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US 12,653,262 B2Granted
Helmets with automated systems and methods of using the same
AssigneePOC Sweden AB
InventorsPhilip Åke Magni Malmegård, Oscar Huss, Johan Weman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Helmet-mounted systems (100) that may include lighting systems (102) and solar-powered battery systems (112), automated controls (116), and/or integrated sensors (104) that result in an automated and fully integrated systems that do not require user-initiated recharging of batteries or require a user to manually turn the components of the system on and off.
Claims29
A helmet, comprising:
- an energy absorbing layer having an inner surface;
- at least one electrical component coupled to the helmet;
- at least one capacitive proximity sensor electrode disposed proximate the inner surface of the energy absorbing layer;
- and
- a controller electrically connected to the at least one electrical component and the at least one electrode, the controller configured to generate an electric field at the electrode and receive a proximity sensor signal that detects when the helmet is being worn by detecting a change in the electric field caused by the presence of a user's head inside of the helmet, wherein the controller is configured to activate and deactivate the at least one electrical component according to the proximity sensor signal;
- wherein the at least one electrical component includes a lighting system that includes a lighting module disposed on an outer surface of the helmet that includes at least one light emitting element, the controller is configured to activate the at least one light emitting element when the proximity sensor signal indicates the helmet is being worn;
- wherein the lighting system includes an ambient light sensor, the controller is configured to activate the at least one light emitting element when the proximity sensor signal indicates the helmet is being worn and the ambient light sensor indicates ambient light is below a threshold value;
- and wherein the controller is configured to activate the at least one light emitting element in an intermittent flashing mode and compare a signal of the ambient light sensor to the threshold value during time periods of the intermittent flashing mode when the at least one light emitting element is off to determine whether to activate the at least one light emitting element.
5 more elements
A method of controlling a helmet lighting system of a helmet with a controller embedded in the helmet according to instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the instructions including:
- providing an electrical current to an electrode of a capacitive proximity sensor to generate an electric field at the electrode, the electrode located proximate an inner surface of the helmet;
- receiving a proximity sensor signal that detects when the helmet is being worn by detecting a change in the electric field caused by the presence of a user's head inside of the helmet;
- turning a light source of the lighting system on in response to the proximity sensor signal indicating the presence of a user's head in the helmet and an ambient light sensor signal of an ambient light sensor coupled to the helmet below a threshold value;
- wherein the step of turning the light source on includes turning the light source on in a flashing light mode;
- turning the light source off when the ambient light sensor signal during off portions of the flashing light mode indicate the ambient light is above the threshold value;
- and keeping the light source on when the ambient light sensor signal during the off portions is below the threshold value.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.