Patent FR-2789321-A1 (FR)
Title: Control case for apparatus for driving simulation, comprising route selection provision and route section position signaling elements associated with degree of effort quantification
Inventor: MANNET BERNARD
IPC: A63B22/08
Filed: 1999-02-05
Abstract: The control case (B) comprises a support (3) with graphical representation of a landscape which includes a village (V) and mountains (M), on which are demarcated several routes (P1-P5), a set of visual signaling elements (D1-D3) positioned along the routes and defining a set of sections of routs, where each signaling element is activated to signal the position of user on selected route, the means for the selection of routes by user, the means to assign a level of given effort to each signaling element on route, the means for memory-storing and displaying the level of effort in driving, the means for adjusting the time (T) and virtual distance (D) on selected route, a computing unit for the computation of a time interval (delta t) separating the activation of two successive signaling elements, which is computed according to one of the two formulae: (i) (delta t) = T/(N)x(alpha), if the time T is adjusted, and (ii) (delta t) = D/(VxN)x(alpha), if the distance D is adjusted, where N is the number of sections of the selected route, V is the velocity of driving obtained by a velocity sensor contained in the apparatus, and (alpha) is a coefficient representing the relative length of each section of route. The control case (B) also comprises a central control unit for the control of a motor for the provision of braking effect as a function of the level of effort assigned to the signaling elements successively activated on the selected route.  The means for assigning the level of effort comprise the means for associating a mode with each route, where at least one route (P1) is associated with a manual mode, and other routes (P2-P5) with different automatic modes, which are programmed so to assign a level of predetermined effort to each signaling element. The signaling elements have predetermined activation colors, and the signaling elements have the same activation color are positioned on the sections of routes corresponding to the same degree of difficulty in driving. The signaling elements (D1) of sections (P1) associated with the manual mode have the same activation color. The display means comprise visual indicator elements, each associated with a level of determined effort, and are activated successively as a function of increasing level of effort. The means for the route selection, by the intermediary of control unit, activate all signaling elements on the route, and deactivate the signaling elements on other routes. The control case also comprises screens (4-8) for the visualization of driving parameters, such as the driving time elapsed or remaining, the distance or virtual elevation traversed or remaining, the virtual velocity of displacement, the frequency of heartbeat of user, the instantaneous power developed by user, the number of revolutions per minute for a bicycle driving or the number of steps per minute for a staircase climbing. The manual mode comprises means for the selection of target value of the frequency of heart beat, which involves a gradual increase in the level of effort as long as the actual frequency is below the target value, and a gradual decrease in the level of effort as long as the actual frequency remains above the target value. The signaling elements (D1-D3) are constituted by light-emitting diodes, optical fibres, or liquid-crystal elements. The apparatus for driving simulation which is equipped with the control case (B), comprises a motor for the actuation of braking means, and a velocity sensor for detecting the driving velocity of mobile organ. The cycling apparatus comprises an inertial wheel driven by pedals, and the braking means comprise permanent magnets which can be displaced by the action of motor to or from a peripheral zone of inertial wheel for the generation of Foucault currents. A staircase climbing apparatus comprises mobile foot-supports connected to a frame by screw-lifting devices adjustable by the motor, and the inertial wheel is driven by the foot-supports. A rowing apparatus comprises at least one mobile oar connected to a frame by a screw-lifting device adjustable by the motor, and an inertial wheel is driven by each oar.