Bicycle computer
AssigneeShimano Inc.
InventorMasahiko Jinbo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for transmitting sensor signals in a bicycle includes a sensor for sensing an operational condition of a bicycle component and for outputting a sensor signal having a selected type. A digital transmission circuit operationally associated with the sensor outputs a digital message in response to the sensor signal. The digital message includes 1) a digital sensor value comprising a series of bits representing a value of the sensor signal; and 2) a digital identification value for indicating the selected type of the sensor signal. Such a message allows a sensor having any physical design to be connected to the computer.
Claims14
An apparatus for transmitting sensor signals in a bicycle comprising:
- a first sensor for sensing a first operational condition of a bicycle component and for outputting a first sensor signal having a first sensor type selected from the group comprising an RPM sensor type a torque sensor type, a shift position sensor type and a braking force sensor type;
- a second sensor for sensing a second operational condition of a bicycle component and for outputting a second sensor signal having a second sensor type selected from the group comprising an RPM sensor type, a torque sensor type, a shift position sensor type and a braking force sensor type;
- wherein the first sensor type is different from the second sensor type;
- a digital transmission circuit operationally associated with the first sensor and the second sensor for outputting a first digital message in response to the first sensor signal and a second digital message in response to the second sensor signal, wherein the first digital message includes:
- a first digital sensor value comprising a series of bits representing a value of the first sensor signal;
- and
- a first digital identification value for indicating the first sensor type;
- and
- wherein the second digital message includes:
- a second digital sensor value comprising a series of bits representing a value of the second sensor signal;
- and
- a second digital identification value for indicating the second sensor type.
A method for transmitting sensor signals in a bicycle comprising the steps of:
- sensing a first operational condition of a bicycle component with a first sensor;
- outputting, by the first sensor, a first sensor signal having a first sensor type selected from the group comprising an RPM sensor type, a torque sensor type, a shift position sensor type and a braking force sensor type;
- sensing a second operational condition of a bicycle component with a second sensor;
- outputting, by the second sensor, a second sensor signal having a second sensor type selected from the group comprising an RPM sensor type, a torque sensor type, a shift position sensor type and a braking force sensor type;
- wherein the first sensor type is different from the second sensor type;
- receiving the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal by a digital transmission circuit;
- outputting, by the digital transmission circuit, a first digital message including:
- a first digital sensor value comprising a series of bits representing a value of the first sensor signal;
- and
- a first digital identification value for indicating the first sensor type;
- and
- outputting, by the digital transmission circuit, a second digital message including:
- a second digital sensor value comprising a series of bits representing a value of the second sensor signal;
- and
- a second digital identification value for indicating the second sensor type.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.