COMMUNICATING INFORMATION REGARDING STATUS OF VEHICLE OPERATION

• US 20140354419A1
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethan Perry Frier
• Original Assignee: Ethan Perry Frier
• Inventors: Frier, Ethan Perry, Ota, Jonathan Tetsuhiro
• Granted Patent: US 10,059,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/432
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device

Abstract

Tools, techniques, strategies, devices, and systems are provided for processing and communicating the status of the operation of a vehicle using the visual effects of lighting devices. A lighting system is provided that uses a wide range of sensors, automated functionality, and communication modules for providing visual indications to others regarding the state of a bicycle and/or its operator.

Claims

1-88. -88. (canceled)

89. A lighting system comprising:

at least one power source structured for supplying electrical power in association with the operation of a vehicle;

at least one lighting device electrically connected to at least one power source;

wherein at least one lighting device is structured to display a visual effect in response to a change in state associated with the vehicle; and

,

wherein at least one lighting device is structured to display a first visual effect at a first state of the vehicle and a second visual effect at a second state of the vehicle, and wherein the first visual effect is different than the second visual effect.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein at least one lighting device includes a light emitting diode.

91. The system of claim 89, wherein the vehicle is a bicycle.

92. The system of claim 89, wherein at least one of the visual effects includes at least one of a color change, a brightness change, or a combination thereof.

93. The system of claim 89, further comprising a control unit comprising an electronic processor and at least one sensor coupled to the processor.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein the sensor includes a speed sensor.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein at least one lighting device is structured to generate at least one visual effect in response to a speed of the vehicle sensed by the speed sensor.

96. The system of claim 93, wherein the sensor includes a light sensor.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein at least one lighting device is structured to generate at least one visual effect in response to an environmental lighting condition sensed by the light sensor in association with operation of the vehicle.

98. The system of claim 93, wherein the control unit further comprises at least one data communication module configured to communicate with the lighting device in association with at least one wireless communication received by the data communication module.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein the control unit is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to the data communication module receiving a wireless communication from a mobile device.

100. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving a communication indicative of a second vehicle.

101. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving a communication indicative of a change in direction of the vehicle.

102. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving an instruction to identify a location of the vehicle.

103. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving traffic data.

104. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving a communication from at least one social network.

105. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving an indication of at least one of a vehicle speed, a vehicle acceleration, a vehicle deceleration, or a combination thereof.

106. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving an indication of a weather condition or a time.

107. The system of claim 98, wherein the data communication module is further programmed to generate a visual effect in at least one lighting device in response to receiving information from a database.

108. The system of claim 107, wherein the database information includes position data associated with the vehicle.

109. The system of claim 89, wherein the power source includes at least one dynamo.

110. The system of claim 109, wherein the dynamo is integrated into at least one wheel of the vehicle.

111. The system of claim 89, wherein the power source includes at least one induction coil structured to interact with at least one magnet mounted to a portion of the vehicle.