Patents by Inventor Antero J. Virkkala

Antero J. Virkkala has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5839990
    Abstract: A device for connecting fitness equipment such as an exercise bicycle to a computer equipped with a game control device including a continuously variable resistance (e.g. industry standard architecture computers such as IBM PC/AT and compatibles equipped with a joystick adapter). The two states of the exercise bicycle (pedaling or not pedaling) are converted to the three states required by racing simulations (braking, coasting, accelerating) by means of a non-linear element in such a way that pedaling at speeds lower than a certain cross-over value is converted to various degrees of braking while pedaling at speeds higher than this value is converted to various degrees of acceleration. The cross-over pedaling speed which is converted to a resistance equal to that of a joystick in its middle position is lower than half the maximum speed. Within the range of possible pedaling speeds of the exercise bicycle, a smaller portion is used for braking and a greater portion is used for accelerating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Antero J. Virkkala