Abstract:
A safety helmet for displaying dynamic designs comprising: a non-opaque protective shell including an outer surface and an inner surface; an inner padding, including an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a portion of the inner padding is surrounded by the inner surface of the outer shell; a dynamic visual display adapted to display one or more images or video, wherein the dynamic visual display is mounted inside the space defined by the inner surface of the protective shell and the outer surface of the inner padding, wherein the dynamic visual display fills a viewable surface as viewed through the protective shell; and a display controller in electronic communication with the dynamic visual display such that the display controller communicates the one or more images or video to the dynamic visual display and control the operation of the dynamic visual display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/774,589 filed Mar. 8, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present subject matter relates generally to safety helmets. More specifically, the present invention relates to safety helmets having a dynamic visual display located in the shell. 
         [0003]    Safety helmets, such as motorcycle helmets, often have decorative designs on the outer shell to improve their aesthetic appeal. Prior decorative designs were static designs often printed or airbrushed onto the outer shell. If a user of a safety helmet desired to change a design, prior solutions required the user to apply new decals or airbrush a new design onto the helmet. Such prior solutions made changing the decorative designs on a safety helmet time-consuming, costly, and difficult to routinely accomplish. Further, prior solutions provided no mechanism to make decorative designs changeable while the safety helmet was in use. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for safety helmets having a dynamic visual display, as described herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a safety helmet having a dynamic visual display that displays dynamic decorative designs. 
         [0006]    Utilizing a safety helmet that includes a dynamic visual display, a user may easily customize the dynamic decorative designs of the safety helmet while the safety helmet is in use. Dynamic decorative designs may include images, videos, slideshows, etc. 
         [0007]    In one example, the safety helmet includes a transparent or translucent outer protective shell through which a dynamic visual display may be seen. The safety helmet further includes a shield, impact absorbing padding, fitted padding, a battery, a charging module, a communications module, a communications port, a display controller, media storage, a power switch, and a design control. 
         [0008]    The dynamic visual display may be located underneath a transparent or translucent outer protective shell to present dynamic decorative designs that can be seen through the outer protective shell. As used herein, dynamic decorative designs may include static images, dynamic videos, slideshows, etc. A user may upload the dynamic decorative designs to the safety helmet via the communications module. The dynamic decorative designs may then be stored in the media storage and accessed for presentation on the dynamic visual display. 
         [0009]    The dynamic visual display may fill the viewable surface of the outer protective shell or may cover a smaller portion of the viewable surface, for example, only the rear half of the safety helmet. In one embodiment, the dynamic visual display may fill the entire area of the outer protective shell, including the back, sides, top, and chin portion of the outer protective shell. In another embodiment, the dynamic visual display may fill the area of the outer protective shell excluding edges, any design controls, and power controls (e.g., approximately 90% of the viewable surface). In further embodiments, the dynamic visual display may fill the area of the outer protective shell excluding edges, any design controls, power controls, and areas not generally viewable to observers, such as the top of the safety helmet, and areas obscured by a shield (e.g., approximately 60% of the viewable surface). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various configurations of the dynamic visual display may substantially fill the viewable surface of the outer protective shell. 
         [0010]    The dynamic visual display may be one continuous dynamic visual display mechanism or may be composed of smaller dynamic visual display mechanisms tiled along the inner surface of the outer protective shell. The dynamic visual display may be any display appropriate for use within the physical space of the helmet and capable of being run from battery power. Examples include, a liquid crystal dynamic visual display, a plasma dynamic visual display, a light emitting diode dynamic visual display, an organic light emitting diode dynamic visual display, etc. 
         [0011]    The display controller controls the dynamic visual display. The display controller may retrieve dynamic decorative designs from the media storage and communicate the dynamic decorative designs to the dynamic visual display. The display controller may programmable via to customize the manner in which dynamic decorative designs are displayed. For example, the display controller may be programmed automatically change the dynamic decorative design at periodic intervals. As a further example, the display controller may be programmed to dynamically zoom, translate, or rotate the dynamic decorative designs. As an even further example, the display controller may be programmed to generate dynamic decorative designs using fractals, computer generated imagery, etc. The display controller may retrieve programs from the media storage, the communications module, or the communications port. 
         [0012]    The display controller may include a design control. A user may use the design control to control the display of dynamic decorative designs. In response to a user input, the design control may signal the display controller to update the dynamic visual display. The design control may be a button that a user depresses to change the dynamic decorative designs. In alternative embodiments, the design control may be a plurality of buttons that may provide the user greater control and convenience in controlling the display of the dynamic decorative designs. For example, the design control may include a plurality of buttons wherein each button may be pressed to activate the display of a user-programmed dynamic decorative design. Alternatively, the design control may include forward and backward buttons to allow the user of the safety helmet to cycle through the list of dynamic decorative designs in a forwards or backwards manner. While described as a plurality of buttons, in further embodiments, the design control may be any mechanism adapted to control the display of dynamic decorative designs. For example, the design control may include a Bluetooth module to receive commands from a user&#39;s mobile device to control the display of dynamic decorative designs. 
         [0013]    In preferred embodiments, the outer protective shell substantially encloses the user&#39;s head and is made of materials designed to protect the user&#39;s head during a crash, such as, plastics, fiberglass, etc. 
         [0014]    The battery may be removable to allow for replacement or recharging. Alternatively, or in addition, the battery may have a charging port to permit recharging without removing the battery. Further, the communications module may provide power for recharging when connected to a cable for media transfer, for example, through a USB connection. 
         [0015]    The communications module may be used to transfer media to the safety helmet. The communications module may include a physical communications port, such as a USB, FireWire port, etc. Further, the communications module may include a wireless communications module adapted to communicate using wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular communications, etc. The communications module may be communicatively coupled with the media storage to store media upon receipt. The media storage may be a removable data storage, such as an SD card, flash drive, etc. Further, a media storage that is removable may also act as the communications module. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the safety helmet may include a safety port for the battery. It is contemplated that the inclusion of a battery with a safety helmet raises possible safety issues, resulting from damage to the battery during impact causing the release of hazardous chemicals. Accordingly, the safety port is adapted to release the battery upon motion of the safety helmet consistent with an impact or impending impact. The safety port may include a chamber for holding the battery during use. During normal use, the battery may be secured by a release which may additionally act as an electrode for electrical connection with the battery. A release control may hold the release in a closed position during normal operation. An accelerometer/impact detector of the release control may detect an impact or impending impact triggering the release control to move the release into an open position to allow the battery to exit the chamber. When the release is in an open position, a spring may relax ejecting the battery from the chamber. The spring may act as an electrode during normal use. In alternate embodiments, a separate electrode may be provided. In further embodiments, the spring may be omitted and the force of the impact or gravity may eject the battery. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, a safety helmet for displaying dynamic designs includes: a non-opaque protective shell including an outer surface and an inner surface; an inner padding, including an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a portion of the inner padding is surrounded by the inner surface of the outer shell; a dynamic visual display adapted to display one or more images or video, wherein the dynamic visual display is mounted inside the space defined by the inner surface of the protective shell and the outer surface of the inner padding, wherein the dynamic visual display fills a viewable surface as viewed through the protective shell; and a display controller in electronic communication with the dynamic visual display such that the display controller communicates the one or more images or video to the dynamic visual display and control the operation of the dynamic visual display. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the dynamic visual display includes one or more tiled display panels. Additionally, in some embodiments, the one or more edges of a viewable area of each of the tiled display panels lies flush against at least one or more edges of the viewable area of another of the tiled display panels to form a continuous display. In further embodiments, the dynamic visual display is a flexible organic light emitting diode display. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the safety helmet further includes a communications module in communication with the display controller, wherein the communications module is adapted to communicate the one or more images or video from external electronics or storage media. Moreover, in some embodiments, the safety helmet further includes a charging port electrically connected to the battery adapter. In additional embodiments, the safety helmet further includes a media storage in communication with the dynamic visual display controller to provide non-volatile storage of the one or more images or video. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the safety helmet further includes a user interface through which a user may instruct visual display controller to update the dynamic visual display. Moreover, in some embodiments, the user interface includes: a forward button in communication with the dynamic visual display controller, wherein when the forward button is depressed the forward button electrically signals the dynamic visual display controller to update the dynamic design to a next dynamic design in a list of dynamic designs; and a backward buttons in communication with the dynamic visual display controller, wherein when the backward button is depressed the backward button electrically signals the dynamic visual display controller to update the dynamic design to a previous dynamic design in the list of dynamic designs. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the safety helmet further includes a shield mounted on the protective shell and fitted padding mounted to the inner surface of the inner padding. Additionally, in some embodiments, the dynamic visual display controller includes instructions to periodically change the dynamic decorative design. Further, in some embodiments, the dynamic visual display controller includes instructions to dynamically zoom, translate, or rotate the dynamic decorative designs. 
         [0022]    The power switch may be used to turn the display on and off. In a preferred embodiment, the power switch may be located at the back of the helmet. Alternatively, the power switch may be located on the interior of the safety helmet. 
         [0023]    An object of the invention is to provide a safety helmet that is visually interesting and unique. 
         [0024]    Another object of the invention is to provide a solution to the difficulty of changing decorative designs on safety helmets. 
         [0025]    A further object of the invention is to provide a solution to the inability to change decorative designs while the safety helmet is in use. 
         [0026]    An advantage of the invention is that it provides for easy-to-change decorative designs on safety helmets. 
         [0027]    Another advantage of the invention is that it provides for dynamic decorative designs, such as images, videos, slideshows, etc. that a user may upload to the safety helmet to display while in use. 
         [0028]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an example of a safety helmet embodying the solutions provided herein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of the safety helmet shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the electronic components of the safety helmet of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an example of a safety helmet including a safety port. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a safety helmet  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the safety helmet  10  includes a non-opaque (allowing light to pass through, whether transparent, translucent, etc.) outer protective shell  20  through which the dynamic visual display  30  may be seen. The dynamic visual display enables a user  130  ( FIG. 2 ) to display dynamic decorative designs  35  through or at the outer protective shell  20 . The safety helmet  10  may also include a shield  40  to protect the face  120  ( FIG. 2 ) of the user  130 , a charging port  65 , a communications port  75 , a power switch  95 , and a design control button  105 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the safety helmet  10  is a full-face safety helmet  10  having a protective section  140  over the user&#39;s chin. In alternate embodiments, the safety helmet  10  may be an off-road/motocross helmet (e.g., an elongated chin portion and a visor portion), a “flip-up” helmet, an open face helmet, a half helmet, etc. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  further illustrates in cross-section the example of the safety helmet  10  from  FIG. 1  as worn on the head  110  of a user  130 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the safety helmet  10  includes a transparent outer protective shell  20 , a dynamic visual display  30 , impact absorbing padding  40 , fitted padding  50 , a battery  60 , a charging port  65 , a communications module  70 , a display controller  80 , media storage  90 , a power switch  95 , and a design control  105 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates a diagram of electronic components  100  that may be used in the safety helmet  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The electronic components  100  shown in  FIG. 3  include: a dynamic visual display  30 , a battery  60 , a charging port  65 , a communications module  70 , a communications port  75 , a display controller  80 , media storage  90 , a power switch  95  and a design control  105 . The electronic components  100  cooperate to enable the functionality described further herein and particularly enable a user  130  to display and control dynamic decorative designs  35  on the safety helmet. 
         [0037]    The dynamic visual display  30  enables a user  130  to display dynamic decorative designs  35  through or at the outer protective shell  20 . Dynamic decorative designs  35  may include static images, dynamic videos, slideshows, etc. The user  130  may upload the dynamic decorative designs  35  to the safety helmet  10  via the communications module  70 . The dynamic decorative designs  35  may be stored in the media storage  90  and may be accessed for presentation on the dynamic visual display  30 . The dynamic visual display  30  is communicatively coupled with the display controller  80  that drives the dynamic visual display  30 . 
         [0038]    In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the dynamic visual display  30  is located beneath the transparent or translucent outer protective shell  20  to present dynamic decorative designs  35 . Alternatively, the dynamic visual display  30  may be attached to the outer surface of the outer protective shell  20 . In further embodiments, the dynamic visual display  30  may be included in the safety helmet  10  in any manner adapted to display the dynamic decorative designs  35 . 
         [0039]    The dynamic visual display  30  covers enough of the safety helmet  10  to display dynamic decorative designs  35 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the dynamic visual display  30  may substantially fill the surface viewable through the outer protective shell  20 . Alternatively, the dynamic visual display  30  may cover a smaller portion of the viewable surface, for example, only the rear half of the safety helmet  10 . In one embodiment, the dynamic visual display  30  may substantially fill up to one hundred percent of the entire area of the outer protective shell  20 , including the back, sides, top, and chin portion of the outer protective shell  20 . In another embodiment, the dynamic visual display  30  may substantially fill up to ninety percent of the entire area of the outer protective shell  20 , excluding edges, any design controls  105 , and power switch  95 . In further embodiments, the dynamic visual display  30  may substantially fill up to sixty percent of the entire area of the outer protective shell  20 , excluding edges, any design controls  105 , power switch  95 , and areas not generally viewable to observers, such as the top of the safety helmet, and areas obscured by a shield  40 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various configurations of the dynamic visual display  30  may substantially fill the viewable surface of the outer protective shell  20 . 
         [0040]    The dynamic visual display  30  may be one flexible and continuous dynamic visual display  30 , or may be composed of smaller dynamic visual displays  30  tiled along the inner surface of the outer protective shell  20 . The dynamic visual display  30  may be a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a light emitting diode display, an organic light emitting diode display, etc. The dynamic visual display  30  can be any display appropriate for use within the physical space of the helmet and capable of being powered by the battery  60 . 
         [0041]    The display controller  80  controls the dynamic visual display  30 . The display controller  80  may retrieve dynamic decorative designs  35  from the media storage  90  and communicate the dynamic decorative designs  35  to the dynamic visual display  30 . The display controller  80  may programmable via to customize the manner in which dynamic decorative designs  35  are displayed. For example, the display controller  80  may be programmed automatically change the dynamic decorative design  35  at periodic intervals. As a further example, the display controller  80  may be programmed to dynamically zoom, translate, or rotate the dynamic decorative designs  35 . As an even further example, the display controller  80  may be programmed to generate dynamic decorative designs  35  using fractals, computer generated imagery, etc. The display controller  80  may retrieve programs from the media storage  90 , the communications module  70 , or the communications port  75 . 
         [0042]    The display controller  80  may include a design control  105 . A user may use the design control  105  to control the display of dynamic decorative designs  35 . In response to a user input, the design control  105  may signal the display controller  80  to update the dynamic visual display  30 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the design control  105  may be a button that a user depresses to change the dynamic decorative designs  35 . In alternative embodiments, the design control  105  may be a plurality of buttons that may provide the user greater control and convenience in controlling the display of the dynamic decorative designs  35 . For example, the design control  105  may include a plurality of buttons wherein each button may be pressed to activate the display of a user-programmed dynamic decorative design  35 . Alternatively, the design control  105  may include forward and backward buttons to allow the user of the safety helmet  10  to cycle through the list of dynamic decorative designs  35  in a forwards or backwards manner. While described as a plurality of buttons, in further embodiments, the design control  105  may be any mechanism adapted to control the display of dynamic decorative designs  35 . For example, the design control  105  may include a Bluetooth module to receive commands from a user&#39;s mobile device to control the display of dynamic decorative designs  35 . 
         [0043]    As shown, the outer protective shell  20  substantially encloses the user  130 &#39;s head  110 . The outer protective shell  20  is substantially transparent or translucent to permit the dynamic visual display  30  underneath to be viewable. The outer protective shell  20  is made of materials designed to protect the user  130 &#39;s head  110  during a crash, such as, plastics, fiberglass, etc. 
         [0044]    The battery  60  may be removable to allow for replacement or recharging. Alternatively, or in addition, the battery  60  may include a charging port  65  to permit recharging without removing the battery  60 . Further, the communications port  75  may provide power for recharging when connected to a cable for media transfer. 
         [0045]    The communications module  70  may be used to transfer media to the safety helmet  10 . The communications module  70  may include a physical communications port  75 , such as a USB, FireWire port, etc. Further, the communications module  70  may include a wireless communications module  70  adapted to communicate using wireless protocols such as WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular communications, etc. The communications module  70  may be communicatively coupled with the media storage  90  to store media upon receipt. The media storage  90  may be a removable data storage, such as an SD card, flash drive, etc. Further, a media storage  90  that is removable may also act as the communications module  70 . 
         [0046]    The power switch  95  may be used to turn the display  20  on and off. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment, the power switch  95  may be molded at the back of the helmet. Alternatively, the power switch  95  may be provided on the interior of the safety helmet  10  or any other suitable location as will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the disclosures provided herein. 
         [0047]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is a rear view of an example of the safety helmet  10  including a safety port  160  for the battery  60 . It is contemplated that the inclusion of a battery  60  with a safety helmet  10  raises possible safety issues, resulting from damage to the battery  60  during impact causing the release of hazardous chemicals. Accordingly, the safety port  160  is adapted to release the battery  60  upon motion of the safety helmet  10  consistent with an impact or impending impact. The safety port  160  may include a chamber  170  for holding the battery  60  during use. During normal use, the battery  60  may be secured by a release  180  which may additionally act as an electrode for electrical connection with the battery  60 . A release control  190  may hold the release  180  in a closed position during normal operation. An accelerometer/impact detector  195  of the release control  190  may detect an impact or impending impact triggering the release control  190  to move the release  180  into an open position to allow the battery  60  to exit the chamber  170 . When the release  180  is in an open position, a spring  200  may eject the battery  60  from the chamber. The spring  200  may act as an electrode during normal use. In alternate embodiments, a separate electrode may be provided. In further embodiments, the spring  200  may be omitted and the force of the impact or gravity may eject the battery  60 . 
         [0048]    It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.