Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting and varying indoor bicycle trainer pedaling resistance in varying manner to replicate the effects of increased system inertia. The effects of inertia are replicated by limiting acceleration/deceleration of the crank by application of increased/decreased unit resistance applied to pedaling. Thus, the decreased magnitude of acceleration events imitates the effects an increased system mass (inertia) perceived by the rider, enhancing "road feel", which is synonymous with the feeling of accelerating one's own inertia while cycling outdoors. This is accomplished through sensors used to detect or determine crank position with a high resolution, a method of providing and varying resistance, such as an eddy current resistance device using either electromagnets or permanent magnets and a microcontroller to calculate the required magnetic field strength and adjust the field strength or magnet position in the resistance unit to facilitate the change required as determined by the outlined algorithm.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01P 3/00 - Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds
• A63B 22/06 - Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with rotating cycling movement
• A63B 71/06 - Indicating or scoring devices for games or players
• G01P 3/36 - Devices characterised by the use of optical means, e.g. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light

Abstract

Systems and methods provide remote control of product functionality and software kits allow firmware development of remote control of product functionality. The remote control may be time-based where the product functionality is based upon the expiration date and a current time. The remote control may be location-based where the product functionality is based upon the geographical location of the product. The remote control of the product functionality may be based upon proximity of the product to an authentication device.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04L 12/16 - Arrangements for providing special services to substations
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system

Abstract

A wireless sensor pod and associated method use a trigger event to pair with a master device. The wireless sensor pod includes an inertial sensor for detecting physical movement of the wireless sensor pod, a wireless transceiver, a processor communicatively coupled to the inertial sensor and the wireless transceiver, and a memory communicatively coupled with the processor and storing machine readable instructions. When the machine readable instructions are executed by the processor, they are capable of: detecting, using the inertial sensor, a first trigger event caused by the physical movement, and when the first trigger event is detected, transmitting, using the wireless transceiver, a communication to pair the wireless sensor pod with a master device.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04W 76/14 - Direct-mode setup
• H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
• H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

An adhesively coupled power-meter measures one or more of force, torque, power, and velocity of a mechanical arm. The power meter includes a plate with a first surface prepared for adhesively coupling to the mechanical arm. At least one strain gauge is physically coupled with a second surface, opposite the first, of the plate and with an orientation corresponding to an orientation of the adhesively coupled power meter such that mechanical forces are transferred from mechanical arm to the at least one strain gauge when the plate is adhesively coupled to the mechanical arm. The power meter also includes electronics for receiving a signal from the at least one strain gauge and for determining one or more of force, torque, power and velocity from the signal, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting one or more of force, torque, power and velocity to a receiving device.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 21/32 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring the deformation in a solid
• G01L 5/00 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
• G01P 5/00 - Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream; Measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft