Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an article of headgear having means for projecting images to the eyes of the wearer.

Background of the Invention

Articles of headgear for presenting images to the eyes of the wearer are known. For example, rear vision helmets have been developed by the Applicant and are used widely as motorcycle helmets.

One of the Applicant's helmets is described in the United Kingdom patent no GB2432102B. In this patent a rear view mirror system is described where the mirror proximate the eyes of the wearer is mounted such that it may be moved back and forth in a translational motion towards and away from the helmet, and also rotationally. In this way the wearer of the article of headgear may adjust the position of the mirror proximate his eyes to provide the best rear view.

The means of adjustment of the mirror position in GB2432102B comprises a threaded rod which is connected to both the main body of the helmet and the component on which the mirror is mounted. The end of the threaded rod is engaged by the wearer's fingers to cause rotation of the rod, which causes the component on which the mirror is mounted to move towards or away from the main body of the helmet. The mirror is mounted on a hinged element and the hinge is arranged so that the hinged components remain stationary after a force opening or closing the hinge is removed.

Many other articles of headgear exist which purport to present an image to the eyes of the wearer of the article of headgear. For example, US 3,978,526 describes a helmet having a rear view mirror arrangement. US5,884,337 describes a baseball cap having a mirror situated under the brim thereof.

WO2013/062772 describes a display device with image depth simulation which is said to be capable of being incorporated in a head mounted display. The owners of this patent application have launched a product known as Google Glass which provides an optical head mounted display in the form of a pair of spectacles with means to project images to one of the lenses. The Google Glass optical head mounted display is embodied in a spectacle frame and presents information to only one eye. It is known that where information is presented to only one of two eyes, the eye to which the information is presented becomes strained.

The automation of vehicle functions is developing quickly in relation to cars, trucks and other vehicles having more than two wheels. For example, certain manufacturers of cars already fit systems to cars that apply the brakes automatically if an obstacle is detected and the vehicle is travelling below a certain speed, that is the vehicle takes over a certain aspect of driving from the driver in certain conditions. This is much more difficult to achieve in relation to two wheeled vehicles. This is because a two wheeled vehicle is inherently unstable and is made stage by the rider. If the brakes of a motorcycle were to be applied without the rider being warned, the rider may be unable to keep the motorcycle under control.

In relation specifically to motorcycles, vehicle information systems become ever more complex presenting ever more information to the rider. However, reading information displays can be very distracting, and in sunshine may not even be possible.

It would be desirable to provide an improved article of headgear configured to present an image to the eye of the wearer of the article of headgear.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an article of headgear as specified in Claim 1.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an article of headgear as specified in Claim 30.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an article of headgear as specified in Claim 31.

Preferred features of the invention are set out in the claims dependent on Claims 1, 30 and 31, in the description and the drawings. Individual features shown in a particular embodiment are not necessarily restricted to that embodiment and may be used in addition to or as replacements of individual features of other embodiments described herein, other than where for technical reasons such addition or replacement is clearly not possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view on the axis a-a of a part of an article of headgear according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an adjustable component of the part of the article of headgear shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation illustrating the internal components of the adjustable component shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4a is a schematic representation of another embodiment of an article of headgear according to the invention;

Figure 4a' is a schematic representation of the EVD of the article of headgear illustrated in Figure 4a;

Figure 4b is a schematic representation of another embodiment of an article of headgear according to the invention;

Figure 4b' is a schematic representation of the electronics module of the article of headgear illustrated in Figure 4b; and

Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the micro-electronic components associated with the article of head gear illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown a structure 1 having a lower part comprised of a plurality of planar surfaces la, lb and lc, and an upper part including sections 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, and side walls 3. The structure includes an opening 4 at one end provided with a window 5. At the other end of the structure 1 on the free end of the section 2a, there is mounted an adjustable member 6, which may be moved in three planes.

The sections 2b and 2d each mount a mirror 2b', 2d'.

The adjustable member 6 has surface 6' on which a mirror 6a is provided. Mirror 6a may be provided either by attaching a separate mirror to the surface 6' or by applying a mirror layer to the surface 6'.

The section 2a includes a pair of spaced apart extendible side members 8, each of which includes a first element 8a and a second element 8b mounted therein. Extending between and attached to the ends of elements

8b is a third element 8c. The adjustable member 6 is mounted on bracket 9 which is mounted on the third element 8c. The adjustable member 6 and the bracket 9 each include a part of a ball and socket joint 10. In the illustrated embodiment the bracket 9 includes the ball part 10a of the ball and socket joint 10, the adjustable member 6 comprising the socket 10b.

The third element 8c is attached to the second elements 8b by a connector element 11.

Figure 3 illustrates the mechanism for adjusting the position of the member 6. The element 8c comprises an outer tubular member 18a and a shaft assembly 18b mounted within the tubular member 18a. The shaft assembly 18b includes means for selectively engaging with or disengaging from the outer tubular member 18a. In the illustrated example, the shaft assembly comprises two shaft members 18b', each mounted within a tube 18b" of the shaft assembly 18b. The tube 18b" has a tube wall, which includes slots 19. A flexible element 18h is aligned with a respective one of the slot 19. One end of the flexible element 18h is attached to the tube 18b" with the other end of the flexible element 18h being attached to an end of the shaft member 18b'.

The shaft assembly 18b has actuators 18c associated therewith, each actuator 18c mounted in one of the connector elements 11. Each actuator 18c is conical, providing a tapered wall 18f, and includes an internal bore 18d, in which is mounted a spring 18e. The free end of shaft member 18b' is received in the internal bore 18d of the actuator 18c, with the spring 18e mounted on the shaft. Hence, one end of the spring engages the end of the bore 18d whilst the other end engages an end of the tube 18b". The actuator 18c is preferably fixed to the end of the shaft member 18b'.

When the actuator 18c is pressed inward, that is in the direction X indicated in Figure 3, the shaft member 18b' is caused to move inward in the direction X, which stretches the flexible element 18h, bringing the flexible element 18h out of engagement with the inner surface of the outer tubular member 18a. The outer tubular member may then rotate with respect to the shaft assembly 18b. When the actuators are released, the flexible elements 18h contract and again engage the inner surface of the outer tubular member 18a. In the illustrated embodiment, the springs 18e urge the actuators 18c in the opposite direction to the direction X. However, the flexible elements 18h may themselves be formed of a resilient material and be adapted to urge the shaft member 18b' in the opposite direction to the direction X. Such resilient flexible elements 18h may work with or without the springs 18e present.

The tapered wall 18f provided by the conical actuator 18c engages the end of the tubular member 18a. Each element 8b also comprises an outer tubular member 18a and a shaft assembly 18b mounted within the tubular member 18a.

Actuators 18c are operative to release the flexible elements 18h from engagement with the inner surface of outer tubular members 18a. Shaft assembly 18b includes a shaft member 18b' mounted in a tube 18b". The tube 18b" includes slots 19 with which flexible elements 18h are aligned. One end of each flexible element 18h is attached to the tube 18b" and the other end to the shaft member 18b'. The free end of the shaft member 18b' engages a spring 18e, which urges the shaft member 18b' into a position where the flexible elements 18h engage the inner surface of the outer tubular member 18a. As described above with reference to the element 8c, the flexible elements 18h may be resilient and may replace or assist springs 18e.

The end shaft member 18b' of element 8b proximate actuator 18c is engaged by the tapered wall 18f thereof. Hence, when the actuator 18c is moved in the direction X, the tapered wall 18f causes the shaft member 18b' to move in the direction indicated by arrow Y, causing the flexible element 18h to stretch, coming out of engagement with the inner surface 18a' of outer tubular member 18a.

The inner surface of outer tubular members 8a may be splined, the splines extending axially along the tubular members.

Hence, the wearer of an article of headgear incorporating the structure 1 may, by depressing actuators 18c, for example between the finger and thumb of one hand, both rotate the outer tube 8a and hence rotate the adjustable member 6, but may also move the adjustable member 6 back and forth in the direction Y-Y' .

Typically, the wearer of the article of headgear incorporating structure 1 would depress the actuators 18c with the digits of one hand, using the same hand to control back and forth movement in the direction Y-Y', whilst using his other hand to rotate the adjustable member 6.

The connection of the adjustable element 6 to the bracket 9 the ball and socket joint 10a, 10b allows for pitch, roll and yaw adjustment of the adjustable element 6. Hence, the wearer of the article headgear may position independently the bracket 9 rotationally and back and forth in the direction Y-Y' using the actuators 18c, and the adjustable element 6 in pitch, roll and yaw by virtue of the ball and socket joint 10a, 10b.

Referring again to Figure 1, there is mounted an electronic visual display (EVD) 20. The EVD is mounted in the planar surface lc of the structure 1, proximate the rear window 5. In the illustrated embodiment the EVD is pivo tally mounted to the structure 1 by means of a hinge 21. The hinge allows the EVD to be moved between the two positions shown in Figure 1, that is with the EVD lying in the plane of planar surface lc and the EVD being situated in the opening 4.

As with other rear vision systems, such as that described in GB2432102B, light is transmitted from the opening 4 to the eyes 50 of a wearer by mirrors 2b', 2d' mounted on sections 2b, 2b of structure 1, and 6' mounted on the surface 6a of adjustable member 6.

With the EVD positioned in the opening 4, instead of the mirrors 2d', 2b' and 6' receiving light entering the structure 1 via opening 4 and window 5, light emanating from the EVD is reflected. In this way electronic images may be presented to the wearer of an article of headgear. Such an article of headgear may be useful where it is desirable to present information to the wearer. In this arrangement a rear view may also be provided by including a camera in the EVD, the camera directed outward and rearward of the structure 1 to capture and display to the wearer of the article of headgear visual information in the camera's field of view.

The inner surface 5a of the window 5 may be mirrored, the window 5 nevertheless adapted to allow passage of light from the outside to the inside of the structure. With the EVD lying in the plane of the planar surface lc, light emanating from the EVD is reflected by the mirrored surface 5a to mirrors 2d', 2b' and 6' to the eyes 50 of the wearer. In this way, images from the EVD are super posed on the external images entering the structure 1 via the window 5.

The EVD 20 may be configured such that it may display images on each side 20a, 20b thereof.

Reference to the term mirror in this specification should be understood to encompass both mirrors and mirrored lenses.

Where the optical elements of the structure include one or more lenses, the fore and aft movement provided for allows the wearer of the article of headgear to be focussed by the wearer.

Instead of or in addition to the adjustable element 6 being provided with a mirror or mirror surface, the adjustable element 6 may include a lens. Instead of the image being presented to the eyes 49 of the wearer by reflection from a mirror, the light may pass through a lens being presented on the inner surface of a visor of the article of headgear.

This may be useful where an image continuously in the peripheral vision of the wearer of the article of headgear is desirable. For example, a fireman may require an article of headgear, which mounts an infrared camera. Infrared images captured by the camera may be displayed to the wearer of the article of headgear via the

EVD.

The structure 1 allows alignment of mountings for mirrors, mirrored lenses, lenses and the EVD to be controlled during manufacture of the structure. The assembled structure is then fitted into a helmet.

Figure 4a illustrates an article of headgear 30 that includes a structure 1 similar to and including a number of components of the article of headgear shown in Figures 1 to 3. Like numerals are used to indicate like parts. This embodiment includes an EVD 20 of the type shown in Figure 3. Again, in this embodiment the EVD 20 is pivo tally mounted at pivot point 21 to the structure 1.

The window 5 may be manufactured of or have applied thereto an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or OLED array. Alternatively, or additionally, the window 5 may include RGB light emitting diodes 25. The inner surface 5a of the window 5 may be mirrored. For example, the OLED may be provided in an OLED film or tape. The OLEDs may be RGB LEDs.

The EVD 20, OLED and/ or RGB LEDs require power. The article of headgear 30 illustrated in Figure 4 is provided with a power store in the form of cells 26, which are mounted in the EVD 20 and which are adapted to be charged inductively by an inductive charging module 27 also mounted in the EVD 20 and power generation means mounted on the article of headgear 30, the power generation means being adapted to charge the cells through the inductive charging module. The article of headgear 30 includes an outer shell 31, on or in which power generation means are mounted. In the illustrated example the power generation means include photo voltaic panels 32 and one or more micro turbines 33. The micro turbine 33 is mounted in the article of head gear 30, with the body of the micro-turbine 32 being situated within the outer shell 31.

A stand 40 is provided on which the article of headgear 30 may sit for the purposes of storage and charging, the stand 40 includes one part (inductive charging module 41) of an inductive charging system for charging the cells 26.

The vehicle with which the driver wearing the article of headgear 30 drives may be equipped with an inductive charging module similar to the inductive charging module 41 provided in the stand 40, thereby allowing the cells 26 to be charged constantly from the vehicle whilst the article of headgear 30 is travelling along. In order to facilitate simple manufacture of the article of headgear 30, the EVD 20 includes a part of an electrical connection 34, which provides for the electrical connection of the EVD 20 to the OLED's and/or RGB LEDs 25 of the window 5. To this end, the window 5 is provided with an electrical connector 34a that is adapted to plug into the electrical connector 34.

Whilst OLEDs and/ or RGB LEDs are preferred other LEDs may be used. The advantage of OLEDs is that they may be transparent. The advantage of RGB LEDs is that the same LED may be used to provide different colour indications, and in the case of an article of headgear, space is limited and therefore using the same LED to provide different colour indications is beneficial.

Advantageously, the article of headgear 30 includes a Bluetooth or other connection, preferably wireless, that provides for connection to an information system, for example the vehicle information system of a motorcycle.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 4b differs from that illustrated in Figure 4a in that the EVD 20 is replaced by an encapsulated electronics module 20' that does not include any display. In this case all indications to the wearer of the article of headgear 30 are made through the LED's mounted in or on the window 5. The electronics module 20' may be mounted by the same pivot 21 as shown in Figure 4a. However, the pivot 21 is not strictly necessary and the module 20' may be fixed to the structure 1 without provision for pivoting with respect thereto.

It is preferred that both the EVD 20 and the encapsulated electronics module 20' provide resistance to penetration greater than or equal the penetration resistance standards for helmets provided in legislation and guidance. The typical shape of the EVD 20 and electronics module 20' is shown in Figure 4a' and 4b'.

Figure 5 illustrates the micro-electronic circuitry associated with the article of headgear 30 and a vehicle, typically a motorcycle.

The micro-electronics for mounting on a motorcycle comprises a controller 50, which includes a CAN Bus interface 51 (or where the CAN Bus protocol is not used the bus protocol used by the vehicle). Through the CAN Bus interface the controller can communicate with numerous devices connected to the BUS. This in itself is well known. The CAN Bus interface 51 communicates with a micro-CAN Bus decoder 52, which is connected to a Bluetooth (or similar wireless communications system) communication device 53. The controller 50 further includes a power regulator 54 and a connection 55 for connecting the controller 50 to an on board vehicle display.

The article of headgear 30 is provided with its own controller, which shall be referred to as the headgear controller 60 and which is preferably situated in the EVD 20 or the encapsulated electronics module 20'. The headgear controller 60 includes a Bluetooth (or similar wireless communications system) communication device 61, a micro-processor 62, cells 63, charging circuitry 64 and an in headgear display output 65.

The headgear controller 60 receives signals from the vehicle controller 50 over the Bluetooth communications system common to the vehicle and headgear controllers via the Bluetooth communication devices 53 and 61 respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the output to the headgear display output is not identical to the output to the on board vehicle display. It has been found necessary to modify the outputs to the headgear display so that the outputs are intelligible to the wearer of the article of headgear 30 in the environment in which the signals are transmitted. It has been found necessary to simplify signals when presented to the wearer of an article of headgear 30. Whilst it is conceivable to present to the wearer of the article of headgear an image identical to that presented to the driver of the vehicle through the on board vehicle display, such detailed information may be a distraction to the driver of the vehicle if presented in the article of headgear (in fact it is already recognised that the presentation of information to the driver of a vehicle through a detailed on board display can distract the driver, hence there is no reason to suspect that this would be different if the information were presented in an article of headgear). It is therefore preferable to present relevant information to the driver of the vehicle in the article of headgear in a manner that provides as little possibility for distraction of the driver as possible and that conveys useful information to the driver as clearly as possible. It is of course desirable to interfere as little as possible with the view to the rear through the article of headgear 30.

One function of the headgear controller 60 is therefore to convert a signal received from the vehicle controller into a signal suitable for outputting from the headgear controller. For example, in the case of indicating fuel level, rather than giving a very accurate indication that would be given on an on board display, in the helmet it may be sufficient to provide three differently colour lights, green, amber and red, indicating sufficient fuel, becoming low and very low. In this way the wearer of the helmet is not over-burdened with information. The helmet may be used with satellite navigation system and the helmet controller may present a flashing indication to the wearer of the helmet, the frequency of flashing indicating the proximity to a required action for example.

In addition to providing notice to the wearer of the helmet that an indicator is erroneously flashing, it may be useful to provide direction indication and braking indication at helmet height. It is common to mount high level brake lights in cars and to provide high level direction indication on commercial vehicles. This can be done by commanding appropriate ones of LEDs 25 to light in an accepted manner, for example flashing orange for direction indication, continuous red for brakes.

In the case of direction indication, there are certain dangers associated with providing in helmet indications. Namely, the way the motorcycle riders turn their heads and bodies in order to observe other road users. This can have the effect of the part of the helmet being situated to the opposing side of the centre-line of the motor cycle to the intended direction of indication. Clearly, this can be confusing for other road users. Therefore, it is preferable that the headgear includes a direction sensor which is configured to sense the direction of the helmet relative to the longitudinal direction of the motor cycle. This direction sensor may be comprised in the helmet controller 60. The controller 60 may be configured to allow direction indication via the helmet only when the longitudinal direction of the helmet is in substantially parallel alignment with the longitudinal direction of the motor cycle.

Of course the reasoning may apply to helmet wearers driving or riding other vehicles where the above- mentioned problem might arise, such as bicycles, tricycles, quad bikes, etc.

The helmet may include other sensors, not previously mentioned, for example a blind spot vehicle presence indicator. The headgear controller 60 then causes a signal to be issued to the wearer to the helmet to indicate the presence of a vehicle in the blind spot. This may be an amber or red light to the side of helmet where the unseen vehicle is situated.

As mentioned above, the article of headgear 30 includes an outer shell 31. Inside the outer shell is a thick layer of energy absorbing material that conforms to the shape of the wearer's head. It is preferable that a radio frequency shield is provided between the head and the electronic components mounted in or on the article of headgear 30. The radio frequency shield is most likely to be a foil layer and is most likely to be on the shell side of the energy absorbing layer. However, the radio frequency shield may be situated on the wearer's head side of the energy absorbing layer.

By positioning the EVD and/or LEDs remote from the wearer's eyes a relatively long focal length of presented image may be obtained, which does not strain the eyes in the same way that an image having a shorter focal length might. Further, visual information is presented to both eyes of the wearer of the article of headgear, which is important in reducing eye strain as compared to visual information system displaying information to only one eye of the wearer.

Whilst it is advantageous in many embodiments that the rear view provided by the article of headgear takes in not only information presented by the EVD and/ or the LEDs, in some applications a view of what is physically behind the wearer of the article of headgear is not necessary and in such circumstance a transparent part 5 is not required.