Power management of a system for measuring the acceleration of a body part
First Claim
1. A sports helmet comprising:
- a battery powered electronic device; and
, a proximity sensor with an output element that sends a first signal to initiate a power-up cycle of the electronic device and a second signal to initiate a power-down cycle of the electronic device.
19 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining the magnitude of linear and rotational acceleration of an impact to a body part. The apparatus can be used with protective sports equipment, such as a sports helmet, wherein the apparatus includes a battery, a number of accelerometers positioned proximate to the outer surface of the head, and an electronic device with a processor and a transmitter to transmit data received from the accelerometers. To maximize the battery life and minimize power consumption by the electronic device, the apparatus includes a power management system with a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly sends a first signal to the electronic device to initiate operation when the sensor assembly detects the presence of an object within the helmet, and a second signal to the electronic device to cease operation when the sensor assembly detects the absence of the object. The sensor assembly may be a proximity sensor, more specifically an inductive, capacitive, or ultrasonic sensor.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A sports helmet comprising:
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a battery powered electronic device; and
,a proximity sensor with an output element that sends a first signal to initiate a power-up cycle of the electronic device and a second signal to initiate a power-down cycle of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A protective sports equipment assembly comprising:
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a battery;
an electronic device having a processor, a plurality of accelerometers configured to measure an impact to the equipment, and a transmitter to transmit data received from the accelerometers; and
,a sensor that sends a first signal to the electronic device to initiate operation when the sensor detects the presence of an object, and a second signal to the electronic device to cease operation when the sensor detects the absence of the object. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A sports helmet comprising:
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a shell;
a battery powered electronic device positioned within the shell; and
,a proximity sensor that sends a first signal to the electronic device to do one of either initiate operation when the sensor assembly detects the presence of an object within the helmet, or cease operation when the sensor assembly detects the absence of the object. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sports helmet comprising:
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a shell having a strap to releasably secure the helmet to a wearer'"'"'s head;
a battery powered electronic device; and
,a switch with a first electrical contact affixed to the shell and a second electrical contact affixed to the strap, wherein the first and second electrical contacts are joined to form an electrical connection with the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A sports helmet having an electrical circuit and a shell with a strap that releasably secures the helmet to a wearer'"'"'s head, the helmet comprising:
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a first electrical contact affixed to the shell; and
,a second electrical contact affixed to the strap, wherein the first and second contacts are connectable to close the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification