Patent Application
20190184892
The present invention relates generally to signaling apparatus, and, more particularly, to apparatus for use by the operators of motorcycles and the like to signal turns, braking, and alarm events.
A study of road accidents involving motorcycles in the United States concluded that about 75% of motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle, usually an automobile. In most of these accidents, the failure of the motorist in the automobile to see the motorcycle was a major contributing factor. H. H. Hurt et al., Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures Volume I: Technical Report, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Publication Number: NHTSA-DOT-HS-5-01160, 1981. Motorcycles are small relative to automobiles. In addition, automobile drivers are generally not as attune to recognizing and detecting motorcycles when compared to other automobiles. Lastly, motorcycles do not typically include signal indicators (i.e., turn signals and brake signals) that are as large, as high, and as visible as those found on automobiles. A frequent accident profile involves an automobile driver driving into the back of a stopped motorcycle because the automobile driver fails to notice the stationary motorcycle in his or her path of travel. Because a motorcycle provides little protection to its rider, such accidents almost always have catastrophic consequences for the rider.
Conspicuity of motorcycles is therefore a critical factor in preventing multiple vehicle accidents involving motorcycles. As a result, there is a need for apparatus that enhance the conspicuousness of motorcycles and other smaller-profile vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles.
Embodiments of the present invention address the above-identified needs by providing signaling apparatus for use by the operator of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snow mobile, or the like. The signaling apparatus have the advantage of providing a light array capable of providing turn and brake signals that is mountable to the helmet of the operator, aiding with conspicuity. Movement sensors are also provided that may detect theft and accident events, allowing appropriate alarms to be generated and broadcast.
Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus for use by a driver of a vehicle that has a left turn signal, a right turn signal, and a brake signal. The apparatus comprises display circuitry and base circuitry. The display circuitry comprises a plurality of lights, and is adapted to be supported by the driver while the driver is operating the vehicle. The base circuitry is in wireless communication with the display circuitry, is adapted to detect activation of the turn signals and the brake signal, and comprises one or more movement sensors operative to detect movement of the vehicle. The apparatus is operative to activate at least some of the plurality of lights in response to activation of the left turn signal, as well as to activate at least some of the plurality of lights in response to activation of the right turn signal. Moreover, the apparatus is further operative to activate at least some of the plurality of lights in response to activation of the brake signal. The base circuitry is operative to broadcast an accident alarm in response to detection by the one or more movement sensors of movement of the vehicle suggestive of a traffic accident
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The present invention will be described with reference to illustrative embodiments. For this reason, numerous modifications can be made to these embodiments and the results will still come within the scope of the invention. No limitations with respect to the specific embodiments described herein are intended or should be inferred. For example, while the embodiments described below are focused on applications related to motorcycles, aspects of the invention are more generally applicable to any vehicle in which a significant portion of the rider is visible from the rear of the vehicle such as, but not limited to, ATVs, trikes, and snowmobiles.
The display unit 105 will preferably be bendable so that it may conform to the curvature of the helmet 1010. Display circuitry within the display unit 105 may, for example, be mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The display unit's housing may likewise be somewhat flexible, being formed of an elastomeric material such as, for example, a synthetic plastic or rubber. The display circuitry may be potted to aid with water resistance and overall robustness.
The display unit 105 may be attached to the helmet 1010 of the motorcycle rider 1000 in several different ways. Attachment means include, but are not limited to, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, double-sided tape, or some form of mounting hardware like a set of clips or brackets. In some embodiments, the display unit 105 may be built into the helmet 1010 itself.
Each of the base microcontroller 130, base communication circuitry 135, and sensor circuitry 140 is powered by the electrical system of the motorcycle 1005 (power 1030). A voltage regulator (not shown) may be included in the base unit 125 if desired. The voltage regulator may, for example, regulate the motorcycle power 1030 down to five volts direct-current power.
The display unit 105 comprises a display microcontroller 145, a battery 150, display communication circuitry 155, LED driver circuitry 160, and the LED light array 120. Here, power 1030 is from the battery 150. The battery 150 is preferably rechargeable and may comprise, for example, one or more lithium-ion battery cells. A power connection on the display unit 105 (e.g., a mini-USB plug) may facilitate access to outside power sources for charging.
Microcontrollers are regularly utilized in discrete electronics and thus their implementation will already be familiar to one having ordinary skill in the relevant arts. In addition, details of the configuration, function, and programming of microcontrollers may be found in various readily available publications including, for example, A. V. Deshmukh, Microcontrollers: Theory and Applications, Tata McGraw-Hill Education, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. A suitable microcontroller for use as the base and display microcontrollers 130, 145, as just one example, is a MSP430 Ultra-Low Power 1030 16-Bit Microcontroller manufactured by Texas Instruments® (Dallas, Tex., USA). Nevertheless, there are myriad other choices and those alternatives would come within the scope of the invention.
As indicated above, the base communication circuitry 135 communicates wirelessly with the display communication circuitry 155 as well as with the network 1015.
The LED driver circuitry 160 in the display unit 105 receives instructions from the display microcontroller 145 and controls the LED light array 120, producing turn and brake signals as appropriate. The lights of the LED light array 120 may be variously commanded to remain continuously illuminated, flash with various duty cycles and patterns, and illuminate more or less brightly.
Finally,
Once so configured, the signaling apparatus 100 may fulfil the various functions set forth above.
Both theft and accident alarms are facilitated by the sensor circuitry 140, which, as mentioned above, is directed at measuring various aspects of movement. The illustrative signaling apparatus 100 is able to take on three modes, a safety mode associated with detecting traffic accidents, a security mode directed at detecting unauthorized movement (e.g., theft) of the motorcycle 1005, and finally, an off-mode where no alarms are broadcast no matter what is detected. In the present illustrative embodiment, these three modes may be conveniently activated utilizing an application (often just called an “app”) running on the personal computing device 1020.
When in safety mode, the signaling apparatus 100 functions somewhat differently, and instead of being triggered by any movement, as was the case in the security mode, is instead continuously monitoring the sensor circuitry 140 in step 255 for movement (i.e., motion) suggestive of a traffic accident. Such movement may include movement indicating: an abrupt stop and/or an abrupt acceleration suggestive of a collision; a sudden tilting movement suggestive of the motorcycle 1005 falling over; spinning movement suggestive of the motorcycle 1005 rotating uncontrolled on the road; and the like. In each case, the data from the sensors 210, 215, 220 may be compared to an envelope of what is considered normal motion when a motorcycle is under control and in ordinary traffic conditions. When a sensor 210, 215, 220 provides data that falls outside that “normal” envelope, an accident is assumed, and the base unit 125 here again broadcasts an alarm in step 260, in this case, an accident alarm. The accident alarm is disseminated by the network 1015 and personal computing device 1020 to the various emergency contacts. The alarm in step 260 also includes the location of the motorcycle 1005, as determined by the GPS 210. Upon detection of an accident, appropriate lights in the LED light array 120 on the helmet 1010 of the motorcycle rider 1000 are also activated in step 265. The lights may be caused to, for example, flash brightly so that other traffic will be alerted to the location of the possibly-injured driver.
It is therefore contemplated that a user of the signaling apparatus 100 would place the signaling apparatus 100 in security mode when leaving the motorcycle 1005 unattended and concerned about theft, and will place the signaling apparatus 100 in safety mode when riding the motorcycle 1005 and concerned about traffic accidents. The illustrative signaling apparatus 100 thereby provides several advantages beyond the increased conspicuity provided by the display unit 105 on the rider's helmet 1010. It also provides a means of recovering a stolen motorcycle 1005, and perhaps even more importantly, a means of signaling for help if the rider 1000 is involved in an accident. In the latter case, the location of the accident is transmitted, and the proper authorities may be quickly and accurately alerted so that response time is minimized.
Once understood from the description provided above, the signaling apparatus 100 may be manufactured utilizing common manufacturing techniques that will already be familiar to one skilled in the relevant arts. Electronic components for the various circuits may be sourced commercially from, as just one example, Mouser Electronics® Inc. (Mansfield, Tex., USA).
It should again be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative only. Other embodiments can use different types and arrangements of elements for implementing the described functionality. These numerous alternative embodiments within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
For example, while a particular arrangement of circuitry is provided herein, one having ordinary skill in the electronics arts will recognize that there are several ways of accomplishing the desired functionality, and those alternative designs will also come within the scope of the invention. In some case, as an example, digital components may be replaced by analog components, if so desired.
Moreover, additional features may be added to an apparatus that falls within the scope of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, for example, an apparatus might include a transponder that communicates with other nearby vehicles or traffic signals.
All the features disclosed herein may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purposes, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function or “step for” performing a specified function is not to be interpreted as a “means for” or “step for” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6.
