AU2015100144A4 - SmartSafe Intelligent Cyclist Protection Helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

The benefits of this Innovative Invention are widespread for the entire Australian community, where protective bike helmets are compulsory when riding on State and Territory roads, pathways and pavements. Cyclists will become more visible in the daylight, and be illuminated at night for easy identification of direction and intentions of turning, be able to warn oncoming traffic and pedestrians of their approach, and draw attention to themselves, by being Illuminated and able to warn others with a horn. In Event of an accident, data can quickly be downloaded from the RFID NFC Tag via a Smartphone, to enable speedy Emergency response. The long battery life and easy operation and lightweight components will ensure the cyclists would wear the Innovative SmartSafe Intelligent Protective Bike Safety Helmet. The SmartSafe Intelligent Bike Safety Helmet prototype is available for testing. VlII U) I (FDi < ~ D

Description

1 TITLE: SmartSafe Intelligent Cyclist Safety Helmet TECHNICAL FIELD: Electronic Microprocessor Controlled Illuminated Bike Safety Helmet. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION: (0001) This innovative Invention relates to an Intelligent, self-contained, protective bicycle helmet that will increase the visibility and presence of cyclists on public roads and pathways in Australia, and enable quick identification of the rider, in event of an accident. (0002) Cyclists generally ride on shoulders of the roads, pavements, or pathways in the cities around Australia, often early in the mornings, and at dusk when commuting to and from work, exercising, and socially rides with family. The visibility and presence of cyclists to pedestrians and motor vehicles is very limited, even in full daylight, and this invention aims to increase the visibility and presence of Cyclists wearing the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet, thus possibly saving hundreds of possible bicycle related accidents across Australia per year, and possibly saving lives, and assisting in providing vital personal information in event of an accident. SUMMARY OF INVENTION: (0003) The Intelligent Bicycle Helmet is the solution to increase visibility and presence of cyclists, from the front, rear and side viewing angles, and has direction indicators fitted to the front and rear of the bicycle helmet, including a warning horn, which can all be operated from a control panel membrane switch fitted to the left hand side of the helmet. The current working prototype of the Intelligent Bicycle (0004) The Intelligent Bicycle Helmet can store the cyclist's emergency contacts and medical information that can be read by anyone with a Smartphone. The current working prototype of the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet V1.0 is ready to be sent to your office for testing.

2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS: FIGURE 1 SmartSafe Intelligent Bike Safety Helmet - Top view description: 1. Front Headlight - White LED (Optional flashing or solid beam) 2. Right Hand Front Indicator - Orange LED 3. Left Hand Front Indicator - Orange LED 4. Right Hand Rear Indicator - Orange LED 5. Left Hand Rear Indicator - Orange LED 6. Rear Taillight - Flashing Red LED 7. Audible Horn(15m Range) 8. RFID Tag (Under Shell) 9. Mini USB Charger Module(Charging socket Exposed) FIGURE 2 SmartSafe Intelligent Bike Safety Helmet - Right side view description: 1. Front Headlight - White LED (Optional flashing or solid beam) 2. Right Hand Front Indicator - Orange LED 3. Left Hand Front Indicator - Orange LED 4. Right Hand Rear Indicator - Orange LED 5. Left Hand Rear Indicator - Orange LED 6. Rear Taillight - Flashing Red LED 7. Audible Horn(15m Range) 8. RFID Tag (Under Shell) 9. Mini USB Charger Module(Charging socket Exposed) FIGURE 3 SmartSafe Intelligent Bike Safety Helmet - Left side view description: 1. Front Headlight - White LED (Optional flashing or solid beam) 2. Right Hand Front Indicator - Orange LED 3. Left Hand Front Indicator - Orange LED 4. Right Hand Rear Indicator - Orange LED 5. Left Hand Rear Indicator - Orange LED 6. Rear Taillight - Flashing Red LED 7. Audible Horn(15m Range) 8. RFID Tag (Under Shell) 9. Mini USB Charger Module(Charging socket Exposed) 3 10. SmartSafe Multi-Purpose Membrane Switch 11. Microprocessor Control Unit 12. Rechargeable 3.7v DC Lithium Ion Battery DESCRIPTION: (0005) The Front Light of the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet is a 500mW (0.5W) bright white LED with120 degree viewing angle, mounted in the centre front of the helmet, and has the option of enabling the light as a solid light, or a pre-set 450 m/second flashing light. The light is not intended to replace the headlight of the bicycle at night, due to the head movement of the rider not always being in the same forward facing position, but will make the cyclist more visible to oncoming road users and pedestrians during the day and night. (0006) The Rear Flashing Tail Light of the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet is a 500mW (0.5W) bright Red LED with120 degree viewing angle, mounted to the centre rear of the helmet, and has a pre-set, 150 m/second continuously flashing red light. The light is not intended to replace the Taillight of the bicycle at night, due to the head movement of the rider not always being in the same forward facing position, but will make the cyclist more visible to oncoming road users from the rear approach, and pedestrians, during the day and night. (0007) The Direction Indicators are 500mW (0.5W) bright orange LED's withl20 degree viewing angle, mounted on the Left Rear, Right Rear, Left Front and Right Front of the helmet, offset by about 80mm from the centre of the helmet, to clearly indicate the direction the cyclist intends to manoeuvre or turn to. The indicators are operated by pressing the membrane switch control panel on the left hand side of the helmet, selecting the direction the cyclist intends to turn. Once selected, and light audible buzzer will sound for the duration of thel 0 second pre-set indication period, in sequence with the 450m/sec indication flashing cycle. The indicators will automatically turn off after 10 seconds, and the cyclist does not need to manually turn the indicators off. (0008) The Direction Indicators are interlocked in the software, and cannot be switched for the duration of the indication cycle, preventing confusion of the switching cycle and preventing false switching indications on the helmet. Once the 4 indication direction has been selected, the software ignores any other inputs to the indicators, until the cycle has completed. (0009) The Intelligent Bicycle Helmet includes a Horn function to warn pedestrians and other Cyclists of the oncoming bicycle, or any other possible dangerous situations. The Horn is a low level sound, to prevent damage to the cyclists hearing, considering the close proximity of the helmet to the ears, but audible enough to alert others up to about 15m. (0010) The Intelligent Bicycle Helmet has a Waterproof PVC Label RFID NFC Tag mounted just under the centre rear of the helmet shell. The NFC Tag operates on the standard 13.56MHz frequency, has a 1 kb storage capacity, and contains a S50 MF1 Smart IC as the storage device, and is 18mm in diameter. This NFC Tag can store any information the cyclist would like to include for emergency conditions, to enable the emergency services to easily identify the cyclist, contact his family or next of kin, and include specific medical details, if required. The NFC tag can be programmed from any mobile phone device, by the helmet user and updated at any time. The tag can be read by any person who has a NFC compatible Smartphone device. (0011) The Intelligent Bicycle Helmet is self-powered from a rechargeable 1 000mAhr, 3,7v DC PCB protected Lithium Ion battery, which can be recharged from any standard USB port device, or any 5V DC power source, including Laptops and Computers. The helmet has a TP 4056 charge protection module and regulator mounted in the rear centre of the helmet, with the charge point Mini USB socket exposed to the rear, This socket will be protected from the elements with a rubber plug that can be removed for charging and replaced after use. The single charge life of the helmet in operation is over 30 hours running time. (0012) The Intelligent Bicycle Helmet has a Ov line head contact switch, which only turns the helmet on when it is placed on the head, and switches off automatically when the helmet is removed, adding valuable use time to the helmet and reducing recharge frequency. The microprocessor takes about 2 seconds to restart, and the helmet becomes active.

5 (0013) The Microprocessor is mounted within the shell of the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet, just above the Multi-Purpose Membrane Switch, on the left hand side of the helmet, and positions of this may vary, according to helmet styles and shapes. (0014) The only user interface switches on the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet is the unique prototype Multi-Purpose Membrane Switch, which was designed and manufactured specifically for the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet. This Multi-Purpose Membrane Switch is a self-adhesive membrane that attaches to the left hand side of the helmet and controls the Indicator and Horn functions. The switch has been designed to be easy to use and has the Right Indicator Switch placed to the front of the helmet, with the Horn Switch being a round, raised switch, and the Left Indicator Switch placed to the rear of the switch assembly. The switches are used on feel and shape, and can easily be mastered. The switches have metal domes inside the membrane to assist with the definite "click" feel on the buttons. The Multi-Purpose Membrane Switch is connected to the Microprocessor via a flat ribbon cable. (0015) The Microprocessor Software program is C+ based, and written to the Microchip within the Processor board, and is held within the memory, thus being able to re-start seamlessly with the on and off action of the helmet. The Software Program will always remain within the Microprocessor, regardless of whether there is power to the Microprocessor Board. The software monitors all the conditions continuously and has internal interlocks to prevent indication confusion, and cycles endlessly while powered. Low power to the Microprocessor causes the LED's to dim, and eventually. Indicators will not start the cycle. The unit must then be recharged to resume safe and efficient functioning of the software, and the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet will resume functioning as designed. (0016) The Intelligent Bicycle Helmet has an Integrated Wire Frame Bus Support System added to increase the strength of the helmet, making up for the quantity of Polystyrene or foam structure that would be removed to include the Intelligent Bicycle Helmet components, and secures the LED's in a fixed position for ease of mass manufacturing. The Integrated Wire Frame Bus Support System conducts the Ov to the components within the helmet, and is currently a single strand of 4mm2 copper wire.

6 (0017) All components are integrated within the current type of Australian approved protective bicycle helmet designs, and mounted within the polystyrene or foam shell of the helmet, besides the top of the LED's, the Charger unit and the Membrane switch. (0018) SmartSafe Intelligent Bike Safety Helmet Software Program: */ SmartSafe Intelligent Bike Helmet V1.0 initial */ #define XAF_ZBF 450 #define XAF_ZAF 450 #define XBF_ZBF 150 #define XBF_ZAF 150 #define XAFXXS 10000 #define ZXM 0 #define ZZM 1 const int XAF[2] = {3, 4}; const int XXZ = 1; const int XZZ[2] = {0, 2}; unsigned long RunEnds[2]; boolean SwitchState[2] = {true, true; void setup() { pinMode(XAF[ZXM], OUTPUT); pinMode(XAF[ZZM], OUTPUT); pinMode(XXZ, OUTPUT); 7 pinMode(XZZ[ZXM], INPUT); pinMode(XZZ[ZZM], INPUT); digitalWrite(XZZ[ZXM], HIGH); digitalWrite(XZZ[ZZM], HIGH); } void loopo { digitalWrite(XXZ, milliso % (XBFZBF + XBFZAF) < XBFZBF); for(int i=ZXM; i<=ZZM; i++) { if(RunEnds[i]) { digitalWrite(XAF[i], milliso % (XAFZBF + XAFZAF) < XAFZBF); if(milliso > RunEnds[i]) { digitalWrite(XAF[i], LOW); RunEnds[i] = 0; } } } if(!(RunEnds[ZXM] + RunEnds[ZZM])) { for(int i=ZXM; i<=ZZM; i++) { SwitchState[i] = debounce(i); if(! Switch State[i]) { RunEnds[i] = milliso + XAFXXS; break;

}

8 } } boolean debounce(int thisSwitch) { boolean current = digital Read(XZZ[th isSwitch]); if (SwitchState[thisSwitch] != current) { delay(5); current = digital Read(XZZ[thisSwitch]); I return current; } ... END OF PROGRAM. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS: Not Used.

Claims (11)

1. Increased Cyclist visibility and presence using this invention will prevent accidents and save Australian cyclists and other road user's lives.

2. Existing Australian vehicle warning lighting colour will ensure current licenced drivers and pedestrians will immediately identify cyclist direction of travel, and intended turning direction.

3. NFC RFID Tag includes capability for the storage of cyclists Emergency Contact and Medical information.

4. Failsafe Microprocessor Lighting, Horn and Indicator control.

5. Hat on, Power on, Hat off, Power off - Power saving feature.

6. Lightweight and self-contained within the Bike Safety Helmet.

7. Indicator On audible warning to cyclist.

8. Easy to use, definite switch feel, single Multi-function Membrane Switch.

9. Warning Horn to prevent collisions by the surprise of a Cyclist approaching from the rear.

10. 30 hours battery life between charges.

11. Easy and Safe Recharging of Bike Safety Helmet - up to 400 recharge cycles.