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 pedals, a rear wheel driven by said pedals, and 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 pedals of the bicycle by a rider;
a rear wheel sensor for interface to the computer, said rear wheel sensor detecting the rotational speed of the rear wheel of the bicycle; and
a steering input device interfaced to the computer and removably attachable to 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 pedals 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.
80 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removably connecting a bicycle to a computer, said bicycle having pedals, a rear wheel driven by said pedals, and 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 pedals of the bicycle by a rider;
a rear wheel sensor for interface to the computer, said rear wheel sensor detecting the rotational speed of the rear wheel of the bicycle; and
a steering input device interfaced to the computer and removably attachable to 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 pedals, a rear wheel driven by said pedals, handlebars, and a front wheel;
- 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 pedals 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; and
a steering input device interfaced to the computer and removably attachable to the bicycle. - 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 pedals, a rear wheel driven by said pedals, and 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 pedals 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;
a potentiometer interfaced to the electronic game and removably attachable to the bicycle; and
a hand-grip lever to rotate the potentiometer, thereby providing a steering input to the electronic game. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- said apparatus comprising;
Specification