Games controllers

Abstract

A controller is disclosed, especially but not exclusively, for use in combination with an exercise apparatus. The controller comprises in one arrangement a handlebar assembly and one or more input devices, of at least one of the input device being responsive to movement of the handlebars. The controller may include a support such as a handlebar stem, and may provide output signals to a microprocessor in turn to control operation of a program running on the microprocessor.

1 . Apparatus comprising a combination of a controller and a microprocessor based units, the apparatus comprising; 
 a programmable microprocessor-based unit including a receiving means adapted to receive signals from a programmable cartridge or other programme storage device that provides programme instructions for controlling the operation of the programmable microprocessor-based unit;    an output through which output signals can be passed from the microprocessor to a display;    a display arranged to display images dependent upon the signals from the microprocessor-based unit;    an exercise apparatus adapted to allow a user to perform a range of movements associated with a sport; and    a controller comprising a handlebar assembly which can be held by a user, a first input device responsive to movement of the handlebar which generates input signals for supply to the microprocessor-based unit, a saddle which can be sat upon by the user, and a second input device which is responsive to the force applied to the saddle by said user so as to indicate whether or not the user is seated on said saddle, said second input device also generates input signals for supply to the microcontroller, and in which the first input signal and the second input signal modify the operation of the programme running on the microprocessor in turn to modify the images displayed on the display.    
   
   
       2 . A combination of a controller and a microprocessor-based unit, said controller comprising: a handlebar assembly which can be held by a user and which includes at least one input device adapted to generate input signals for supply to a microprocessor-based unit, at least one of said at least one input device being responsive to movement of said handlebar assembly by said user, wherein said handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar rotably attached to a handlebar support, such that said handlebar may rotate relative to said handlebar support about three perpendicular axes.  
   
   
       3 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar rotably attached to a handlebar support, such that said handlebar may rotate relative to said support about three perpendicular axes, and further wherein said handlebar can be translated relative to said support in at least one direction.  
   
   
       4 . A combination according to  claim 3  wherein said handlebar can translate relative to said support in two orthogonal directions.  
   
   
       5 . A combination according to  claim 4  wherein said handlebar can translate relative to said support in three orthogonal directions.  
   
   
       6 . A combination according  claim 2  wherein said handlebar can rotate through 360 degrees relative to said support.  
   
   
       7 . A combination according to  claim 2  wherein said handlebar assembly includes a resistance means which is adapted to oppose the movement of said handlebar relative to said support about at least one of the available degrees of freedom.  
   
   
       8 . A combination according to  claim 7  wherein a respective resistance means is provided which is associated with each rotation about each of said three perpendicular axes.  
   
   
       9 . A combination according to  claim 7  in which said handlebar, in use, returns to a self-centre position under the action of said resistance means.  
   
   
       10 . A combination according to  claim 7  wherein a damping means is associated with said resistance means.  
   
   
       11 . A combination according to  claim 1  which further includes at least one actuator which causes movement of said handlebar assembly in response to signals from at least one of said input devices and from said microprocessor-based unit.  
   
   
       12 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said seat comprises a cover which includes said at least one additional input device and which fits onto an existing seat.  
   
   
       13 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said seat is supported by a first portion of a support which is adapted to rotate relative to a second portion of said support, and in which a seat input device is provided which is responsive to rotation of the first portion of the support relative to said second portion.  
   
   
       14 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said seat is supported by a first portion of a support which is at least one of compressible and extendible relative to a second portion of said support, and in which a seat input device is provided which is responsive to movement of said first portion of said support relative to said second portion.  
   
   
       15 . A combination according to  claim 15  wherein said second portion comprises a tube which fits within a seatpost of at least one of a bicycle and an exercise bicycle.  
   
   
       16 . A combination according to  claim 1  which further includes at least one actuator which is adapted to cause movement of said seat in response to signals from at least one of said input devices and from the microprocessor-based unit.  
   
   
       17 . A combination according to  claim 1  which further includes at least one actuator which is adapted to cause movement of said handlebar assembly or an external supporting means in response to signals from at least one of said input devices and from said microprocessor-based unit.  
   
   
       18 . A combination according to  claim 1  which further includes a variable speed electric fan which is adapted to change speed in response to signals from at least one of said input devices and from said microprocessor-based unit.  
   
   
       19 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein at least one foot operated input device is provided, said at least one foot operated input device comprising at least one pressure sensitive device.  
   
   
       20 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein at least one hand operated input device is provided, said at least one hand operated device comprising at least one pressure sensitive device to sense said user's hands on handlebar grips of said handlebar assembly.  
   
   
       21 . A combination according to  claim 1  in which one of said input devices is attached to or forms an integral part of said handlebar assembly.  
   
   
       22 . A combination according to  claim 1  in which said handlebar assembly comprises a set of handlebars attached to a handlebar support so that said handlebars can move relative to said handlebar support.  
   
   
       23 . A combination according to  claim 22  wherein at least one of said input devices produces an output signal responsive to relative movement between said handlebar and said handlebar support.  
   
   
       24 . A combination according to  claim 22  wherein said handlebar assembly may move with at least one degree of freedom and includes at least one of a resistance and a damping means which provide at least one of a resistance and a damping to movement of said handlebars relative to said handlebar support about any of said at least one degrees of freedom.  
   
   
       25 . A combination according to  claim 24  wherein at least one of said resistance and said damping is adjustable by said user.  
   
   
       26 . A combination according to  claim 24  wherein at least one of said resistance and said damping means is adjusted automatically in response to signals generated by said input devices or by said microprocessor unit.  
   
   
       27 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of a handlebar lock and a seat lock are provided for locking said handlebar or said seat assembly in place against movement about one of said degrees of freedom.  
   
   
       28 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said handlebar assembly further includes at least one lever which can be operated by said user, said at least one lever producing a respective input signal dependent upon a position of said at least one lever.  
   
   
       29 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said handlebar assembly further includes at least one rotable grip which can be operated by said user, said at least one rotable grip producing a respective input signal dependent upon a position of said at least one rotable grip.  
   
   
       30 . A combination according to  claim 28  wherein said handlebar assembly further includes at least one gear lever which can be operated by at least one of a hand and a foot of said user, said at least one gear lever producing a respective input signal dependent upon a position of said at least one gear lever.  
   
   
       31 . A combination according to  claim 1  wherein said handlebar assembly includes a wiring loom which includes at least one connector to which at least one additional input device may be attached.  
   
   
       32 . A combination according to  claim 1  which includes a video camera which captures images of said user and transmits said images to said microprocessor-based unit.  
   
   
       33 . A combination according to  claim 1  which includes a microphone which detects sounds made by said user and transmits said sounds to said microprocessor-based unit.  
   
   
       34 . A combination according to  claim 1  in which the microprocessor is adapted to enable user configuration of functional relationships of input and output devices of said controller to and from inputs and outputs available with regard to said microprocessor-based unit.