Direction detection device for game machine combined exercise bike and method thereof

Abstract

A direction detection device is provided for a game machine combined exercise bike. The direction detection device include a detection module mounted to a direction rotation module composed of a rotatable portion and a fixed portion. The detection module includes a plurality of signal receiver elements and a signal transmitter element, which are operated in a non-contact manner and are allowed for relative rotation with respect to each other. Each signal receiver element has a range of detection. During relative rotation between the signal transmitter element and the signal receiver elements, when the signal transmitter element is moved into the detection range of one of the signal receiver elements, the signal receiver elements detect a positional message of the signal transmitter element, and the signal receiver elements applies the message to a signal processing device of the game machine, which converts the positional message into a direction signal.

1 . A direction detection adapted to be used in a game machine combined exercise bike, the direction detection device comprising at least a direction rotation module and a detection module, the detection module being electrically connected to a signal processing device of the game machine;
 wherein the direction rotation module comprises a rotatable portion and a fixed portion, which are arranged to be rotatable relative to each other in a non-contact manner; and   wherein the detection module is arranged between the rotatable portion and the fixed portion of the direction rotation module, the detection module comprising a plurality of signal receiver elements each having a range of detection and a signal transmitter element, which opposes the signal receiver elements and is positionable in the range of detection of one of the signal receiver elements.   
     
     
         2 . The direction detection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable portion and the fixed portion of the direction rotation module respectively comprises shaft members that allow for rotatable coupling therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The direction detection device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable portion of the direction rotation module has an end face opposing the fixed portion and having a circumferential portion on which a rotatable stop member is formed, and wherein the fixed portion comprises two fixed stop members which are set on a circular circumference corresponding to that of the rotatable stop member of the rotatable portion about a common center, the two fixed stop members being spaced from each other by a predetermined angular range to provide limits of a rane of angular rotation of the rotatable portion. 
     
     
         4 . The direction detection device according to  claim 3 , wherein the rotatable portion of the direction rotation module forms a direction control axle on an end face thereof opposite to the fixed portion. 
     
     
         5 . The direction detection device according to  claim 3 , wherein the signal receiver elements of the detection module are provided on an end face of the rotatable portion that opposes the fixed portion and at a side that is opposite to the rotatable stop member and wherein the signal transmitter element is set on an end face of the fixed portion that opposes the end face of the rotatable portion on which the signal receiver elements are mounted, the signal transmitter element and the signal receiver elements being arranged concentric about a common center to allow the signal transmitter element and the signal receiver elements on interact with each other in a non-contact manner for realizing detection. 
     
     
         6 . The direction detection device according to  claim 5 , wherein the signal receiver elements and signal transmitter element of the detection module respectively comprise reed switches and a magnet, which collectively form a detection module. 
     
     
         7 . The direction detection device according to  claim 5 , wherein the signal transmitter element of the detection module comprises a light-emitting diode, and the signal receiver elements comprise photo sensors. 
     
     
         8 . The direction detection device according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotatable portion of the direction rotation module has an end face opposing the fixed portion and having a circumferential portion on which a rotatable stop member is formed, and wherein the fixed portion comprises two fixed stop members which are set on a circular circumference corresponding to that of the rotatable stop member of the rotatable portion about a common center, the two fixed stop members being spaced from each other by a predetermined angular range to provide limits of a rane of angular rotation of the rotatable portion. 
     
     
         9 . The direction detection device according to  claim 8 , wherein the rotatable portion of the direction rotation module forms a direction control axle on an end face thereof opposite to the fixed portion. 
     
     
         10 . The direction detection device according to  claim 8 , wherein the signal receiver elements of the detection module are provided on an end face of the rotatable portion that opposes the fixed portion and at a side that is opposite to the rotatable stop member and wherein the signal transmitter element is set on an end face of the fixed portion that opposes the end face of the rotatable portion on which the signal receiver elements are mounted, the signal transmitter element and the signal receiver elements being arranged concentric about a common center to allow the signal transmitter element and the signal receiver elements on interact with each other in a non-contact manner for realizing detection. 
     
     
         11 . The direction detection device according to  claim 10 , wherein the signal receiver elements and signal transmitter element of the detection module respectively comprise reed switches and a magnet, which collectively form a detection module. 
     
     
         12 . The direction detection device according to  claim 10 , wherein the signal transmitter element of the detection module comprises a light-emitting diode, and the signal receiver elements comprise photo sensors. 
     
     
         13 . A direction detection method for a game machine combined exercise bike, comprising a plurality of signal receiver elements and a signal transmitter element, which are operated in a non-contact manner and are allowed for relative rotation with respect to each other, each of the signal receiver elements having a range of detection, whereby during the relative rotation between the signal transmitter element and the signal receiver elements, when the signal transmitter element is moved into the detection range of one of the signal receiver elements, the one of the signal receiver elements detects a positional message of the signal transmitter element, the one of the signal receiver elements applying the message to a signal processing device, which converts the positional message into a direction signal.