Abstract:
A password registration device includes a password input device for inputting an input password; a tentative password designation mechanism for designating the input password as a tentative password; a signaling mechanism coupled to the tentative password designation mechanism for signaling that the input password is designated as a tentative password; and a reference password memory for storing a reference password. A password registration requesting device is provided for requesting storage of the tentative password in the reference password memory, and a password registration mechanism is provided for storing the tentative password in the reference password memory in response to the password registration requesting device. In another embodiment, a password registration device includes a password input device for inputting an input password; a reference password memory; a password registration mechanism for storing the input password in the reference password memory; a default password memory for storing a default password; and resetting means for storing the default password in the reference password memory. The resetting means can be used to set the default password as the reference password if the user forgets the originally input password.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to control devices for bicycle transmissions and, more particularly, to a password registration device for a bicycle transmission that employs an antitheft system. 
     Bicycles, particularly recreational bicycles referred to as city cruisers, are inexpensive and are easy to ride, so they are widely used to commute to work or to school. Such recreational bicycles are sometimes stolen from bike stands or the like in front of train stations. To prevent this type of theft, bicycle locks such as box-shaped locks and horseshoe-shaped locks are attached to the front or back fork to lock the wheel. However, the simple structure of bicycle locks makes them easy to unlock and remove. 
     Antitheft devices which mount to the bicycle wheel hub and which make the bicycle difficult to ride recently have been developed. The lock mechanism of such antitheft devices usually is disposed inside an internal shifting hub. When the lock mechanism is activated, the rear wheel of the bicycle is difficult to move, and noise is emitted when forcible movement is attempted. The lock mechanism can be operated between a locked state and an unlocked state with the aid of a shift control element provided to a handlebar. In order to switch the lock mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state, password symbols are entered, and if the entered password symbols fail to match the password symbols (hereinafter “reference password symbols”) previously registered for reference purposes, the unlocked state cannot be established. Thus, only the person (usually the bicycle owner) who knows the reference password symbols can disengage the lock. 
     Reference password symbols can be registered with the aid of the shift control element. Typically, password symbols are entered by means of a prescribed operation, and these symbols are registered as reference password symbols by pressing a control button on the shift control element. Unfortunately, sometimes the operator does not perform the prescribed operation correctly, thus resulting in the registration of password symbols other than the intended password symbols. If the operator does not notice the error, the operator will not know the erroneously entered password. As a result, the intended password will not match the erroneously entered password stored in the antitheft mechanism, and the operator will be unable to disengage the lock. 
     There are also cases in which the user forgets the registered reference password symbols even after entering these reference password symbols correctly. This is particularly true when the reference password symbols are changed often to prevent theft. If the user is unable to remember the correct reference password symbols, the user again is unable to disengage the lock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a password registration device for a bicycle wherein password symbols input to the device may be confirmed before they are stored as the reference password, and wherein the password can be set to a default value in the event the user forgets the password. In one embodiment of the present invention, a password registration device includes a password input device for inputting an input password; a tentative password designation mechanism for designating the input password as a tentative password; a signaling mechanism coupled to the tentative password designation mechanism for signaling that the input password is designated as a tentative password; and a reference password memory for storing a reference password. A password registration requesting device is provided for requesting storage of the tentative password in the reference password memory, and a password registration mechanism is provided for storing the tentative password in the reference password memory in response to the password registration requesting device. The user can register the input password as the reference password after considering the signal provided by the tentative password designation mechanism. 
     In another embodiment, a password registration device includes a password input device for inputting an input password; a reference password memory; a password registration mechanism for storing the input password in the reference password memory; a default password memory for storing a default password; and resetting means for storing the default password in the reference password memory. The resetting means can be used to set the default password as the reference password if the user forgets the originally input password. 
     In a bicycle antitheft system that incorporates the present invention, an antitheft device is provided that is switchable between an antitheft position and a released position. A selecting mechanism is provided for selecting the antitheft position and the released position; a selection effecting means is provided for switching the antitheft device between the antitheft position and the released position in response to the selecting mechanism; an antitheft maintaining mechanism is provided for maintaining the antitheft device in the antitheft position; and a release mechanism is provided for releasing the antitheft device from the antitheft position. The release mechanism includes an embodiment of the password registration device described above and in more detail below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a particular embodiment of a bicycle that includes an antitheft system that incorporates a password registration device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the bicycle shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a particular embodiment of a shift control device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an oblique view of a portion of the handlebar of the bicycle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a particular embodiment of a bicycle shift control device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of a particular embodiment of the storage component device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional diagram of a particular embodiment of an internal hub transmission that includes an antitheft device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relation between a sun gear and pawls used to lock the sun gear to the hub axle; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional diagram of the antitheft device during normal riding; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional diagram of the antitheft device in a locked state; 
     FIGS.  10 (A-B) are schematic views illustrating the operation of the antitheft device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of a lock ring used in the antitheft device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a main routine used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of an initial setting routine used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a P procedure used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a registration change procedure used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a password change procedure used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a password input procedure used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a password reset procedure used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a lock release procedure used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a particular embodiment of a bicycle that includes an antitheft system that incorporates a password registration device according to the present invention. The bicycle includes a frame  1  with a double loop type of frame unit  2  and a front fork  3 ; a handle component  4 ; a saddle  11 ; a drive component  5 ; a front wheel  6 ; a rear wheel  7  in which a four-speed internal gear shifter  10  is mounted; front and rear brake devices  8  (only front one shown in figure); and a shift control element  9  for conveniently operating the internal gear shifter  10 . The handle component  4  has a handle stem  14  that is fixed to the upper portion of the front fork  3  and a handle bar  15  that is fixed to the handle stem  14 . Brake levers  16  and grips  17  which constitute part of the brake devices  8  are mounted at either end of the handle bar  15 . A control panel  20  for a shift control element  9  is mounted on the right-side brake lever  16 . The drive component  5  has a gear crank  18  that is provided to the lower portion (bottom bracket portion) of the frame body  2 , a chain  19  that is wrapped around the gear crank  18 , and the internal gear shifter  10 . As shown in FIG. 2, a bicycle speed sensor  12  furnished with a bicycle speed sensing lead switch is mounted on the chain stay  2   a  of the frame unit  2 . This bicycle speed sensor  12  outputs a bicycle speed signal by detecting a magnet  13  mounted on a spoke  7   a  of the rear wheel  7 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shift control element  9  has two control buttons  21  and  22  disposed next to each other to the left and right on the lower portion of the control panel  20 , a control dial  23  disposed above the control buttons  21  and  22 , a liquid crystal display component  24  disposed to the left of the control dial  23 , and an alarm  32  consisting of an internally disposed buzzer. The shift control element  9  also has a shift control component which is housed in a control box  31  (FIG. 2) mounted on the base end portion of the chain stay  2   a . The components inside the control panel  20  are connected to the shift control component  25  via a control cable  9   a.    
     The control buttons  21  and  22  are triangular push buttons. The control button  21  on the left side is used to perform shifts to a higher speed step from a lower speed step, while the control button  22  on the right side is used to perform shifts to a lower speed step from a higher speed step. The two control buttons  21  and  22  are also used to input or register the password. 
     The control dial  23  is used to switch between three shift modes and a parking mode (P), and it has four stationary positions: P, D, DS, and M. Here, the shift modes comprise an automatic shift  1  mode (D), an automatic shift  2  mode (DS), and a manual shift mode (M). The automatic shift  1  mode (D) and the automatic shift  2  mode (DS) are modes for automatically shifting the internal gear shifter  10  by means of a bicycle speed signal from the bicycle speed sensor  12 . The automatic shift  1  mode (D) is primarily used during normal riding, whereas the automatic shift  2  mode (DS) is primarily used during sporty riding. With the automatic shift  2  mode (DS), therefore, the shift timing of an upshift is set faster than for the automatic shift  1  mode (D), and the shift timing of a downshift is set slower. The manual shift mode (M) is a mode for shifting the internal gear shifter  10  through the operation of the control buttons  21  and  22 . The parking mode (P) is a mode for locking the internal gear shifter  10  and for inhibiting the rotation of the rear wheel  7 . 
     Current riding speed is displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24 , as is the speed step selected at the time of the shift. As discussed more fully below, the password is also displayed as it is being entered. 
     The shift control component  25  comprises a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an I/O interface. As shown in FIG. 4, the shift control component  25  is connected to the control dial  23  (provided to the control panel  20 ), the control buttons  21  and  22 , the liquid crystal display component  24 , and the alarm  32 . The following components are also connected to the shift control component  25 : the bicycle speed sensor  12 ; an actuation position sensor  26  disposed inside the internal gear shifter  10  and composed, for example, of a potentiometer that senses the actuation position thereof; a power supply  27  (consisting of a battery housed in the control box  31 ), a motor driver  28 , a storage component  30 , and other input components. A shift motor  29  is connected to the motor driver  28 . 
     The storage component  30  may comprise an EEPROM or another type of rewritable nonvolatile memory, and it is used to store various types of designated and registered data. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage component  30  is divided into an initial password (IPW) storage area  30   a , a temporary password (TPW) storage area  30   b , a reference password (PW) storage area  30   c , a wheel diameter storage area  30   d , a speed unit storage area  30   e , a speed group data storage area  30   f , a shift position storage area  30   g , and other storage areas. As used herein, the term “initial password” designates the initially registered (usually by the manufacturer) or default reference password. Once registered, this password cannot be changed. A temporary password is a password temporarily established during password registration and registered as a reference password when certain operations are carried out. A reference password is a password that is used as reference during password input, and it can be changed freely by the user. Wheel diameter data are data such as 26 inches, 27 inches, etc. concerning the wheel diameter for use during speed detection. Speed unit data are data for setting the units in which speed is displayed, and it can be indicated either in kilometers or miles. The speed group data are data for setting the speed or the like of the upshift or downshift in an automatic shift mode. The shift position data are data for setting the shift position of the shift motor  29  when the motor  29  has been mounted in the internal gear shifter  10 . The shift control component  25  controls the motor  29  in accordance with each mode and controls the display of the liquid crystal display component  24 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the internal gear shifter  10  primarily has a hub axle  41  that is fixed to the rear portion of the bicycle frame  1 , a driver  42  that is located around the outer periphery at one end of the hub axle  41 , a hub shell  43  that is located around the outer periphery of the hub axle  41  and driver  42 , a planet gear mechanism  44  for transmitting motive force between the driver  42  and the hub shell  43 , and an antitheft device  85 . The planet gear mechanism  44  provides four power transmission steps, one direct and three speed-increasing. 
     The driver  42  is a roughly cylindrical member, one end of which is rotatably supported by the hub axle  41  via balls  45  and a hub cone  46 . A hub cog  47  is fixed as an input element around the outer periphery at one end. A notch  42   a  that expands outward in the radial direction from the space in the center is formed in the driver  42 . Three of these notches  42   a  are formed at equiangular intervals in the circumferential direction. 
     The hub shell  43  is a cylindrical member having a plurality of steps in the axial direction, and the driver  42  is housed in a housing space  43   a  around the inner periphery thereof. One side of the hub shell  43  is rotatably supported around the outer periphery of the driver  42  via balls  50 , and the other by the hub axle  41  via balls  51  and a hub cone  52 . Flanges  53  and  54  for supporting the spokes  7   a  (FIG. 1) of the rear wheel  7  are fixed around the outer periphery at both ends of the hub shell  43 . A cover  55  is fixed to the outer lateral wall at one side of the driver  42 , and the distal end of the cover  55  extends so as to cover the outer peripheral surface at one end of the hub shell  43 . A sealing member  56  is positioned between the inner peripheral surface at the distal end of the cover  55 , and the outer peripheral surface of the hub shell  43 . 
     The planet gear mechanism  44  is housed in the housing space  43   a  inside the hub shell  43 , and it has first, second, and third sun gears  60 ,  61 , and  62 ; three planet gears  63  (only one planet gear is shown in the figures) that mesh with these; and a ring gear  64 . The sun gears  60  to  62  are lined up in the axial direction around the inner periphery of the driver  42  and the outer periphery of the hub axle  41 , and furthermore are rotatably supported relative to the hub axle  41 . The planet gears  63  are rotatably supported via a support pin  65  within the notches  42   a  in the driver  42 . A first gear  63   a , a second gear  63   b , and a third gear  63   c  are formed integrally with the planet gears  63 . The first gear  63   a  meshes with the first sun gear  60 , the second gear  63   b  meshes with the second sun gear  61 , and the third gear  63   c  meshes with the third sun gear  62 . The ring gear  64  is located on the outer peripheral side of the planet gears  63 , and inner teeth are formed around the inner periphery. This ring gear  64  meshes with the second gear  63   b  of the planet gears  63 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of stopping protrusions  41  a are formed around the outside of the hub axle  41  at locations where the sun gears  60  to  62  are disposed (only the sun gear  60  is shown in FIG.  7 ). Four spaces  60   a  to  62   a  are formed apart from each other in the peripheral direction around the inner periphery of the sun gears  60  to  62 . As shown in FIG. 6, the following components are positioned between the hub axle  41  and the inner periphery of the sun gears  60  to  62 : a selective clutch mechanism  70  for preventing the sun gears  60  to  62  from performing relative rotation in the forward direction or for allowing them to rotate relative to the hub axle  41 , and an actuation mechanism  91  for actuating the selective clutch mechanism  70 . 
     The selective clutch mechanism  70  has a function whereby it selectively links one of the three sun gears  60  to  62  to the hub axle  41 , and a function whereby it does not link any of the sun gears  60  to  62  to the hub axle  41 . The selective clutch mechanism  70  has a plurality of drive pawls  71 ,  72 , and  73  whose distal ends are able to mesh with the stopping protrusions  41  a of the hub axle  41 , and annular wire springs  74 ,  75 , and  76  for energizing the distal ends of the drive pawls  71  to  73  toward the hub axle  41 . The drive pawls  71  to  73  are disposed in two mutually facing spaces out of the four spaces  60   a  to  62   a  of the sun gears  60  to  62 , are swingably supported at their base ends in the mutually facing pawl housing spaces  60   a  to  62   a , and are able to mesh at their distal ends with the stopping protrusions  41  a. When the drive pawls  71  to  73  are stopped by the stopping protrusions  41  a of the hub axle  41  and thereby linked to the hub axle  41 , the sun gears  60  to  62  are no longer able to perform relative rotation in the forward direction (clockwise in FIG. 7) with respect to the hub axle  41 , but they are able to perform relative rotation in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in FIG.  7 ). When the drive pawls are released, relative rotation is possible in both directions. 
     The actuation mechanism  91  has a sleeve  77  rotatably fitted over the outer periphery of the hub axle  41 . Sleeve  77  has a plurality of drive cam components  94 a at locations where the drive pawls  71  to  73  are disposed on the outer periphery. When these drive cam components  94   a  strike any of the drive pawls  71  to  73 , the struck pawls are raised, and the linkage between the hub axle  41  and the sun gears  60  to  62  is released by these pawls. An operating component  78  is linked to one end of the sleeve  77 , and the sleeve  77  can be rotated by the rotation of the operating component  78 . The rotation of the sleeve  77  then causes the drive cam components  94   a  to selectively actuate the drive pawls  71  to  73 , so that the linkage of the sun gears  60  to  62  with the hub axle  41  is controlled. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, a reduction mechanism  95  is linked to the operating component  78 . The reduction mechanism  95  reduces the speed of rotation of the shift motor  29  and transmits the reduced rotation speed to the operating component  78 . The actuation position sensor  26 , which is used to detect the actuation position VP (any one of the shift positions V 1  to V 4  of the speed steps or the locked position PK) currently occupied by the sleeve  77  of the internal gear shifter  10 , is disposed inside the reduction mechanism  95 . 
     A first one-way clutch  80  is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the hub shell  43  and the outer peripheral surface at the other end of the driver  42 . A second one-way clutch  81  is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the hub shell  43  and the outer peripheral surface of the ring gear  64 . These one-way clutches  80  and  81  are both roller-type one-way clutches, which reduces noise during idle running when a shift is made, softens the shock when a shift is made, and allows for smoother shifting. 
     With a structure such as this, a large speed-increasing power transmission path (corresponding to the shift position V 4 ) with the largest speed increasing ratio is created when the drive pawl  71  strikes a stopping protrusion  41  a of the hub axle  41  and the first sun gear  60  is selected; a medium speed-increasing power transmission path (corresponding to the shift position V 3 ) with the second-largest speed increasing ratio is created when the second sun gear  61  is selected; and a small speed-increasing power transmission path (corresponding to the shift position V 2 ) with the smallest speed increasing ratio is created when the third sun gear  62  is selected. A direct-coupled power transmission path (corresponding to the shift position V 1 ) is created when none of the sun gears has been selected. 
     More specifically, when the first sun gear  60  is linked to the hub axle  41  by the shift motor  29 , the bicycle is in fourth gear; the rotation of the driver  42  by the hub cog  47  is increased by the largest gear ratio determined by the number of teeth on the first sun gear  60 , the first gear  63   a  and the second gear  63   b  of the planet gears  63 , and the ring gear  64 ; and this rotation is transmitted to the hub shell  43  via the second one-way clutch  81 . When the second sun gear  61  is selected and linked to the hub axle  41 , the bicycle is in third gear; the rotation of the driver  42  is increased by a medium (the second largest) gear ratio determined by the number of teeth on the second sun gear  61 , the second gear  63   b  of the planet gears  63 , and the ring gear  64 ; and this rotation is transmitted to the hub shell  43  via the second one-way clutch  81 . When the third sun gear  62  is selected and linked to the hub axle  41 , the bicycle is in second gear; the rotation of the driver  42  is increased by the smallest gear ratio determined by the number of teeth on the third sun gear  62 , the second gear  63   b  and the third gear  63   c  of the planet gears  63 , and the ring gear  64 ; and this rotation is transmitted to the hub shell  43  via the second one-way clutch  81 . When none of the sun gears  60  to  62  has been selected, the bicycle is in first gear, and the rotation of the driver  42  is transmitted directly to the hub shell  43  through the first one-way clutch  80 . 
     In general, the sun gears that have not been selected perform relative rotation in the opposite direction from the forward direction with respect to the hub axle  41 . When any one of the sun gears is selected and speed is stepped up by the planet gear mechanism  44 , the driver  42  and the hub shell  43  perform relative rotation in the direction in which the meshing of the first one-way clutch  80  is released. 
     An antitheft device  85  is provided to the left end (in FIG. 6) of the hub axle  41  within the hub shell  43 . As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, the antitheft device  85  has a spring washer  101  that rotates integrally with the sleeve  77 , a moving cam  102 , a moving member  103 , a moving spring  104 , and a lock ring  114 . The moving cam  102  is nonrotatably installed while allowed to move axially in relation to the hub axle  41 . The moving member  103  presses against the moving cam  102 . The moving spring  104  is disposed in a compressed state between the moving member  103  and a hub cone  52 . The lock ring  114  is pressed against the moving member  103 . 
     The spring washer  101  is a member that is nonrotatably stopped by the sleeve  77 , and has around its outer periphery an engagement tab  105  that contacts the moving cam  102 . The moving cam  102  has a cylindrical cam body  106  and a stopping washer  107  that stops the cam body  106  and the hub axle  41  such that they can move in the axial direction but cannot rotate. A cam component  108  that contacts the engagement tab  105  is formed at the right end (in FIG. 10) of the cam body  106 . The cam component  108  is formed such that the cam body  106  is moved axially to the right by the rotation of the sleeve  77  toward the locked position PK. 
     The moving member  103  has a disk-shaped flange component  115  and a cylindrical component  116  integrally formed along the inner periphery of the flange component  115 . A step  115   a  is formed on the flange component  115  in its midportion, as viewed in the radial direction. A lock ring  114  is rotatably supported by the step  115   a . As shown in FIG. 11, respective radial irregularities  114   a  (only those located on the side of the lock ring  114  are shown) are formed on the surface of the lock ring  114  facing the flange component  115  and on the surface of the flange component  115  facing the lock ring  114 . The presence of such irregularities  114   a  increases the frictional force between the lock ring  114  and the moving member  103  and causes these components to vibrate and to produce sound during relative rotation. Serration teeth  114   b  are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the lock ring  114 . These serration teeth  114   b  can mesh with serration teeth  113 , which are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the hub shell  43 . 
     Four protrusions  116   a  are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical component  116 , as shown in FIG.  11 . The protrusions  116   a  engage four grooves  41   b  formed in the outer peripheral surface of the hub axle  41 . As a result of this arrangement, the moving member  103  is nonrotatably supported by the hub axle  41  while allowed to move in the axial direction. A thread and a stopping groove are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical component  116 . A pressure ring  117  is mounted around the outside of the cylindrical component  116 , as shown in FIG.  8 . The pressure ring  117 , which is nonrotatably supported on the cylindrical component  116  while allowed to move in the axial direction, is allowed to come into contact with the lock ring  114 . In addition, a pressure nut  118  is screwed on the outer periphery at the right end of the cylindrical component  116 . A coned disk spring  119  is disposed between the pressure nut  118  and the pressure ring  117 . 
     The pressure exerted by the coned disk spring  119  can be adjusted by adjusting the fastening of the pressure nut  118 ; the frictional force between the lock ring  114  and the flange component  115  of the moving member  103  can be adjusted via the pressure ring  117 ; and the rotation of the hub shell  43  can be controlled arbitrarily. For example, maximizing the frictional force produced by the coned disk spring  119  makes it possible to bring the system into a locked state with minimal rotation of the hub shell  43 . Furthermore, reducing the frictional force weakens the force with which the rotation of the hub shell  43  is controlled and allows the hub shell  43  to rotate in relation to the hub axle  41 . In this case as well, a frictional force is generated when the coned disk spring  119  is adjusted, and the rotation is controlled, unlike in a free-rotating state. This embodiment allows the rotation of the hub shell  43  (that is, the rotation of the rear wheel  7 ) to be freely controlled by adjusting the biasing force of the coned disk spring  119  within a range that extends essentially from a locked state to a free-rotating state. 
     Shifting and locking are performed by actuating the shift motor  29  through mode selection with the control dial  23  of the shift control element  9  and through shift operation with the control buttons  21  and  22 , and rotating the sleeve  77  via the operating component  78 . FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the main control and actuation of the shift control component  25 . 
     When the power is turned on, the initialization routine shown in FIG. 13 is performed in step S 1 . In step S 2 , a decision is made as to whether the control dial  23  has been set to the parking mode (P). In step S 3 , a decision is made as to whether the control dial  23  has been set to the automatic shift  1  mode (D). In step S 4 , a decision is made as to whether the control dial  23  has been set to the automatic shift  2  mode (DS). In step S 5 , a decision is made as to whether the control dial  23  has been set to the manual shift mode (M). In step S 6 , a decision is made as to whether another processing routine has been selected. If the answer is “no” in all these cases, the operation returns to step S 2 . 
     If the control dial  23  is turned to position P and set to the parking mode, the flow goes from step S 2  to step S 7 . In step S 7 , procedure P shown in FIG. 14 is executed. 
     If the control dial  23  is turned to position D and set to the automatic shift  1  mode, the flow goes from step S 3  to step S 8 . In step S 8 , it is determined whether a registration change procedure for changing various settings has been selected. The fact that a registration change procedure has been selected may, for example, be ascertained when the two control buttons  21  and  22  have been pressed simultaneously for three or more seconds at zero bicycle speed. If not, the flow moves on to step S 9 , and it is determined whether a password reset procedure has been selected if no password change procedure has been selected. The fact that a password reset procedure has been selected may, for example, be ascertained here on the basis of the fact that the control button  21  has been pressed for ten or more seconds. If not, the flow moves on to step S 10 , and it is determined whether a lock release procedure has been selected if no password reset procedure has been selected. The fact that a lock release procedure has been selected may, for example, be ascertained here on the basis of the fact that the two control buttons  21  and  22  have been pressed simultaneously in a state in which the bicycle speed is zero. 
     When a registration change procedure is selected, the flow goes from step S 8  to step S 12 , and the password change procedure shown in FIG. 15 is executed. If it is determined that a password reset procedure has been selected, the flow goes from step S 9  to step S 13 , and the password reset procedure shown in FIG. 18 is selected. This password reset procedure is a procedure designed to reset the reference password to the initial password when the operator has forgotten the reference password. By performing such a procedure, the bicycle can be unlocked even when the operator has forgotten how he or she has changed the reference password. For example, the manufacturer can provide the operator with an initial password indicated on a tag or the like, and the operator can unlock the bicycle by looking at the tag and entering the initial password following the password reset procedure. If it is determined that a lock release procedure has been selected, the flow goes from step S 10  to step S 14 , and the lock release procedure shown in FIG. 19 is executed. 
     If it is determined that the lock release procedure has not been selected, the flow goes from step S 110  to step S 11 , and the automatic shift  1  procedure (D) is executed. The automatic shift  1  procedure involves performing shift control on the basis of the bicycle speed and speed group data sensed by the bicycle speed sensor  12 . 
     If the control dial  23  is turned to position DS and the automatic shift  2  mode is set, the flow goes from step S 4  to step S 15 . In step S 15  as well, it is determined whether a registration change procedure has been selected. In this embodiment, the registration change procedure cannot be performed unless the control dial  23  is turned to position D or DS. If no registration change procedure has been selected, the flow moves on to step S 17 , and the automatic shift  2  procedure (DS) is executed. The automatic shift  2  procedure also involves performing shift control on the basis of the bicycle speed and speed group data sensed by the bicycle speed sensor  12 . 
     If the registration change procedure is selected, the flow moves on to step S 116 , and the registration change procedure shown in FIG. 15 is executed. Although the automatic shift  2  procedure is set up such that neither a password reset procedure nor a lock release procedure can be performed, it is also possible to adopt an arrangement in which a password reset procedure or a lock release procedure can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the automatic shift  1  procedure. 
     If the control dial  23  is turned to position M and the manual shift mode is set, the flow goes from step S 5  to step S 18 . In step S 18 , a manual shift procedure is executed. This manual shift procedure entails performing an upshift or downshift by operating the control buttons  21  and  22 . Although the manual shift procedure is set up such that neither a password reset procedure nor a lock release procedure can be performed, it is also possible to adopt an arrangement in which a password reset procedure or a lock release procedure can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the automatic shift  1  procedure. 
     If another processing routine has been selected, the flow goes from step S 6  to step S 19 , and the other selected routine is executed. 
     FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of an initial setting procedure (step S 1  in FIG. 12) used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . The initial setting procedure in step S 1  is commonly performed prior to the purchase of the bicycle by the user. As shown in FIG. 13, it is first determined in step S 21  whether a password has already been entered once. This determination is performed based, for example, on the presence of data in the initial password storage area  30   a  of the storage component  30 . The conclusion is usually “yes.” The flow moves on to step S 22  if the password has never been registered. In step S 22 , “aa” flashes on the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 23 , operation of the control button  22  for registering a password is awaited. When the control button  22  is operated, the flow moves on to step S 24 , and the shift positions are set. Here, the shift motor  29  is rotated to a prescribed locked position by the antitheft device  85 , and the motor  29  is then rotated several times in a reciprocating manner until it reaches the various shift positions. The shift positions of the shift motor  29  are thus set. In step S 25 , data are written to the initial password (IPW), temporary password (TPW), reference password (PW), wheel diameter, and speed unit storage areas  30   a - 30   e . Here, for example, the IPW (also known as the default password) is written to the storage component  30  from a device for random password generation. In step S 26 , the data in the storage component  30  are transferred to the RAM of the microcomputer, and a common initialization procedure for setting various flags or the like is performed. On the other hand, the flow goes from step S 21  to step S 26  if a password has already been registered. Thus, once entered, the initial password (IPW) is never changed. 
     FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a P procedure (step S 7  in FIG. 12) used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . Initially, a timer T is reset in a step S 31 . In step S 32 , “P” is displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 33 , it is determined whether the control button  21  or  22  was pressed after the control dial  23  had been turned to position P. The flow moves on to step S 34  if neither the control button  21  nor the control button  22  is pressed. In step S 34 , it is determined whether 60 seconds have elapsed following rotation to position P. The flow returns to the main routine if 60 seconds have not elapsed. The flow moves on to step S 35  when the control button  21  of  22  is pressed or when 60 seconds have elapsed. In step S 35 , “_P” is displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 36 , the shift motor  29  is actuated by the motor driver  28 , the actuation position VP is set to the locked position PK, and the flow is returned to the main routine. 
     As a result, the sleeve  77  turns to the locked position through the agency of the operator  78 . When the sleeve  77  turns from a shift position to the locked position PK, the engagement tab  105  of the spring washer  101  rotating together with the sleeve  77  moves inside the cam component  108 . When the engagement tab  105  moves inside the cam component  108 , the moving cam  102  and the moving member  103  energized by the moving spring  104  move to the right from the positions shown in FIGS.  8  and  10 (A) to the positions shown in FIGS.  9  and  10 (B). As a result of this, the serration teeth  114   b  of the lock ring  114  engage with the serration teeth  113  of the hub shell  43 , and the rotation of the hub shell  43  is controlled by the force of friction between the lock ring  114  and the moving member  103 . The corresponding frictional force can be changed as needed by adjusting the biasing force of the coned disk spring  119  through the tightening of the pressure nut  118 . Therefore, pedaling fails to rotate the rear wheel  7  or such rotation is impaired. 
     The hub shell  43  is directly coupled with the hub axle  41  to achieve locking, and the rotation of the hub shell  43  (and rear wheel  7 ) is restricted when an attempt is made to push the bicycle, making such pushing more difficult to accomplish and reducing the likelihood of theft. An attempt to forcefully turn the hub shell  43  results in the relative rotation of the moving member  103  and the lock ring  114  and causes the lock ring  114  and the moving member  103  to vibrate and to emit a loud vibrating noise under the action of the irregularities  114   a . Thus, loud noise is produced when the bicycle is pushed with a hand or the pedals are stepped on and the hub shell  43  is rotated in the locked state, making the bicycle more difficult to steal. 
     FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a registration change procedure (steps S 12  and S 16  in FIG. 12) used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . The registration change procedure allows the following four operations to be conducted: changing the reference password, changing the wheel diameter, changing the speed unit, and setting the shift position. Initially, the timer T is reset in step S 41 . In step S 42 , “a” is displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 43 , it is determined whether the control button  21  is pressed. In this registration procedure, pressing the control button  21  repeatedly switches the information displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24  through “a,” “b,” “c,” “d,” and “a.” In this embodiment, “a” is a symbol for selecting a password change procedure, and “b,” “c,” and “d” are symbols for selecting a wheel diameter change procedure, speed unit change procedure, and shift position setting procedure, respectively. 
     When the control button  21  is pressed, the flow goes from step S 43  to step S 44 , the next item of information is displayed, and the flow returns to step S 43 . Specifically, “b” is displayed if “a” has been displayed. If the control button  21  has not been pressed, the flow moves on to step S 45 , and it is determined whether the control button  22  has been pressed. The control button  22  is used for establishing the type of change procedure being performed. When the control button  22  has not been pressed, the flow moves on to step S 46 . In step S 46 , it is determined whether 10 seconds have elapsed following the selection of the registration procedure. The flow returns to step S 43  if no control action is taken for 10 seconds following the selection of the registration procedure. The flow returns to the main routine if no input is made after 10 seconds have elapsed. 
     When the control button  22  is pressed, the flow goes from step S 45  to step S 47 . In step S 47 , it is determined whether the item displayed is “a.”. In step S 48 , it is determined whether the item displayed is “b.” In step S 49 , it is determined whether the item displayed is “c.” In step S 50 , it is determined whether the item displayed is “d.” When the item displayed is “a,” the flow goes from step S 47  to step S 51 , and the password change procedure shown in FIG. 16 is executed. When the item displayed is “b,” the flow goes from step S 48  to step S 52 , and a wheel diameter change procedure is executed. When the item displayed is “c,” the flow goes from step S 49  to step S 53 , and a speed unit change procedure is executed. When the item displayed is “d,” the flow goes from step S 50  to step S 54 , and a procedure for changing the shift position is executed. 
     FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a password change procedure used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . Initially, “00” is displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24  in step S 61  (FIG.  16 ). In step S 62 , the password input procedure shown in FIG. 17 is executed in order to input the password to be changed. 
     FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a password input procedure (steps S 62  and S 66  in FIG. 16) used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . Initially, flags F 10  and F 01  are both reset in step S 81 , and the timer T and the left-input value L are both reset to 0. In this embodiment, the flag F 10  is a flag for indicating that the left-input value L, which designates the tens-digit numerical value of the two-digit password, has been entered by the operation of the control button  21 , and the flag F 01  is a flag for indicating that a right-input value R, which designates the ones-digit value of the two-digit password, has been entered by the operation of the control button  22 . In step S 82 , it is determined whether the control button  21  is pressed. The flow moves on to step S 83  when the control button  21  is pressed. In step S 83 , the left-input value L is increased by one. The resulting value is displayed on the left side of the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 84 , the flag F 10  is set. In step S 85 , the timer T is reset and the flow returns to step S 82 . 
     If the control button  21  has not been pressed, the flow goes from step S 82  to step S 86 . In step S 86 , it is determined whether the control button  22  is pressed. If the control button  22  has not been pressed, the flow moves on to step S 87 , and it is determined whether 10 seconds have elapsed since the resetting of the timer T in step S 81  or  85 . The flow returns to step S 82  if less than 10 seconds have elapsed, and to step S 2  (FIG. 12) if 10 seconds have elapsed. Thus, in this embodiment, the control state returns to the original state if the operator does not understand the procedure and fails to take any action for over 10 seconds. 
     When the control button  22  is pressed, the flow goes from step S 86  to step S 88 . In step S 88 , the timer T is reset. In step S 89 , it is determined whether the flag F 10  has been set up, that is, whether the tens-digit numerical data (left-input value L) has already been entered. The flow returns to step S 82  if the tens-digit left-input value L has not been entered. The purpose of the control button  22  being pressed after the left-input value L has already been entered is to input the single digit following the input of the tens-digit numerical value, so the right-input value R is first set to 1 in step S 90 . This value is displayed on the right side of the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 91 , the flag F 01  is set. In step S 92 , it is determined whether the control button  22  has been pressed for the second time. When the control button  22  is pressed, the flow moves on to step S 93 , and the right-input value R is increased by 1. In step S 94 , the timer T is reset and the flow returns to step S 92 . If the control button  22  has not been pressed, the flow goes from step S 92  to step S 95 . In step S 95 , it is determined whether the control button  21  has been depressed for 3 seconds or longer. By pressing the control button  21  for 3 seconds or longer, the operator specifies that the entered two-digit number (LR) should be entered as a password. The flow returns to the beginning when the control button  21  has been depressed for 3 seconds or longer, and moves on to step S 96  if the button has not been depressed for 3 seconds or longer. In step S 96 , it is determined whether 10 seconds or longer have elapsed following the input of the right-input value R. The flow returns to step S 2  (FIG. 12) when the elapsed time exceeds 10 seconds. 
     When the password input is completed, the timer T is reset in step S 63  (FIG.  16 ). In step S 64 , it is determined whether the two-digit number LR entered by operating the two control buttons  21  and  22  matches the previously registered reference password PW. If there is no match, the flow moves on to step S 71 . In step S 71 , it is determined whether the passwords already entered three times still fail to produce a match. If the number of inputs is less than three, the flow returns to step S 62 , and another password input is authorized. The flow moves on to step S 72  if no match is achieved with the registered password PW even after three password inputs. In step S 72 , a waiting period of 10 minutes is observed, and the flow returns to step S 2  (FIG. 12) when the 10 minutes have elapsed. 
     When the number LR matches the registered reference password PW, the flow goes from step S 64  to step S 65 . In step S 65 ,“00” flashes on the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 66 , the password input procedure shown in FIG. 17 is executed by operating the control buttons  21  and  22  in order to input the newly desired password. 
     When the password input procedure is completed, the two-digit number (LR) entered as a result of the password input procedure is stored as a temporary password (TPW) in the temporary password storage area  30   b  in step S 67 , the number LR thus entered is displayed in flashing mode by the liquid crystal display component  24 , and the alarm  32  is sounded at prescribed intervals. The timer T is reset. The password numbers entered by an operator performing a registration procedure for the purpose of providing an updated registration can thus be verified. In step S 68 , it is determined whether the control button  22  has been operated for 3 seconds or longer. The operator depresses the control button  22  for 3 seconds or longer in order to set the tentatively designated password as the new reference password. If the control button  22  has not been operated for 3 seconds or longer, the flow moves on to step S 70 . In step S 70 , it is determined whether two or more minutes have elapsed following the tentative designation. The tentatively designated temporary password becomes invalid and the flow returns to step S 2  (FIG. 12) when two or more minutes elapse following the tentative designation. 
     When the control button  22  is depressed for 3 seconds or longer, the flow goes from step S 68  to step S 69 . In step S 69 , the tentatively designated temporary password (TPW) is stored as a reference password (PW) in the reference password storage area  30   c , and the flow returns to the main routine. 
     In this embodiment, when numbers to be registered as a reference password are entered, these numbers are temporarily stored rather than being immediately registered by a prescribed operation. These numbers are displayed as flashing symbols, and the operator is alerted by a sound alarm. The operator then stores the tentatively designated password as a reference password by performing another prescribed operation. The operator can thus verify the password being registered. 
     FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a password reset procedure (step S 13  in FIG. 12) used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . Initially, the timer T is reset in step S 101 . In step S 102 , “PA” flashes on the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 103 , it is determined whether the control button  21  has been pressed. The flow moves on to step S 104  and the timer T is reset when it is determined that the control button  21  has been pressed. In step S 105 , the previously flashing “PA” is now steadily displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24 . In step S 106 , the initial password (IPW) stored in the initial password storage area  30   a  is now stored in the reference password storage area  30   c . The initial password (IPW) is thus stored as a reference password (PW). In step S 107 , a waiting period of 3 seconds is observed, and the flow returns to the main routine. 
     Thus, the reference password can be reset to the initial value if the user has forgotten the reference password but still remembers the initial password. The manufacturer provides the user with the initial password in the form of a tag or the like, as described above, allowing the user to obtain information about the initial password by consulting the tag. The password can therefore be entered after being reset in such a manner, allowing the bicycle to be released from the state of inhibited riding established by the antitheft device even when the user has forgotten the password. 
     FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a lock release procedure (step S 14  in FIG. 12) used with the bicycle shift control device shown in FIG.  4 . Initially,“00” is displayed by the liquid crystal display component  24  in step S 111 . Step S 112  entails performing the password input procedure shown in FIG.  17  and designed to achieve lock release. When this password input procedure is completed, the timer T is reset in step S 113 . In step S 114 , it is determined whether the two-digit number LR entered by the operation of the two control buttons  21  and  22  matches the registered reference password PW. In the absence of a match, the flow moves on to step S 116 . In step S 116 , it is determined whether the passwords already entered three times still fail to produce a match. If the number of inputs is less than three, the flow returns to step S 112 , and another password input is authorized. The flow moves on to step S 117  if the registered password PW is not matched even after three password inputs. In step S 117 , a waiting period of 10 minutes is observed, the flow returns to step S 112 , and another password input is authorized when the  10  minutes have elapsed. 
     When the number LR matches the password PW, the flow goes from step S 114  to step S 115 , and the actuation position VP is set to first gear (V 1 ). As a result, the sleeve  77  is rotated and positioned at first gear (V 1 ) by the shift motor  29 , and the meshing of the lock ring  114  with the serration teeth  113  of the hub shell  43  is released. As a result, when the bicycle is pedaled, the rotation of the driver  42  is transmitted unchanged to the hub shell  43  via the first one-way clutch  80 . 
     While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components may be changed as desired. The functions of one element may be performed by two, and vice versa. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). 
     In the above embodiment, the password was entered, modified, and reset using control buttons in order to reduce the number of control keys, but these procedures can also be performed by providing separate control keys. The above embodiment also was described with reference to the unlocking of a bicycle antitheft device, but the password registration change procedure or password reset procedure is not limited to such unlocking alone and allows the present invention to be adapted to cases in which a password is registered or reset in relation to other bicycle components. 
     Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed or the apparent initial focus on a particular structure or feature.