Apparatus for removably interfacing a bicycle to a computer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removably connecting a bicycle to a computer, said bicycle having peddles, a rear wheel driven by said peddles, handlebars, and a front wheel that can be turned by said handlebars;
- said computer having an interface for receiving electrical signals, said apparatus comprising;
a support for removably holding the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel in response to force exerted on the peddles of the bicycle by a rider;
a rear wheel sensor for interface to a computer, said rear wheel sensor detecting the rotational speed of the rear wheel of the bicycle; and
a front wheel sensor for interface to a computer, said front wheel sensor detecting the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus enables a conventional bicycle to be interfaced to a computer to serve as a controller for electronic games and the like. The apparatus includes a rear wheel support that removably holds the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel. A rear wheel sensor detects rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle as the rider peddles and generates an electrical signal indicating the rotational speed of the rear wheel. The apparatus also includes a front wheel sensor that detects the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle for the computer through the computer interface. For example, the front wheel of the bicycle can be removably supported by a front support member that rotates about a vertical axis as the front wheel is turned by the handle bars. A potentiometer is used to measure rotation of the front support member, and therefore the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removably connecting a bicycle to a computer, said bicycle having peddles, a rear wheel driven by said peddles, handlebars, and a front wheel that can be turned by said handlebars;
- said computer having an interface for receiving electrical signals, said apparatus comprising;
a support for removably holding the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel in response to force exerted on the peddles of the bicycle by a rider; a rear wheel sensor for interface to a computer, said rear wheel sensor detecting the rotational speed of the rear wheel of the bicycle; and a front wheel sensor for interface to a computer, said front wheel sensor detecting the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- said computer having an interface for receiving electrical signals, said apparatus comprising;
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7. An apparatus for removably connecting a bicycle to a computer, said bicycle having peddles, a rear wheel driven by said peddles, handlebars, and a front wheel that can be turned by said handlebars;
- said computer having an interface for receiving electrical signals, said apparatus comprising;
a rear wheel support having; (a) a support for removably holding the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel in response to force exerted on the peddles of the bicycle by a rider; and (b) a rear wheel sensor for interface to a computer, said rear wheel sensor detecting the rotational speed of the rear wheel of the bicycle; and a front wheel support having; (a) a front support member for removably supporting and engaging the front wheel of a bicycle to rotate about a vertical axis as the front wheel is turned by the handlebars; and (b) a front wheel sensor for interface to a computer, said front wheel sensor detecting the direction of said front support member. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- said computer having an interface for receiving electrical signals, said apparatus comprising;
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14. An apparatus for removably connecting a bicycle as a controller for an electronic game having a interface for receiving electrical signals, said bicycle having peddles, a rear wheel driven by said peddles, handlebars, and a front wheel that can be turned by said handlebars;
- said apparatus comprising;
a rear wheel support having; (a) a support for removably holding the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel in response to force exerted on the peddles of the bicycle by a rider; and (b) a rear wheel sensor for interface to an electronic game, said rear wheel sensor detecting the rotational speed of the rear wheel of the bicycle; and a front wheel support having; (a) a base; (b) a front support member rotatably mounted to said base for removably supporting and engaging the front wheel of a bicycle to rotate about a substantially vertical axis as the front wheel is turned by the handlebars; and (c) a potentiometer for interface to an electronic game, said potentiometer measuring rotation of said front support member with respect to said base. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- said apparatus comprising;
Specification