Safety helmet light

Abstract

A safety helmet having a light unit mounted on or embedded within the helmet is disclosed. The light unit may include a substrate, a light module, a microcontroller, an accelerometer, and a haptic element. The light module may include a left turn signal light, a brake light, and a right turn signal light. The microcontroller may include a processor operable to receive stored instructions from a memory and execute the instructions to cause illumination of the left turn signal light, the brake light, and the right turn signal light. The accelerometer is in signal communication with the microcontroller and is operable to detect acceleration of a shell wall of the helmet, and send signals indicative of the acceleration to the microcontroller. The haptic element may be mounted on the substrate. The haptic element is in signal communication with the substrate and is operable to provide haptic feedback to the substrate.

Description

SAFETY HELMET LIGHTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 550,286 filed February 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] Lighting, and in particular, lighting of safety helmets in which enhanced visibility of the helmet and the wearer of the helmet is an important attribute. Background Art

[0003] In the operation of motor vehicles such as trucks, automobiles, and motorcycles on public highways, rearwardly directed lighting is an essential safety feature. Such lighting includes brake lights and left / right directional lights.

[0004] One of the major risks in the operation of motor vehicles on public highways is the risk of a rear-end or side collision, i.e. , the risk to the vehicle operator being struck from the rear or side by another vehicle. One of the main reasons that this risk is high is due to insufficient visibility and placement of the rearward lighting of the vehicle. This is particularly the case in the operation of bicycles and motorcycles on public highways. There is a need for supplementary lighting that may be worn by the rider of a bicycle or motorcycle, and that provides enhanced visibility of the rider and vehicle.SUMMARY

[0005] One way to enhance the visibility of motorcycles and their riders is to provide a light unit that is mounted on or embedded within the rider’s helmet. The light unit may be operated synchronously with the lighting of the motorcycle; or independently, but synchronously with the operation of the motorcycle. (In other words, the light unit may provide a brake light when the motorcycle is decelerating, a left turn light when the motorcycle is about to make a left turn, and a right turn light when the motorcycle is about to make a right turn.) Examples of such lights may be found in commonly owned U.S. Patent 7,218,214, published PCT Appl. No. WO 2018 / 222961 , published PCT Appl. No. WO2020 / 247395, and published PCT Appl. No. WO 2023 / 201100, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] A light unit according to the present disclosure may include a substrate, a light module, a microcontroller, an accelerometer, and a haptic element. The light module may be mounted on the substrate and comprise a left turn signal light, a brake light, and a right turn signal light. The microcontroller may be mounted on the substrate and comprise a memory, and a processor operable to receive stored instructions from the memory and execute the instructions to cause illumination of the left turn signal light, the brake light, and the right turn signal light. The accelerometer may be mounted on the substrate. The accelerometer is in signal communication with the microcontroller and is operable to detect acceleration of a shell wall of the helmet, and send signals indicative of the acceleration to the microcontroller. The haptic element may be mounted on the substrate. The haptic element is in signal communication with the substrate and is operable to provide haptic feedback to the substrate or to the shell wall of the helmet. The light unit may be further comprised of a transceiver in signal communication with the microcontroller.

[0007] In some cases, instead of using an accelerometer as a position and motion sensing device, a high precision high speed global positioning system (GPS) module may be used as a position and motion sensing device, which provides the same function as an accelerometer.

[0008] In some cases, the light module, microcontroller, accelerometer, and haptic element may be directly mounted on (including being embedded within) a protective shell wall of a helmet, instead of being mounted on a substrate.

[0009] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a light unit on a protective shell wall of a helmet is provided. The method is comprised of imparting a haptic signal indicative of one of a left turn, or a right turn into the shell wall of the helmet; detecting the haptic signal with the accelerometer, and sending a signal corresponding to the left turn or right turn haptic signal from the accelerometer to the microcontroller; sending a signal from the microcontroller to cause the left turn signal to be lighted if the haptic signal is indicative of a left turn; and sending a signal from the microcontroller to cause the right turn signal to be lighted if the haptic signal is indicative of a right turn.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present disclosure will be provided with reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a safety helmet with a light unit of the present disclosure affixed thereto;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a safety helmet with a light unit of the present disclosure affixed thereto, and showing the light unit being operable by the touch of the helmet wearer’s hand;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of certain components of the light unit of the present disclosure; and

[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method of operating the light unit of the present disclosure.

[0015] The present invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] For a general understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. The drawings are to be considered exemplary, and are for purposes of illustration only. The dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary. Certain features in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and are rendered for simplicity of illustration.

[0017] In the following disclosure, a light unit is described in the context of its use as lighting on a safety helmet, such as a motorcycle helmet. However, such lights are not to be construed as being limited only to use on safety helmets. The lights of the present disclosure are adaptable to any use in which user-controlled light is desirable to be provided from a light source.

[0018] Additionally, the present disclosure may identify certain components with the adjectives “top,” “upper,” “bottom,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” etc. These adjectives are provided in the context of use of the lights of the present disclosure on a safety helmet and in the context of the orientation of the drawings. The present disclosure is not to be construed as limiting the lights disclosed herein to use in a particular spatial orientation. The lights of the present disclosure may be used in orientations other than those shown and described herein.

[0019] It is also to be understood that any connection references used herein (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, mounted, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.

[0020] The terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] The terms "about" and "substantially" are used herein with respect to measurable values and ranges due to expected variations known to those skilled in the art (e.g., limitations and variabilities in measurements).

[0022] For purposes of this disclosure, the conjunction “or” is to be construed inclusively (e.g., “a wrench or a screwdriver” would be interpreted as “a wrench, or a screwdriver, or both”; e.g., “a wrench, a screwdriver, or a hammer” would be interpreted as “a wrench, or a screwdriver, or a hammer, or any two, or all three”), unless: (i) it is explicitly stated otherwise, e.g., by use of “either... or,” “only one of,” or similar language; or (ii) two or more of the listed alternatives are mutually exclusive within the particular context, in which case “or” would encompass only those combinations involving non-mutually-exclusive alternatives.

[0023] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary light unit 100 according to the present disclosure. Referring also to FIG. 3, the light unit 100 is joined to a protective shell wall 12 of a safety helmet 10. The light unit 100 includes a substrate 110, a light module120, a microcontroller 130, an accelerometer 140, and a haptic element 150. In some cases, the substrate 110 may be a printed circuit board that includes various conductive pathways between the electrical and electronic components of the light unit 100. In other cases, the substrate may be a housing 112 that encloses the various components of the light unit 100. The housing 112 may include a transparent cover 114 or lens that permits light to emanate from the light unit 100 as will be described subsequently.

[0024] The light module 120 may be mounted on the substrate 110. The light module 120 is comprised of a left turn signal light 122L, a brake light 124, and a rightturn signal light 122R. The microcontroller 130 may be mounted on the substrate 110. The microcontroller 130 is comprised of a memory 132, and a processor 134 operable to receive stored instructions from the memory 132 and execute the instructions to cause illumination of the left turn signal light 122L, the brake light 124, and the right turn signal light 122R.

[0025] The accelerometer 140 may be mounted on the substrate 110. The accelerometer 140 is in signal communication with the microcontroller 130 and is operable to detect acceleration of the shell wall 12 of the helmet 10, and send signals indicative of the acceleration to the microcontroller 130. The haptic element 150 may be mounted on the substrate 110. The haptic element 150 is in signal communication with the substrate 110 and is operable to provide haptic feedback to the substrate 110, which by virtue of the joining of the substrate 110 to the shell 12 of the helmet 110, provides haptic feedback to the shell wall 12 of the helmet 10, which can be felt by the wearer of the helmet 10. The light unit 100 may be further comprised of a transceiver 160 in signal communication with the microcontroller 130.

[0026] In some cases, the light module 120, microcontroller 130, accelerometer 140, and haptic element 150 may be directly mounted on (including being embedded within) the protective shell wall 12 of the helmet 10, instead of being mounted on a substrate 110. In such cases, haptic feedback is provided directly from the haptic element to the shell wall 12 of the helmet 10, which is felt by the wearer of the helmet 10.

[0027] The relationship between the various components of the light unit 100, and the manner in which they work together to provide a lighted safety helmet 10 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart depicting a method 200 of operating the light unit 100 of the present disclosure. The method 200 is performed by the wearer of the helmet 10 interacting with the helmet 10, and with the microcontroller 130 executing instructions stored in the memory 132 of the microcontroller 130.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, the lighting unit 100 may initially be in a “sleep” mode 205, during which the lighting unit 100 and helmet 10 are substantially motionless. The instructions in the microcontroller 130 indicate that in view of the lack of motion (which if occurring would be detected by the accelerometer 130), the helmet 10 and lighting unit 100 are not in use. In such an instance, sleep mode 205 is performed, in which the microcontroller 130 minimizes electrical power consumption by the various components, thus extending life of the battery 170.

[0029] Even during sleep mode 205, the accelerometer 140 is maintained as functional and in signal communication with the microcontroller 130. Thus, when a user of the helmet 10 picks the helmet 10 up off a storage surface or hanger (not shown), or taps the helmet 10, the accelerometer 140 detects this motion and communicates it to the microcontroller 130. The microcontroller 130 interprets this motion as a “wake up” signal being received 210; the helmet 10 and lighting unit 100 are about to be placed in use. The microcontroller 130 puts the lighting unit in “standby mode” 220, in which the microcontroller 130 and other components are fully powered up, so that the lighting unit 100 is ready to use. The microcontroller 130 awaits further inputs, which may result in the left turn signal light 122L, the brake light 124, and / or the right turn signal light 122R being illuminated.

[0030] It is noted that other wake up signals may be used to cause the transition from sleep mode 205 to standby mode 220. For example, the transceiver 160 of the lighting unit 110 may receive a wake up signal from a smartphone (not shown) or other communication device (not shown), and communicate such wake up signal to the microcontroller130. When the microcontroller 130 places the light unit 100 in standby mode 220, the microcontroller 130 may be programmed with instructions to provide a confirming signal to a haptic feedback device 150. The haptic feedback device 150 may be a vibratory element, a buzzer, or other audible alarm. Thus, when the microcontroller 130 first detects a wake up signal 210 and places the light unit 100 in standby mode, the microcontroller 130 operates the haptic feedback device 150, providing a corresponding brief series of vibration blips or buzzes, which the operator / wearer of the helmet 10 will feel or hear. In that manner, the operator knows that the lighting unit 100 is awake and ready to operate.

[0031] During standby mode, the microcontroller continuously checks to determine 230 if an operation signal has been received. The operation signal may be to illuminate the left turn signal light 122L, the brake light 124, or the right turn signal light 122R. In some cases, the operation signal may be a signal input 240 by the wearer of the helmet 10 (i.e., the “operator”). In one case, the operator may provide a haptic signal, which may be a single tap of the operator’s hand 2 against the shell 12 of the helmet 10. The tap is sufficiently sharp so as to be detected by the accelerometer 140, which in turn sends a “single tap” signal 240L to the microcontroller 130. The microcontroller 130 then illuminates 250L the left turn signal light 122L.

[0032] In the typical operation of a motorcycle or bicycle, the operator will want to signal a left of right turn in advance of such a turn, and will want the left or right turnsignal light to be operating until the turn is completed. Per conventional vehicle turn signal practice, the operator will want the turn signal to flash during this period. Accordingly, the microcontroller 130 executes instructions for a multi-flash cycle 255L, causing the left turn signal 122L to flash during the approach and execution of the turn.

[0033] The microcontroller 130 may be programmed to execute the multi-flash cycle 255L for a predetermined amount of time (such as for 10 seconds). At the end of the signal light flash time, the microcontroller 130 checks to determine if a “continue” signal 260L has been received. In some cases, the continue signal 260L may be the operator repeating the haptic signal of another one tap to the helmet shell 12. In other cases, the accelerometer 140 may be used to determine if the left turn has or has not been completed. If the accelerometer 140 detects and signals that the leftward lateral turning acceleration is continuing, the microcontroller 130 will interpret that as a continue signal 260L, and maintain the left turn signal light 122L flashing. In either case, when a continue signal 260L is not detected, the operation of the left turn signal lightl 22L will be halted by the microcontroller 130, and the lighting unit 100 will revert to standby mode 220.

[0034] The operation of the right turn signal light 122R by the microcontroller is similar to that of the left turn signal light 122L. In some cases, the haptic signal provided by the operator may be a double tap 240R of the operator’s hand 2 against the shell 12 of the helmet 10. The accelerometer 140 sends a “double tap” signal 240R to the microcontroller 130. The microcontroller 130 then illuminates 250R the right turn signal light 122R, which may be operated in a multi-flash cycle 255R, until a continue signal 260R is not received by the microcontroller 130.

[0035] In some cases, instead of using the accelerometer 140 as a position and motion sensing device, a high precision high speed global positioning system (GPS) module 145 may be used as a position and motion sensing device in communication with the microcontroller 130 The GPS module 145 provides the same function as the accelerometer 140 described above.

[0036] In some cases, when a haptic signal such as a single tap or double tap is communicated to the microcontroller 130, the microcontroller 130 may be programmed with instructions to provide a confirming signal 245L / 245R to the haptic feedback device 150. By way of example, when the microcontroller 130 detects the operator’s haptic single tap indicative of an upcoming left turn, the microcontroller 130 operates the haptic feedback device 150, providing a corresponding single vibration blip or buzz 245L, which the operator / wearer of the helmet 10 will feel or hear. In that manner, theoperator knows that his haptic input signal was received by the lighting unit 100, and that it is executing the lighting of the left turn signal 122L. In like manner, when the microcontroller 130 detects the operator’s haptic double tap indicative of an upcoming right turn, the microcontroller 130 operates the haptic feedback device 150, providing a corresponding double vibration blip or buzz 245R detectable by the operator. The haptic feedback device 150 may also be used to communicate other conditions to the operator, such as a battery low condition.

[0037] During standby mode, the microcontroller 130 also continuously checks to determine 230 if another type of operation signal has been received. This is detection of a signal 270 from the accelerometer 140 that deceleration of the helmet 10 (and motorcycle, bicycle, etc.) has been detected. If such a signal 270 has been detected, the microcontroller 130 then illuminates 280 brake light 124. The microcontroller 130 may provide a haptic feedback signal such as three blips to the haptic feedback device 150, informing the operator that the brake light 124 has been turned on. The brake light 124 may be maintained illuminated until the accelerometer 140 no longer detects deceleration. If deceleration has ended 293, the microcontroller 130 may then turn the brake light 124 off. Alternatively, the microcontroller 130 may check 298 to determine if a “continue” signal has been received. In some cases, the continue signal may be the operator providing a haptic signal of e.g., three taps to the helmet shell 12. From that point, the microcontroller 130 maintains the brake light 240 illuminated for a predetermined amount of time (such as e.g., 10 seconds) and again checks for deceleration 293 and a further haptic continue signal 298, and if neither signal is present, the microcontroller 130 turns the brake light 124 off. Standby mode 220 is resumed.

[0038] The lighting unit 100 may also be provided with “hazard” light capability in which both the left turn signal light 122L and the right turn signal light 122R, and optionally the brake light 124 flash simultaneously. In some cases, this mode may be triggered by the operator performing four taps of his hand 2 against the shell 12 of the helmet 10. The hazard mode may continue to operate for a predetermined time counted by the microcontroller 130 and / or until the operator issues four taps again, signaling the microcontroller 130 to cease hazard mode.

[0039] Referring again to FIG. 3, in some cases, a gate 127L that is operable by the microcontroller 130 may be provided. The gate 127L is an “electronic relay” which functions as a normally open switch. When gate 127L is energized, the switch is closed, thus allowing power from battery 170 to pass through gate 127L, and onthrough a conductor to left turn signal light 122L, to turn left turn signal light 122L on. In like manner, gates 128 and 127R operable by the microcontroller 130 may be provided for operating brake light 124 and right turn signal light 122R, respectively.

[0040] In some cases, the respective lights may be groups of light emitting diode LED lights. Left turn signal light 122L may be provided by LEDs 123L, brake light 124 may be provided by LEDs 125, and right turn signal light 122R may be provided by LEDs 123R. In some cases, some or all of the LEDs may be color changing LEDs, with output colors such as red for braking and orange for turn signals. In such a case, when the brake light 124 is to be provided, and no turn operation signal 240 is received, the entire bank of LEDs 123L, 125, and 123R may be operated in red lighting mode, thereby providing an extra bright brake light.

[0041] It is therefore apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present disclosure, a light unit and a lighted safety helmet. The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . A lighted helmet comprising: a) a helmet comprising a protective shell wall; b) a light module comprising a left turn signal light, a brake light, and a right turn signal light; c) a microcontroller comprising a memory, and a processor operable to receive stored instructions from the memory and execute the instructions to cause illumination of the left turn signal light, the brake light, and the right turn signal light; d) an accelerometer in signal communication with the microcontroller and operable to detect acceleration of the shell wall of the helmet, and send signals indicative of the acceleration to the microcontroller; and e) a haptic element in signal communication with the helmet and operable to provide haptic feedback to the shell wall of the helmet.

2. The lighted helmet of claim 1 , wherein the light module is joined directly to the shell wall of the helmet.

3. The lighted helmet of claim 1 , wherein the left turn signal light, the brake light, and the right turn signal light are embedded in the shell wall of the helmet.

4. The lighted helmet of claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is joined directly to the shell wall of the helmet.

5. The lighted helmet of claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller, light module, accelerometer, and haptic element are mounted on a substrate, and the substrate is joined to the shell wall of the helmet.

6. The lighted helmet of claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver in signal communication with the microcontroller.

7. The lighted helmet of claim 1 , further comprising:; a) a first gate in signal communication with the left turn signal light, and operable upon receiving a left turn signal from the microcontroller to connect the left turn signal light to an electrical power source and cause the left turn signal light to be illuminated;b) a second gate in signal communication with the right turn signal light, and operable upon receiving a right turn signal from the microcontroller to connect the right turn signal light to the electrical power source and cause the right turn signal light to be illuminated; and c) a third gate in signal communication with the brake light, and operable upon receiving a braking signal from the microcontroller to connect the brake light to the electrical power source and cause the brake light to be illuminated.

8. A light unit comprising: a) a substrate; b) a light module mounted on the substrate and comprising a left turn signal light, a brake light, and a right turn signal light; c) a microcontroller mounted on the substrate and comprising a memory, and a processor operable to receive stored instructions from the memory and execute the instructions to cause illumination of the left turn signal light, the brake light, and the right turn signal light; d) an accelerometer mounted on the substrate and in signal communication with the microcontroller and operable to detect acceleration of the shell wall of the helmet, and send signals indicative of the acceleration to the microcontroller; and e) a haptic element mounted on the substrate and in signal communication with the substrate and operable to provide haptic feedback to the substrate.

9. The light unit of claim 8, further comprising a transceiver in signal communication with the microcontroller.

10. The light unit of claim 8, further comprising: a) a first gate in signal communication with the left turn signal light, and operable upon receiving a left turn signal from the microcontroller to connect the left turn signal light to an electrical power source and cause the left turn signal light to be illuminated; b) a second gate in signal communication with the right turn signal light, and operable upon receiving a right turn signal from the microcontroller to connect the right turn signal light to the electrical power source and cause the right turn signal light to be illuminated; andc) a third gate in signal communication with the brake light, and operable upon receiving a braking signal from the microcontroller to connect the brake light to the electrical power source and cause the brake light to be illuminated.11 . A method of operating a light unit on a protective shell wall of a helmet, the light unit comprising: a light module comprised of a left turn signal light, a brake light, and a right turn signal light; a microcontroller comprising a memory, and a processor operable to receive stored instructions from the memory and execute the instructions to cause illumination of the left turn signal light, the brake light, and the right turn signal light; an accelerometer in signal communication with the microcontroller and operable to detect acceleration of the shell wall of the helmet, and send signals indicative of the acceleration to the microcontroller; and a haptic element in signal communication with the helmet and operable to provide haptic feedback to the shell wall of the helmet; and the method comprising: imparting a haptic signal indicative of one of a left turn, or a right turn, into the shell wall of the helmet; detecting the haptic signal with the accelerometer, and sending a signal corresponding to the left turn signal or the right turn haptic signal from the accelerometer to the microcontroller; and sending a signal from the microcontroller to cause the left turn signal light to be lighted if the haptic signal is indicative of a left turn, and sending a signal from the microcontroller to cause the right turn signal light to be lighted if the haptic signal is indicative of a right turn.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising providing a haptic feedback signal to the wearer of the helmet upon sending a signal to cause the right turn signal light or the left turn signal light to be illuminated.

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