US 4,512,567 AGranted

Exercise bicycle apparatus particularly adapted for controlling video games

OwnerRobert V. Phillipsinventor

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Abstract

An exercise bicycle is associated with controllable apparatus such as potentiometers which provide an electrical signal based on the motion of the handlebars as well as signals proportional to the speed at which the bicycle is being operated at. These signals are interfaced with a typical microcomputer or video game machine which can utilize these signals to control the motions necessary to operate a video game. In this manner the apparatus generates five separate control signals one of which is indicative of the speed that the bicycle is being pedaled, the left to right movement of the handlebars as well as the forward to backward or up and down movement of the handlebars. There are associated with the handlebars two separate switches which can further be activated by the operator. In this manner the exercise bicycle is used to control and fully operate the video game thereby allowing a user to receive healthful exercise while participating in the skills necessary to play the video game.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An exercising apparatus for controlling a video game apparatus, said game of the type having input terminals for receiving electrical type signals necessary to control the movement of a particular object associated with a video game as displayed on the screen of a television receiver associated with said video game apparatus, comprising in combination therewith,

an exercise bicycle having a frame and having a pedal driven wheel and a moveable handlebar assembly which assembly is pivotally coupled to said frame to move in a right or left direction as well as move up or down,
first means coupled to said handlebar assembly to provide a first output signal indicative of the extent of motion of said assembly in said right or left direction to provide control of the movement of said object in the horizontal plane,
Second means coupled to said handlebar assembly to provide a second output signal indicative of the extent of motion of said assembly in said up or down direction to provide control of the movement of said object in the vertical plane,
third means coupled to said wheel to provide a third output signal indicative of the speed of the wheel to provide control of the speed of said object as moving in said horizontal or vertical planes, and
means adapted to apply said first, second and third output signals to associated input terminals of said video game apparatus whereby said object can be controlled to move about said screen according to said output signals.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/479,511Filed 28 Mar 1983
Granted: 23 Apr 1985
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

A63F 13/42
Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment: by mapping the input…
A63F 13/245
Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles: specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g.…
A63F 13/57
Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress: simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world,…
A63F 13/803
Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode: driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks