated to a cycle. The system having a first processor unit for processing and displaying information; a second processor unit for communication and for interfacing with said set of control members; and a third processor unit for interfacing with said set of sensors and said set of actuators. The first processor unit, the second processor unit, and the third processor unit are connected together via asynchronous bi-directional communication channels.

Claims

1. A system for controlling and managing operations of a cycle, the system comprising:

a first interface that displays and manages data;

a second interface that manages requests from a user; and

a controller in communication with at least one actuator that controls a function of the cycle, wherein the first and second interfaces and the controller are in bi-directional communication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communication is asynchronous.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first interface is removably mounted to a cycle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second interface activates operation modes of the system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second interface sorts communication to and from the first interface and the controller.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls more than one actuator.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller exchanges information via a wireless local area network (WLAN).

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the more than one actuator controls gear-shift functions of a cycle.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the more than one actuator is activated in response to a request by a user.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the more than one actuator is activated in response to a signal generated by the controller.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor for obtaining data regarding conditions of use.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor senses pedal cadence.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor senses chain movement.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor senses pedal effort.