HAND MOUNTED MIRROR AND INDICATOR DEVICE

Abstract

The invention is a universal safety device for cyclists which can be used by anyone in any country with no modifications. The safety mirror and an indicator device (100) for wearing on a hand comprises: a first face (10A) housing a mirror (20) and a second opposed face (10B) that interfaces a wearer's hand in use. A strap (50) is provided for securing the device to a wearer's hand. A light (30) powered by a battery (70) is arranged on an end (40) of the device (100).

The light (30) and the strap (50) are arranged such that the light (30) projects past the hand of the wearer so that the light (30) is not obstructed by the wearer's hand when viewed from a position in front of the wearer during use. The device (100) has a switch (90) operatively connected to the light (30) to activate the light (30) when triggered.

Claims

1. A safety mirror and an indicator device for wearing on a hand comprising: a first face housing a mirror and a second opposed face that interfaces a wearer's hand in use; a strap for securing the device to a wearer's hand; a light powered by a battery, the light arranged on an end of the device; the light and the strap are arranged such that the light projects past the hand of the wearer so that the light is not obstructed by the wearer's hand when viewed from a position in front of the wearer during use, wherein the device has a switch operatively connected to the light to activate the light when triggered.

2. A safety mirror and indicator device according to claim 1 wherein the switch includes an accelerometer that is activated upon movement of a wearer's hand.

3. A safety mirror and indicator device according to claim 1 wherein the switch includes a proximity sensor such as a reed switch.

4. A safety mirror and indicator device according to claim 1 wherein the switch includes a touch sensor.

5. A safety mirror and indicator device according to claim 1 wherein the switch is activated by sound.

6. A safety mirror and indicator device according to claim 1 wherein the light is a light emitting diode.

7. A safety mirror and indicator device according to claim 1 wherein the body is substantially oblong.

8. A safety mirror and indicator device according claim 1 including at least one imager.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of the mirror and indicator device;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the mirror indicator device in FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the device in FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates the device in use;

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a first face of the device;

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram indicating system inputs and outputs;

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the device;

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a mode flow chart;

[0058] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of battery connections for an embodiment of the device;

[0059] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of programming connections for an embodiment of the device;

[0060] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of LED connections for an embodiment of the device;

[0061] FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of accelerometer connections for an embodiment of the device;

[0062] FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of microcontroller connections for an embodiment of the device;

[0063] FIG. 14 shows a print diagram of the PCB;

[0064] FIG. 15 shows an example parts list for an embodiment of the device; and

[0065] FIG. 16A shows a top view of an empty casing;

[0066] FIG. 16B show a bottom view an empty casing with a strap;

[0067] FIGS. 16C and 16D show two examples of different PCBs that may be used; and

[0068] FIG. 16E shows an overview of the device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a preferred embodiment of the mirror and indicator device 100. The device 100 has a first face 10A that houses a mirror 20 and a second face 10B that is adjacent a wearer's hand in use. The device 100 is oblong shaped.

[0070] A light 30 is arranged at an end 40 of the device. The light 30 is semi-circular. A strap 50 is arranged on the second face 10B. The strap 50 is arranged to pass across the palm of a wearer's hand so that the mirror 20 faces outwards on a rear face of the hand.

[0071] A lid 60 is provided on the second face 10B for covering battery 70. The lid 60 can be removed to access the battery 70. Within the casing 11 of the device is housed a printed circuit board 80 that connects the battery 70, a switch 90 and a microcontroller 95 which triggers a flashing command signal upon receipt of an input signal. The switch 90 shown in FIG. 3 is a reed switch.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment the switch 90 is an accelerometer.

[0073] In another embodiment the switch such as an accelerometer or touch sensor may be activated when it is tapped against a rider's helmet (not shown). This process is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6, which is a block diagram indicating system inputs and outputs between the battery 70, accelerometer 90, microcontroller 95 and light 30.

[0074] The switch such as the accelerometer 90 is powered by the battery 70 and provides a system input to the microcontroller 95 when the accelerometer 90 is activated in order to trigger the light 30 to flash. Ideally the accelerometer 90 is a 3-axis solid state gyroscope or includes three separate accelerometers.

[0075] The microcontroller 95 controls digital communications in the device, enables mode selection, and ensures sinking of current. FIG. 6 shows one example of a circuit diagram for achieving these aims.

[0076] Circuit components are arranged on or connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 80. The components are arranged such that the light 30 when activated, automatically indicates using a flashing orange LED when the user moves their hand in a predefined manner or through a predefined activation range. Preferably the activation range is from a minimum of 0 to 90°. In this way the light 30 is not accidently triggered by wearer movement such as riding over bumps or changing gear or changing riding positions.

[0077] The system shown in FIG. 6 is powered continuously from the moment when batteries are inserted. The accelerometer is the only input component to the device. Ideally the accelerometer in FIG. 6 is a 3-axis device and be capable of measuring forces up to ±8 g. Typically the accelerometer is a digital device with a range of interrupt generation and power saving modes available.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment the device includes a PIC24F microcontroller 95. A 2 mm right angle pin header (not shown) may be included to allow the device to be programmed and reprogrammed. The microcontroller 95 is capable of sinking current from at least an 18 mA LED 30 continuously and so is capable of operating in a low current consumption mode and includes a sleep function.

[0079] A standard 5 mm LED 30 is ideally included in the device, although other light emitting device may be used such as laser LEDs or light emitting polymer (LEP) devices. In some embodiments two or more LEDs may be provided, the additional LED may act as a back-up device or display a different colour. The device 100 may be powered by two CR2032, 3V, 220 mA (minimum), non-rechargeable batteries. Preferably the device 100 is configured to have a long battery life of at least 5 hours.

[0080] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the device 100 showing a preferred layout of internal components. As mentioned earlier device 100 has two batteries 70 and one LED 30. The LED 30 is positioned so that it protrudes slightly into a diffuser 36 in order to maximise the light emitted. The LED 30 and diffuser 36 are enclosed by a cover 35. The PCB 80 is secured in place via contact with the casing 11. The casing 11 is moulded to receive the components.

[0081] FIG. 8 shows a mode flow chart detailing the firmware for the modes of operation of the device 100. When the device 100 is powered it remains in sleep mode until the accelerometer 90 detects an input force, for example from a predefined motion or designated knock or tap. At this instant the microcontroller 95 senses this and increases current and switches the current to the LED 30 in pulses as well as increasing the sensitivity of the accelerometer 90 so as to allow the device 100 to detect user indicating intentions.

[0082] Ideally the action of indicating may be recognised by an orientation change of approximately 90°. The microcontroller 95 preferably includes algorithms and is able to calculate to detect movement and learn to recognise specific user activity to reduce power consumption.

[0083] FIGS. 9 to 13 show schematic diagrams of an embodiment of the device.

[0084] FIG. 14 shows an example of a PCB print that may be used for the device.

[0085] FIG. 15 shows an example of a parts list detailing all components of an embodiment of the device.

[0086] FIGS. 16A and 16B show an empty casing 11 for the device 100. The casing 11 is clear with an orange portion arranged over the light(s) 30.

[0087] FIG. 16B shows the strap 50 mounted to the second face of the device 100. The strap 50 is positioned away from the end 40 of the device having the light 30. The strap has two parts that are secured about a wearer's hand by hook and loop means such as Velcro®.

[0088] FIGS. 16C and 16D show two examples of different PCBs, 80A, 80B that may be used. The first PCB 80A (FIG. 16C) has 3 LEDs 31 in a row projecting from an edge of the PCB.

[0089] The second PCB 80B (FIG. 16D) has three LEDs 31. A first LED surface mounted on a first face of the PCB, a second LED surface mounted on the second face of the PCB and a third LED surfaced mounted on an edge of the PCB. Therefore each LED is arranged to project in a different direction to enhance light emitted. Each PCB 80A, 80B has two batteries 70.

[0090] FIG. 16E shows an overview of the device viewed from above. The device has a two part strap 50. The two parts of the strap 50 are arranged around and secured about the wearer's hand in use.

[0091] The strap 50 may include text and/or images, such as logo to represent a brand.

[0092] The invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated that variation to the aforementioned embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of protection as defined in the claims.