Bicycle component and bicycle communication system

• US 9,853,688 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2015
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Kiyokawa, Kanako, Kato, Ayumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Linda
• Application Number:
  US14/928,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20160156385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 375219, 375220, 375222, 375259, 375295, 375316, 375354, 375356, 455 39, 455500, 455502, 455 91, 455130, 370276, 370277, 370278, 370310, 370350
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 23/00 Transmissions characterised by use of other elements; Other transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A bicycle component is basically provided with a controller, a first connection part and a second connection part. The first connection part is connected to a first transmission path configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. The second connection part is connected to a second transmission path configured to transmit electricity. The controller is configured to establish a communication path with other bicycle components through the first transmission path by communicating with the other bicycle components via the second transmission path.

Claims

1. A bicycle component comprising:

a controller;

a first connection part connected to a first transmission path configured to transmit electromagnetic waves; and

a second connection part connected to a second transmission path configured to transmit electricity,

the controller being configured to

transmit a request regarding an establishment of a communication path to other bicycle components via the second transmission path,

establish the communication path in the first transmission path upon receiving permission for the request from the other bicycle components, and communicate with the other bicycle components via the established communication path.

2. The bicycle component as recited in claim 1, wherein

the first connection part comprises an optical communication unit configured to conduct optical communication with the other bicycle components via the first transmission path.

3. The bicycle component as recited in claim 2, wherein

the optical communication unit comprises a light transmission unit configured to transmit light to the other bicycle components and a light reception unit configured to receive light from the other bicycle components.

4. The bicycle component as recited in claim 1, wherein

the second connection part comprises a power line communication unit configured to conduct power line communication with the other bicycle components via the second transmission path.

5. A bicycle component comprising:

a controller;

a first connection part connected to a first transmission path configured to transmit electromagnetic waves; and

a wireless communication unit configured to transmit a wireless signal via a second transmission path,

the controller is configured to

transmit a request regarding an establishment of a communication path to other bicycle components via the second transmission path,

establish the communication path in the first transmission path upon receiving permission for the request from the other bicycle components, and

communicate with the other bicycle components via the established communication path.

6. A bicycle communication system comprising:

a first bicycle component comprising a first controller, a first connection part that is connected to a first transmission path configured to transmit electromagnetic waves, and a second connection part that is connected to a second transmission path configured to transmit electricity; and

a second bicycle component comprising a second controller, a third connection part that is connected to the first transmission path, and a fourth connection part that is connected to the second transmission path;

one of the first and second controllers configured to

transmit a request regarding an establishment of a communication path to the other of the first and second controllers via the second transmission path,

establish the communication path in the first transmission path upon receiving permission for the request from the other of the first and second controllers, and

communicate with the other of the first and second controllers via e established communication path.

7. The bicycle communication system as recited in claim 6, further comprising

a third bicycle component comprising a third controller, a fifth connection part that is connected to a third transmission path configured to transmit electromagnetic waves, and a sixth connection part that is connected to a fourth transmission path configured to transmit electricity;

and

a communication path may be established in the first or the third transmission path, with one the first, second and third controllers communicating with another of the first, second and third controllers via the second or the fourth transmission path.

8. The bicycle communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein

at least a part of the first transmission path and the third transmission path overlap.

9. The bicycle communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein

at least a part of the second transmission path and the fourth transmission path overlap.

10. The bicycle communication system as recited in claim 7, further comprising

a connection mechanism configured to connect to each of the first to sixth connection parts, and

a connection control apparatus comprising a connection controller configured to control the connection state between the first, second and third bicycle components.

11. The bicycle communication system as recited in claim 7, further comprising

a fourth bicycle component including a fourth controller and a seventh connection part that is connected to a fifth transmission path configured to transmit electricity;

and

the connection mechanism is configured to connect to each of the first to seventh connection parts, and the connection controller controls the connection state between the first to fourth bicycle components.

12. The bicycle communication system as recited in claim 11, wherein

at least a part of the fifth transmission path overlaps with at least one of the second and the fourth transmission paths.