Patent Publication Number: US-2019184892-A1

Title: Vehicle signaling apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     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 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a motorcycle operator utilizing an illustrative signaling apparatus incorporating aspects of the invention while operating a motorcycle; 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  show various exterior views of the display unit in the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  shows a high-level block diagram of aspects of the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus, as well as an environment in which the signaling apparatus may operate; 
         FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of additional aspects of the motorcycle, as well as the base unit and display unit in the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  show block diagrams of the base microcontroller and the display microcontroller, respectively, in the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  show block diagrams of elements within the display communication circuitry and the base communication circuitry, respectively, of the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus; 
         FIG. 9  shows a block diagram of various elements within the sensor circuitry of the base unit in the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus; 
         FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram of turn/brake signal functions within the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  show illustrative screenshots from the personal computing device when utilizing an application associated with the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus; and 
         FIG. 13  shows a flow diagram of alarm functions within the  FIG. 1  signaling apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a motorcycle operator (i.e., motorcycle rider  1000 ) utilizing an illustrative signaling apparatus  100  incorporating aspects of the invention while operating a motorcycle  1005 . As will be described in detail below, circuitry within the signaling apparatus  100  detects when the motorcycle rider  1000  operates the turn signals or brakes on the motorcycle  1005 , and causes a display unit  105  mounted on the motorcycle rider&#39;s helmet  1010  to produce its own corresponding light signals. At the same time, circuitry within the signaling apparatus  100  further senses movement of the motorcycle  1005 . When movement suggestive of theft or a traffic accident is detected, the signaling apparatus  100  broadcasts an appropriate alarm. 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  show various exterior views of the display unit  105 .  FIG. 2A  shows a front perspective view,  FIG. 2B  shows a rear perspective view,  FIG. 2C  shows a front elevational view, and  FIG. 2D  shows a side elevational view. The display unit  105  defines a central rectangular region  110  with two wings  115  on opposing sides thereof. The rectangular region  110  encompasses display circuitry (described below), which includes an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (LED light array  120 ) arranged in the shape of a double-sided arrow. The LED light array  120  allows the display unit  105  to signal both turns and braking when those same signals are being operated on the motorcycle  1005 . 
     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&#39;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. 
       FIG. 3  shows a high-level block diagram of aspects of the illustrative signaling apparatus  100 , as well as an environment in which the signaling apparatus  100  may operate. The signaling apparatus  100  includes a base unit  125  (containing base circuitry) housed within the motorcycle  1005 , as well as the display unit  105  (containing display circuitry) mounted on the motorcycle rider&#39;s helmet  1010 . The base unit  125  is electronically connected to the motorcycle  1005 . At the same time, the base unit  125  is also in wireless communication with the display unit  105  and a data network  1015 , such as a cellular data network, which is connected to the internet. Finally, the network  1015  is in communication with a personal computing device  1020 . As used herein and in the appended claims, a “personal computing device” may comprise any computing device capable of communicating with a data network  1015  such as the Internet (i.e., World Wide Web) including, for example, a cellular (smart) telephone, tablet computer, laptop computer, smart watch, and the like. 
       FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of additional aspects of the motorcycle  1005 , base unit  125 , and display unit  105 . The base unit  125  comprises a base microcontroller  130 , base communication circuitry  135 , and sensor circuitry  140 . The base microcontroller  130  is electronically connected to turn and brake signaling circuitry (turn/brake signals  1025 ) of the motorcycle  1005  and is thereby able to detect when those signals are activated. The base unit  125  may, for example, be housed in a box that is located under the seat of the motorcycle  1005 , where the turn and brake signaling wires of the motorcycle  1005  are easily accessible. Wires connected to the base microcontroller  130  may splice into the motorcycle circuitry using, for example, solderless crimp splicers. The circuitry within the base unit  125  may, like the display unit  105 , be potted. 
     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. 
       FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of the base microcontroller  130 , while  FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of the display microcontroller  145 . The base microcontroller  130  includes a base data processing unit  165 , base memory  170 , and base input/output (I/O) circuitry  175 . Likewise, the display microcontroller  145  includes a display data processing unit  180 , display memory  185 , and display I/O circuitry  190 . Each of the memories  170 ,  185  (non-volatile and/or volatile) may store a basic input/output system (BIOS), an operating system (OS), and application programs. The application programs stored in the memories  170 ,  185  allow their respective data processing units  165 ,  180  to perform data processing, communications, and controlling functions within the base unit  125  and the display unit  105 . The base I/O circuitry  175  allows the base microcontroller  130  to receive data from the motorcycle&#39;s turn/brake signals  1025 , as well as to communicate with the base communication circuitry  135  and sensor circuitry  140 . The display I/O circuitry  190  allows the display microcontroller  145  to communicate with the display communication circuitry  155  and the LED driver circuitry  160 . 
     As indicated above, the base communication circuitry  135  communicates wirelessly with the display communication circuitry  155  as well as with the network  1015 .  FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of elements within the base communication circuitry  135 , namely, a base short-range communication module  195 , and a base long-range communication module  200 .  FIG. 8  shows a similar block diagram for the display communication circuitry  155 , which comprises a display short-range communication module  205 . Wireless communication between the based communication circuitry  135  and the display communication circuitry  155 , intended to be over a short distance, is accomplished by the base short-range communication module  195  and the display short-range communication module  205 , and may be in accordance with, for example, the Bluetooth Wireless Technology Standard. Wireless data communications with the network  1015 , in contrast, is accomplished by the base long-range communication module  200 , and may utilize a communications protocol that allows the base unit  125  to access one or more cellular data networks. Data communication may, for example, occur utilizing the Long-Term Evaluation (LTE) Wireless Communication Standard. A subscriber identity module (SIM) card may allow identification by the cellular network. 
     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,  FIG. 9  shows a block diagram of various elements within the sensor circuitry  140  of the base unit  125 . The sensor circuitry  140  comprises a global positioning system (GPS  210 ), an accelerometer  215 , and a gyroscope  220 . Such sensors will already be familiar to one having ordinary skill in the relevant arts, and are directed at measuring various aspects of movement. Briefly, the GPS  210  is able to determine the position of the base unit  125  as well as any movement relative thereto. The accelerometer  215  is able to detect acceleration of the base unit  125 . The gyroscope  220  is able to determine orientation and angular velocity. When implemented, one or more of these sensors  210 ,  215 ,  220  may be incorporated into a single microchip or housing. 
     Once so configured, the signaling apparatus  100  may fulfil the various functions set forth above.  FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram of the functions related to detecting and displaying turn and brake signals. In step  225 , the base unit  125  monitors and detects when turn signals and brake signals are activated by the motorcycle rider  1000 . These activations, in turn, are wirelessly communicated to the display unit  105 , which, in step  230 , activates the LED light array  120  to show the corresponding light signals. At least some of the plurality of lights in the LED light array  120  are activated when the left turn signal on the motorcycle  1005  is activated. Likewise, at least some of the plurality of lights in the LED light array  120  are activated when the right turn signal on the motorcycle  1005  is activated. Finally, at least some of the plurality of lights in the LED light array  120  are activated when the brake signal on the motorcycle  1005  is activated. 
     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 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an illustrative screenshot from the personal computing device  1020  when utilizing the app associated with the signaling apparatus  100 . The app allows the user to select between activating the safety mode, security mode, and off-mode utilizing a simple slider. Once selected, the app signals the choice to the network  1015 , which communicates it to the base unit  125 , placing the base unit  125  in the selected mode. An additional screen of the app is shown in the screenshot set forth in  FIG. 12 . Here the user may enter one or more emergency contacts. Each contact may be associated with one or more respective means of contact, such as an email address, telephone number, text messaging address, etc. 
       FIG. 13  shows a block diagram of the function of the signaling apparatus  100  depending on the mode selected. In step  235 , the base unit  125  determines which mode it is in. When in the security mode, the base unit  125  continually monitors any movement detected by the sensor circuitry  140  in step  240 . If movement is detected, the base unit  125  broadcasts a theft alarm to the network  1015  in step  245 , which is ultimately passed on to the personal computing device  1020 . The personal computing device  1020 , in turn, alerts the user of the personal computing device  1020  and sends additional alerts to the emergency contacts shown in  FIG. 12 . The theft alarm in step  245  preferably also includes the location of the motorcycle  1005  as determined by the GPS  210 . This location is periodically updated and broadcast in step  250  so that the proper law enforcement authorities can recover the motorcycle  1005 . 
     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&#39;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.