Helmet system and methods

Abstract

One variation of a method for recording accidents includes: in a first mode, capturing a second video frame at a second time, storing the second video frame with a first sequence of video frames, captured over a buffer duration, in local memory in the helmet, removing a first video frame captured outside of the buffer duration from local memory, and rendering a subregion of the second video frame on a display arranged within the helmet; in response to detection of an accident involving the helmet, transitioning from the first mode into a second mode; in the second mode, capturing a second sequence of video frames, and storing the second sequence of video frames exceeding the buffer duration in local memory; and generating a video file from the first sequence of video frames and the second sequence of video frames stored in local memory.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 in a first mode:
 with a camera arranged on a helmet, capturing a second video frame at a second time; 
 storing the second video frame with a first sequence of video frames in local memory in the helmet, the first sequence of video frames captured over a period of time corresponding to a buffer duration; 
 in response to capturing the second video frame, removing a first video frame from local memory, the first video frame captured at a first time preceding the second time by a duration exceeding the buffer duration; and 
 at approximately the second time, rendering a subregion of the second video frame on a display arranged within the helmet; 
   based on an output of an inertial sensor arranged within the helmet, detecting an accident involving the helmet;   in response to detecting the accident, transitioning from the first mode into a second mode;   in the second mode:
 with the camera, capturing a second sequence of video frames; and 
 storing the second sequence of video frames in local memory in the helmet, the second sequence of video frames corresponding to a period of time exceeding the buffer duration; and 
   generating a video file from the first sequence of video frames and the second sequence of video frames stored in local memory.   
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 in a first mode:
 with an optical sensor coupled to and defining a field of view extending outwardly from a posterior end of the helmet, capturing a second video frame at a second time; 
 storing the second video frame with a first sequence of video frames in local memory in the helmet, the first sequence of video frames captured over a period of time corresponding to a buffer duration; 
 in response to capturing the second video frame, removing a first video frame from local memory, the first video frame captured at a first time preceding the second time by a duration exceeding the buffer duration; and 
 at approximately the second time, rendering a subregion of the second video frame on a display arranged within the helmet; 
   in response to detection of an accident involving the helmet, transitioning from the first mode into a second mode;   in the second mode:
 with the camera, capturing a second sequence of video frames; and 
 storing the second sequence of video frames in local memory in the helmet, the second sequence of video frames corresponding to a period of time exceeding the buffer duration; and 
   assembling a video file comprising the first sequence of video frames and the second sequence of video frames stored in local memory; and   uploading the video file to an external computer system.