Method for monitoring the posture of a motorcyclist

• US 9,227,682 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2011
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Oettgen, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri
• Application Number:
  US13/981,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20140015662A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/432, 340/438, 340/439, 2 6/9, 224/400, 224/412, 224/413, 379/430, 381/376, 296/1.01, 362/157, 362/190, 362/191, 362/103, 362/105, 280/29, 280/200, 280/288.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/12 Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/24 warning or informing the rider, e.g. low fuel warning lights

Abstract

A method for improving the safety of motorcycling. With the aid of a sensor system, it is monitored if a motorcyclist assumes a predefined posture. Using an algorithm on a control unit, if it is detected that the motorcyclist deviates from the predefined posture for longer than a predetermined period of time, a signal transmitter is activated.

Claims

1. A method for improving the safety of motorcycling, comprising:

monitoring, using a sensor system, if a motorcyclist on a motorcycle assumes a predefined posture; and

activating a signal transmitter when it is determined that the motorcyclist deviates from the predefined posture for longer than a predetermined period of time, wherein;

the monitoring includes identifying which deviation type from a plurality of predetermined deviation types has occurred with respect to the predetermined posture,

the predetermined period of time varies as a function of the identified deviation type of the motorcyclist; and

wherein the type of deviation depends on which limb of the motorcyclist has deviated from the predefined postured for the limb.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes at least one of a contact sensor and a force sensor.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predefined posture is characterized by at least one of the following features:

a predefined sitting position of the motorcyclist, a predefined weight distribution on a seat of the motorcycle, one hand or both hands of the motorcyclist are situated at grips of handlebars of the motorcycle, one foot or both feet of the rider are in contact with foot rests of the motorcycle, the motorcyclist is not in contact with specified locations on the motorcycle, and legs of the motorcyclist assume a predefined position.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal transmitter outputs at least one of a haptic, an optical and an acoustic signal to the motorcyclist.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal transmitter outputs at least one of:

i) vibrations at at least one of a component of the motorcycle, at motorcycle equipment of the motorcyclist, ii) an optical signal in a cockpit, another component of the motorcycle, or at the equipment of the rider, and iii) an acoustic signal in the helmet, via handsfree conversing equipment, or another component of the motorcycle.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal transmitter generates vibrations at least one of:

i) at a throttle grip, ii) at a brake handle, iii) at foot rests, iv) at the seat, v) in motorcycle gloves, vi) at the motorcycle riding suit, and vii) at a helmet.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal transmitter is activated via an air interface.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the signal transmitter is actuated via Bluetooth.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time for a maximum deviation from different features of the predefined posture vary.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is a function of at least one of:

i) an operating variable of the motorcycle, ii) traffic data, iii) weather data, and iv) data regarding a route lying ahead.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time varies as a function of a speed of the motorcycle.

12. A control unit which processes signals of a sensor system of a motorcycle, determines if a motorcyclist assumes a predefined posture, and activates a signal transmitter when the control unit determines that the motorcyclist abandoned the predefined postured for longer than a predetermined period of time, wherein the determining includes identifying which deviation type from a plurality of predetermined deviation types has occurred with respect to the predetermined posture, and wherein the predetermined period of time varies as a function of the identified deviation type of the motorcyclist;

and wherein the type of deviation depends on which limb of the motorcyclist has deviated from the predefined posture for the limb.

13. The control unit as recited in claim 12, wherein the predetermined period of time varies as a function of a speed of the motorcycle.