Physical activity control system for moter vehicles
OwnerBrian Chamberlininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for motor vehicles that uses physical activity to operate the acceleration of a vehicle comprising a mechanical controller that proportionally converts kinetic movement into an electronic signal. An electronic controller uses this signal as well as the current vehicle speed and user preferences to calculate a new pattern of energy flow to the engine. The controller then drives a system that manipulates the vehicle's acceleration or deceleration.
Claims39
An exercise system for controlling the acceleration and/or deceleration of a vehicle having a prime mover which comprises:
- a) at least one pedal, disposed to controllably move between a first position and a second position by said prime mover;
- b) a repetitive motion detection system, disposed to detect at least one movement of said at least one pedal and generate a signal representative of said movement;
- and
- c) a first controller, disposed to receive said signal from said motion detection system, compare said signal to a threshold rate range and provide an output for controlling one of acceleration and deceleration of said motor vehicle.
A system for controlling acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle having a prime mover which comprises:
- a) two pedals positioned in front of a vehicle driver;
- b) a repetitive motion detection system for detecting the repetitive motion of said pedals in a specific period of time and generating an electrical or optical signal representative of the average rate of the repetitive motion of said pedals;
- c) a first controller for receiving input from said repetitive motion detection system and for providing output for controlling the acceleration or deceleration of an engine in the motor vehicle;
- d) a user interface for controlling variables within the transfer function of said first controller, wherein said transfer function relates input into said controller to output for controlling the operation of said engine;
- and
- e) a vehicle interface for receiving output from said first controller and providing output to a vehicle engine control system.
A method of exercising while driving a vehicle having a prime mover comprising the steps of:
- a) repetitively moving a pedal system that requires physical effort to operate;
- b) translating said repetitive motion into an electronic or optical signal via a repetitive motion detection system;
- c) coupling said repetitive motion detection system to a first controller that compares the rate of repetitive motion to a repetitive motion threshold range and then uses a transfer function that receives input from said repetitive motion detection system and provides output for controlling the operation of a prime mover in said motor vehicle;
- d) coupling a user interface with said transfer function that relates input into said controller to output for controlling the operation of said engine;
- and
- e) coupling a vehicle interface for receiving output from said first controller and providing output to a vehicle engine control system.
A method of exercising while driving a vehicle having a prime mover comprising the steps of:
- a) repetitively moving a pedal system that requires physical effort to operate;
- b) translating said repetitive motion into an electronic or optical signal via a repetitive motion detection system;
- c) coupling said repetitive motion detection system to a first controller with a transfer function that receives input from said pedal speed detection system and provides output for controlling the operation of a prime mover in said motor vehicle;
- d) coupling a user interface with said transfer function that relates input into said controller to output for controlling the operation of said engine;
- e) coupling a vehicle interface for receiving output from said first controller and providing output to a vehicle engine control system;
- and
- f) transforming said first controller outputs to manipulate a throttle position to result in a change of acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.