Dynamic cycle light distribution system

• US 9,630,669 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2016
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher Slaughter
• Original Assignee: Mystic Devices LLC
• Inventors: Slaughter, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): A, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US15/015,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20160221625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 353 11, 353 12, 353 13, 353 28, 353 29, 353 30, 340432, 340475, 340477
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/4151 for sensing lateral inclination of the cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/4152 for sensing longitudinal inclination of the cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/01 Electric circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/028 specially adapted for rider-propelled cycles with or without additional source of power
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]

Abstract

A system for dynamic distribution of bicycle lighting including a plurality of light sources coupled to and under operation of a controller. The controller controls power distributed to the light sources and provides dynamic illumination of the light sources according to bicycle operating condition data regarding the speed, angle of incline, angle of descent and geographic and terrain conditions in which the bicycle is operated.

Claims

1. A dynamic bicycle light power distribution system for adjusting illumination of a plurality of light sources, comprising:

a first light source positioned to illuminate a first area of a path of travel of a bicycle;

a second light source positioned to illuminate a second area of the path of travel of the bicycle remote from the first area;

a position module for transmitting signals representing an operating condition data of the bicycle; and

a controller configured to distribute power to the first light source and the second light source in response to signals received by the position module according to operating conditions of the bicycle,

wherein the controller is further configured to distribute a level of power to the first light source that is greater than a level of power distributed to the second light source according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operating condition data of the bicycle comprises at least one indicia of a speed, an angle of descent, an angle of incline, a lean angle, a geographic location, and a terrain type.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to distribute power to only the first light source in response to signals received by the position module according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third light source positioned to illuminate a third area of the path of travel of the bicycle remote from the first area and the second area.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the operating condition data of the bicycle comprises speed, angle of descent, angle of incline, lean angle, geographic location, and terrain type.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to distribute power to the second light source and the third light source in response to signals received by the position module according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to distribute a level of power to the second light source that is greater than a level of power distributed to the third light source according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller further comprises pulse width modulation circuitry to distribute power to the first light source, the second light source and the third light source.

10. A dynamic bicycle light power distribution system for adjusting illumination of a plurality of light sources, comprising:

a first light source positioned to illuminate a first area of a path of travel of a bicycle;

a second light source positioned to illuminate a second area of the path of travel of the bicycle remote from the first area;

a position module for transmitting signals representing an operating condition data of the bicycle; and

a controller configured to distribute power to the first light source and the second light source in response to signals received by the position module according to operating conditions of the bicycle,

wherein the controller is further configured to distribute a level of power to the first light source that is less than a level of power distributed to the second light source according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to distribute power to only the second light source in response to signals received by the position module according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the operating condition is a decreased angle of incline.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the operating condition is an increased angle of incline.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the operating condition is an increased rate of speed.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the operating condition is a decreased rate of speed.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the operating condition data of the bicycle comprises at least one indicia of a speed, an angle of descent, an angle of incline, a lean angle, a geographic location, and a terrain type.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to distribute power to only the second light source in response to signals received by the position module according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising a third light source positioned to illuminate a third area of the path of travel of the bicycle remote from the first area and the second area.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to distribute a level of power to the second light source that is less than a level of power distributed to the third light source according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to distribute power to the second light source and the third light source in response to signals received by the position module according to the operating conditions of the bicycle.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the operating condition data of the bicycle comprises speed, angle of descent, angle of incline, lean angle, geographic location, and terrain type.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller further comprises pulse width modulation circuitry to distribute power to the first light source, the second light source and the third light source.

23. The system of claim 10, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.