Head protection device, protection system and head protection method

Abstract

The invention relates to vehicle safety. Specifically, the invention relates to a head protection device, a protection system and a head protection method. Further specifically, the present disclosure relates to monitoring proper wear of the head restraint. Thus, a head restraint (130) is provided, comprising a base structure (200) for receiving at least a portion of the head of a user of the head restraint; a sensor arrangement (210) adapted to detect a state of wear, wherein the state of wear indicates whether the user properly wears the head restraint; and a communication element (230) adapted to transmit a signal to an external device and / or entity, wherein the signal comprises information indicative of the wear state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle safety.

[0002] In particular, the present disclosure relates to head restraints, restraint systems, and head restraint methods.

[0003] More particularly, the present disclosure relates to monitoring proper wearing of the head restraint. Background Art

[0004] In many countries around the world, local legislation requires users or occupants of two-wheeled vehicles to wear head protection while operating the vehicle in order to prevent or at least mitigate serious head trauma or head injuries in the event of an accident. Although such legislation often imposes fines on those who do not comply with local rules, violations of such legislation often remain unpunished due to the large number of two-wheeled traffic participants. In other words, the police or local traffic authorities may not be able to impose fines on every such violation, or at least on a significant portion of such violations. Therefore, the lack of adequate supervision and enforcement can lead to vehicle users not complying with helmet regulations, resulting in an increase in the number of injuries caused by accidents, which could have been avoided if the traffic participants would have worn their helmets correctly.

[0005] Likewise, some users of two-wheeled vehicles choose not to wear head protection in the manner and method desired by the helmet manufacturer, thereby also violating helmet regulations. Here, users deliberately wear the helmet in the wrong way so that they appear to be wearing a helmet, so that they may not be punished during a superficial inspection by the police or traffic authorities, simply because the incorrect wearing is not obvious at first glance. Such incorrect positioning may be, for example, not wearing the helmet completely on the head, so that the helmet does not fit tightly around the head. This may result in a poor fit, so that the helmet cannot provide its full protection in the event of an accident. Such wearing can be supplemented by not closing the headband or arranging the head in a loose manner, so that there is a risk of the helmet falling off in the event of an accident. The motivation for such incorrect wearing may be to overcome, for example, the heat accumulation around the head when wearing the helmet, which is particularly relevant in countries with high average temperatures and high traffic volume.

[0006] Furthermore, a user or occupant of a vehicle, such as a driver or passenger, may decide not to wear a helmet on their head at all, but simply wear the helmet around, for example, the elbow, secured by a helmet strap around the arm while driving.

[0007] In addition to increased personal health risks, the increased risk of injury, and in particular increased severity of trauma, when helmets are not worn properly can be a significant burden on the healthcare system of a particular country and / or insurance company.

[0008] Therefore, it may be desirable to determine whether a user of a vehicle is wearing a helmet while operating the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, it may be necessary to determine whether the user of the vehicle is wearing the helmet correctly, i.e., as intended by the helmet manufacturer, so that the helmet provides the best protection for which it is designed.

[0010] Still further, it may be desirable to initiate an action or response to detecting whether a user of the vehicle is properly or correctly wearing the helmet. Summary of the invention

[0011] At least one of these needs is met by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are provided in the dependent claims and are explained in detail in the following description.

[0012] The present invention relates to a head restraint, a restraint system and a head restraint method, and in particular to monitoring the correct wearing of a head restraint and initiating measures when incorrect wearing of the head restraint is detected.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a head protection device is provided, which includes a base structure for accommodating at least a portion of a head of a user of the head protection device; a sensor arrangement structure suitable for detecting a wearing state, wherein the wearing state indicates whether the user is correctly wearing the head protection device; and a communication element suitable for transmitting a signal to an external device and / or entity, wherein the signal includes information indicating the wearing state.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a protection system is provided, which comprises a head restraint according to the present disclosure, and a vehicle to be operated and / or adjusted by a user of the head restraint, wherein the vehicle comprises a vehicle communication element adapted to transmit a vehicle signal to an external device and / or entity, wherein the vehicle signal comprises information indicative of an operating condition of the vehicle.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a head protection method is provided, which includes the following steps: detecting a wearing state of a head protection device worn by a user, wherein the wearing state indicates whether the user wears the head protection device correctly; and transmitting a signal to an external device and / or entity, wherein the signal includes information indicating the wearing state.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product or a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a processing element, cause at least one of a processing device, an external device and an external entity to perform the steps of the method described in the present disclosure.

[0017] The present disclosure provides a head protection device, which is arranged to detect the wearing state of a user. In other words, the head protection device includes a component that determines that the user is wearing the head protection device correctly. To this end, the head protection device (and hereinafter also referred to as a helmet) includes a sensor arrangement structure, such as one or more sensor elements, which are arranged to detect whether the user is wearing the head protection device correctly. In order to determine the correct wearing of the helmet, the wearing state is detected, determined or otherwise determined, wherein the wearing state indicates whether the user is wearing the head protection device correctly. For example, in the case where the user wears the helmet correctly, the wearing state may be "positive", "green" or "1", and in the case where the user does not wear the helmet correctly, the wearing state may be "negative", "red" or "-1". Of course, any other suitable sign, indication or information may be used to indicate the wearing state.

[0018] A properly worn helmet specifically includes two aspects, namely, firstly, fully wearing the helmet, and secondly, wearing the helmet as intended by the manufacturer. Broadly speaking, a helmet with a closed helmet strap arranged to hang on the arm in the elbow area may also be considered to be worn, which would obviously not conform to the manufacturer's intention of a proper or correct wearing of the helmet in order to provide the protective function of the helmet. Furthermore, the user may decide not to position the helmet in full accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, for example, only pulling the helmet loosely over the head. In such a scenario, although the helmet may be considered to be worn, such wearing would not conform to the manufacturer's intention of a proper or appropriate wearing in order to achieve the protective function.

[0019] Therefore, the head protection device, more specifically its sensor arrangement, can be arranged to detect the wearing of the helmet and the correct wearing of the helmet independently of each other. Although correct wearing always includes the wearing of the helmet, simply "wearing" the helmet may not include the correct wearing of the helmet. Such wearing states, in which the helmet is worn but not worn correctly, can be indicated with "neutral", "orange" or "0".

[0020] The head protection device itself may be adapted to determine the wearing state, i.e. whether the helmet is worn, and further specifically whether the helmet is worn correctly, independently of external elements or devices. Independent of each other may be understood as being able to detect a certain wearing state, which indicates that the helmet is not worn / not worn correctly, the helmet is worn / not worn correctly, and the helmet is worn / worn correctly. In other words, the head protection device may be able to determine at least two independent parameters, one of which indicates that the helmet is worn or not worn, and the other parameter indicates that the helmet is worn correctly or not worn correctly. It is also conceivable to have a single parameter, or one of the previous parameters, indicating that the helmet is worn correctly or incorrectly, which includes a positive determination that the user wears the helmet. In other words, once it is determined that the helmet is worn correctly, it can be inferred that the helmet is also worn. Here, the determination of the "correctly / incorrectly worn" wearing state directly affects the "worn / not worn" parameter, so that the "correctly worn" wearing state always includes a positive "worn" parameter.

[0021] The head protection device may automatically determine the wearing state, for example at regular time intervals, such as every five minutes, every minute or every 10 seconds, or the determination may be manually triggered by an event, such as a helmet movement like putting on or taking off the helmet, or manually triggered by the user, for example by an external indication, such as pressing a button or starting a wearing state detection, for example by using a dedicated external application on a mobile computing device. In particular, the automatic determination of the wearing state may be beneficial because no user input or manual input is required, thereby avoiding the user intentionally not performing the wearing state detection. In addition, repeated automatic determinations may avoid the user being able to take off the helmet again after the initial wearing state detection, i.e. after the head protection device has determined that the user is correctly wearing the helmet.

[0022] For the further purpose of processing the information about the wearing state, the head protection device may be arranged to transmit a signal to an external device and / or entity, the signal including the information about the wearing state. In other words, after it has been determined that the user is wearing the head protection device correctly, the head protection device may transmit the information to the external device and / or entity. It is conceivable that the external device is a mobile computing device associated with the user, a vehicle to be operated by the user, or another external device. In addition or alternatively, the entity may be an external processing system, such as a cloud-based processing system, which is arranged to collect information about the user, including information about the habits of the head protection device and / or about the use of the vehicle, specifically about such vehicles that require the user to wear the head protection device. The entity may also be an insurance provider, a healthcare provider and / or a specialized national agency, which receives information about the user's wearing state, and therefore directly or indirectly receives information about whether the user complies with, for example, local traffic or helmet regulations.

[0023] In particular, the automatic reporting of the wearing state, and in particular whether the user is wearing the helmet correctly when operating the vehicle, may provide certain incentives for the user and / or entity. It is conceivable that insurance companies may then incentivize the correct use of helmets, for example through rebates on their insurance rates or insurance payments and / or through an honor or reward system. Alternatively or in addition, the user may be incentivized to wear the helmet correctly, otherwise local agencies may be notified of violations of local traffic regulations, which may result in the user being automatically fined. Still further, it may be necessary to determine a wearing state indicating that the helmet is correctly worn in order to be able to fully operate the vehicle. In other words, the vehicle may only be operated when it has determined that the user of the vehicle is wearing the helmet correctly, in particular at the beginning of the journey, but preferably also at certain intervals throughout the journey, in order to determine that the user is always wearing the helmet correctly. Similarly, when it is determined during the journey that the user is no longer wearing the helmet correctly, the vehicle can be stopped in a manner safe for the user, for example by controlled deceleration to a stop, at least until the user wears the helmet correctly again.

[0024] It may be relevant first to detect that the helmet is worn, that the helmet is worn correctly and that the helmet is worn by the user of the vehicle they are intended to operate. The helmet may communicate directly with the vehicle and / or external entities, for example via long-range communication such as GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, etc., via Wi-Fi or via LoRaWAN. Essentially, any type of long-range communication capability may be employed. Alternatively or in addition, the head protection device may be communicatively connected to a mobile computing device, in particular a mobile computing device associated with the user, communicating with the mobile computing device (e.g. a smartphone) via short-range or medium-range communication such as, for example, Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy. In the case of short-range communication between at least two of the user's head protection device, the vehicle and the mobile communication device, it may be determined that it is indeed the user of the vehicle who is wearing the helmet correctly. In particular, in the case of short-range communication between at least two of the three devices continuously or at regular intervals, it may be determined that the user of the vehicle is the person wearing the helmet. For example, while the vehicle is moving, repeated receipt of short-range signals indicating wearing status, and specifically proper wearing of the helmet, may indicate that any person wearing, properly wearing the helmet is traveling with the vehicle, and therefore that person is likely to be the user / driver or another occupant of the vehicle.

[0025] In order to ensure that only a specific user of a vehicle can use the vehicle when wearing the helmet, the helmet and the vehicle can be logically linked. In other words, the vehicle can recognize or be associated with the head restraint or a defined plurality of head restraints, and the head restraint can recognize or be associated with a vehicle of a defined plurality of vehicles. Thus, the user can only operate the vehicle if the user correctly wears the head restraint associated with or recognized by the specific vehicle.

[0026] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor arrangement may be adapted to independently detect that the user is wearing the head restraint and that the head restraint is correctly positioned on the user's head.

[0027] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, detecting the wearing status may include independently determining that the user is wearing the head restraint and that the head restraint is correctly positioned on the user's head.

[0028] Determining the wearing and correct wearing of the head restraint independently may allow for a simpler implementation of the detection, since a dedicated detection member may be employed for each respective detection. Furthermore, determining the correct wearing of the head restraint may already rely on the action of wearing the head restraint. In other words, it is only necessary to detect whether the head restraint is correctly worn when the wearing of the head restraint is confirmed. Alternatively or additionally, detecting that the head restraint is correctly worn may make detecting the wearing of the head restraint superfluous.

[0029] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the sensor arrangement may include at least a first and a second sensor element, wherein the sensor elements may be arranged as independent sensor elements, wherein the first sensor element may be arranged for detecting that the head protection device is securely worn by the user, and wherein the second sensor element may be arranged for detecting that the head protection device is correctly positioned on the head of the user, and specifically, wherein the first sensor element may be a sensor for detecting closure of a fastening strap for fastening the head protection device to the head of the user, specifically a Hall sensor, a proximity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor or a CO2 sensor, and wherein the second sensor element may be a sensor element for detecting that the head protection device is correctly positioned on the head of the user, specifically a brain wave sensor or a CO2 sensor.

[0030] Having independent and / or separate sensor elements for detecting the wearing and correct wearing of the head protection device can allow the use of dedicated or optimized detection members or sensor elements for corresponding detection. For example, the wearing of the protection device can be performed by determining whether the headband is fastened and / or closed. This can be performed by a Hall sensor element. For example, a Hall sensor element located at one end of the headband, specifically the buckle, can detect the magnetic field at the opposite side of the buckle associated with the opposite part of the headband, thereby determining that the two parts of the buckle are so close, thereby assuming that the buckle is closed. In other words, the entire sensor element can be considered as a proximity sensor element, which detects that the two sides of the headband are close enough to each other, thereby assuming that the headband is closed. In addition, the conductivity sensor can determine that a closed circuit is established by connecting the two elements of the buckle. The temperature sensor can determine the proximity of the human head by detecting the radiant heat from the head surface, thereby determining that the head is placed in the helmet. A properly arranged CO2 sensor can be exposed to the user's breath, and thus can detect a local increase in the CO2 level caused by exhalation near the user's mouth, and thus can determine that the helmet is worn by a living being.

[0031] In order to determine that the helmet is correctly positioned on the user's head, a CO2 sensor may again be employed, which is arranged so that only a correctly worn helmet will expose the CO2 sensor to the exhaled breath. In this case, a single sensor element, such as a single CO2 sensor, can be used to determine both the wearing and correct wearing of the helmet. Alternatively or in addition, an EEG sensor can record the user's brain waves. Here, it may be sufficient to record the brain waves completely, which indicates that the helmet is worn so closely to the EEG sensor to assume that the helmet is worn correctly and / or the brain wave structure can be analyzed to determine whether the brain wave pattern received when the helmet is worn correctly corresponds to the expected brain wave pattern. Similarly, the EEG sensor can be used to determine the correct wearing of the helmet and / or can determine both the wearing and correct wearing of the helmet.

[0032] Use of brainwave sensors may further allow analysis of the user's condition, for example, may allow a determination to be made as to whether the user is fatigued, sleepy or driving under the influence, and appropriate action may be initiated, such as notifying an authority, insurance provider or healthcare provider or simply disabling the vehicle.

[0033] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the protection system may be arranged to determine that the user of the head restraint is operating and / or adjusting the vehicle, in particular when the vehicle may be driving, and further in particular, wherein the protection system may be adapted to transmit a signal to the external device and / or entity, wherein the signal may include information indicating whether the user of the head restraint is wearing the head restraint and / or whether the user of the head restraint is operating and / or adjusting the vehicle.

[0034] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include determining that the user of the head restraint is operating and / or adjusting the vehicle, in particular while the vehicle is driving.

[0035] Determining that the user of the head protection device is the same person as the user operating and / or adjusting the vehicle prevents misuse of the function. For example, it prevents a person in the vicinity of the vehicle from putting on a helmet, in particular before the start of a journey, thereby recording that a person in the vicinity of the vehicle wears and correctly wears a helmet, rather than that the user of the vehicle actually wears a helmet. Thus, it is avoided that the actual user of the vehicle uses the vehicle without wearing a helmet, and that a correctly wearing person remains at the start of a journey.

[0036] In the context of the present disclosure, a determination made by a restraint system may include a determination made by the vehicle, by a head restraint, and / or a remote device / remote entity.

[0037] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the vehicle may further include a vehicle communication element adapted to transmit signals to an external device and / or entity.

[0038] By having a communication element, the vehicle can communicate with devices outside the vehicle, for example, a mobile computing device and / or a head restraint of a vehicle user. The communication can be a one-way communication connection, for example, the vehicle can send or receive information, or can be a two-way communication connection, so that the vehicle can send and receive information. Thus, it is conceivable that the head restraint is transmitting the wearing status to the vehicle and / or the vehicle is asking the head restraint for the wearing status, in particular in the case where a specific vehicle and a specific additional restraint are associated with each other. Thus, the vehicle can obtain information about the wearing status of the head restraint of the user who is about to use the vehicle, and can only allow use if a signal is issued that the head restraint is correctly worn.

[0039] Alternatively or in addition, the vehicle may simply transmit information about its current state, for example, whether it is running / moving or not moving, location information, or general information related to the operation of the vehicle, such as speed, heading mode of operation, etc.

[0040] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication element of the head restraint and / or the vehicle communication element may be adapted to transmit the signal using a near field communication method.

[0041] The use of near field communication methods automatically ensures that the communicating communication partners are arranged in the vicinity of one another. For example, using technologies such as RFID, Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE, it can be assumed that the distance between the devices is a few centimeters to 1 or 2 meters. By this automatic requirement that the communication partners are in the vicinity of one another, it can be ensured that only head restraints in the vicinity of the vehicle can register a “correctly worn” wearing state with the vehicle. If a particular head restraint now remains in the vicinity of the vehicle even during operation, i.e. while the vehicle is being driven, it can be inferred that the head restraint must be worn by the user of the vehicle or another occupant of the vehicle.

[0042] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the external device may be at least one of the mobile computing device and / or the vehicle, and / or wherein the external entity may be a computing system, in particular a cloud-based computing system.

[0043] The mobile computing device may be a portable computing device, such as a smartphone or another dedicated computing device. In this respect, it is sufficient that the head restraint is communicatively connected to an external device (e.g. a smartphone of a vehicle user), for example, via short-range communication, while the external device itself is communicatively connected to an external entity, for example, via a mobile communication connection. In this respect, the communication capabilities of the head restraint may be simplified by only implementing a short-range communication connection, which at the same time ensures that the respective head restraint is in the vicinity of the user's mobile computing device. It may therefore be inferred that the head restraint registered as "correctly worn" is the head restraint worn by the owner of the mobile computing device or at least a person associated with the mobile computing device at that particular moment.

[0044] An external entity, in particular a computing system associated with the external entity, for example, a computing system of an insurance provider, a healthcare provider or a local agency, can record the use of the head protection device, in particular the use associated with a specific user, and whether the user reliably wears the head protection device correctly. The recorded use can then be analyzed and lead to certain measures that may be beneficial to the specific user. For example, in the case where the insurance provider determines whether the user reliably wears the helmet in the correct way when driving the vehicle, the health insurance premium and / or the vehicle insurance premium may be affected. In other words, when the helmet is reliably worn correctly, the user can get the benefit of reducing the insurance premium, and / or when the helmet is not worn in the correct way, the user can get a fine or traffic fine. A separate incentive system that is unrelated to insurance payment can be implemented. Alternatively or in addition, the external entity can initiate measures about the vehicle based on the determined wearing state of the head protection device of the specific user. For example, only in the case of correctly wearing the helmet, the vehicle can be started, for example, the ignition can start the motor, or the vehicle can be generally operated. To achieve this, the external entity may communicate with the vehicle via a direct communication connection or via a communication connection through the user's mobile computing device, for example, to activate the vehicle, or deactivate the vehicle if the wearing state is no longer "properly worn." Alternatively or additionally, the mobile computing device may assume the functionality of the external entity, which may communicate with the vehicle for activating or deactivating its operation.

[0045] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the head restraint or the restraint system may further include a position sensor for determining a global position of the head restraint, wherein the communication element of the head restraint may be adapted to transmit the position information of the head restraint to the external device and / or entity, and / or may further include a vehicle position sensor for determining a global position of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle communication element may be adapted to transmit the position information of the vehicle to the external device and / or entity.

[0046] By using a global positioning system, in particular continuous monitoring of the position of at least some of the user, the vehicle and the protective device, it can be determined whether the respective entities are in close proximity to each other. Thereby, it can be determined that, for example, the user of a smartphone is the same person who continues to be near the vehicle when the helmet is correctly worn.

[0047] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the head restraint, the restraint system, the external device and / or the external entity may be adapted to initiate restrictions and / or measures based on determining whether the user of the vehicle is correctly wearing the head restraint.

[0048] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include initiating restrictions and / or measures based on determining whether the user of the vehicle is properly wearing the head restraint.

[0049] The restrictions or measures may be technical or non-technical restrictions / measures. For example, depending on the state of wearing the protective device, the maximum speed of the vehicle may be limited or not, the vehicle may be stopped via a controlled stop, the start of the vehicle may be prohibited, information about the user may be collected, processed and / or stored, the measure may have an impact on insurance premiums or other incentive benefits, or may or may not result in a fine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] Figure 1A , Figure 1B Details of a head restraint according to the present disclosure are shown.

[0052] Figure 2 A protection system according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0053] Figure 3 A head protection method according to the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Reference now Figure 1A , FIG. B , which shows details of a head restraint according to the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 1A A head protection device 130, i.e. a helmet, is shown, which is intended to be worn by a user 110 of a vehicle 120. The helmet 130 is similar to a conventional helmet, and that is, it is intended to provide the same protective functions as an ordinary helmet. In order to provide the defined protective functions, the helmet 130 may comply with specific local certification standards in the country of its intended use. For example, the helmet may comply with at least one of the DOT, ECE, BIS / ISI, SHARP, SNELL, or FIM standards. Compliance with certain standards may be required in order to legally allow the use of a particular helmet in public transportation in a particular jurisdiction.

[0056] The head protection device 130 comprises a base structure 200 arranged to receive and accommodate at least a portion of a user's head. In the following, the specific construction of the helmet is not further described. The helmet 130 of FIG. 1 a comprises a fastening strap 190 so that the helmet 130 can be securely fastened to the user's head, thereby avoiding unintentional or accidental removal during an accident. The helmet 130 may include additional elements that are not further described or depicted in this context, such as a screen and goggles.

[0057] The helmet 130 includes a sensor arrangement 210, only Figure 1ASchematically depicted in . The sensor arrangement structure 210 provides the functionality of determining whether the helmet is worn / safely worn and further whether the helmet is correctly positioned, i.e., positioned in the manner desired by the manufacturer so that the helmet 130 can provide its protective function to the user. In this regard, the sensor arrangement structure can be arranged to independently detect the wearing / safe wearing and correct wearing of the helmet. Detecting the correct wearing of the helmet may include determining that the helmet is worn / safely worn.

[0058] For example, when it is determined that the fastening strap 190 is closed, this may be an indication that the helmet is being worn. However, it is only further determined that the helmet is correctly positioned on the user's head, i.e. worn on the user's head and not just hanging from the user's elbows, that the helmet can be determined to be correctly worn by the user. Similarly, it is conceivable that the helmet is worn facing the wrong direction. In this arrangement structure, it is conceivable that the helmet is positioned on the user's head and the fastening strap is closed around the user's neck, and the helmet is worn incorrectly, specifically not worn as intended by the manufacturer, and therefore may not provide the expected protective function. In order to determine whether the helmet is worn correctly, the sensor arrangement structure 210 includes a determination function to determine that the helmet is correctly positioned on the user's head, for example facing the direction intended by the manufacturer.

[0059] Figure 1B A cross section through the sagittal plane of the helmet is shown. Figure 1B In the embodiment, the helmet 130 is correctly positioned on the head 240 of the user 110, i.e., the head 240 is correctly located inside the helmet 130. The base structure 200 largely surrounds the head 240 so that the helmet 130 can provide its protective function. Here, the head 240 is positioned so that the helmet 130 is worn / securely worn and correctly positioned on the head 240. The wearing / secure wearing of the helmet 130 can be indicated by the closed fastening strap 190. Figure 1BThe helmet 130 in includes a first sensor element 220a arranged inside or near the fastening strap 190. The first sensor element 220a is only schematically depicted. The first sensor element 220a may be any suitable sensor element for determining the closure of the fastening strap, such as a Hall sensor, which determines that the two ends of the fastening strap 190 are arranged so close that it can only be closed as expected. In addition, the first sensor element 220a may be a proximity sensor and / or a temperature sensor that detects an object arranged nearby, specifically, the object may exhibit a specific temperature that is indicative of human body temperature and within the human body temperature range. For example, in the case where the temperature sensor detects the presence of an object with a temperature of substantially 38°C, this may be regarded as an indication that a part of the human body is arranged near the temperature sensor. Still further, the first sensor element may be a CO2 sensor element that reacts to a specific CO2 level. Here, recording an increased CO2 level compared to the CO2 level of the atmosphere may indicate that the first sensor element 220a is arranged near the user's mouth and is receiving exhaled air from the user, which typically has an increased CO2 level of approximately 4% compared to the typical CO2 level in the atmosphere of 0.04%. Based on the position where the first sensor element 220a implemented as a CO2 sensor is arranged, it can be inferred that the helmet 130 is worn by a living person.

[0060] The sensor arrangement 210 may also include a second sensor element 220b, which is arranged to detect whether the head protection device is correctly positioned on the user's head. In other words, the general determination that the head protection device is worn / safely worn by the user may have been performed by the first sensor element 220a alone, so that only the second sensor element 220b may be needed to determine that the head protection device is correctly positioned. In some embodiments, the determination that the helmet 130 is correctly positioned on the user's head may automatically or implicitly include the determination that the helmet is worn by the user. In order to determine that the helmet is correctly positioned on the user's head, the second sensor element 220b may be implemented as a sensor element suitable for determining the orientation of the helmet 130 relative to the user's head. In other words, the second sensor element 220b is able to determine whether the orientation of the worn helmet is as intended by the manufacturer, or, for example, 180° upside down.

[0061] The second sensor element 220b may be implemented as a brain wave sensor or a CO2 sensor. In this regard, it should be noted that a properly positioned / arranged brain wave sensor or CO2 sensor may provide the functionality of determining that the helmet is worn and that the helmet is correctly positioned on the user's head through the same, i.e., single sensor element. The brain wave sensor may be arranged near the surface of the human head and receive brain wave activity from the head. Based on the received wave pattern, the placement and / or orientation of the helmet relative to the user's head may be determined.

[0062] exist Figure 1B In the figure, the first sensor element 220a is illustratively arranged as a sensor for determining whether the fastening strap 190 is closed and / or a CO2 sensor arranged near the user's mouth, and the second sensor element 220b is illustratively arranged as a brain wave sensor at the surface of the user's head in the parietal lobe area and / or a CO2 sensor again arranged near the user's mouth.

[0063] The helmet 130 includes only Figure 1B 20 , which may be used to establish a communication connection 150 with another device or entity external to the helmet 130. It is conceivable that the helmet further comprises a processing element, a memory and / or a storage device, wherein the first sensor element 220a and / or the second sensor element 220b are connected to the processing element, the memory and / or the storage device, and the processing element, the memory and / or the storage device are specifically arranged to execute a program to determine the wearing state. Here, the helmet 130 may be arranged to directly establish the wearing state and transmit the wearing state to a separate device or entity, and / or the information or sensor readings from the first sensor element 220a and / or the second sensor element 220b may be transmitted to an external device or entity. In other words, the helmet 130 may analyze the sensor signal and determine the wearing state itself, and / or may simply transmit the sensor information to an external device or entity in order to determine the wearing state.

[0064] Reference now Figure 2 , in which a protection system according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0065] Figure 2 The protection system 100 of FIG. 1 shows a scenario in which a user 110 is using a two-wheeled vehicle 120, illustratively an electric scooter. However, it is contemplated that the concepts of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other vehicle types that require or benefit from wearing a helmet, such as, for example, a bicycle, a scooter, or a motorcycle. The user 110 will start a journey in the vehicle 120 and wear a head protection device 130, i.e., a helmet 130, in preparation for doing so. The protection system 100 may also include an external device 140, such as a smart phone, which may be specifically communicatively connected to at least one of the vehicle 120 and the helmet 130.

[0066] exist Figure 2In the embodiment of the present invention, the user 110 wears the helmet 130 in a correct manner, such as in the manner intended by the manufacturer, so that the helmet 130 provides the protective function in the event of an accident. Properly wearing the helmet 130 includes wearing the helmet 130, specifically wearing it securely so that the helmet 130 is not accidentally or unintentionally removed during an accident. Typically, such wearing or secure wearing can be achieved by correctly fastening the headband or fastening strap 190. In addition, correctly wearing includes correctly positioning the helmet on the user's head so that the helmet 130 can provide its intended and designed protective function.

[0067] To determine whether the helmet is worn correctly, refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1B As described, sensor information or sensor readings are used. When it has been determined that the user 110 is correctly wearing the helmet 130, such information can be transmitted from the helmet 130 to an external device or entity. For example, the helmet can transmit the wearing status to an external device 140, such as a smart phone. The smart phone can then display information about the wearing status, so that the user 110 receives positive information about its wearing status, and specifically receives information that the wearing status is correctly recorded. It is conceivable that the wearing status is incorrectly recorded, that is, displayed as abnormal, while the helmet is still worn as expected. This may be the result of a sensor failure, and a corresponding indication can allow the user to verify the correct positioning so that it is also recorded as a "normal" wearing state.

[0068] It is conceivable that the helmet 130 either directly transmits information about the wearing state, i.e., whether the wearing state is normal or abnormal, or transmits the reading of the sensor element so that another device or entity can determine the wearing state. The helmet 130 can transmit the wearing state and / or sensor data to at least one of an external device (i.e., a user's smartphone and / or a vehicle to be used by the user) and an external entity 160 (e.g., an insurance provider, a healthcare provider, or a local transportation agency) to provide information about the wearing state to such devices or entities. Any or all external devices or entities can act as a hub because they receive information about the wearing state and relay the information to other external devices or entities. For example, the helmet 130 can transmit the wearing state to the smartphone 140, which can then be connected to the vehicle 120 and / or the external entity 160 in communication. Therefore, the helmet 130 may not require the same communication functions as a smartphone, specifically, medium-range or long-range communication capabilities. Alternatively or in addition, the helmet may communicate directly with the vehicle 120 and / or the external entity 160 so that the user 110 may not need to use or own a smartphone to operate the vehicle 120. In other words, the helmet 130 may transmit the wearing status directly to the vehicle 120 and / or may transmit the wearing status to the external entity 160. Subsequently, the vehicle 120 and / or the external entity 160 may be connected in communication with the corresponding other device or entity. For example, the helmet may transmit the wearing status to the vehicle 120, which in turn may be connected in communication with the external entity 160, notifying the external entity about the trip that the user is about to start and whether the user is wearing a helmet showing that the wearing status is normal.

[0069] It is also conceivable that the user 130 can start the journey, i.e. start the vehicle and / or unlock the vehicle in the case of a powered vehicle, only if the wearing state is normal. In this scenario, the wearing state can be transmitted to any of the external devices or external entities, which in turn can authorize the use of the vehicle. For example, the helmet 130 can transmit to the smartphone 140 and / or the vehicle 120 (particularly via a short-range communication connection) that the user is wearing a helmet with a normal wearing state, and now the vehicle 120 can authorize the start of the journey, or the smartphone 140 can transmit to the vehicle 120 the authorization to start the journey. Still further, the external entity 160, upon receiving the normal wearing state, can authorize the start of the journey, for example, by transmitting it to the smartphone 140 and / or the vehicle 120.

[0070] In order to determine that the user 110 wearing the helmet 130 is the user who will use a specific vehicle 120, the closed position of the vehicle can be established. This can be established by a short-range communication connection, which can specifically bridge a distance of only a few cm / dm to 1-2m. During the journey, the position proximity can be monitored as needed or at defined intervals to ensure that the user who is registered as wearing the helmet in a normal state remains near the vehicle 120, so as to determine that the user must be operating or adjusting the vehicle 120.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, any of the described devices of the helmet 130, external device / smartphone 140, and vehicle 120 may include a position sensor 180, allowing a global position to be determined so that the proximity of the device can be determined by comparing the respective positions. Such a position sensor 180 may use a global positioning system such as Galileo or GPS.

[0072] Reference now Figure 3 , which shows a head protection method according to the present disclosure.

[0073] The head protection method (300) comprises the following steps: detecting (310) a wearing state of a head protection device worn by a user, wherein the wearing state indicates whether the user wears the head protection device correctly; and transmitting (320) a signal to an external device and / or entity, wherein the signal includes information indicating the wearing state.

[0074] The head protection method (300) may further include the steps of determining (330) that a user of the head protection device is operating and / or adjusting the vehicle, in particular when the vehicle is driving, and / or initiating (340) restrictions and / or measures based on determining whether the vehicle user is correctly wearing the head protection device.

[0075] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept described herein. Any feature described above and below may be used alone or in combination with any other feature described herein, provided that they are not mutually exclusive, and the present disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

[0076] Finally, it should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Elements described with respect to different types of embodiments may be combined. Reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0077] Reference numerals list

[0078] 100 Protection System

[0079] 110 users

[0080] 120 Vehicles

[0081] 130 Head protection / helmets

[0082] 140 External devices / mobile computing devices

[0083] 150A-f Communication Connection

[0084] 160 External Entity

[0085] 170 Vehicle communication components

[0086] 180a-c Position Sensor

[0087] 190 Fastening belt

[0088] 200 Infrastructure

[0089] 210 Sensor Arrangement

[0090] 220A,b first sensor element, second sensor element 230 Communication Components

[0091] 240 Head

[0092] 300 Head protection method

[0093] 310 Detection...

[0094] 320 Transmission...

[0095] 330 Confirm...

[0096] 340 Start...

Claims

1. A head protection device (130), comprising: a base structure (200) for receiving at least a portion of a head (240) of a user of the head restraint, a sensor arrangement (210) adapted to detect a wearing state, wherein the wearing state indicates whether the user is wearing the head protection device correctly, and a communication element (230) adapted to transmit a signal (150) to an external device and / or entity, The signal includes information indicating the wearing status.

2. A head restraint according to the preceding claim, The sensor arrangement is adapted to independently detect that the user is wearing the head restraint and that the head restraint is correctly positioned on the head of the user.

3. Head restraint according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least a first sensor element (220a) and a second sensor element (220b), wherein the sensor elements are arranged as independent sensor elements, wherein the first sensor element is arranged to detect that the head protection device is securely worn by the user, and wherein the second sensor element is arranged to detect that the head restraint is correctly positioned on the head of the user, And specifically wherein the first sensor element is a sensor for detecting the closure of a fastening strap (190) for fastening the head restraint to the head of the user, in particular a Hall sensor, a proximity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor or a CO2 sensor, and The second sensor element is a sensor element for detecting that the head protection device is correctly positioned on the head of the user, specifically a brain wave sensor or a CO2 sensor.

4. A protection system (100), comprising The head restraint according to at least one of the preceding claims, and A vehicle (120) to be operated and / or adjusted by a user of the head restraint The vehicle includes a vehicle communication element (170) adapted to transmit a vehicle signal to an external device (140) and / or an entity (160), The vehicle signal includes information indicating an operating condition of the vehicle.

5. Protection system according to the preceding claim, wherein the restraint system is arranged to determine that the user of the head restraint is operating and / or adjusting the vehicle, in particular when the vehicle is driving, and further in particular Wherein the restraint system is adapted to transmit a signal to the external device and / or entity, wherein the signal comprises information indicating whether the user of the head restraint is wearing the head restraint and / or whether the user of the head restraint is operating and / or adjusting the vehicle.

6. The protection system according to the preceding claim, the vehicle further comprising A vehicle communication element (170) is adapted to transmit (150f, d) signals to an external device and / or entity. 7 . The head restraint or the restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication element of the head restraint and / or the vehicle communication element is adapted to transmit the signal using a near field communication method.

8. The head restraint or restraint system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the external device is at least one of a mobile computing device and / or the vehicle, and / or The external entity is a computing system, specifically a cloud-based computing system.

9. The head restraint or the protection system according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a position sensor (180a) for determining a global position of the head restraint, wherein the communication element of the head restraint is adapted to transmit position information of the head restraint to the external device and / or entity, and / or a vehicle position sensor (180b) for determining a global position of the vehicle, The vehicle communication element is adapted to transmit location information of the vehicle to the external device and / or entity.

10. The head restraint or the restraint system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the head restraint, the restraint system, the external device and / or the external entity is adapted to initiate restrictions and / or measures depending on determining whether the user of the vehicle is correctly wearing the head restraint.

11. A head protection method (300), the head protection method comprising the following steps detecting (310) a wearing state of a head protection device worn by a user, wherein the wearing status indicates whether the user wears the head protection device correctly; and transmitting (320) a signal to an external device and / or entity, The signal includes information indicating the wearing status.

12. Head protection method according to the preceding claim, Wherein detecting the wearing state includes independently determining that the user is wearing the head protection device and that the head protection device is correctly positioned on the head of the user.

13. The head protection method according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising: It is determined ( 330 ) that the user of the head restraint is operating and / or adjusting the vehicle, particularly while the vehicle is traveling.

14. Head protection method according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising Restrictions and / or measures are initiated ( 340 ) based on determining whether the user of the vehicle is properly wearing the head restraint.

15. A computer program product or a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing element, cause at least one of a processing device, an external device and an external entity to perform the steps of the method according to at least one of the preceding claims.

Images