Helmet mounted brake lights
OwnerWilliam Scott Whitinginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A helmet lighting system for a motorcycle helmet includes a transmitter mounted on a motorcycle for broadcasting a radio-frequency signal to a receiver mounted on the motorcycle helmet. The transmitter includes a microprocessor that is connected to the brake light circuit, the running light circuit, the turn signal circuits and hazard circuit of the motorcycle. When one of the motorcycle lighting circuits is energized, the transmitter microprocessor generates and broadcasts a radio-frequency signal containing a function-specific code. The receiver receives the code and signals a pulse generator to create a function-specific electrical pulse package in a circuit containing a plurality of light emitting diodes to thereby simulate a running light, brake light, turn indicator or hazard light.
Claims24
A lighting system for use with a vehicle having at least one light circuit, said system comprising:
- a transmitter adapted for attachment to said vehicle, said transmitter for transmitting a code in response to a current passing through said light circuit of said vehicle;
- and
- a receiver for receiving said code, said receiver comprising a pulsing circuit having a pulse generator and at least one lamp, said pulse generator for establishing an electrical pulse package comprising at least two electrical pulses in said pulsing circuit in response to said code being received by said receiver, and said lamps for emitting light pulses in response to said electrical pulse package.
A method for establishing a wireless link between a vehicle having a braking circuit and a helmet comprising the steps of:
- connecting a transmitter having a first microprocessor to said braking circuit of said vehicle, said transmitter configurable between a teach mode for establishing a braking code and broadcasting a first signal with said braking code modulated thereon and an operational mode for broadcasting a second signal with said braking code modulated thereon in response to a current flowing through said brake circuit of said vehicle;
- mounting a receiver having a second microprocessor to said helmet, said receiver configurable between a learn mode for receiving said first signal and storing said braking code into memory, and an operational mode for energizing at least one lamp in response to receiving said second signal;
- and
- configuring said transmitter into said teach mode and said receiver into said learn mode to establish a wireless link between said vehicle and said helmet.
A helmet lighting system for use with a vehicle having a brake light circuit, said lighting system comprising:
- a transmitter for broadcasting a signal in response to a current passing through said brake light circuit of said vehicle;
- a power source;
- a lamp;
- a means for receiving said signal from said transmitter, said receiving means being active when connected to said power source and inactive when disconnected from said power source, said receiving means for activation to cause an electrical current to flow from said power source to said lamp in response to said signal being received from said transmitter;
- a motion sensor for disconnecting said power source from said receiving means after said motion sensor remains motionless for a predetermined period of time;
- and
- a means for attaching said power source, said lamp, said receiving means and said motion sensor to a helmet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.