Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a wireless communication system for a motorcycle and motorcycle helmets.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a wireless communication system for a motorcycle and motorcycle helmets.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Current systems for listening to music while riding a motorcycle generally involve a factory installed or aftermarket radio and speaker system mounted on the motorcycle. The speaker system must be powerful enough to overcome road and wind noise to allow a rider or riders to listen to the music when the motorcycle is at highway speeds. Often the music must be relatively loud to allow the rider to hear it, especially if the rider is wearing a helmet. When the motorcycle reduces speed or is traveling in a city, the volume is often too loud and must be reduced manually. Another system for listening to music while riding includes a helmet with integrated speakers. In this system, the rider usually has a wire connecting the helmet to a radio mounted on the motorcycle or the helmet and the speakers. These systems may also include a microphone integrated into the helmet to allow a riders to communicate with each other.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     One embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless helmet communication system comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a signal, a receiver coupled to a helmet and configured to receive the signal, a power source configured to supply power to the receiver, and a speaker positioned in the helmet and coupled to the receiver, the speaker configured to output sound corresponding to the signal.  
         [0004]     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a audio system for a motorcycle comprising an audio source supported by the motorcycle, the audio source configured to produce a first signal, a transmitter supported by the motorcycle, the transmitter configured to receive the first signal and transmit a second signal, a helmet configured to be worn by a motorcycle rider, a receiver supported by the helmet and configured to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal, and a least one speaker positioned in the helmet, the speaker configured to receive the third signal and produce sound corresponding to the third signal.  
         [0005]     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless method of delivering signals from a motorcycle to a motorcycle helmet, the method including the steps of providing an audio source, a transmitter, a receiver, and a speaker, the audio source and the transmitter coupled to the motorcycle, the receiver and the speaker coupled to the motorcycle helmet, the speaker being coupled to the receiver, converting a first signal from the audio source to a second signal, transmitting the second signal from the transmitter, receiving the second signal at the receiver, converting the second signal to a third signal, the third signal being received by the speaker, and producing an audio signal from the speaker. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a partial schematic of one embodiment of a motorcycle communication system  10 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a profile view of a motorcycle  8  including the motorcycle communication system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the motorcycle  8  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
       [0010]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features my be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention in several forms and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The embodiments discussed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.  
         [0012]     One embodiment of motorcycle communication system  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . System  10  includes audio source  16 , audio output  18 , infrared (IR) transmitter  20 , and motorcycle helmets  12  and  14 . Audio output  18  is an audio connector or coupler such as an RCA style output, audio jack, ⅛ inch audio jack, or ¼ inch audio jack. Audio source  16  is coupled to the motorcycle and may include an AM/FM/XM radio, an MP3 player, a cellular phone, a portable handheld digital media device, a CD player, or any other suitable audio source. Audio output  18  is connected to audio source  16  to carry electrical signals from audio source  16  to IR transmitter  20 . Infrared transmitter  20  is coupled to the motorcycle at a position facing or directed at the motorcycle rider&#39;s helmet when the rider is in the riding position, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0013]     In this embodiment, motorcycle helmet  12  is a full-face helmet and includes outer shell  15 , visor  13 , and vent  17 . Shell  15  provides a hard exterior cover to protect the rider. The interior (not shown) of helmet  12  includes a soft padding material to cushion the wearer&#39;s head during an accident. Visor  13  is generally transparent and may be repositionable to allow the wearer to rotate visor  13  upward. Vent  17  allows air to pass through the interior of helmet  12  to cool the wearer&#39;s head. In other embodiments (not shown), motorcycle helmet  12  may be an open-face helmet, i.e., not including a visor such as visor  13 .  
         [0014]     Motorcycle helmet  12  also includes IR receiver  24 , headphone speakers  26 , infrared light pipe  27 , and signal conveyor  28 . In this embodiment, IR receiver  24  is mounted on the chin portion of helmet  12  to receive IR signal  22  from IR transmitter  20  positioned on motorcycle  8 . In an alternative embodiment, IR receiver  24  is mounted above the face shield of helmet  12 . IR receiver  24  decodes IR signal  22  and outputs a signal to speakers  26 . Speakers  26  are positioned in ear pockets within helmet  12 . IR light pipe  27  and signal conveyor  28  function together as a re-transmitter or pass-thru for IR signal  22 . IR signal  22  is received by IR receiver  24  and is delivered to signal conveyor  28  by IR light pipe  27 . Signal  29  is then emitted from signal conveyor  28 .  
         [0015]     In this embodiment, motorcycle communication system  10  includes a second helmet  14  to allow a passenger on the motorcycle to listen to audio source  16  also. Helmet  14  includes IR receiver  30 , headphone speakers  32 , IR light pipe  31 , and signal conveyor  34 . Helmet  14  is similar to helmet  12  in this embodiment and performs the same functions. IR receiver  30  receives IR signal  29 , decodes it, and outputs electrical signals to speakers  32 . Speakers  32  convert the electrical signals into sound. Helmet  14  also includes an IR light pipe  31  and signal conveyor  34  to transmit the IR signal to any helmets positioned behind helmet  14 .  
         [0016]     In the embodiment described above, helmets  12  and  14  are prefabricated to incorporate IR receivers  24 ,  30  and speakers  26 ,  32 . In other embodiments (not shown), the IR receiver and speakers may be added to existing helmets. Additionally, IR transmitter  20  may be factory installed or installed later as an after-market product.  
         [0017]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , IR transmitter  20  is placed in the front of the motorcycle  8  facing rearward. In this embodiment, IR transmitter  20  is placed in the instrument panel of motorcycle  8 . When system  10  is activated by the rider, IR transmitter  20  receives electrical signals through audio output  18  from audio source  16 , encodes the electrical signals into IR signals, and transmits them as IR signal  22 . In this embodiment, IR transmitter  20  is positioned to provide IR light-emitting-diode (LED) coverage of approximately 50° by 50° or about 22 inches by 22 inches at about 24 inches from transmitter  20 . When IR receiver  24  is placed on the chin region of helmet  12  or the forehead region and helmet  12  is facing forward, the rider may rotate helmet  12  about 180° in either direction without losing contact with the IR signal  22 . When IR signal  22  is received by receiver  24  in helmet  12  IR receiver  24  decodes IR signal  22  into electrical signals which are sent to speakers  26  that produce sound corresponding to the original audio source signals. IR receiver  24  and speakers  26  are powered by a power source (not shown) such as a battery positioned on the helmet. IR receiver  24  also directs IR signal  22  to signal conveyor  28  through light pipe  27 . Signal conveyor  28  transmits IR signal  29  to IR receiver  30  in helmet  14 . Receiver  30  operates in the same fashion as receiver  24  of helmet  12 . In other embodiments (not shown), light pipe  27  may be replaced with a retransmitter or any other suitable transmission media.  
         [0018]     In other embodiments (not shown) of motorcycle communication system  10 , other radio-frequency wireless signals may be employed such as the Bluetooth™ wireless protocol or another band and/or protocol instead of an IR signal. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), motorcycle communication system  10  also includes a microphone or microphones coupled to the receiver to allow the driver and passenger to speak with one another using an intercommunication (intercom) system.  
         [0019]     While this invention has been described as having exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art of which this invention pertains.