Memory unit for controlling an ergometer

• US 5,044,371 A
• Filed: 03/15/1990
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keiper Dynavit GmbH & Company
• Original Assignee: Keiper Dynavit GmbH & Company
• Inventors: Lautenschlager, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Application Number:
  US07/493,749
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 128/707, 128/706, 128/710, 364/413.02, 364/413.03, 364/413.04
• US Class Current: 600/520
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/221 Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus
• 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

Abstract

A memory unit for the non-volatile storage of data for controlling an ergometer with respect to the performance applied by the user in dependence on time and/or distance is formed as an independent structural unit which can be connected by the user to an ergometer for a selectable period of time for data recording and/or data reading.

Claims

1. Memory unit for use with an ergometer, comprising:

a) means for controlling said ergometer with respect to a performance applied by a user in dependence on time and/or distance;

b) means for removably connecting said memory unit to said ergometer; and

c) means for data storage for a period of time until subsequent recall. including a ROM, a RAM, a pulse generator, and a real time clock, each of which are connected to a micro-controller;

wherein the memory unit is selectively connectable with said ergometer and with a bicycle computer.

2. The memory unit according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes a plug contact device for connection to said ergometer.

3. The memory unit according to claim 2, wherein said plug contact device is a cylindrical plug.

4. The memory unit according to claim 3, having a cylindrical shape.

5. The memory unit according to claim 4, further including an EEPROM.

6. The memory unit according to claim 3, wherein said memory unit cylindrical shape is adapted to that of the cylindrical plug.

7. The memory unit according to claim 6, further including an EEPROM.

8. The memory unit according to claim 3, further including and EEPROM.

9. The memory unit according to claim 2, having a cylindrical shape.

10. The memory unit according to claim 9, further including an EEPROM.

11. The memory unit according to claim 2, further including an EEPROM.

12. The memory unit according to claim 1, having a cylindrical shape.

13. The memory unit according to claim 12, wherein said memory unit cylindrical shape is adapted to that of the cylindrical plug.

14. The memory unit according to claim 12, further including an EEPROM.

15. The memory unit according to claim 1, further including an EEPROM.

16. The memory unit according to claim 1, wherein said bicycle computer is mounted on a bicycle and said bicycle includes rotatable pedals, a transmission having gears providing gear ratios, said bicycle is adapted for travel over differing slopes and in selectable directions, and said bicycle computer includes sensors for the rotational speed of the pedals, the selected gear of the transmission, and the slope of the travel path in the direction of travel, as well as a micro-controller to which the sensors, a RAM and an interface with the memory unit are connected.

17. The memory unit according to claim 16, wherein the bicycle computer has a pulse sensor connected to the micro-controller.

18. The memory unit according to claim 1, wherein the bicycle computer contains a display that is connected to the micro-controller.

19. The memory unit according to claim 18, wherein the bicycle computer has a pulse sensor connected to the micro-controller.

20. Apparatus for recording as data ergometric values generated by traversal of a given course by a rider on a pedal-driven bicycle, comprising:

a) a microcontroller;

b) a pulse sensor connected to said microcontroller;

c) an inclination sensor connected to said microcontroller;

d) means for storage of digital data, connected to said microcontroller;

e) means for sensing pedal rotation rate and for generating therefrom a velocity value; and

f) means for converting said velocity values to velocity/distance values.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further including means connected to said microcontroller for displaying said values.

22. The apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said bicycle includes means for changing the gear ratio applied by the pedals, further including means for supplying gear ratio values to said means for converting.

23. The apparatus as in claim 20, further including means for storage and recall of said values.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further including plug connection means, wherein said storage and recall means is detachable from said apparatus for recording by said plug connection means.

25. A memory unit for storage and recall of ergometric data values, comprising:

a) a microcontroller;

b) a pulse generator connected to said microcontroller;

c) a real-time clock connected to said microcontroller;

d) volatile memory means connected to said microcontroller for temporary data storage;

e) non-volatile memory means connected to said microcontroller for program storage; and

f) erasable memory means for storage of said data values.

26. The apparatus as in claim 25, further including connection means for detachably connecting said memory storage unit to an ergometer.

27. The memory unit according to claim 26, wherein said connection means includes a plug contact device for connection to said ergometer.

28. A system for recording as data the ergometric values generated by traversal of a given course by a rider on a bicycle, and for recall of the ergometric data values generated by such traversal, comprising:

a) a bicycle computer having;

i) a bicycle computer microcontroller;

ii) a pulse sensor connected to said bicycle computer microcontroller;

iii) an inclination sensor connected to said bicycle computer microcontroller;

iv) means for storage of digital data, connected to said bicycle computer microcontroller;

v) means for sensing pedal rotation rate and for generating therefrom a velocity value; and

vi) means for converting said velocity values to velocity/distance values;

b) a memory unit for recallably storing ergometric data values, comprising;

i) a memory unit microcontroller;

ii) a pulse generator connected to said memory unit microcontroller;

iii) a real-time clock connected to said memory unit microcontroller;

iv) volatile memory means connected to said memory unit microcontroller for temporary data storage;

v) non-volatile memory means connected to said memory unit microcontroller for program storage; and

vi) erasable memory means for storage of said data values; and

c) an ergometer.