U.S. patent application number 12/013768 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for electric bicycle with personal digital assistant.
Invention is credited to James R. Turner.
Application Number | 20090181826 12/013768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40851176 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090181826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turner; James R. |
July 16, 2009 |
ELECTRIC BICYCLE WITH PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT
Abstract
A control system for controlling an electric bicycle is
provided, which includes an electric bicycle, an information
processing unit, a monitoring device, an input device, and a
display. The electric bicycle and the information processing unit
exchange information with each other, and the information includes
operation data on the electric bicycle, control data for the
electric bicycle, exercise programs. The monitoring device monitors
bodily condition of a bicycle rider, and communicates the monitored
data with the information processing unit and the electric bicycle.
Operations of the electrical bicycle are controlled by collected
information and data. The operations of the electric bicycle
include a power output level, gear shift, RPM, speed, and
acceleration, and the operations of the electrical bicycle are
controlled so as to keep a heart rate of the bicycle rider at a
target heart rate.
Inventors: |
Turner; James R.; (Longmont,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPLA P.A.
3580 WILSHIRE BLVD., 17TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90010
US
|
Family ID: |
40851176 |
Appl. No.: |
12/013768 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 ;
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2230/065 20130101;
A63B 2071/0661 20130101; A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B 2024/0068
20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B
2024/0078 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2230/062 20130101;
G01S 19/19 20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 2230/01 20130101;
B62M 6/50 20130101; A63B 2024/0065 20130101; A63B 69/16 20130101;
A63B 2225/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/4 ;
482/8 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 71/00 20060101 A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A control system for controlling an electric bicycle comprising:
an electric bicycle; and an information processing unit
electronically connected to the electric bicycle, wherein the
electric bicycle and the information processing unit exchange
information with each other, and wherein the information comprises
operation data on the electric bicycle, control data for the
electric bicycle, and a plurality of exercise programs, wherein a
plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle are controlled by
the information processing unit based on the operation data from
the electric bicycle, the control data from the information
processing unit, and the plurality of exercise programs.
2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a display
configured to display information, the information comprising input
and output to the control system, status of the control system, and
status of the electric bicycle including power, battery state, RPM,
and speed, wherein the information processing unit comprises a
personal digital assistant, and wherein the display is integrated
with the personal digital assistant.
3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the personal digital
assistant and the electric bicycle communicate with each other
through a wireless communication.
4. The control system of claim 3, wherein the wireless
communication comprises a Bluetooth and a WIFI (wireless
fidelity).
5. The control system of claim 3, wherein the personal digital
assistant and the electric bicycle communicate with each other
through a wired communication, and wherein the wired communication
connects the personal digital assistant and the electric bicycle
through a USB (universal serial bus) cable.
6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the information
processing unit comprises a microprocessor and a central processing
unit (CPU), which are provided in an external device.
7. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring
device configured to monitor bodily condition of a bicycle rider to
produce data, the monitoring device communicating the monitored
data with the information processing unit and the electric bicycle,
wherein the monitoring device comprises a heart rate monitor,
wherein the heart rate monitor is configured to be worn by the
bicycle rider, and wherein the plurality of operations of the
electrical bicycle are controlled by the information processing
unit further based on the monitored data from the monitoring
device.
8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the heart rate monitor
and the information processing unit communicate with each other
through a wireless communication.
9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the heart rate monitor
and the information processing unit communicate with each other
through a wired communication.
10. The control system of claim 1, further comprising an input
device configured to input data into the information processing
unit, wherein the information processing unit comprises a personal
digital assistant, and wherein the input device is integrated with
the personal digital assistant.
11. The control system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
operations of the electric bicycle comprise a power output level, a
gear shift, RPM (revolutions per minute), speed, and acceleration,
and wherein the plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle
are controlled so as to keep a heart rate of the bicycle rider at a
target heart rate.
12. The control system of claim 11, wherein the target heart rate
comprises the plurality of exercise programs, wherein each of the
plurality of exercise programs is downloaded from an external
computer network by the information processing unit, and wherein
the external computer network comprises an Internet and a
server.
13. The control system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality
of exercise programs is downloaded in real time through a cell
phone by the information processing unit.
14. The control system of claim 1, wherein the information
processing unit comprises a global positioning system (GPS), and
wherein the target exercise program comprises information obtained
from the GPS.
15. A control method for controlling the electric bicycle using the
control system of claim 1, the control method comprising: setting a
target operation of the electric bicycle based on the input
information from an input device; monitoring the operation data
from the electric bicycle; monitoring a bodily status of the
bicycle rider using a monitoring device, wherein the status of the
bicycle rider comprises a heart rate; calculating a feedback
information for the electric bicycle to achieve a target operation;
and providing the calculated feedback information to the electric
bicycle.
16. The control method of claim 15, wherein setting a target
operation comprises: accessing a server in an external computer
network through a wireless communication; downloading the plurality
of exercise programs configured to achieve the target operation;
gathering operational information from the control system; and
uploading the gathered operational information to the server.
17. The control method of claim 16, wherein gathering operational
information comprises gathering diagnostic information for service,
performance information, and service history.
18. The control method of claim 17, further comprising charging the
bicycle rider based on the service history.
19. A diagnostic system for diagnosing an electric bicycle
comprising: an electric bicycle; and an information processing unit
electronically connected to the electric bicycle, wherein the
electric bicycle and the information processing unit exchange
information with each other, and wherein the information comprises
operation data on the electric bicycle, wherein a plurality of
operations of the electrical bicycle are monitored by the
information processing unit based on the operation data from the
electric bicycle so as to diagnose service problems in the electric
bicycle.
20. A control system for controlling an electric bicycle
comprising: an electric bicycle; an information processing unit
electronically connected to the electric bicycle, wherein the
electric bicycle and the information processing unit exchange
information with each other, and wherein the information comprises
operation data on the electric bicycle, control data for the
electric bicycle, a plurality of exercise programs; a monitoring
device configured to monitor bodily condition of a bicycle rider to
produce data, the monitoring device communicating the monitored
data with the information processing unit and the electric bicycle;
an input device configured to input data into the information
processing unit; a display configured to display information, the
information comprising input and output to the control system,
status of the control system, and status of the electric bicycle
including power, battery state, RPM, and speed, wherein a plurality
of operations of the electrical bicycle are controlled by the
information processing unit based on the monitored data from the
monitoring device, the operation data from the electric bicycle,
and the control data from the information processing unit, wherein
the plurality of operations of the electric bicycle comprise a
power output level, a gear shift, RPM (revolutions per minute),
speed, and acceleration, and wherein the plurality of operations of
the electrical bicycle are controlled so as to keep a heart rate of
the bicycle rider at a target heart rate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for
controlling and communicating with an electric bicycle, and more
particularly to the system capability to communicate with an
electric bike or other human powered machine for the purposes of
bi-directional exchange of information.
[0002] Electric bicycles or other electric assisted vehicles allow
a rider to ride where they would not normally be able to go.
Stationary exercise bikes allow for riders to adjust the workout
based on heart rate. Heart rate is used by many exercise programs
and coaches as an accurate guideline to the work intensity
performed by the person exercising. A person may adjust their
exercise level to be able to raise or lower their heart rate, as
monitored by a heart rate monitor, but in many circumstance, a
person may encounter a hill where it is difficult to maintain their
desired target heart rate.
[0003] In this invention, the microprocessor in the electric bike
or outside device can monitor the heart rate of the rider and then
adjust the power output of the bike to keep the rider's heart at
the target heart rate. This allows an exercise program that
maximizes the training affect for a rider. This feature can be
especially beneficial for a rider that is in very poor condition
and any exertion can easily trigger then in high heart rate levels.
The key to getting in shape is exercising a lower heart rate in the
aerobic region. This invention can be very beneficial to persons in
poor shape beginning an exercise program or those who have just had
cardiovascular or heart surgery and require monitored heart rate
exercise.
[0004] A market demand is an electric bicycle having a PDA
(personal digital assistant) to enable information exchange between
a rider and an electric bike. Such information exchange may be
implemented in form of either extracting data from a bike for
service needs or displaying health and mechanical information to
the rider. An electric bike system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,296,072 and 6,629,574, all the disclosures of which are
incorporated by reference here in their entirety.
[0005] Another demand is to control the power of a bike in response
to feedback from a rider through a heart rate monitor or other
monitoring device, where an exercise routine may be downloaded
directly to the bike from an Internet site or even in real time
through cell phone other communication device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been contrived to overcome the
conventional disadvantages and meet the market demands.
[0007] An objective of the invention is to provide a control system
for controlling an electric bicycle.
[0008] Another objective of the invention is to provide a system
and method for controlling electric bicycle using parameters and
data collected from the bicycle and the rider.
[0009] The key to achieving these and other goals is the ability to
transmit data to the bike controller, such that the controller can
adjust the power of the bike and the rider is at the desired target
heart rate. This transmission can be done in many ways, one by
transmitting the heart rate data or other bodily data, directly to
the bike microprocessor and the microprocessor in the bike adjusts
the power to achieve the desired heart rate as pre-programmed prior
to the ride. An alternative is the heart rate signal is sent to
another device, such as a PDA and the PDA has the desired exercise
program in it. The PDA then communicates with the bike via some
means, wireless or corded, and instructs the bike to adjust the
power as required. In either case there needs to be a means for
communicating with the bike from a central host that contains the
desired programs.
[0010] In addition, the PDA or other device can be used to display
information about the bike such as power, battery state, RPM, speed
etc to the rider. The PDA may also be GPS enabled and use this
information in tandem with the bike for generating data or creating
heart rate profiles.
[0011] The bike or PDA may communicate directly with the Internet
to up and download profiles for the rider or other information. The
bike can also be remotely programmed with new performance
parameters or interrogated for service status. Again this may be
done wireless or through a cable system. This allows for
diagnostics to be created and the service problems in the bike
corrected.
[0012] The system could also directly transmit performance and
service history to the manufacture or service facility via wireless
or cell phone. GPS position data could also be transmitted to allow
for tracking in the case of theft or for use in rental fleets. In
rental fleets, the GPS in bike or PDA can track bike and transmit
location to central headquarters. It can also be used to charge the
rider through a credit card means for amount of time bike is
used.
[0013] In an embodiment, the rider logs onto a web based training
system. The web based caching system creates a training program and
the training profile is then downloaded directly to the bike or the
PDA or other device. The rider then goes for a ride, with heart
rate monitor attached to his chest, and the bike keeps his heart
rate at desired level as outlined in the downloaded program.
[0014] When the ride is complete, the bike uploads the results of
the program to the Web based training program which records the
performance and then adjust the next training program for the rider
based on the previous performance. This is an adaptive system
allowing the rider to achieve higher performance levels than by
conventional means today.
[0015] With GPS enable system the profile of the ride taken by the
rider can be uploaded and used for comparison on next rides as to
training level of the rider. Further, there may be provided a means
for communicated with the bike through USB, serial, Bluetooth or
other wireless technology. In this means information can be taken
out of the bike or new information sent in.
[0016] An aspect of the invention provides a control system for
controlling an electric bicycle comprising an electric bicycle and
an information processing unit.
[0017] The information processing unit electronically connected to
the electric bicycle, and the electric bicycle and the information
processing unit exchange information with each other. The
information comprises operation data on the electric bicycle,
control data for the electric bicycle, and a plurality of exercise
programs.
[0018] A plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle are
controlled by the information processing unit based on the
operation data from the electric bicycle, the control data from the
information processing unit, and the plurality of exercise
programs.
[0019] Another aspect of the invention provides a diagnostic system
for diagnosing an electric bicycle. In an embodiment according to
this aspect, the information processing unit electronically
connected to the electric bicycle, and the electric bicycle and the
information processing unit exchange information with each other,
the information comprising operation data on the electric bicycle.
In certain embodiment of this aspect, a plurality of operations of
the electrical bicycle are monitored by the information processing
unit based on the operation data from the electric bicycle so as to
diagnose service problems in the electric bicycle.
[0020] Still another aspect of the invention provides a control
system for controlling an electric bicycle, which comprises an
electric bicycle, an information processing unit, a monitoring
device, an input device, and a display. The information processing
unit is electronically connected to the electric bicycle. The
electric bicycle and the information processing unit exchange
information with each other, and the information comprises
operation data on the electric bicycle, control data for the
electric bicycle, a plurality of exercise programs. The monitoring
device is configured to monitor bodily condition of a bicycle rider
to produce data, and communicates the monitored data with the
information processing unit and the electric bicycle. The input
device is configured to input data into the information processing
unit.
[0021] The display is configured to display information, and the
information comprises input and output to the control system,
status of the control system, and status of the electric bicycle
including power, battery state, RPM, and speed. A plurality of
operations of the electrical bicycle are controlled by the
information processing unit based on the monitored data from the
monitoring device, the operation data from the electric bicycle,
and the control data from the information processing unit. The
plurality of operations of the electric bicycle comprise a power
output level, a gear shift, RPM, speed, and acceleration, and the
plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle are controlled so
as to keep a heart rate of the bicycle rider at a target heart
rate.
[0022] The information processing unit may comprise a personal
digital assistant, and the display may be integrated with the
personal digital assistant. The personal digital assistant and the
electric bicycle can communicate with each other through a wireless
communication. The wireless communication may comprise a Bluetooth,
a WIFI, and other wireless communication. Alternatively, the
personal digital assistant and the electric bicycle can communicate
with each other through a wired communication, and the wired
communication may connect the personal digital assistant and the
electric bicycle through a USB cable.
[0023] The information processing unit may comprise a
microprocessor and a central processing unit (CPU), which are
provided in an external device. The monitoring device may comprise
a heart rate monitor, and the heart rate monitor may be configured
to be worn by the bicycle rider. The heart rate monitor and the
information processing unit may communicate with each other through
a wireless communication.
[0024] The heart rate monitor and the information processing unit
can communicate with each other through a wired communication. The
information processing unit may comprise a personal digital
assistant, and the input device may be integrated with the personal
digital assistant.
[0025] The power of the electric bicycle may be controlled by the
information processing unit so as to maintain the target heart rate
of the bicycle rider. The target heart rate may comprise the
plurality of exercise programs, and each of the plurality of
exercise programs can be downloaded from an external computer
network by the information processing unit. The external computer
network may comprise an Internet and a server. Each of the
plurality of exercise programs may be downloaded in real time
through a cell phone by the information processing unit. The
information processing unit may comprises a global positioning
system (GPS), and the target exercise program may comprise
information obtained from the GPS.
[0026] Still another aspect of the invention provides a control
method for controlling the electric bicycle using the control
system. The control method comprises: setting a target operation of
the electric bicycle based on the input information from the input
device; monitoring the operation data from the electric bicycle;
monitoring the monitored data from the monitoring device about a
status of the bicycle rider, wherein the status of the bicycle
rider comprises a heart rate; calculating a feedback information
for the electric bicycle to achieve the target operation; and
providing the calculated feedback information to the electric
bicycle.
[0027] The setting a target operation may comprises: accessing a
server in an external computer network through a wireless
communication; downloading the plurality of exercise programs
configured to achieve the target operation; gathering operational
information from the control system; and uploading the gathered
operational information to the server.
[0028] The gathering operational information may comprise gathering
diagnostic information for service, performance information, and
service history. The control method may further comprise charging
the bicycle rider based on the service history.
[0029] The control system has advantages in that: (1) the control
system controls the bicycle to allow, for example, a random checkup
of a rider's heart rate; (2) the control system communicates with
the electric bicycle to monitor the operation of the electric
bicycle with efficiency; and (3) the control system monitors the
rider's bodily condition and health information while controlling
the electric bicycle.
[0030] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the
full understanding of the invention can be obtained by the
following drawings, detailed description, and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control system according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a control system according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control system according
to another embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method
according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0036] FIG. 5 is a partial flowchart illustrating setting a target
operation according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] FIGS. 1-3 show control systems according to embodiments of
the invention and FIGS. 4-5 show control methods according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0038] An aspect of the invention provides a control system 1000
for controlling an electric bicycle comprising an electric bicycle
100 and an information processing unit 200.
[0039] The information processing unit 200 electronically connected
to the electric bicycle 100, and the electric bicycle 100 and the
information processing unit 200 exchange information with each
other. The information comprises operation data on the electric
bicycle 100, control data for the electric bicycle 100, and a
plurality of exercise programs.
[0040] A plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle 100 are
controlled by the information processing unit 200 based on the
operation data from the electric bicycle 100, the control data from
the information processing unit 200, and the plurality of exercise
programs.
[0041] Another aspect of the invention provides a diagnostic system
1000 for diagnosing an electric bicycle. In an embodiment according
to this aspect, the information processing unit 200 electronically
connected to the electric bicycle 100, and the electric bicycle 100
and the information processing unit 200 exchange information with
each other, the information comprising operation data on the
electric bicycle 100. In certain embodiment of this aspect, a
plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle 100 are monitored
by the information processing unit 200 based on the operation data
from the electric bicycle 100 so as to diagnose service problems in
the electric bicycle 100.
[0042] In certain embodiment, the diagnostic system 1000 may
further comprise a display and an alarm system for draw the bicycle
rider's attention on the service problems.
[0043] Still another aspect of the invention provides a control
system 1000 for controlling an electric bicycle, which comprises an
electric bicycle 100, an information processing unit 200, a
monitoring device 300, an input device 400, and a display 500.
[0044] The information processing unit 200 is electronically
connected to the electric bicycle 100. The electric bicycle 100 and
the information processing unit 200 exchange information with each
other, and the information comprises, but is not limited to,
operation data on the electric bicycle 100, control data for the
electric bicycle 100, a plurality of exercise programs.
[0045] The monitoring device 300 is configured to monitor bodily
condition of a bicycle rider 900 to produce data, and communicates
the monitored data with the information processing unit 200 and the
electric bicycle 100. The bicycle rider 900 can ride the electric
bicycle 100 with the plurality of exercise programs to achieve a
target exercise.
[0046] The input device 400 is configured to input data into the
information processing unit 200. The bicycle rider 900 sometimes
needs to input data about weight, riding time, and a target
exercise.
[0047] The display 500 is configured to display information, and
the information comprises input and output to the control system
1000, status of the control system 1000, and status of the electric
bicycle 100 including power, battery state, RPM, and speed. The
bicycle rider 900 can check the status of him/herself and the
electric bicycle 100. The bicycle rider 900 may want to check
his/her own performance in real time.
[0048] A plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle 100 are
controlled by the information processing unit 200 based on the
monitored data from the monitoring device 300, the operation data
from the electric bicycle 100, and the control data from the
information processing unit 200. The plurality of operations of the
electric bicycle 100 comprise a power output level, a gear shift,
RPM, speed, and acceleration, and the plurality of operations of
the electrical bicycle 100 are controlled so as to keep a heart
rate of the bicycle rider 900 at a target heart rate.
[0049] The plurality of operations of the electrical bicycle 100
can be controlled to provide any target exercise to the bicycle
rider 900. The workout load to the bicycle rider 900 can be
maintained at a single target value, or can be controlled according
to a predetermined schedule in time and location.
[0050] The information processing unit 200 may comprise a personal
digital assistant, and the display 500 may be integrated with the
personal digital assistant as shown in FIG. 3.
[0051] The personal digital assistant and the electric bicycle 100
can communicate with each other through a wireless communication
(A) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The wireless communication may
comprise a Bluetooth, a WIFI, and other wireless communication.
[0052] Alternatively, the personal digital assistant comprising the
information processing unit 200 and the electric bicycle 100 can
communicate with each other through a wired communication, and the
wired communication may connect the personal digital assistant 200
as the information processing unit and the electric bicycle 100
through a USB cable, for example.
[0053] The information processing unit 200 may comprise a
microprocessor and a central processing unit (CPU), which are
provided in an external device. Alternatively, the microprocessor
or CPU may be provided in the electric bicycle 100 itself.
[0054] Considering that a heart rate is a good indication of the
bodily condition of a human, the monitoring device 300 may comprise
a heart rate monitor, and the heart rate monitor may be configured
to be worn by the bicycle rider 900, for example, around his or her
chest. The heart rate monitor 300 and the information processing
unit 200 may communicate with each other through a wireless
communication (B) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0055] Alternatively, the heart rate monitor 300 and the
information processing unit 200 can communicate with each other
through a wired communication.
[0056] The information processing unit 200 may comprise a personal
digital assistant, and the input device 400 may be integrated with
the personal digital assistant 200 as shown in FIG. 3. The personal
digital assistant 200 as the information processing unit may be
installed on the electric bicycle 100 such that the bicycle rider
900 can reach the input device 400 easily and see the display
500.
[0057] The power of the electric bicycle 100 may be controlled by
the information processing unit 200 so as to maintain the target
heart rate of the bicycle rider 900. The target heart rate may
comprise the plurality of exercise programs, and each of the
plurality of exercise programs can be downloaded from an external
computer network 600 by the information processing unit 200 as
shown in FIGS. 1-3. The external computer network 600 may comprise
an Internet and a server. Each of the plurality of exercise
programs may be downloaded in real time through a cell phone (not
shown) by the information processing unit 200. In this case, the
cell phone can be connected to the information processing unit 200
by a wireless or wired communication. The external computer network
600 can be connected to the information processing unit 200 by a
wireless or wired communication (C) as shown in FIGS. 1-3, too. The
information processing unit 200 may comprises a global positioning
system (GPS), and the target exercise program may comprise
information obtained from the GPS.
[0058] Still another aspect of the invention provides a control
method S2000 for controlling the electric bicycle 100 using the
control system 1000 as shown in FIGS. 4-5.
[0059] The control method S2000 comprises: setting a target
operation of the electric bicycle based on the input information
from the input device (S2010); monitoring the operation data from
the electric bicycle (S2020); monitoring the monitored data from
the monitoring device about a status of the bicycle rider 900,
wherein the status of the bicycle rider 900 comprises a heart rate
(S2030); calculating a feedback information for the electric
bicycle to achieve the target operation (S2040); and providing the
calculated feedback information to the electric bicycle
(S2050).
[0060] The setting a target operation (S2010) may comprises:
accessing a server in an external computer network through a
wireless communication (S2012); downloading the plurality of
exercise programs configured to achieve the target operation
(S2014); gathering operational information from the control system
(S2016); and uploading the gathered operational information to the
server (S2018). The gathering operational information (S2016) may
comprise gathering diagnostic information for service, performance
information, and service history. The control method S2000 may
further comprise charging the bicycle rider 900 based on the
service history.
[0061] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated
by those skills in the art that variations in form, detail,
compositions and operation may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *