EP3681327A1

EP3681327A1 - Visual and safety prevention system for drivers

Info

Publication number: EP3681327A1
Application number: EP18785458.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giorgio Guadagnin
Original assignee: Safeway Helmets Srl
Current assignee: Safeway Helmets Srl
Priority date: 2017-09-15
Filing date: 2018-09-12
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Also published as: WO2019053756A1; IT201700103462A1

Abstract

A telematic system of visual and safety prevention active for users or drivers of vehicles, such as motorcyclists (1), cyclists, users of e-bikes, skiers, etc., comprising a first electronic device (10) positioned on the helmet (300) of the user and comprising of an electronic circuit (11) with processor (12) equipped with dedicated management software and firmware, Bluetooth (13), GPS (14), gyroscope (16), SIM (15), transmitter (17), accelerometer (21) audio chip and loudspeaker (18), motion sensor (19) and connection device to an electronic board (20) comprising a series of signaling LEDs (20A, 20B, 20C), and a second electronic device (50A, 50B), which communicates with the first electronic device (10), positioned on the glove (60A) or on a smart bracelet (90) of a user and comprising of an electronic circuit (51) with processor (52) provided with dedicated management software and firmware, Bluetooth (53), GPS (54), gyroscope (56), RFID reader (57), oscillometer (55) and accelerometer (58). The electronic circuit (51) is connected to a series of pressure sensors (61) and to a magnetic field sensor (62), associated to the glove (60A) or to a thimble in latex or other material (60B) and associated with two magnets (102, 103) with opposite poles fixed to the buttons of a switch (101) of the vehicle direction arrows.

Description

VISUAL AND SAFETY PREVENTION SYSTEM FOR DRIVERS

The present invention refers to a telematics system of visual prevention and of active safety for users or drivers of vehicles, such as motorcyclists, cyclists, users of e-bikes, skiers and/or users of any other types of sports, comprised of various electronic devices connected to each other and managed by various software able to:

- alert drivers of transport means or other subjects following the driver or user of his imminent stop or change of direction;

- record continuously and for a short period of time the data relating to the actions carried out by the driver or user during his run on the road or in sports activity and record permanently (or for a longer period of time) the data of an event during which the driver or user has suffered a collision or impact or another incident (black box);

- send the data collected in occasion of an event, during which the driver or user has suffered a collision or impact or another accident, to a central control server, which can, in turn, supply them to the insurance company of the means used by the driver or the user who has suffered the accident, for a verification of accountability;

- inform the driver of the vehicle or the user of a danger on his route or during his sports activity, by means of a message sent by the central control server and/or by an institution (for example, information concerning a flooded underpass, a traffic jam, a weather alert, etc.);

- send the position of the driver of the vehicle or of the user, to other transport means provided with a driver assistance, in order to warn in advance the driver of that vehicle of the presence of the driver or user on his path;

- automatically send an emergency call (eCALL) in case of collision and/or impact and/or a serious accident that the driver or user has suffered, in the case that the aforementioned driver or user is in a state of unconsciousness and does not block the emergency call function.

The electronic devices used in this telematic system are:

- a first electronic device placed on a helmet composed of an electronic circuit with processor, Bluetooth, GPS, gyroscope, SIM, Internet transmitter, accelerometer, audio chip and loudspeaker, motion sensor and connection device with PCB including low consumption LEDs and high brightness, all powered by one or more rechargeable batteries with USB cable or by an induction system managed by dedicated software and firmware;

- a second electronic device, which communicates with the first electronic device, positioned on a glove or on a smart bracelet of the vehicle driver and composed of an electronic circuit with processor, Bluetooth, GPS, gyroscope, inclinometer, oscillometer, accelerometer, RFID reader, connection with pressure and magnetic field sensors, all powered by one or more rechargeable batteries with USB cable or by an induction system and managed by dedicated software and firmware;

- two magnets with opposing poles to be fixed on the two buttons of the direction arrow switch and/or similar device of a motorcycle, cycle or e- bike;

- a passive or active TAG to be fixed on the motorcycle, cycle or e-bike or other sports equipment, which is associated with the insurance policy and on which are also stored various data and/or information of the vehicle or other insured sports equipment;

- one or more central control server of the telematics system with dedicated software to receive the data sent by the associated electronic devices, to send to the aforementioned electronic devices the notifications related to safety and also to create animated graphics simulations of the received data relative to the events that occurred; the above data and simulations can then be sent to the insurance companies that request it. Moreover, the electronic devices mentioned can be associated with the helmet in a removable manner and can be applied to any object worn by a user or any part of the body; the association can take place mechanically, magnetically or otherwise, such as by means of a latex and/or velcro headset.

The purpose of this telematic system is to allow the driver or user of the vehicle (motorcyclist, cyclist, e-bike user, etc.) to have: - a preventive safety system, by means of the display functions, to drivers of transport means, that follow or other subjects, of stops and changes of direction, thus preventing possible accidents (in the case where, for example, drivers of transport means that follow are distracted, perhaps due to improper use of their Smartphone);

- an active safety system, in the event of a serious accident, with the possibility of alerting the rescue immediately;

- a litigation support system, arising with regard to the determination of objective accountability in the case of an accident with reimbursement of damages.

Furthermore, the present telematic system allows:

- to deliver the data collected during the run on the road, to companies that manage road infrastructures or sports activities to eliminate causes of accidents, such as the presence of potholes, etc.;

- to deliver the data collected during the run on the road to companies that manage defined activities of "smart city" to manage critical points in traffic (queues, work in progress, accidents, etc.);

- to interact with the other vehicles on the road and in particular with any cars and/or vehicles in general with autonomous driving or other subjects equipped with the same telematics system.

There are still known, for example from document EP2626245A1 , means apt for displaying the actions of stopping and changing direction of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, cycle or e-bike, as known, for example from document EP1312273B1 , "smart" helmets, including global location systems, environmental interaction sensors and mobile communication devices to provide data, monitor driver actions and conditions and send data and information on the position and conditions of the driver himself. Furthermore, documents WO201 1018168A1 and WO2017137083A1 describe systems and methods for detecting an accident and activating an emergency call, by means of sensors placed on the helmet of the driver of a motor vehicle.

The object of the present invention is to provide a telematics system for visual prevention and active safety for users or vehicle drivers, such as motorcyclists, cyclists and users of e-bikes, etc., extremely advanced and complete in terms of functions of immediate use and future.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of victims among "weak subjects" (motorcyclists, cyclists and/or e-bike users), unfortunately growing in all the advanced countries.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the social costs and in particular the costs for medical and rehabilitative expenses for national states.

Another object of the present invention is to be able to use the system to monitor the driver's driving style, in the future used by insurance companies to structure the insurance offer.

Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide a telematics system capable of being open to innovations of the near future and in particular to manage activities envisaged by "smart cities" and to dialogue with self-driving cars.

Advantageously, the present invention relates mainly to an active prevention and safety system including various electronic devices connected to each other and managed by dedicated firmware and software, able to alert drivers of transport means or other subjects, who follow a user or driver of vehicles, such as a motorcyclist, cyclist, or e-bike user, etc., of his imminent stop or change of direction, and to detect and memorize an event that caused an accident and immediately alert the rescuers in case of serious accident.

Further characteristics and advantages of the telematics system of prevention and of active safety, according to the present invention, will be more evident from the description of an exemplary and preferred, but not limitative, execution mode and from the attached tables of drawings, where:

- figure 1 is a view of a motorcyclist with a helmet on which a first electronic device is housed with the relative components and a glove on which a second electronic device is housed with the relative components, according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows the view of a motorcyclist on a motorcycle, on which a passive and/or active TAG is fixed and the direction arrows switch with the magnets positioned, according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows the view of a motorcyclist on a motorcycle, on which a passive and/or active TAG is fixed and the directional arrows switch with the magnets positioned and the motorcyclist wearing on his thumb a latex thimble with sensors connected to a smart bracelet on which a second electronic device is housed with the relative components, according to the present invention;

- figure 4 shows the view of a motorcyclist near an intersection with the activation of the stop signal on the helmet thanks to the LEDs positioned on a central PCB, according to the invention;

- figure 5 shows the view of a motorcyclist near an intersection, who activates a direction change signal (on the right) on the helmet, thanks to the LEDs positioned on a right side PCB, acting with the sensors on the thumb of the glove or the latex thimble, on a right button of the direction arrows switch, according to the invention;

- figure 6 shows the view of a motorcyclist who has suffered a rear-end collision or another type of accident from the car that follows him and the data storage functions of the event and the simultaneous transmission of the same data to a central control server, according to the invention;

- figure 7 shows the view of a motorcyclist who has suffered a collision from the car that follows him and that remains on the ground and the simultaneous elaboration of the system for the identification of the physical condition of the motorcyclist, as well as the ways with which an emergency call (eCALL) is activated according to the invention.

With particular reference to figures 1 , 2 and 3, the user or driver of vehicles, such as a motorcyclist (1 ), provides in advance to associate a passive or active TAG (80), provided by the vehicle insurance company or independently applied for other purposes for the identification of the vehicle (100) and for maintenance, such as a motorcycle (100), to a first electronic device (10), so that all the data detected during its run on the road with its motorcycle (100) are referred to the motorcyclist (1 ) and, in the case of an incident, the data relating to the black box function refer to the motorcycle (100).

With particular reference to figures 2 and 3 mentioned, the motorcyclist (1 ) uses a motorcycle (100) and has fitted the helmet (300) and the control glove (60A) or a smart bracelet (90), on which a second electronic device (50) is positioned and operated, which is in communication with the first electronic device (10).

When approaching an intersection or a slowdown imposed by the traffic, that precedes it (figure 4), when the motorcyclist (1 ) slows down the speed of the motorcycle (100), for example by operating a gearshift (engine brake), even without braking (therefore, without switching on the motorcycle stop lights (100)), the management software of the first electronic device (10) processes the data of its GPS sensors (14), gyroscope (16) and accelerometer (21 ) together to the data sent by the accelerometer sensor (58) integrated in the second electronic device (50A or 50B).

If the speed decrease, calculated within a set time frame, it is in the norm, the first electronic device (10) will not activate a visual communication through the LEDs of the PCB (20) on the sides and on the back surface of the helmet (300).

Otherwise, the electronic device (10) switches on the LEDs (20A) for stop signalling, intermittently for greater visibility and less energy consumption; the leds (20A) will remain in action until the accelerometer sensor (58), integrated in the second electronic device (50A, 50B) placed in the glove (60A), or on the smart bracelet (90), will communicate to the first electronic device (10) an increase in speed given by the restart of the motorcycle (100).

In the same way, with reference to figure 5 mentioned, the motorcyclist (1 ), with the helmet (300) and the glove (60A) or the smart bracelet (90) on which the second electronic device (50A, 50B) which communicates with the first electronic device (10) is operative, when approaching an intersection or in a situation of change of direction for overtaking, can act with the thumb, - or other part of the hand - to which they are connected, on the relative glove (60A) or thimble in latex (60B), a series of pressure sensors (61 ) and a magnetic field sensor (62), which is associated with the magnets (102 , 103) fixed on the buttons on the direction arrows switch (101 ), which is in turn located on the motorcycle handlebar (100).

The interaction between the sensors (61 , 62) and one of the magnets (102, 103) causes a data transmission from the second electronic device (50A, 50B) to the first electronic device (10); in this situation, the management software of the first electronic device (10) will activate a visual communication through the leds placed on the PCB (20) of the helmet (300) and, in particular, through the right or left direction leds, as well as a signal beeper audible through the loudspeaker (18) of the helmet (300) or directly from the beeper itself.

The direction leds and the beeper will remain in action intermittently, for greater visibility and less energy consumption, until the inclinometer sensors (57) and gyroscope (58), integrated into the second electronic device (50) placed in the glove ( 60), will communicate to the first electronic device (10) a return of the motorcyclist (1 ) to the perpendicular position.

With reference to the aforementioned figure 6, the first electronic device (10) of the system according to the present invention is also able, during the whole road operation, to process and store continuously the data sent by the various sensors present in its electronic circuit (1 1 ) and in the electronic circuit (51 ) of the second electronic device (50) located on the glove (60A) or on the smart bracelet (90); if the aforementioned data remain within certain ranges established at the software level, the first electronic device (10) keeps them in memory only for a predetermined minimum time, for example, 15 seconds (redundant system).

In the case, on the other hand, the motorcyclist (1 ) suffers a collision or impact or another type of accident and, in particular, is hit by a car that following him (400) or is hit sideways or frontally, the first electronic device ( 10), processing the received data that will result "out of norm", proceeds to store in a permanent way, for a period of time greater than the aforesaid minimum time (for example, for a time of 1 minute) the actions happened before, during and after the incident and all data relating to the event and immediately after sending them, via an internet connection (chip (17)), to a central control server (500), providing after their cancellation.

In a particular version of the black box, it will be possible to keep in memory all the data collected during the use of the vehicle, data which can then be downloaded onto another electronic device and which can serve the user and/or other subjects for a personal use or other necessities, even for statistics.

For example, with reference to the aforementioned figure 7, according to which the motorcyclist (1 ) has undergone an event that the management software of the first electronic device (10) has deemed "out of standard", at the same time as the memorization of the event data for the "black box" function, the system identifies whether the "non-standard" parameters fall within a threshold established for a serious event.

In this case, the first electronic device (10) immediately activates an emergency call (eCALL) both to the central control server (500) and to an urgent and emergency assistance switchboard (600) thanks to the SIM (15) placed in its electronic circuit (1 1 ); then, after a predetermined time (for example, after 1 minute), verified by the movement sensor (19) located inside the helmet padding (300) that there are no movements, the first electronic device (10) activates a new call informing that the motorcyclist (1 ) is unconscious.

In this case, if the motorcyclist (1 ) realizes that the emergency call eCALL has been sent in a manner not corresponding to the necessity, the same motorcyclist (1 ) can deactivate the call by pressing a button (70) on the helmet (300).

With regard to the additional functions of the first electronic device (10), it may receive from the central control server (500) or from institutions cooperating in the "smart city" activities, notifications through the SIM (15) inserted in its electronic circuit (1 1 ), so that the motorcyclist (1 ) can hear it through the loudspeaker (18) present in the helmet padding (300).

Also, the first electronic device (10) will be able to send the position of the motorcyclist (1 ) and of the relative motorcycle (100) to other transport means provided with an assisted driving, alerting in advance the driver of that vehicle of the presence of the rider (1 ) and of the relative motorcycle (100); even the motorcyclist himself (1 ) can be informed of the presence of other vehicles near his direction of travel.

The invention thus conceived and illustrated herein is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

Finally, the components used, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the characteristics and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been attached for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, these reference marks have no limiting effect on the claims interpretation of each element identified by way of example from these reference marks.

Claims

1 . A telematics system of visual and safety prevention for users or drivers of motor vehicles, such as motorcyclists (1 ), cyclists, e-bike users, skiers, etc., including:

- a vehicle, such as a cycle, motorcycle (100), etc.,

- a helmet (300) that is worn by a user or driver of said vehicle,

- a glove (60A) or a thimble (60B) coupled with a smart bracelet (90), said glove (60A) or thimble (60B) having at least one sensor for detecting a current stream and/or a relative magnetic field and/or at least one pressure sensor, said glove (60A), thimble (60B) and smart bracelet (90) being worn by a user or driver of said vehicle,

characterized in that said system includes

- a first electronic device (10) coupled with said helmet (300) and comprising an electronic circuit (1 1 ) with a processor (12) having a management software and firmware, a Bluetooth chip (13), a GPS sensor (14), a gyroscope (16), a SIM (15), an internet transmitter (17), an audio chip and a loudspeaker (18), a motion sensor (19), an accelerometer (21 ) and a device for connecting at least one PCB (20) comprising a plurality of LEDs (20A, 20B, 20B) powered by one or more rechargeable batteries (30) or by an induction system,

- a second electronic device (50A, 50B) communicating with said first electronic device (10), which is placed on said glove (60A) or on said smart bracelet (90) and comprising an electronic circuit (51 ) with a processor (52) having a management software and firmware (56), a Bluetooth chip (53), a GPS sensor (54), a gyroscope (56), a RFID reader (57), an oscillometer (55) and an accelerometer (58), said electronic circuit (51 ) being connected to a plurality of pressure sensors (61 ) and to a magnetic field sensor (62) which are coupled with said glove (60) and is powered by one or more rechargeable batteries (31 ) or by an induction system,

- two magnets (102, 103) with opposite poles attached to the buttons of at least one switch (101 ) associated with the direction arrows of said vehicle (100), said magnetic field sensor (62) being associated with said two magnets (102, 103),

- a passive or active TAG (80) fixed to said vehicle and coupled with said first and second electronic devices (10, 50A, 50B),

- one or more control server (500) with dedicated software, configured to receive the data sent from said first and second coupled electronic devices (10, 50A, 50B) and to send notifications to said first and second electronic devices (10, 50A, 50B).

2. A telematics system as in claim 1 , characterized in that said management software of said first electronic device (10) processes the data of said GPS sensor (14), of said gyroscope (16) and of said accelerometer (21 ) of said first electronic device (10) together with the data sent by said accelerometer (58) of said second electronic device (50A, 50B), so as to assess whether a decrease in speed of said vehicle, calculated within a predetermined time interval, is within a first range of standard values and, in that case, it does not perform any other action.

3. A telematics system as in claim 2, characterized in that, in the case in which said vehicle speed decrease, calculated within a predetermined time interval, is outside said first range of standard values, said first electronic device (10) switches on said LEDs (20A) of said at least one PCB (20) and said LEDs (20A) flashing in order to send a stop signal, whereas, if said vehicle speed decrease, calculated within a predetermined time interval, is such as to imply a collision or an impact, said first electronic device (10) switches on a plurality of sensors configured to test said collision or impact.

4. A telematics system as in claim 3, characterized in that said LEDs (20A) remain active until said accelerometer (58) communicates to said first electronic device (10) a vehicle speed increase above said range of standard values.

5. A telematics system as in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an interaction between said pressure and magnetic field sensors (61 , 62) and one of said magnets (102, 103) causes a data transmission from said second electronic circuit (20A, 20B) to said first electronic circuit (10) and said first electronic circuit (10) operates a visual and/or voiced communication by means of said plurality of LEDs (20A, 20B) and/or by means of a loudspeaker (18) or a beeper coupled with said helmet (300).

6. A telematics system as in claim 5, characterized in that said plurality of LED (20A, 20B, 20C) and said loudspeaker (18) operates intermittently until said gyroscope (58) of said second electronic device (50A, 50B) communicates to said first electronic device (10) a return of the driver to a position perpendicular to the ground.

7. A telematics system as in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first electronic device (10), during the travel, continuously processes and stores the data sent by said electronic circuit (1 1 ) of said first electronic device (10) and by said electronic circuit (51 ) of said second electronic device (50A, 50B), so that, if said data are within predetermined ranges, said first electronic device (10) stores said data in a memory for a first prefixed minimum time.

8. A telematics system as in claim 7, characterized in that, if the user or driver of the vehicle undergoes a shock, impact or other accident, said first electronic device (10) processing said data sent by the electronic circuits (1 1 , 51 ) of the first and second electronic devices (10, 50A, 50B), which are outside said predetermined ranges, stores said data permanently, for a prefixed time greater than said first prefixed minimum time, and transmits said data by means of an internet connection (17) to a control server (500), subsequently deleting said data or storing said data in a memory so that they can be downloaded by the user and/or by other persons for personal use or other needs of a statistical nature.

9. A telematics system as in claim 8, characterized in that said first electronic device (10) is configured to actuate an emergency call both to said control server (500) and to an emergency switchboard (600) and, after a predetermined time and after having verified that there is no movement within the helmet (300) of the user's or driver's of the vehicle, said first electronic device (10) actuates a new emergency call which can be manually deactivated by the user or driver of the vehicle.

10. A telematics system as in at least one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said first electronic device (10) is configured to receive, from said control server (500) or from one or more foundations, notification which are sent to the driver of the vehicle via said loudspeaker (19) placed within the helmet (300) and/or said first electronic device (10) is configured to send the position of said user or driver of the vehicle and of said vehicle to other transport means, thus informing said transport means of the presence of said user or driver of the vehicle and/or said first electronic device (10) is configured to receive data on the presence of other vehicles near the driving direction of said vehicle.