Gps controlled helmet windshield

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus comprising a GPS based electronic device mounted on a helmet. This device can detect the rider's speed at any given time and automatically control the windshield's position (open/close) based on the rider's preferences. In addition, the rider can override the automatic GPS mode by pressing a wireless button mounted on the motorcycle handlebar or an existing button on the helmet apparatus. The apparatus is a self contained unit that can be used in various applications. In the case of the motorcycle, the helmet has a feature enabling independent as well wireless handlebar controlled operation. However, as the helmet apparatus can function independently of the motorcycle, it can therefore be used for other types of vehicles requiring the use of an automatically controlled helmet windshield.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A helmet comprising:
 a windshield,   a GPS chip operable to provide speed related data, and   a microcontroller configured to, in a first operational mode, receive speed related data from the GPS chip, and adjust a position of the windshield based at least partly on the received data.   
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 10  further comprising a temperature sensor for providing temperature related data, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to, in the first operational mode, adjust the position of the windshield based additionally at least partly on the temperature related data. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 10  further comprising a button operatively coupled to the microcontroller. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 10  further comprising a remote control in wireless communication with the microcontroller. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 10  wherein the microcontroller is configured to, in the first operational mode, automatically raise the windshield if the speed related data is informative of a speed decrease below a predefined threshold value, and to lower the windshield if the speed related data is informative of a speed increase above the threshold value. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 10  wherein the threshold value is a selected one of a predetermined list of threshold values, the selection made by a user. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 10  wherein the threshold value is an arbitrary value selected by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 10  wherein the microcontroller is configured to, in a second operational mode, automatically raise the windshield and, after a predetermined delay, automatically lower the windshield. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet of  claim 12  wherein the microcontroller is further configured to, in a third operational mode, raise and lower the windshield in response to a user activating the button. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 13  wherein the microcontroller is further configured to, in a third operational mode, raise and lower the windshield in response to a user activating the remote control. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet of  claim 18  wherein the button is operable to select the operational mode of the microcontroller. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet of  claim 19  wherein the remote control is operable to select the operational mode of the microcontroller. 
     
     
         22 . The helmet of  claim 11  wherein the microcontroller is configured to, in the first operational mode, automatically raise the windshield if the speed related data is informative of a speed decrease below a predefined threshold value, and to lower the windshield if the speed related data is informative of a speed increase above the threshold value, wherein the degree of raising is determined based at least in part on the temperature related data. 
     
     
         23 . The helmet of  claim 22  wherein the microcontroller is configured to, in a second operational mode, automatically raise the windshield and, after a predetermined delay, automatically lower the windshield. 
     
     
         24 . The helmet of  claim 23  wherein the microcontroller is further configured to, in a third operational mode, raise and lower the windshield in response to a user activating a button. 
     
     
         25 . The helmet of  claim 23  wherein the microcontroller is further configured to, in a third operational mode, raise and lower the windshield in response to a user activating a remote control. 
     
     
         26 . In a helmet, a method of automatically adjusting a position of a windshield coupled to the helmet comprising:
 calculating, by a GPS chip, an instantaneous speed,   obtaining, by a microcontroller coupled to the GPS chip, the calculated speed,   comparing, by the microcontroller, the calculated speed with a predefined speed as programmed by a user, and   activating, by the microcontroller, a motor to raise or lower the windshield based on the results of the comparison.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising
 determining, by a temperature sensor, an outside temperature, 
 comparing, by the microcontroller, the outside temperature with a predefined temperature, and 
 if the outside temperature is lower than the predefined temperature and the calculated speed is lower than the predefined speed, activating, by the microcontroller, the motor to partially raise the windshield, and 
 if the outside temperature is higher than the predefined temperature and the calculated speed is lower than the predefined speed, activating, by the microcontroller, the motor to fully raise the windshield. 
 
     
     
         28 . A helmet windshield control system operable to adjust a position of a windshield comprised in a helmet comprising:
 a motor for affixing to the windshield and operable to adjust a position of the windshield   a GPS receiver for affixing to the helmet and operable to provide speed data   a microcontroller for affixing to the helmet and operable to receive speed data from the GPS receiver and operate the motor to automatically adjust a position of the windshield based at least partly on the received speed data.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a temperature sensor for affixing to the helmet and operable to provide outside temperature data, wherein the microcontroller is further operable to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor and to operate the motor to automatically adjust a position of the windshield based at least partly on the received temperature data.