Augmented Reality Motorcycle Helmet

• US 20160066640A1
• Filed: 11/12/2015
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Skully, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Skully Inc.
• Inventors: Shreeve, Brian Robert, Roberts, Michael James, Weller, Marcus D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,098,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0406 Accessories for helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0426 Rear view devices or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0446 intended to light the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0493 Aerodynamic helmets; Air guiding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/221 Attaching visors to helmet shells, e.g. on motorcycle helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/28 Ventilating arrangements A42B3/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/286 with forced flow, e.g. by a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0159 with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0183 Adaptation to parameters characterising the motion of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0179 Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads

Abstract

An augmented-reality helmet comprises a full-face motorcycle helmet with a look-down micro-display that projects a virtual image in-line with the helmet'"'"'s chin bar. In order to accommodate the power requirements, the helmet includes a battery pack mounted at the base of the motorcyclist'"'"'s skull. A wind turbine charges the batteries. Exhaust from the turbine is then deducted through the helmet to cool the battery pack and/or the motorcyclist'"'"'s head. The turbine is controllable so that it can operate as a circulating fan to provide ventilation. A digital gyroscope provides a control input to a controller for operating a steerable headlight of the motorcycle to track the rider'"'"'s head movements; and provides acceleration output to an algorithm that will contact emergency responders if the rider is non-responsive after a collision. A 170 degree rear-view camera is mounted within an aerodynamic fairing on the back of the helmet.

Claims

1. A method of displaying information to a user, the method comprising:

accessing navigational information associated with a vehicle;

receiving, by a helmet control module, data associated with a rear view image captured by a rear facing camera contained in a helmet worn by the user; and

projecting, by the helmet control module, the navigational information and the rear view image onto a display device coupled to a chin bar of the helmet, wherein the display device is positioned to be viewed by the user without reducing the user'"'"'s view through the helmet.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing vehicle metric information associated with the vehicle; and

projecting the vehicle metric information onto the display device along with the navigational information and the rear view image.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting the data associated with the rear view image into a video format that is appropriate for the display device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device is movable between the left side and the right side of the helmet based on a viewing preference of the user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an object in the path of the vehicle; and

displaying a warning image on the display device responsive to detecting the object.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sensing an ambient light condition; and

adjusting a light output of the display device based on the sensed ambient light condition.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the display device is mounted to an inside surface of the chin bar of the helmet.

8. A helmet comprising:

an outer shell;

a substantially transparent face shield attached to the outer shell;

a chin bar disposed below the face shield; and

a display device mounted to an inside surface of the chin bar and configured to display information to a user of the helmet, wherein the display device is positioned to be viewed by the user without reducing the user'"'"'s view through the face shield.

9. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising a wind turbine mounted to the outer shell and configured to charge batteries in the helmet responsive to air passing along the outer shell.

10. The helmet of claim 9, the wind turbine further configured to cool the batteries in the helmet.

11. The helmet of claim 9, the wind turbine further configured to cool the user'"'"'s head.

12. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising a gyroscope configured to track head movements of the user.

13. The helmet of claim 12, further comprising a movable headlamp mounted to the outer shell, wherein the movable headlamp is moved responsive to head movements of the user.

14. The helmet of claim 12, wherein the gyroscope is further configured to detect a sudden deceleration of the helmet and, responsive to detection of the sudden deceleration, generate a signal indicating the sudden deceleration.

15. The helmet of claim 14, wherein the signal indicating the sudden deceleration triggers an automatic contacting of emergency responders.

16. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising a pivoting camera mounted to the outer shell.

17. The helmet of claim 16, wherein the pivoting camera generates image data that is displayed on the display device.

18. The helmet of claim 8, further comprising:

a wind turbine mounted to the outer shell;

a gyroscope configured to track head movements of the user and further configured to detect a sudden deceleration of the helmet; and

a pivoting camera mounted to the outer shell.

19. The helmet of claim 18, wherein the wind turbine is configured to charge batteries in the helmet responsive to air passing along the outer shell and further configured to cool the user'"'"'s head.

20. The helmet of claim 18, further comprising a movable headlamp mounted to the outer shell, wherein the movable headlamp is moved responsive to head movements of the user.