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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The present invention has been contrived to overcome the conventional disadvantages and meet the market demands.

An objective of the invention is to provide a control system for controlling an electric bicycle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An aspect of the invention provides a control system for controlling an electric bicycle comprising an electric bicycle and an information processing unit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control system according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partial flowchart illustrating setting a target operation according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alternatively, the heart rate monitor 300 and the information processing unit 200 can communicate with each other through a wired communication.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.