Full-Scale Control Mechanism(I/O) for Virtual/Augmented Reality Bike Simulation

Abstract

The present invention describes a full-scale, immersive virtual reality (VR) bicycle simulator designed to provide users with a highly realistic biking experience. Leveraging standard bicycles mounted on stationary trainers, the simulator integrates advanced VR technologies to create a dynamic and interactive environment for biking within a VR world. According to the invention, there is provided a full-scale virtual reality (VR) cycling simulation system, including a stationary bicycle mounted on a training stand; one or more VR controllers attached to the bicycle; with the VR controllers configured to track at least steering and pedalling movements of the bicycle; and a processing unit configured to receive the orientation and rotation data from the one or more VR controllers and translate this data into corresponding movements within a VR environment.

1 . A full-scale virtual reality (VR) cycling simulation system, comprising:
 a stationary bicycle mounted on a training stand;   one or more VR controllers attached to the bicycle; the VR controllers configured to   track at least steering and pedalling movements of the bicycle; and   a processing unit configured to receive the orientation and rotation data from the one or more VR controllers and translate said data into corresponding movements within a VR environment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is a home-based standard bicycle aiding in user customization. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the VR controllers is mounted on a handlebar of the bicycle to track the steering movements; and the VR controller being calibrated to define an initial baseline position corresponding to the handlebar being in a straight alignment. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the VR controller is mounted centrally on the handlebar of the bicycle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for attaching a device with one of the VR controllers to the bicycle's tyre to measure rotation; and a software module configured to convert the measured rotation into speed data within the VR simulation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more VR controllers are standard VR controllers included with VR headsets, thereby enabling achieve full in-simulation low-latency tracking of both speed and steering, resulting in accurately replicating the experience of cycling in the virtual environment. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more VR controllers are Oculus controllers. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a friction-reducing element is positioned between front tyre of the bicycle and the floor to minimize friction during rotational movements of the steering. 
     
     
         9 . A method for simulating bicycle riding in a virtual reality (VR) environment,
 comprising the steps:   capturing pedalling speed by a device using a VR controller as a mechanism to detect rotation of the bicycle tyre;   capturing steering movements by another VR controller mounted on a handlebar of the bicycle;   integrating the captured pedalling speed and steering movements into a VR simulation to replicate real-time riding experience.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a speed translation mechanism is employed to step-down the rotational speed of the bicycle tyre. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claims 9 , wherein a speed replay mechanism is employed to convert the translated rotational speed of the bicycle tyre into mechanical movements of the VR controller. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a moving average technique is employed to smooth out fluctuations in the pedalling speed data before it is used to control the virtual environment, thereby reducing discrepancies and maintaining high responsiveness. 
     
     
         13 . A method for capturing and translating bicycle steering movements into a virtual reality (VR) environment, comprising the steps:
 mounting a VR controller on a handlebar of the bicycle;   calibrating the VR controller to establish a baseline orientation;   tracking changes in orientation of the VR controller; and   processing the tracked orientation changes to simulate steering within a VR environment.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the processing includes filtering noise from the tracked orientation changes to enhance accuracy of the simulated steering. 
     
     
         15 . A software algorithm implemented within the system of  claim 1 , configured to minimize latency and synchronize real-world bicycle movements with virtual responses in the VR simulation.