Motorcycle safety helmet system

摘要

A helmet-mounted wireless frequency-modulated infrared beam-actuated auxiliary brakelight system capable of reliable operation in all ranges of ambient light while permitting the rider to turn his head from side to side over a large angle approaching 180 degrees or more. The system comprises a frequency-modulated infrared transmitter, in operative combination with a switch for detecting brake system actuation, and a helmet module, including a frequency-modulated infrared receiver and decoder in operative combination with a stop light. Brake system initiation results in switch actuation which causes the transmitter to emit a beam of frequency-modulated infrared energy towards the helmet module. When the beam is received at the helmet module, it is captured using a lens in operative combination with a novel lightpipe which ensures reception over a 180 degree angle. The infrared energy is then transmitted through a solar filter which further discriminates between solar infrared energy and the infrared beam from the transmitter, before being received at an electro-optical circuit. This circuit decodes the frequency-modulated infrared energy and activates the auxiliary brake lamp.