EP-4737279-A1 - SYNCHRONIZED MULTI-UNIT LIGHTING DISPLAY FOR VELOCIPEDE

EP4737279A1EP 4737279 A1EP4737279 A1EP 4737279A1EP-4737279-A1

Abstract

Systems (250), methods, and computer program products for providing synchronized lighting displays for velocipedes (10). One of a plurality of lighting units (56-58) causes light emitting devices (92) thereof to emit light according to a predetermined lighting pattern, and transmits a wireless signal (264) including synchronization information for the predetermined lighting pattern. Each of the other lighting units (57, 58) receives the wireless signal, and in response thereto, emits light according to the predetermined lighting pattern. The predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the other lighting units is synchronized with the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the one lighting unit using the synchronization information provided by the wireless signal.

Inventors

Donald, K. Jessie, Jr.

Assignees

Huffy Corporation

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20251009

Claims (15)

A lighting system for a velocipede, comprising: a first lighting unit and one or more second lighting units, each of the first lighting unit and the one or more second lighting units including a communication device, one or more light emitting devices, and a controller, wherein the controller of the first lighting unit is configured to: cause the one or more light emitting devices of the first lighting unit to emit light according to a predetermined lighting pattern, and cause the communication device of the first lighting unit to transmit a wireless signal including synchronization information for the predetermined lighting pattern, and wherein the communication device of each of the one or more second lighting units receives the wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting unit, and the controller of each of the one or more second lighting units is configured to: in response to the wireless signal being received, cause the one or more light emitting devices of the second lighting unit to emit light according to the predetermined lighting pattern, and synchronize the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the one or more light emitting devices of the second lighting unit with the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the one or more light emitting devices of the first lighting unit using the synchronization information provided by the wireless signal.
The system of claim 1, wherein the communication device of the first lighting unit includes an infrared transmitter, and the communication device of each of the one or more second lighting units includes an infrared receiver; and/or wherein the predetermined lighting pattern has a display time, and each controller is further configured to, in response to the display time lapsing, cause its respective lighting unit to enter a sleep mode.
The system of claim 2, wherein the controller of the first lighting unit is further configured to: wake up the system from the sleep mode in response to receiving an input from a user interface; preferably wherein the user interface includes a button configured to provide the input to the controller of the first lighting unit in response to the button being activated.
The system of claim 2, wherein the controller of each of the one or more second lighting units is further configured to wake up the second lighting unit from the sleep mode in response to receiving the wireless signal.
The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first lighting unit and the one or more second lighting units further includes: a first mirror having a reflective surface; a second mirror having a reflective surface that faces the reflective surface of the first mirror and positioned so as to define a space between the reflective surface of the first mirror and the reflective surface of the second mirror, wherein at least one of the one or more light emitting devices of the at least one of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit is positioned in the space between the reflective surface of the first mirror and the reflective surface of the second mirror, the reflective surface of the first mirror reflects at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one of the one or more light emitting devices toward the reflective surface of the second mirror, and the reflective surface of the second mirror reflects a first portion of the light received from the first mirror back towards the first mirror, and transmits a second portion of the light received from the first mirror outward away from the at least one of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit.
The system of claim 5, wherein each of the first mirror and the second mirror includes a peripheral region, and the at least one of the one or more light emitting devices is positioned between the peripheral regions of the first mirror and the second mirror.
The system of claim 5, wherein the reflective surface of the first mirror is a first reflective surface thereof, and the at least one of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit further includes: a third mirror having a reflective surface, wherein: the first mirror includes a second reflective surface opposite the first reflective surface, the reflective surface of the third mirror faces the second reflective surface of the first mirror and is positioned so as to define a space between the second reflective surface of the first mirror and the reflective surface of the third mirror, at least one other light emitting device of the one or more light emitting devices of the at least one of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit is positioned in the space between the second reflective surface of the first mirror and the reflective surface of the third mirror, the second reflective surface of the first mirror reflects at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one other light emitting device of the one or more light emitting devices toward the reflective surface of the third mirror, and the reflective surface of the third mirror reflects a first portion of the light received from the second reflective surface of the first mirror back towards the first mirror, and transmits a second portion of the light received from the second reflective surface of the first mirror outward away from the at least one of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit.
The system of claim 1, wherein the second lighting unit further includes a housing that provides a chainguard for the velocipede.
A method of controlling a plurality of lighting units including a first lighting unit and one or more second lighting units, comprising: emitting light from one or more light emitting devices of the first lighting unit according to a predetermined lighting pattern; transmitting a wireless signal from the first lighting unit including synchronization information for the predetermined lighting pattern; in response to receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting unit, emitting light from one or more light emitting devices of the one or more second lighting units according to the predetermined lighting pattern; and synchronizing the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the one or more light emitting devices of the one or more second lighting units with the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the one or more light emitting devices of the first lighting unit using the synchronization information provided by the wireless signal.
The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless signal is an infrared signal.
The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined lighting pattern has a display time, and further comprising: in response to the display time lapsing, causing each of the first lighting unit and the one or more second lighting units to enter a sleep mode.
The method of claim 11, further comprising: waking up the first lighting unit from the sleep mode in response to receiving an input from a user interface.
The method of claim 11, further comprising: waking up the one or more second lighting units from the sleep mode in response to receiving the wireless signal from the first lighting unit.
The method of claim 9, further comprising: reflecting at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one of the one or more light emitting devices from a first mirror toward a second mirror; reflecting a first portion of the light received by the second mirror back towards the first mirror; and transmitting a second portion of the light received by the second mirror outward away from the at least one of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit; preferably wherein the first mirror includes a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface opposite the first reflective surface, the at least the portion of the light emitted by the at least one of the one or more light emitting devices reflected from the first mirror is reflected by the first reflective surface, and further including: reflecting at least a portion of the light emitted by at least one other light emitting device of the one or more light emitting devices from the second reflective surface of the first mirror toward a third mirror; reflecting a first portion of the light received by the third mirror back towards the second reflective surface of the first mirror; and transmitting a second portion of the light received by the third mirror outward away from the at least one of the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit.
A computer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; and program code stored on the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to: cause a first lighting unit to emit light from one or more light emitting devices of the first lighting unit according to a predetermined lighting pattern; cause the first lighting unit to transmit a wireless signal including synchronization information for the predetermined lighting pattern; in response to receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting unit, cause one or more second lighting units to emit light from one or more light emitting devices of the one or more second lighting units according to the predetermined lighting pattern; and cause the one or more second lighting units to synchronize the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the one or more light emitting devices of the one or more second lighting units with the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the one or more light emitting devices of the first lighting unit using the synchronization information provided by the wireless signal.

Description

Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/715,075 filed on November 1, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Technical Field The present invention relates generally to bicycles and other velocipedes and, more particularly, to lighting accessories for velocipedes. Background Bicycles, tricycles, and other velocipedes have long been popular items with children and adults alike. Although these types of vehicles have been in existence for a long time, they remain as popular and relevant today as ever. Accordingly, manufacturers continue to strive to improve aspects of these products to increase their desirability and to distinguish them from each other. Currently, the most popular type of velocipede is the bicycle. Most bicycles purchased today are mass produced, and thus share similar components and have a similar appearance. To distinguish their bike from similar bicycles owned by others, some users enjoy adding accessories to their bicycle to alter the look thereof. These accessories may be attached to the bicycle at the factory or by the user, and may provide functional as well as aesthetic value. These types of accessories include accessories that emit light, which can both improve the look of a bicycle as well as improve rider safety by increasing visibility, especially at night. Thus, there is a need for improved lighting accessories that can be attached to velocipedes. Summary In an aspect of the invention, a lighting system for a velocipede is provided. The lighting system includes a first lighting unit and one or more second lighting units. Each of the lighting units includes a communication device, one or more light emitting devices, and a controller. The controller of the first lighting unit is configured to cause the light emitting devices thereof to emit light according to a predetermined lighting pattern, and cause the communication device thereof to transmit a wireless signal including synchronization information for the predetermined lighting pattern. The communication device of each of the second lighting units receives the wireless signal transmitted from the first lighting unit. In response to the communication device receiving the wireless signal, the controller of the second lighting unit causes the light emitting devices thereof to emit light according to the predetermined lighting pattern, and synchronizes the predetermined lighting pattern with the predetermined lighting pattern emitted by the light emitting devices of the first lighting unit using the synchronization information provided by the wireless signal. In an embodiment of the system, the communication device of the first lighting unit may include an infrared transmitter, and the communication device of each of the second lighting units may include an infrared receiver. In another embodiment of the system, the predetermined lighting pattern may have a display time, and each controller may be further configured to cause its respective lighting unit to enter a sleep mode in response to the display time lapsing. In another embodiment of the system, the controller of the first lighting unit may be further configured to wake up the system from the sleep mode in response to receiving an input from a user interface. In another embodiment of the system, the user interface may include a button configured to provide the input to the controller of the first lighting unit in response to the button being activated. In another embodiment of the system, the controller of each of the second lighting units may be further configured to wake up the second lighting unit from the sleep mode in response to receiving the wireless signal. In another embodiment of the system, at least one of the lighting units may further include a first mirror having a reflective surface and a second mirror having a reflective surface that faces the reflective surface of the first mirror. The mirrors may be positioned so as to define a space between the reflective surface of the first mirror and the reflective surface of the second mirror. In this embodiment, at least one of the light emitting devices of the at least one lighting unit may be positioned in the space between the reflective surface of the first mirror and the reflective surface of the second mirror. The reflective surface of the first mirror may reflect at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting device toward the reflective surface of the second mirror, and the reflective surface of the second mirror may reflect a first portion of the light received from the first mirror back towards the first mirror, and transmit a second portion of the light received from the first mirror outward away from the lighting unit. In another embodiment of the system, each of the first mirror and the second mirror may include a peripheral region, and the at least one light e