阅读说明：本技术 用于人力车辆的操作装置 (Operating device for a human powered vehicle ) 是由 泷本友弘 福井裕史 增田隆哉 于 2021-04-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种用于人力车辆的操作装置,所述操作装置包括基部构件、操作构件、电开关和控制器。所述操作构件可移动地联接到所述基部构件。电开关构造成响应于操作构件的运动来接收用户输入以操作附加装置。控制器构造成至少在第一模式和第二模式之间改变控制器的模式,在第一模式中,控制器构造成处于第一功耗下,在第二模式中,控制器构造成处于不同于第一功率的第二功耗下。(An operating device for a human-powered vehicle includes a base member, an operating member, an electrical switch, and a controller. The operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The electrical switch is configured to receive a user input to operate the attachment in response to movement of the operating member. The controller is configured to change a mode of the controller between at least a first mode in which the controller is configured to be at a first power consumption and a second mode in which the controller is configured to be at a second power consumption different from the first power.)

1. An operating device for a human powered vehicle, comprising:

a base member;

an operating member movably coupled to the base member;

an electrical switch configured to receive a user input to operate an attachment in response to movement of an operating member; and

a controller configured to change a mode of the controller between at least a first mode and a second mode,

in a first mode, the controller is configured to be at a first power consumption, an

In the second mode, the controller is configured to be at a second power consumption different from the first power consumption.

2. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein

The controller is configured to change modes between a first mode and a second mode in response to input information.

3. Operating device according to claim 2, wherein

The first power consumption is lower than the second power consumption, and

the controller is configured to change the mode from the first mode to the second mode in response to the input information.

4. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein

The controller is configured to: if the controller does not detect the input information within a certain time in the second mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

5. Operating device according to claim 2, wherein

The input information includes user input received by the electrical switch, an

The controller is configured to change the mode from the first mode to the second mode in response to a user input received by the electrical switch.

6. Operating device according to claim 5, wherein

The controller is configured to: if the controller does not detect a user input within a certain time in the second mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

7. Operating device according to claim 3, wherein

The second power consumption includes standby power consumption and active power consumption higher than the standby power consumption,

the first power consumption is lower than the standby power consumption and the active power consumption,

the second mode includes:

a standby mode in which the operating means is in standby power consumption, an

An active mode in which the operating device is in active power consumption.

8. Operating device according to claim 7, wherein

The controller is configured to change the mode from the first mode to the active mode in response to the input information.

9. Operating device according to claim 8, wherein

The controller is configured to generate a control signal in an active mode.

10. Operating device according to claim 9, wherein

The controller is configured to generate a control signal in response to changing the mode to the active mode.

11. Operating device according to claim 9, wherein

The controller is configured to change the mode from the active mode to the standby mode in response to completion of generating the control signal.

12. Operating device according to claim 7, wherein

The controller is configured to: in the second mode, the mode is changed between the active mode and the standby mode at a constant interval while the controller continuously detects the input information.

13. Operating device according to claim 7, wherein

The controller is configured to: if the controller detects an input information interruption in the second mode, the mode is changed from the standby mode to the active mode.

14. Operating device according to claim 13, wherein

The second power consumption includes a sleep power consumption higher than the first power consumption, the sleep power consumption being lower than an active power consumption and a standby power consumption;

the second mode includes a sleep mode in which the operation device is configured to be in sleep power consumption, and

the controller is configured to: the mode is changed from the active mode to the sleep mode if the controller generates the control signal after the controller detects the interruption of the input information in the second mode.

15. Operating device according to claim 14, wherein

The controller is configured to change a mode of the controller from a sleep mode to an active mode in response to the input information.

16. Operating device according to claim 14, wherein

The controller is configured to: if the controller does not detect the input information within a certain time in the sleep mode, the mode is changed from the sleep mode to the first mode.

17. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein

The controller is configured to stop power consumption in the first mode.

18. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein

The controller is configured to determine whether the attachment is in a predetermined mode based on the input information, and

the controller is configured to: if the controller concludes that the attachment is in the predetermined mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

19. The operating device of claim 18,

the controller is configured to generate a check signal in the second mode to determine whether the attachment is in the predetermined mode, and

the controller is configured to: if the controller concludes that the attachment is in the predetermined mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an operating device for a human powered vehicle.

Background

The human-powered vehicle includes an operation unit.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, an operating device for a human-powered vehicle includes a base member, an operating member, an electrical switch, and a controller. The operating member is movably coupled to the base member. The electrical switch is configured to receive a user input to operate the attachment in response to movement of the operating member. The controller is configured to change a mode of the controller between at least a first mode in which the controller is configured to be at a first power consumption and a second mode in which the controller is configured to be at a second power consumption different from the first power.

With the operating device according to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the operating device by changing the mode of the operating device between the first mode and the second mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the first aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to change the mode between the first mode and the second mode in response to input information.

With the operating device according to the second aspect, it is possible to change the mode between the first mode and the second mode using the input information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the second aspect is configured such that the first power consumption is lower than the second power consumption. The controller is configured to change the mode from the first mode to the second mode in response to the input information.

With the operating device according to the third aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the first mode with lower power consumption to the second mode with higher power consumption using the input information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to any one of the first to third aspects is configured such that the controller is configured to: if the controller does not detect the input information within a certain time in the second mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

With the operating device according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the second mode to the first mode using the input information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the second or third aspect is configured such that the input information includes a user input received by the electric switch. The controller is configured to change the mode from the first mode to the second mode in response to a user input received by the electrical switch.

With the operating device according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the first mode to the second mode using an electric switch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the fifth aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to: if the controller does not detect a user input within a certain time in the second mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

With the operating device according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the first mode to the second mode using an electric switch.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to any one of the third to sixth aspects is configured such that the second power consumption includes standby power consumption and activation power consumption higher than the standby power consumption. The first power consumption is lower than the standby power consumption and the active power consumption. The second mode includes a standby mode in which the operating means is in standby power consumption and an active mode in which the operating means is in active power consumption.

With the operating device according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the operating device using the first mode, the waiting mode, and the active mode.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the seventh aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to change the mode from the first mode to the activated mode in response to the input information.

With the operating device according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the first mode with lower power consumption to the active mode with higher power consumption.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the eighth aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to generate the control signal in the active mode.

With the operating device according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to use the control signal to control an additional device or a further device in the active mode.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the ninth aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to generate the control signal in response to changing the mode to the active mode

With the operating device of the tenth aspect, it is possible to shorten the time delay between changing the mode to the active mode and generating the control signal, thereby reducing the power consumption of the operating device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the ninth or tenth aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to change the mode from the active mode to the standby mode in response to completion of the generation of the control signal.

With the operating device according to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the operating device using the waiting mode.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects is configured such that the controller is configured to change the mode between the active mode and the standby mode at constant intervals while the controller continues to detect the input information in the second mode.

With the operating device according to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to perform a plurality of changes between the active mode and the standby mode based on a single continuous input.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects is configured such that the controller is configured to: if the controller detects an input information interruption in the second mode, the mode is changed from the standby mode to the active mode.

With the operating device according to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the waiting mode to the activated mode using the interrupt of the input information to generate a signal.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the thirteenth aspect is configured such that the second power consumption includes sleep power consumption higher than the first power consumption, the sleep power consumption being lower than the activation power consumption and the waiting power consumption. The second mode includes a sleep mode in which the operation device is configured to be in sleep power consumption. The controller is configured to: the mode is changed from the active mode to the sleep mode if the controller generates the control signal after the controller detects the interruption of the input information in the second mode.

With the operating device according to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the waiting mode to the sleep mode by the active mode using the interrupt of the input information to generate the control signal.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the fourteenth aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to change the mode of the controller from the sleep mode to the active mode in response to the input information.

With the operating device according to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the sleep mode to the active mode using the input information.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the fourteenth aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to: if the controller does not detect the input information within a certain time in the sleep mode, the mode is changed from the sleep mode to the first mode.

With the operating device according to the sixteenth aspect, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the operating device when the controller does not detect the input information.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects is configured such that the controller is configured to stop power consumption in the first mode.

With the operation device according to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to effectively reduce power consumption of the operation device.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects is configured such that the controller is configured to determine whether the attachment is in the predetermined mode based on the input information. The controller is configured to: if the controller concludes that the attachment is in the predetermined mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

With the operating device according to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to change the mode from the second mode to the first mode in accordance with the state of the additional device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the operating device.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the operating device according to the eighteenth aspect is configured such that the controller is configured to generate a check signal in the second mode to determine whether the attachment is in the predetermined mode. The controller is configured to: if the controller concludes that the attachment is in the predetermined mode, the mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode.

With the operating device according to the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to reliably determine whether the attachment is in the predetermined mode.

Drawings

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a human-powered vehicle including an operating device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the human-powered vehicle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the human-powered vehicle shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing control of the human-powered vehicle shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an electric power controller of the human-powered vehicle shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 6 to 9 are timing charts showing control of the human-powered vehicle shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 10 to 13 are flowcharts showing control of the human-powered vehicle shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 14 to 17 are flowcharts showing control of a human-powered vehicle according to a modified embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or identical elements throughout the various views.

As seen in fig. 1, a human-powered vehicle VH includes operating devices 10 and 12 according to one embodiment. For example, human powered vehicle VH is a vehicle that travels using power that includes at least the human power of a user (i.e., a rider) riding human powered vehicle VH. The human powered vehicle VH has any number of wheels. For example, human powered vehicle VH has at least one wheel. In the present disclosure, human powered vehicle VH is preferably of a smaller size than a four-wheeled automobile. However, human powered vehicle VH may have any size. Examples of human powered vehicles VH include bicycles, tricycles, and scooters. In the present disclosure, human powered vehicle VH is a bicycle. An electrical assist system including an electric motor may be applied to a human powered vehicle VH (e.g., a bicycle) to assist muscle power of a user. That is, the human powered vehicle VH may be an electric bicycle. Although the human powered vehicle VH is illustrated as a road bike, the operating devices 10 and 12 may be applied to a mountain bike or any type of human powered vehicle.

Human-powered vehicle VH also includes frame VH1, saddle VH2, handlebar VH3, front fork VH4, front wheel W1, and rear wheel W2. The front fork VH4 is rotatably mounted to the frame VH 1. Handlebar VH3 is fixed to front fork VH 4. The front wheel W1 is rotatably coupled to the front fork VH 4. The rear wheel W2 is rotatably coupled to the frame VH 1.

In this application, the following directional terms "front", "rear", "forward", "rearward", "left", "right", "lateral", "upward" and "downward" as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions determined by a user (e.g., a rider) in human-powered vehicle VH in a user standard position (e.g., on saddle VH2 or a seat) facing handlebar VH 3. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the operating device 10 or 12 or other components should be interpreted relative to a human powered vehicle VH equipped with the operating device 10 or 12 in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface.

Human powered vehicle VH includes crank CR, front sprocket assembly FS, rear sprocket assembly RS, chain C, attachment device RD, attachment device FD, and power source PS. The front sprocket assembly FS is fixed to the crank CR. The rear sprocket assembly RS is provided to the rear wheel W2. The chain C engages the front and rear sprocket assemblies FS and RS. Each of the additional devices RD and FD includes a speed change device (such as a transmission). An attachment device RD is mounted to the frame VH1 and is configured to shift the chain C relative to the rear sprocket assembly RS to change gear positions. The attachment device FD is mounted to the frame VH1 and is configured to shift the chain C relative to the front sprocket assembly FS to change gear positions. In the present disclosure, the power source PS is provided in a seat lever VH11 provided on the frame VH 1. However, the position of the power source PS is not limited to this embodiment.

As seen in fig. 2, the human-powered vehicle VH includes an electrical communication path CP. Power source PS is electrically coupled to parasitic device RD and parasitic device FD via electrical communication path CP to provide power to parasitic device RD and parasitic device FD.

The electrical communication path CP includes a junction J1 and cables C1-C3. Each of the cables C1-C3 includes electrical connectors at both ends thereof. Junction J1 is electrically connected to power source PS by cable C1. Junction J1 is electrically connected to attachment FD by cable C2. Junction J1 is electrically connected to add-on device RD by cable C3.

As seen in fig. 2, the operating device 10 for a human powered vehicle VH includes a base member 14. Base member 14 is configured to be mounted to handlebar VH3 (see, e.g., fig. 1).

The operating device 10 for a human powered vehicle VH includes an operating member 16. The operating member 16 is movably coupled to the base member 14. In the present disclosure, the operating device 10 includes an additional operating member 17. An additional operating member is movably coupled to the base member 14 to operate another device, such as a braking device. The additional operating member 17 is pivotally coupled to the base member 14. However, the additional operating member 17 may be omitted from the operating device 10.

The operating device 10 for the human powered vehicle VH includes an electrical switch SW 1. The electrical switch SW1 is configured to receive a user input U1 in response to movement of the operating member 16 to operate the attachment device RD. In the present disclosure, the electrical switch SW1 comprises a normally open switch. Examples of the electric switch SW1 include a button switch and a lever switch. The electrical switch SW1 is coupled to one of the operating member 16 and the additional operating member 17. The electrical switch SW1 is configured to turn on in response to movement of the operating member 16. Receipt of the user input U1 includes turning on the electrical switch SW 1.

The electrical switch SW1 and the operating member 16 are configured to be attached to the additional operating member 17 so as to be movable with the additional operating member 17 relative to the base member 14. The operating member 16 is movably mounted to an additional operating member 17. However, the electrical switch SW1 and the operating member 16 may be directly attached to the base member 14.

The operating device 10 for a human powered vehicle VH includes an operating member 18. The operating member 18 is movably coupled to the base member 14. The operating device 10 for the human powered vehicle VH includes an electrical switch SW 2. The electrical switch SW2 is configured to receive a user input U2 in response to movement of the operating member 18 to operate the attachment device RD. The operating member 18 and the electrical switch SW2 are configured to be attached to the additional operating member 17. The operating member 18 has substantially the same structure as the operating member 16. The electric switch SW2 has substantially the same structure as that of the electric switch SW 1. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

As seen in fig. 3, the operating device 10 for a human powered vehicle VH includes a controller 20. The controller 20 includes a processor 20P, a memory 20M, a circuit board 20B, and a system bus 20D. The processor 20P and the memory 20M are electrically mounted on the circuit board 20B. The processor 20P includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a memory controller. The memory 20M is electrically connected to the processor 20P. The memory 20M includes a Read Only Memory (ROM) and a Random Access Memory (RAM). The memory 20M includes memory areas each having an address in the ROM and the RAM. The processor 20P is configured to control the memory 20M to store data in a storage area of the memory 20M and to read data from the storage area of the memory 20M. The circuit board 20B, the electrical switch SW1 and the electrical switch SW2 are electrically connected to the system bus 20D. The electric switch SW1 and the electric switch SW2 are electrically connected to the processor 20P and the memory 20M through the circuit board 20B and the system bus 20D. The memory 20M (e.g., ROM) stores programs. The program is read into the processor 20P to execute the configuration and/or algorithm of the controller 20.

The controller 20 includes a communicator 20C, and the communicator 20C is configured to communicate with another device (e.g., an additional device RD and an additional device FD). The communicator 20C is configured to transmit a signal to another device. The communicator 20C is configured to transmit control signals CS11, CS12, and/or CS13 in response to user input U1 received by the electrical switch SW 1. The communicator 20C is configured to transmit control signals CS21, CS22, and/or CS23 in response to user input U2 received by the electrical switch SW 2. The communicator 20C is configured to receive information from another device. The communicator 20C includes a wireless communicator WC1 configured to wirelessly communicate with another device. The wireless communicator WC1 is configured to transmit control signals CS11, CS12, and/or CS13 in response to a user input U1. The wireless communicator WC1 is configured to transmit control signals CS21, CS22, and/or CS23 in response to a user input U2. The wireless communicator WC1 is configured to wirelessly receive information from another device. The wireless communicator WC1 is configured to be electrically connected to the controller 20. The operating device 10 may also be referred to as a wireless operating device 10.

The wireless communicator WC1 is electrically mounted on the circuit board 20B. The wireless communicator WC1 is electrically connected to the processor 20P and the memory 20M by the circuit board 20B and the system bus 20D. The wireless communicator WC1 includes a signal transmission circuit WC11, a signal reception circuit WC12, and an antenna WC13, the antenna WC13 being electrically connected to the signal transmission circuit WC11 and the signal reception circuit WC 12. The signal transmitting circuit WC11, the signal receiving circuit WC12, and the antenna WC13 are electrically mounted on the circuit board 20B. Thus, the wireless communicator WC1 may also be referred to as a wireless communication circuit or line WC 1. The communicator 20C may also be referred to as a communication circuit or line 20C. The controller 20 may also be referred to as a control circuit or line 20.

The signal transmission circuit WC11 of the wireless communicator WC1 is configured to superimpose a digital signal on a carrier wave using a predetermined wireless communication protocol to wirelessly transmit the signal via the antenna WC 13. In the present disclosure, the signaling circuitry WC11 is configured to encrypt a signal using an encryption key to generate an encrypted wireless signal.

The signal receiving circuit WC12 of the wireless communicator WC1 is configured to receive wireless signals via the antenna WC 13. In the present disclosure, the signal receiving circuit WC12 is configured to decode a wireless signal to identify a signal and/or information wirelessly transmitted from another wireless communicator. The signal receiving circuit WC12 is configured to decrypt a wireless signal using an encryption key.

The operation device 10 includes an electric power source 22. The electrical power source 22 is configured to supply power to the controller 20 and the communicator 20C. The electrical power source 22 is configured to be electrically connected to the controller 20 and the communicator 20C. In the present disclosure, the electrical power source 22 includes a battery 22B and a battery holder 22H. The battery 22B includes a replaceable battery and/or a rechargeable battery. Battery holder 22H is configured to be electrically connected to communicator 20C via circuit board 20B and system bus 20D. The battery 22B is configured to be detachably attached to the battery holder 22H. However, the electric power source 22 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the electric power source 22 may include another component such as a capacitor and a power generating element (e.g., a piezoelectric element) instead of or in addition to the battery 22B and the battery holder 22H.

The controller 20 also includes a notifier 20N. The notifier 20N is configured to notify the user of the state of the operation device 10. In the present disclosure, notifier 20N is mounted to circuit board 20B. For example, notifier 20N comprises an indicator, such as a light emitting diode. The annunciator 20N is configured to indicate the state of the operating device 10 with light. Examples of the state of operating the device 10 include a communication state between the controller 20 and another device, a mode of the controller 20, and a remaining level of the electric power source 22.

The controller 20 is configured to manage power usage to operate hardware in the device 10. The controller 20 is configured to control the supply of power to each of the processor 20P, the memory 20M, the wireless communicator WC1, the notifier 20N and other electrical components mounted in the operation device 10. The controller 20 is configured to individually control power supply to each of the signal transmitting circuit WC11, the signal receiving circuit WC12, the antenna WC13, and the notifier 20N. Therefore, the controller 20 has a plurality of modes different in power consumption.

As seen in fig. 4, the controller 20 is configured to change the mode of the controller 20 between at least a first mode M1 in which the controller 20 is configured to be in a first power consumption PC1 and a second mode M2 in which the controller 20 is configured to be in a second power consumption PC2 different from the first power consumption PC 1. The power consumption of the operating device 10 is substantially equal to the power consumption of the controller 20. Therefore, the power consumption of the operation device 10 is proportional to the power consumption of the controller 20.

In the present disclosure, the first power consumption PC1 is lower than the second power consumption PC 2. The controller 20 is configured to stop power consumption in the first mode M1. That is, the controller 20 is turned off in the first mode M1. In the second mode M2, power is supplied to at least a portion of the controller 20 from the electrical power source 22. However, the first mode M1 may be a mode in which the controller 20 is configured to consume power.

The controller 20 is configured to change modes between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 in response to the input information INF. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the first mode M1 to the second mode M2 in response to the input information INF. The input information INF includes user input U1 received by the electrical switch SW 1. That is, the controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the first mode M1 to the second mode M2 in response to a user input U1 received by the electrical switch SW 1. However, the input information INF may include other information. Examples of the input information INF include a user input U1 received by the electric switch SW1, information transmitted from another device, and a physical change in the operation device 10 (such as vibration generated in the operation device 10 and/or vibration transmitted to the operation device 10).

The second power consumption PC2 includes a waiting power consumption PC22 and an activation power consumption PC21 higher than the waiting power consumption PC 22. The first power consumption PC1 is lower than the wait power consumption PC22 and the activation power consumption PC 21. The second mode M2 includes a waiting mode M22 in which the operating device 10 is in the waiting power consumption PC22 and an active mode M21 in which the operating device 10 is in the active power consumption PC 21. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the first mode M1 to the active mode M21 in response to the input information INF.

In the activated mode M21, the controller 20 is configured to allow power to be supplied from the electrical power source 22 to the processor 20P, the memory 20M, the signaling circuitry WC11, the signaling circuitry WC12, and the antenna WC13 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). Thus, the controller 20 is configured to generate and send a signal to the further device and identify the signal sent from the further device in the activation mode M21. Meanwhile, in the standby mode M22, the controller 20 is configured to interrupt power from the electrical power source 22 to the signaling circuitry WC11, while the controller 20 is configured to allow power to be supplied from the electrical power source 22 to the processor 20P, the memory 20M, the signaling circuitry WC12, and the antenna WC13 (see, e.g., fig. 3). Therefore, the controller 20 is configured to recognize the signal transmitted from the another device but not generate and transmit the signal to the another device in the waiting mode M22.

The second power consumption PC2 includes a sleep power consumption PC23 higher than the first power consumption PC 1. The sleep power PC23 is lower than the active power PC21 and the standby power PC 22. The second mode M2 includes a sleep mode M23 in which the operating device 10 is configured to be in the sleep power consumption PC23 in the sleep mode M23. The controller 20 is configured to allow power to be supplied from the electrical power source 22 to the processor 20P and the memory 20M in the sleep mode M23. However, the controller 20 is configured to interrupt power supply from the electric power source 22 to the signal transmitting circuit WC11, the signal receiving circuit WC12, and the antenna WC13 in the sleep mode M23. Therefore, the controller 20 is configured not to generate and transmit a signal to the another device and not to recognize the signal transmitted from the another device in the sleep mode M23.

As seen in fig. 3, the operation device 10 includes an electric power controller 40. The electric power controller 40 is configured to control the electric power supplied from the electric power source 22 to the controller 20. The electromotive force controller 40 is configured to start supplying power to the controller 20 in response to the input information INF (e.g., turning on one of the electrical switches SW1 and SW 2). The electric power controller 40 is configured to initiate power supply to the controller 20 in response to the input information INF in the first mode M1. The electromotive force controller 40 is configured to stop supplying power to the controller 20 in response to the control voltage supplied from the controller 20. The electric power controller 40 is electrically connected to the controller 20, the electric power source 22 and the electrical switches SW1 and SW 2.

As seen in fig. 5, the electrical power controller 40 includes a first Field Effect Transistor (FET)40A, a second Field Effect Transistor (FET)40B, a voltage regulator 40C, first and second pull-up resistors 40D and 40E, a third pull-up resistor 40F, a first diode 40G, a second diode 40H, a third diode 40K, and a fourth diode 40L.

The first FET40A is configured to control current flow between the first source terminal S1 and the first drain terminal D1 in response to a first gate voltage applied to the first gate terminal G1. The first FET40A is configured to allow current to flow between the first source terminal S1 and the first drain terminal D1 when a first gate voltage higher than a first threshold voltage is applied to the first gate terminal G1. The first FET40A includes a p-type Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET). However, the first FET40A may include other FETs such as an n-type mosfet.

The second FET 40B is configured to control current flow between the second source terminal S2 and the second drain terminal D2 in response to a second gate voltage applied to the second gate terminal G2. The second FET 40B is configured to allow current to flow between the second source terminal S2 and the second drain terminal D2 when a second gate voltage higher than the second threshold voltage is applied to the second gate terminal G2. The second FET 40B includes an n-type MOSFET. However, the second FET 40B may include other FETs such as a p-type mosfet.

The voltage regulator 40C is configured to control the output voltage based on the input voltage. Examples of the voltage regulator 40C include a DC-DC converter and a Low Dropout (LDO) regulator. First pull-up resistor 40D is configured to maintain a first gate voltage applied to first gate terminal G1 of first FET40A in response to activation of one of electrical switches SW1 and SW 2. Second pull-up resistor 40E is configured to maintain the voltage applied to controller 20 from voltage regulator 40C in response to activation of electrical switch SW 1. Third pull-up resistor 40F is configured to maintain the voltage applied to controller 20 from voltage regulator 40C in response to activation of electrical switch SW 2.

The first diode 40G is configured to allow current to flow in one direction. The second diode 40H is configured to allow current to flow in one direction. The third diode 40K is configured to allow current to flow in one direction. The fourth diode 40L is configured to allow current to flow in one direction.

When one of the electrical switches SW1 and SW2 is turned on, a first gate voltage is applied from the electrical power source 22 to the first gate terminal G1 of the first FET40A by the action of the first pull-up resistor 40D, and the FET40A controls the flow of current from the first source terminal S1 to the first drain terminal D1 in accordance with the first gate voltage applied to the first gate terminal G1 of the first FET 40A.

The voltage regulator 40C controls the voltage applied from the first FET40A to the controller 20 at a predetermined level. If electrical switch SW1 is turned on, the voltage applied to controller 20 from regulator 40C is maintained by the action of second pull-up resistor 40E. If electrical switch SW2 is turned on, the voltage applied to controller 20 from regulator 40C is maintained by the action of third pull-up resistor 40F. Thus, the controller 20 is powered by the electrical power source 22 through the electrical power controller 40.

After the controller 20 is turned on, the controller 20 detects the operation of the electric switch SW1 or SW 2. For example, the controller 20 includes a gate driver configured to supply the second gate voltage to the second FET 40B. The controller 20 applies a second gate voltage to the second gate terminal G2 of the second FET 40B in response to operation of one of the electrical switches SW1 and SW 2. The first gate voltage is applied from the second FET 40B to the first gate terminal G1 of the first FET40A, while the controller 20 applies the second gate voltage to the second gate terminal G2 of the second FET 40B. This maintains power from the electrical power source 22 to the controller 20 after both of the electrical switches SW1 and SW2 are open.

When the controller 20 stops supplying the second gate voltage to the second gate terminal G2, the first gate voltage applied from the second FET 40B to the first gate terminal G1 of the first FET40A is stopped. Therefore, the controller 20 is configured to stop the supply of the control current from the electric power source 22 to the controller 20 based on the input information INF. When the first FET40A is turned off, the first FET40A has a leakage current having a current value lower than that of the minimum control current of the controller 20. Accordingly, the controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1 by stopping the supply of the second gate voltage. The electromotive force controller 40 recognizes the first power consumption PC1 shown in fig. 4. However, the mode change from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1 may be performed by components other than the electric power controller 40, if needed and/or desired.

As seen in fig. 4, the controller 20 is configured to generate the control signals CS11, CS12, or CS13 in the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to generate the control signal CS11, CS12, or CS13 in response to changing the mode to the activated mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of generating the control signal CS11, CS12, or CS 13. The controller 20 is configured to send the control signal CS11, CS12, or CS13 in the active mode M21 after generating the control signal CS11, CS12, or CS 13.

In the present disclosure, the control signals CS11, CS12, CS13, CS21, CS22, and CS23 may be distinguished from one another as signals. The control signals CS11 and CS12 indicate an acceleration of the add-on device RD. The control signals CS21 and CS22 indicate a deceleration of the add-on device RD. The control signals CS13 and CS23 indicate that the operating device 10 is in the sleep mode M23. However, at least one of the control signals CS11, CS12, and CS13 may be the same as another one of the control signals CS11, CS12, and CS 13. At least one of the control signals CS21, CS22, and CS23 may be the same as another one of the control signals CS21, CS22, and CS 23.

The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the first mode M1 to the active mode M21 in response to the input information INF (in particular the user input U1) in the first mode M1. The controller 20 is configured to: if the switch SW1 is turned on in the first mode M1, the mode is changed from the first mode M1 to the activated mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to: if the switch SW1 is turned on in the first mode M1, the active mode M21 is entered. The controller 20 is configured to generate the control signal CS11 in response to changing the mode from the first mode M1 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS 11.

The controller 20 is configured to change the mode between the active mode M21 and the standby mode M22 at constant intervals while the controller 20 continuously detects the input information INF in the second mode M2. In the present disclosure, the controller 20 is configured to change the mode between the active mode M21 and the standby mode M22 at constant intervals while the controller 20 continuously detects the user input U1 in the second mode M2. The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 concludes that the electrical switch SW1 continues to receive the user input U1 for the signal determination time T1 after the control signal CS11 is generated, the mode is changed from the waiting mode M22 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to generate the control signal CS12 in response to changing the mode from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS 12.

The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 concludes that the electrical switch SW1 continues to receive the user input U1 for the signal determination time T1 after the previous control signal CS12 is generated, the mode is changed from the waiting mode M22 to the activated mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to generate the control signal CS12 in response to changing the mode from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS 12.

The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 detects the input information INF interruption in the second mode M2 before the signal determination time T1 elapses from the generation of the control signal CS11 or CS12, the mode is changed from the waiting mode M22 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to generate the control signal CS13 in response to changing the mode from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21.

The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 generates the control signal CS13 after the controller 20 detects the interruption of the input information INF in the second mode M2, the mode is changed from the active mode M21 to the sleep mode M23. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the active mode M21 to the sleep mode M23 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS 13.

The controller 20 is configured to: the mode of the controller 20 is changed from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21 in response to the input information INF (in particular, the user input U1) in the sleep mode M23. The controller 20 is configured to: if the switch SW1 is turned on in the sleep mode M23, the mode is changed from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to: if the switch SW1 is turned on in the sleep mode M23, the active mode M21 is entered. Specifically, the controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 detects the user input U1 within the determined time T2 in the sleep mode M23, the mode is changed from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to generate the control signal CS11 in response to changing the mode from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS 11. The controller 20 is configured to generate the control signal CS12 or CS13 according to an input state of the user input U1 after generating the control signal CS 11.

As seen in fig. 6, the controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the input information INF within the determination time T2 or T3 in the second mode M2, the mode is changed from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1. The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the input information INF within the determination time T2 or T3 in the second mode M2, the mode is changed from the sleep mode M23 to the first mode M1 through another mode. The input information INF includes a user input U1, a user input U2, and a confirmation signal CS3 (see, for example, fig. 7) transmitted from the add-on device RD.

The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the user input U1 within the determined time T2 in the second mode M2, the mode is changed from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1. The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the input information INF within the determination time T2 in the sleep mode M23, the mode is changed from the sleep mode M23 to the first mode M1. The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the user input U1 for the determined time T2 in the sleep mode M23 and if the additional device RD is in the predetermined mode M3, the mode is changed from the sleep mode M23 to the first mode M1 through another mode.

In the present disclosure, the controller 20 is configured to determine whether the attachment device RD is in the predetermined mode M3 based on the input information INF. The controller 20 is configured to: if the user input U1 is not detected within the determined time T2 in the second mode M2 of the controller 20, it is determined whether the additional device RD is in the predetermined mode M3 based on the input information INF before changing the mode from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1. The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 concludes that the additional device RD is in the predetermined mode M3, the mode is changed from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1. That is, the controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the input information INF for the determined time T2 in the sleep mode M23 and the controller 20 concludes that the additional device RD is in the predetermined mode M3, the mode is changed from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1.

The controller 20 is configured to generate the check signal CS14 in the second mode M2 to determine whether the RD is in the predetermined mode M3. The controller 20 is configured to generate a check signal CS14 in the second mode M2 to determine whether the attachment RD is in the predetermined mode M3 if the controller 20 does not detect the user input U1 within the determined time T2 in the sleep mode M23. The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the user input U1 for the determined time T2 in the sleep mode M23, the mode is changed from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to generate the check signal CS14 in response to changing the mode from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21. The controller 20 is configured to change the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the check signal CS 14.

As seen in fig. 7, the controller 20 is configured to: the second mode M2 is maintained if the controller 20 detects the input information INF within the determination time T2 or T3 in the second mode M2. The controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 detects the acknowledge signal CS3, the mode is changed from the waiting mode M22 to the sleep mode M23. The attachment device RD is configured to return a confirmation signal CS3 to the operating device 10 in response to the check signal CS14 sent from the operating device 10. The parasitic device RD has a sustained-acknowledge mode M41, in which M41 the parasitic device RD is configured to continuously acknowledge signals (such as control signals CS11, CS12 and CS13 and check signal CS 14). In the sustained confirmation mode M41, the add-on device RD is configured to maintain a response state ST1 during the sustained confirmation mode M41, and in the response state ST1, the add-on device RD is configured to respond to the check signal CS14 sent by the controller 20. Therefore, the add-on device RD is configured to return the confirmation signal CS3 to the operating device 10 in response to the check signal CS14 in the continuous confirmation mode M41.

As seen in fig. 6 and 8, the add-on device RD has an intermittent acknowledgement mode M42 in which the add-on device RD is configured to intermittently acknowledge the check signal CS 14. The predetermined mode M3 includes an intermittent confirmation mode M42. As seen in fig. 8, in the intermittent confirmation mode M42, the add-on device RD is configured to maintain a response state ST1 at regular intervals for a predetermined time T51, and in the response state ST1, the add-on device RD is configured to respond to a check signal CS14 sent by the controller. As seen in fig. 6, in the intermittent confirmation mode M42, the add-on device RD is configured to maintain a non-response state ST2 at regular intervals for a predetermined time T52, and in the non-response state ST2, the add-on device RD is configured not to detect the check signal CS14 transmitted by the controller 20. The additional device RD is configured to alternately repeat the response state ST1 and the non-response state ST2 in the intermittent confirmation mode M42. The predetermined time T52 of the non-response state ST2 is longer than the predetermined time T51 of the response state ST 1. The power consumption PC42 of the non-response state ST2 is lower than the power consumption PC41 of the response state ST 1. Therefore, the power consumption of the intermittent confirmation mode M42 is lower than that of the continuous confirmation mode M41. As seen in fig. 6 and 8, the supplemental device RD is configured to return the acknowledge signal CS3 to the operating device 10 in response to the check signal CS14 only in the response state ST 1.

As seen in fig. 6 and 9, the controller 20 is configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the confirmation signal CS3 within the determination time T3 in the waiting mode M22, the check signal CS14 is repeatedly generated and transmitted a predetermined number of times. The controller 20 is configured to: while the controller 20 repeatedly generates and transmits the check signal CS14, it is determined whether the controller 20 receives the confirm signal CS3 from the add-on device RD within the determination time T4 from the generation of the check signal CS 14. The predetermined time T52 of the non-response state ST2 is longer than the determination times T3 and T4. The determination time T4 is shorter than the determination time T3. However, the determination time T4 may be equal to or longer than the determination time T3.

As seen in fig. 9, the controller 20 is configured to: while the controller 20 repeatedly generates and transmits the check signal CS14, if the controller 20 detects the confirm signal CS3, the second mode M2 is maintained. Specifically, the controller 20 is configured to: while the controller 20 repeatedly generates and transmits the check signal CS14 a predetermined number of times, if the controller 20 detects the confirm signal CS3, the mode is changed from the waiting mode M22 to the sleep mode M23.

As seen in fig. 6, the controller 20 is configured to: while the controller 20 repeatedly generates and transmits the check signal CS14 a predetermined number of times, if the controller 20 does not detect the confirm signal CS3, the mode is changed from the waiting mode M22 to the first mode M1. However, the controller 20 may be configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the confirmation signal CS3 within the determination time T3 without repeatedly generating the check signal CS14 in the waiting mode M22, the mode is changed from the waiting mode M22 to the first mode M1.

The description about the control signals CS11, CS12, and CS13 may be used as a description about the control signals CS21, CS22, and CS23 by replacing the reference numerals "SW 1", "U1", "CS 11", "CS 12" with the reference numerals "SW 2", "U2", "CS 21", "CS 22", and "CS 23". Therefore, for the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

As seen in fig. 2 and 3, the operating device 12 has substantially the same structure as the operating device 10. For example, the operating device 12 is configured to communicate with the attachment RD to operate the attachment FD. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, a detailed description thereof will not be provided.

As seen in fig. 3, the additional device RD comprises an additional controller 30. The attachment controller 30 is configured to communicate with the operating device 10, the operating device 12, the attachment RD, and the attachment FD. The additional controller 30 has a continuous acknowledgment mode M41 and an intermittent acknowledgment mode M42. In the present disclosure, the additional controller 30 is configured to be mounted to the additional device RD. However, the additional controller 30 may be mounted to another device such as the additional device FD, the power source PS, and the junction point J1.

The additional controller 30 includes a processor 30P, a memory 30M, a circuit board 30B, and a system bus 30D. The processor 30P and the memory 30M are electrically mounted on the circuit board 30B. The processor 30P includes a CPU and a memory controller. The memory 30M is electrically connected to the processor 30P. The memory 30M includes a ROM and a RAM. The memory 30M includes memory areas each having an address in the ROM and the RAM. The processor 30P is configured to control the memory 30M to store data in a storage area of the memory 30M and to read data from the storage area of the memory 30M. The memory 30M (e.g., ROM) stores programs. The program is read into the processor 30P to execute the configuration and/or algorithm of the additional controller 30.

The additional controller 30 includes an additional communicator 30C. The additional communicator 30C is configured to communicate with the communicator 20C of the controller 20 of the operation device 10. The additional communicator 30C is configured to communicate with the operating device 12. The additional communicator 30C is configured to receive the control signals CS11, CS12 and CS13 and the check signal CS14 from the operating device 10 in a response state ST1 (see, for example, fig. 6 to 9) of both the continuous confirmation mode M41 and the intermittent confirmation mode M42. In the present disclosure, the additional communicator 30C includes an additional wireless communicator WC2 configured to wirelessly communicate with another device. The additional wireless communicator WC2 is configured to wirelessly receive control signals CS11, CS12, and CS13 and a check signal CS14 from the wireless communicator WC1 of the operating device 10 in response to state ST1 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6-9). The additional wireless communicator WC2 is configured to wirelessly transmit information to another device.

The additional wireless communicator WC2 is electrically mounted on the circuit board 30B. The additional wireless communicator WC2 is electrically connected to the processor 30P and the memory 30M by the circuit board 30B and the system bus 30D. The additional wireless communicator WC2 includes a signal transmitting circuit WC21, a signal receiving circuit WC22, and an antenna WC23, the antenna WC23 being electrically connected to the signal transmitting circuit WC21 and the signal receiving circuit WC 22. The signal transmitting circuit WC21, the signal receiving circuit WC22, and the antenna WC23 are electrically mounted on the circuit board 30B. Thus, the additional wireless communicator WC2 may also be referred to as additional wireless communication circuitry or circuitry WC 2.

The signal transmitting circuit WC21, the signal receiving circuit WC22, and the antenna WC23 have substantially the same structures as the signal transmitting circuit WC11, the signal receiving circuit WC12, and the antenna WC13 of the wireless communicator WC1, respectively. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

The additional controller 30 also includes an additional notifier 30N. The additional notifier 30N is configured to notify the user of the status of the additional device RD. The additional notifier 30N is configured to notify the user of the status of the additional device RD. In the present disclosure, additional notifiers 30N are mounted to circuit board 30B. For example, additional notifiers 30N include indicators, such as light emitting diodes. The attachment notifier 30N is configured to indicate the status of the attachment device RD with light. Examples of the state of the additional device RD include a communication state between the additional controller 30 and another device (e.g., the operation device 10), a mode of the additional controller 30, and a remaining level of the power source PS.

The parasitic controller 30 is configured to manage the power usage of the hardware in the parasitic device RD. The additional controller 30 is configured to control the supply of power to each of the processor 30P, the memory 30M, the wireless communicator WC2, the additional notifier 30N, and other electrical components mounted in the additional device RD. The additional controller 30 is configured to control power supply to each of the signal transmission circuit WC21, the signal reception circuit WC22, the antenna WC23, and the additional notifier 30N, respectively. Therefore, the additional controller 30 has a plurality of modes different in power consumption. For example, the additional controller 30 has a continuous acknowledgment mode M41 and an intermittent acknowledgment mode M42. The power consumption in the intermittent confirmation mode M42 is lower than that in the continuous confirmation mode M41.

As seen in fig. 3, the attachment device RD includes a base member RD1, a chain guide RD2, an actuator RD3, a position sensor RD4, and an actuator driver RD 5. The base part RD1 is mounted to a frame VH1 (see e.g. fig. 1). The chain guide RD2 is movably coupled to the base member RD1 and is configured to engage the chain C. The actuator RD3 is configured to move the chain guide RD2 relative to the base member RD1 to shift the chain C relative to the rear sprocket assembly RS.

The actuator driver RD5 is electrically connected to the actuator RD3 to control the actuator RD3 based on control signals CS11, CS12, CS21, and CS22 sent from the operation device 10 through the additional controller 30. Examples of the actuator RD3 include a Direct Current (DC) motor and a stepping motor. The actuator RD3 includes a rotating shaft that is operatively coupled to the chain guide RD 2. The position sensor RD4 is configured to sense a current gear of the accessory device RD. Examples of the position sensor RD4 include a potentiometer and a rotary encoder. The position sensor RD4 is configured to sense an absolute rotational position of the rotational axis of the actuator RD3 as a current gear of the attachment RD. The actuator RD3 and the position sensor RD4 are electrically connected to the actuator driver RD 5.

The actuator driver RD5 is configured to control the actuator RD3 to move the chain guide RD2 in an acceleration direction one gear position with respect to the base member RD1 based on the control signal CS11 or CS12 and the current gear position sensed by the position sensor RD 4. The actuator driver RD5 is configured to control the actuator RD3 to move the chain guide RD2 in a deceleration direction by one gear with respect to the base member RD1 based on the control signal CS21 or CS22 and the current gear sensed by the position sensor RD 4. The actuator driver RD5 is configured to control the actuator RD3 to maintain the chain guide RD2 in the current gear position relative to the base member RD1 when the position sensor RD4 senses the control signal CS 13.

As seen in fig. 4, for example, actuator driver RD5 controls actuator RD3 in response to control signal CS11 to move chain guide RD2 from gear position GP1 to adjacent gear position GP2 relative to base member RD 1. The actuator driver RD5 controls the actuator RD3 in response to the control signal CS12 to move the chain guide RD2 from gear position GP2 to an adjacent gear position GP3 relative to the base member RD 1. The actuator driver RD5 controls the actuator RD3 in response to the control signal CS12 to move the chain guide RD2 from gear position GP3 to an adjacent gear position GP4 relative to the base member RD 1. However, when the position sensor RD4 senses the control signal CS13, the actuator driver RD5 controls the actuator RD3 to maintain the chain guide RD2 in the gear position GP4 relative to the base member RD 1. The additional device FD has substantially the same structure as that of the additional device RD. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

Control of the operation device 10 will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 13. As seen in fig. 10, the controller 20 changes the mode between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 in response to the input information INF (step S1). If the controller 20 receives the input information INF (here, the user input U1) in the first mode M1, the controller 20 changes the mode from the first mode M1 to the active mode M21 (steps S11 and S12). Specifically, if the electrical switch SW1 is turned on, the controller 20 is energized. The controller 20 generates and transmits the control signal CS11 in response to the mode change from the first mode M1 to the active mode M21 (step S13). If the controller 20 receives the user input U1 in the first mode M1, the controller 20 starts measuring time to determine that the signal has elapsed the determination time T1 (step S14). In response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS11, the controller 20 changes the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 (step S15). The time measurement of step S14 can begin at any timing in the mode change of step S1, if needed and/or desired. For example, the time measurement of step S14 may be started at a different timing than that shown in fig. 10 (e.g., after step S12 and before step S13), if needed and/or desired. Further, the time measurement of step S14 may be started at the same timing as that of step S12, S13, or S15, if needed and/or desired.

While the controller 20 continues to detect the input information INF (here, the user input U1) in the second mode M2, the controller 20 changes the mode between the active mode M21 and the standby mode M22 at constant intervals (step S2). If the controller 20 concludes that the electric switch SW1 is continuously turned on for the signal determination time T1 after the control signal CS11 is generated, the controller 20 changes the mode from the waiting mode M22 to the active mode M21 (steps S21 to S23). The controller 20 generates and transmits the control signal CS12 in response to the mode being changed from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21 (step S24). If the controller 20 continuously detects the user input U1 in the second mode M2, the controller 20 starts measuring time to determine that the signal determination time T1 has elapsed (step S25). The controller 20 changes the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS12 (step S26). Steps S21 through S26 are repeatedly performed while the controller 20 continues to detect the user input U1. The time measurement of step S25 can begin at any timing in the mode change of step S2, if needed and/or desired. For example, the time measurement of step S25 may be started at a different timing than that shown in fig. 10 (e.g., after step S23 and before step S24), if needed and/or desired. Further, the time measurement of step S25 may be started at the same timing as that of step S23, S24, or S26, if needed and/or desired.

As seen in fig. 11, if the controller 20 detects an interruption of the input information INF in the second mode M2, the controller 20 changes the mode from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21 (step S21 and step S3). If the controller 20 detects the interruption of the input information INF in the second mode M2 before the signal determination time T1 elapses from the generation of the control signal CS11 or CS12, the controller 20 changes the mode from the waiting mode M22 to the active mode M21 (steps S31 and S32). The controller 20 generates and transmits the control signal CS13 in response to the mode being changed from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21 (step S33). The controller 20 resets the determination time T2 and starts measuring the determination time T2 (step S34). If the controller 20 generates and transmits the control signal CS13 after the controller 20 detects the interruption of the input information INF in the second mode M2 (e.g., the waiting mode M22), the controller 20 changes the mode from the active mode M21 to the sleep mode M23 (steps S21 and S35). Specifically, the controller 20 changes the mode from the active mode M21 to the sleep mode M23 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS13 (step S35). The time measurement of step S34 can begin at any timing in the mode change of step S1, if needed and/or desired. For example, the time measurement of step S34 may be started at a different timing than that shown in fig. 11 (e.g., after step S32 and before step S33), if needed and/or desired. Further, the time measurement of step S34 may be started at the same timing as that of step S32, S33, or S35, if needed and/or desired.

As seen in fig. 11 and 12, if the controller 20 does not detect the input information INF within the determination time T2 or T3 in the second mode, the controller 20 changes the mode from the second mode M2 (here, the sleep mode M23) to the first mode M1 (steps S4 and S5). The controller 20 determines whether the additional device RD is in the predetermined mode M3 based on the input information INF (step S5).

As seen in fig. 11, the controller 20 changes the mode of the controller 20 from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21 in response to the input information INF (step S4). Specifically, the controller 20 changes the mode from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21 in response to the user input U1 in the sleep mode M23 (steps S41 and S42). If the electric switch SW1 is turned on in the sleep mode M23 before the determined time T2 elapses from the generation of the control signal CS13, the controller 20 changes the mode from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21 (steps S41 to S43). The controller 20 generates and transmits the control signal CS11 in response to the mode change from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21 (step S44). The controller 20 starts measuring the time to determine that the signal determination time T1 has elapsed (step S45). The controller 20 changes the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the control signal CS11 (step S46). After the mode is changed from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22, the process returns to step S3. The time measurement of step S45 can begin at any timing in the mode change of step S2, if needed and/or desired. For example, the time measurement of step S45 may be started at a different timing than that shown in fig. 11 (e.g., after step S43 and before step S44), if needed and/or desired. Further, the time measurement of step S45 may be started at the same timing as that of step S43, S44, or S46, if needed and/or desired.

As seen in fig. 11 and 12, in order to generate the check signal CS14, if the controller 20 does not detect the user input U1 within the determination time T2 in the sleep mode M23, the controller 20 changes the mode from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21 (steps S41, S42, and S51). As seen in fig. 12, the controller 20 generates and transmits the check signal CS14 in response to changing the mode from the sleep mode M23 to the active mode M21 (step S52). The controller 20 starts measuring the time to determine that the determination time T3 has elapsed (step S53). The controller 20 changes the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the check signal CS14 (step S54). The time measurement of step S53 can begin at any timing in the mode change of step S1, if needed and/or desired. For example, the time measurement of step S53 may be started at a different timing than that shown in fig. 12 (e.g., after step S51 and before step S52), if needed and/or desired. Further, the time measurement of step S53 may be started at the same timing as that of step S51, S52, or S54, if needed and/or desired.

As seen in fig. 12, the controller 20 determines whether the controller 20 receives the confirmation signal CS3 from the controller 30 of the add-on device RD within a determination time T3 from the generation of the check signal CS14 (steps S55 and S56). If the controller 20 detects the confirm signal CS3 within the determination time T3 in the standby mode M22, the controller 20 maintains the second mode M2 (steps S55 and S58). Specifically, if the controller 20 detects the confirmation signal CS3 within the determination time T3 in the waiting mode M22, the controller 20 changes the mode from the waiting mode M22 to the sleep mode M23 (steps S55 and S58). The controller 20 starts measuring the time to determine that the determination time T2 has elapsed (step S59). The process returns to step S4. The time measurement of step S59 can begin at any timing in the mode change of step S5, if needed and/or desired. For example, the time measurement of step S59 may be started at a different timing than that shown in fig. 12 (e.g., before step S58), if needed and/or desired. Further, the time measurement of step S59 can be started at the same timing as the timing of step S58, if needed and/or desired.

If the controller 20 does not detect the confirm signal CS3 for the determination time T3 in the waiting mode M22, the controller 20 repeatedly generates and transmits the check signal CS14 a predetermined number of times (step S55 and step S56). Specifically, the process advances to step S6 shown in fig. 13.

As seen in fig. 12 and 13, if the controller 20 does not detect the confirmation signal CS3 within the determination time T3 in the waiting mode M22, the controller 20 resets the count value N to zero (step S55, step S56, and step S60). As seen in fig. 13, the controller 20 changes the mode from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21 (step S61). The controller 20 generates and transmits the check signal CS14 in response to the mode being changed from the standby mode M22 to the active mode M21 (step S62). The controller 20 starts measuring the time to determine that the determination time T4 has elapsed (step S63). The controller 20 changes the mode from the active mode M21 to the standby mode M22 in response to completion of the generation of the check signal CS14 (step S64). The controller 20 increments the count value N by 1 (step S65).

As seen in fig. 13, the controller 20 determines whether the controller 20 receives the confirmation signal CS3 from the add-on controller 30 of the add-on device RD within a determination time T4 from the generation of the confirmation signal CS14 (steps S66 and S67). If the controller 20 detects the confirm signal CS3 within the determination time T4 in the standby mode M22, the controller 20 maintains the second mode M2 (steps S66 and S68). Specifically, if the controller 20 detects the confirmation signal CS3 within the determination time T4 in the waiting mode M22, the controller 20 changes the mode from the waiting mode M22 to the sleep mode M23 (steps S66 and S68). The controller 20 starts measuring the time to determine that the determination time T2 has elapsed (step S69). The process returns to step S4. The time measurement of step S69 can begin at any timing in the mode change of step S6, if needed and/or desired. For example, the time measurement of step S69 may be started at a different timing than that shown in fig. 13 (e.g., before step S68), if needed and/or desired. Further, the time measurement of step S69 can be started at the same timing as the timing of step S68, if needed and/or desired.

As seen in fig. 13, if the controller 20 does not detect the confirmation signal CS3 within the determination time T4 in the waiting mode M22, the controller 20 determines whether the count value N reaches a predetermined count value N0 (step S66, step S67, and step S70). If the count value N does not reach the predetermined count value N0, the controller 20 repeatedly performs steps S61 through S67 (steps S67 and S70). If the controller 20 concludes that the count value N reaches the predetermined count value N0, the controller 20 changes the mode from the waiting mode M22 to the first mode M1 (steps S70 and S71). The process returns to step S1.

Modified embodiment

The controller 20 may have additional modes (e.g., a pairing mode) in addition to the first mode M1 and the second mode M2. One or both of the active mode M21, the standby mode M22, and the sleep mode M23 may be omitted from the second mode M2. In other words, at least one of the active mode M21, the standby mode M22, and the sleep mode M23 may be incorporated into another one of the active mode M21, the standby mode M22, and the sleep mode M23. For example, as seen in fig. 14 and 15, the standby mode M22 may be merged into the active mode M21, and the standby mode M22 is omitted from the second mode M2. As seen in fig. 16 and 17, the sleep mode M23 may be merged into the waiting mode M22, and the sleep mode M23 is omitted from the second mode M2. The flowcharts shown in fig. 10 to 12 may be modified according to the above modified embodiment of the mode of the controller 20.

The controller 20 may be configured to: if the controller 20 does not detect the input information INF only for one of the determination time T2 and the determination time T3 in the second mode M2, the mode is changed from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1. That is, in fig. 11 to 12, at least one of step S4 and step S5 may be omitted from the flowchart of the controller 20. Further, step S6 shown in fig. 13 may be omitted from the flowchart of the controller 20.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and derivatives thereof, are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps. The concept also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, "having", "including" and their derivatives.

The terms "member," "section," "portion," "element," "body" and "structure" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts.

Ordinals such as "first" and "second" described in this application are identifiers only, and do not have any other meaning (e.g., a particular order, etc.). Further, for example, the term "first element" does not itself imply the presence of "second element," and the term "second element" does not itself imply the presence of "first element.

As used herein, the term "pair" may include a configuration in which a pair of elements have different shapes or structures from each other, in addition to a configuration in which a pair of elements have the same shape or structure as each other. The terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. The phrase "at least one," as used in this disclosure, refers to "one or more" of the desired selections. For one example, the phrase "at least one," as used in this disclosure, refers to "only a single selection" or "both of the two selections" if the number of selections is two. For other examples, the phrase "at least one" as used in this disclosure means "only a single selection" or "any combination of two selections or more" if the number of selections is equal to or greater than three. For example, the phrase "at least one of a and B" encompasses: (1) a alone; (2) b alone; and (3) both A and B. The phrase "at least one of A, B and C" encompasses: (1) a alone; (2) b alone; (3) c alone; (4) both A and B; (5) both B and C; (6) both A and C; and (7) A, B and C. In other words, in the present disclosure, the phrase "at least one of a and B" does not mean "at least one of a and at least one of B".

Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. All numerical values described in this application may be construed to include terms such as "substantially", "about" and "about".

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.