DE102021201548A1 - Wakeboard or surfboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wakeboard or surfboard with an electric drive together with a control device and an internal energy supply in the form of a rechargeable energy storage element (battery), with the drive and the battery being integrated into the board and with at least the battery being removable from the board characterized in that at least one camera, preferably with a combined video/sound function, is permanently assigned to the board, which is positioned or positionable and possibly adjustable in such a way that it is suitable for recording the driver on the board while driving .

Description

The invention relates to a wakeboard or surfboard with an electric drive together with a control device and an internal energy supply in the form of a rechargeable energy storage element (battery), the drive and the battery being integrated into the board and at least the battery being removable from the board.

A wakeboard is a piece of water sports equipment in the form of a board, with which the water sports enthusiast can glide on the water. Usually the wakeboard is pulled by a boat or a lift. A surfboard is also water sports equipment in the form of a board, either for surfing or in connection with a sail for windsurfing.

Wakeboards and surfboards with an integrated drive are already known from practice. With regard to surfboards with combustion engines, see for example U.S. 3,262,413 A referred.

Electrically powered wakeboards or surfboards did not initially catch on due to their low battery capacities. Due to improved battery technology, there are more and more wakeboards and surfboards with an electric drive. This is an example WO 2019/122087 A1 referred. Specifically, there is a jet drive in the rear area, the electric motor of which is supplied with electrical energy via a rechargeable battery that can be replaced from the top of the board. Propeller drives are also known from practice. If the battery is empty, it can be exchanged for a charged battery, so that almost continuous operation is possible.

Especially in the case of outdoor leisure activities, so-called action cameras are increasingly being used to record one's own activities. The resulting recordings are regularly used for personal use and are increasingly being uploaded to so-called social media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, etc., in real time via "live streaming" or subsequently in video/audio format.

For example, when skiing, the action cameras are assigned to the person driving, preferably a safety helmet. With changing sports equipment, an adaptation of the action camera to the respective situation is always necessary. When positioning the camera, the image data obtained must be checked on a screen. The connection of the camera to a mobile radio device or mobile phone is regularly used for this purpose, so that adjustment and control is possible in this respect.

If the camera is assigned to the athlete or driver, there is a risk of an unwanted adjustment of the camera position, which the driver of a wakeboard or surfboard, for example, cannot determine during his sporting activity. The recording area shifts unintentionally and the actor has no possibility of control while driving. In such a case, the unusability of the video/audio recording is only determined after the end of his activity, without the possibility of subsequent correction.

In any case, with the conventional use of action cameras, it is hardly possible to reliably coordinate the recording, especially not while driving.

In addition, the cameras worn by the driver are decoupled from the sports equipment and only convey the actual driving situation to a limited extent, especially since the recording is influenced by the driver's own movements. In relation to the driver and his physical effort, the action cameras attached to the driver's helmet, for example, are only of limited use. The driver cannot record himself or only to a very limited extent.

The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a wakeboard/surfboard in such a way that it is possible to record all facets of the rider's physical exertion, with the actual riding situation being recordable and, if necessary, able to be communicated to third parties.

The disadvantages associated with the driver wearing conventional action cameras should be eliminated as far as possible. In addition, the claimed wakeboard or surfboard should differ from competitive products.

The above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. According to this, the generic wakeboard or surfboard is characterized in that at least one camera, preferably with a combined video/sound function, is permanently assigned to the board, which is positioned or positionable and possibly adjustable in such a way that it is suitable for the driver on the board while driving and/or recording the driving events at the same time.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that the problems occurring in the prior art can be eliminated by assigning the camera not to the driver or actor, but to the board. The camera has a combined video/sound function, as is now common with conventional action cameras. This means that the camera includes an integrated microphone.

The camera is positioned or can be positioned and possibly adjusted on or in the board in such a way that it is suitable for recording the driver on the board while driving. The exact positioning and adjustment takes into account the fact that the board can be used by riders of different heights and that the rider's posture can be very different depending on the level of training. An optimal setting or adjustment of the exact camera position is possible with little effort through the screen on the board and can also be checked at any time during use.

In the light of the above statements, the camera belongs to the wakeboard or surfboard and is therefore a fixed feature with regard to the use of the wakeboard or surfboard. Specifically, the camera is built into the board or attached to the board. For this purpose, a special housing can be provided, in which the camera is integrated. It is also conceivable that the camera can be reversibly plugged into the housing. The housing has a protective function on the one hand in relation to the camera and on the other hand in relation to the driver. The risk of the driver being injured by the housing should be largely eliminated. The case should be a waterproof case. It is also conceivable that the camera, which is designed to be watertight, is arranged in the housing of whatever design.

The housing can be ramp-like or lectern-like with orientation to a driver standing on the board. At the beginning of the journey, the driver himself or a third person can orientate himself towards the driver. If necessary, the angle of the lens can be adjusted, for example a wide angle for imaging not only the driver but also the environment.

It is conceivable in a particularly advantageous manner for the camera to be adjustable in or on the housing in relation to its optical axis, with the setting being able to be based on the driver's head or body. An automatic setting with a corresponding search function is conceivable.

As stated previously, the housing should be essentially free of edges. To improve the handling characteristics, the housing could extend as little as possible in a streamlined manner from the surface of the surfboard and be built as small as possible.

In a further advantageous manner, the housing is arranged or formed along the central axis in the front area of the board. It is conceivable for the housing to be displaceable along a connecting link or the like along the board in order to be able to make an adjustment in this respect as well. A fixed arrangement of the housing is preferable in relation to a robust construction.

Especially when driving sportily, it is desirable to be able to record the actor from different angles. In order to meet these requirements, two or more cameras can be assigned to the board, preferably for recording the driver from different directions and/or for simultaneously recording the surroundings from different perspectives. Of these additional cameras, two or three of the cameras can be assigned to the housing, after which the actor is recorded from different angles from the bow of the board. It is also conceivable that further cameras, with or without a housing, are assigned to the side areas and/or the rear area of the board in order to record the “action” caused by the ride from almost any angle.

With the arrangement of the cameras assigned to the board, it is essential that the driver is recorded from the "point of view" of the board, whereby the entire physical effort of the driver can be recorded. The observation starts from the board and concentrates on the driver.

In a further advantageous manner, automatic adjustment of the optical axis is conceivable for at least one of the cameras, preferably the camera located at the bow, based on the angle of inclination of the board and/or based on face/body recognition of the driver. For example, the optical axis of the camera changes when driving diagonally, more precisely based on the angle of inclination and the driver's posture. This measure makes it possible to prevent the camera from recording past the driver or only recording sections or areas of the driver during extreme driving. It is always guaranteed that the driver is actually recorded in his action.

It is also conceivable that the optical axis of the camera or cameras can be adjusted automatically or manually in relation to a virtual image perspective and/or in relation to an optimized camera perspective.

Since the wakeboard or surfboard is regularly controlled using a manual remote control, this remote control could also be assigned control elements for the camera or cameras. This would ensure, at least to a certain extent, adjustability while driving, should this actually be necessary.

In addition to the integrated camera or the integrated cameras, it is of further advantage if the housing includes a driver-facing display, which is suitable for the current or stored recordings and / or a settings menu of the camera (s) and / or View the board controls. In this case, the bow camera would be arranged above, below or to the side of the display. The display could be designed as a high-contrast TFT touchscreen, of the quality used in sailing and other outdoor sports.

Furthermore, it is conceivable and advantageous with regard to the use of the wakeboard or surfboard if a sound unit is assigned to the board. This sound unit should include at least one waterproof speaker, which speaker may be built into the board or in a housing dedicated to the board. Any sound can be conveyed to the driver through the loudspeaker, whereby this sound can be used to aesthetically improve the driving experience and to support audio recording by camera and microphone.

In any case, the driving experience is influenced by the loudspeaker(s) and real sound engineering can take place, for example to generate an engine noise relating to the drive or to underline the driving noise when gliding over the water or jumping over waves. In this way, the driving experience can be influenced, which in turn has a direct effect on the video/audio recordings.

It is also conceivable to convey instructions from a trainer to the driver via the loudspeaker.

The sound unit may also include a separate microphone, which supports, or can be seen as an alternative to, or in addition to, the microphone of the camera. Any noises, in particular driving noises or statements made by the actor, can be recorded via the microphone, these noises also including the sound of the loudspeakers. Communication with third parties away from the board is possible using a microphone and loudspeaker.

A sound manipulation for both the driver and the spectators/listeners can be implemented using loudspeakers and, if necessary, using the microphone, with a sound, in particular noises, tones, music, etc., being able to be generated based on individual driving or environmental situations or are. A kind of board sound engineering is implemented.

The recordings of the cameras and possibly the microphone or microphones are stored on a storage medium assigned to the camera or the housing. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to transmit the video/audio data to a recipient in real time via live streaming and/or subsequently in video/audio format, with the term “receiver” being understood in the broadest sense. Direct transmission to social media platforms is conceivable.

In a further advantageous manner, a telecommunications module can be assigned to the board, as a result of which a connection to the Internet can be generated, for example via LTE or GPRS, and direct data streaming is possible. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the camera(s) and possibly the microphone can be coupled to a mobile phone carried by the driver and the video/audio data of the recordings can be transmitted to third parties via the mobile phone. In addition, the video/audio data can preferably be stored user-specifically in a cloud and/or on the data memory of an integrated mini-computer. The simultaneous or later transfer to a social media channel is conceivable.

Finally, it should be noted that the camera(s) as well as the display and, if applicable, the components of the sound module are supplied with power from the board's battery or an emergency battery, whereby a DC/DC converter is used for this purpose. A conversion of the board voltage to the required voltage of the electronic devices is required.

• 1 in einer schematischen Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Wakeboards mit Onboard-Kamera und Display in einem bugseitigen Gehäuse
• 2 ein Wakeboard ähnlich dem aus 1 in einer schematischen Draufsicht,
• 3 das Wakeboard aus 2 in einer schematischen Seitenansicht, und
• 4 das Wakeboard aus 2 im Schnitt durch den Batteriekasten, in Richtung Bildschirm und Kamera.

There are now various possibilities for embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand, reference is made to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention based on the drawing, preferred configurations and developments of the teaching are also explained in general. Show in the drawing

• 1 in a schematic view an embodiment of a wakeboard according to the invention with onboard camera and display in a bow-side housing
• 2 a wakeboard similar to the one from 1 in a schematic plan view,
• 3 off the wakeboard 2 in a schematic side view, and
• 4 off the wakeboard 2 cut through the battery box towards the screen and camera.

1 shows a schematic view of a wakeboard, which is equipped with an electric jet drive, not shown in the figure, together with a control device. Only the components essential to the invention are shown here.

The wakeboard is equipped with a battery compartment 1 that is accessible from the surface. The side walls 2 of the battery compartment 1 run conically, so that the cross section of the battery compartment 1 is reduced toward the bottom 3 .

In the bottom 3 of the battery compartment 1 widely spaced pins 4 are integrated, which are rubber-mounted. The pins 4 are arranged as far apart as possible and are used for electrical contact with the battery, not shown here.

In addition, 3 magnets 5 are arranged in the bottom, which interact with ferromagnetic material or with magnets in the bottom assembly of the battery. The magnets 5 are designed as permanent magnets and ensure that the battery is held securely in the battery compartment 1, and their magnetic effect can be canceled briefly by applying an electrical charge. The operating voltage is released by a magnetic switch in the battery after the contact has closed (when inserting) or the operating voltage is switched off when the battery is removed.

1 shows clearly that a streamlined housing 6 is provided on or in the front of the board. A TFT touchscreen 7 is provided in an inclined position facing the standing area or the driver. The touchscreen 7 is at least slightly surmounted by an integrated camera 8 . The camera 8 is protected in the housing 6 and is adjusted in such a way that it faces the rider, not shown in the figure, who is standing on the board.

Further cameras can be arranged laterally in the housing 6 . Additional cameras can also be integrated at other points on the board or in the board.

2 shows the board according to the invention in a plan view. A battery 9 is inserted into the board.

In addition to the housing 6 in the bow of the wakeboard, two further housings 10 are provided in the rear area, in each of which a camera 11 is inserted. The cameras 8 and 11 can be oriented in relation to the actor, at least with regard to the optical axis of the cameras.

3 shows the wakeboard according to the invention in a side view. The bow-side housing 6 and one of the rear-side housings 10 can be seen, each with the cameras 8 and 11 integrated there.

4 finally shows the wakeboard according to the invention in a section through the battery compartment 1 in the direction of the front housing 6 with the local TFT touch screen 7 and the front camera 8 , which is also arranged in the housing 6 .

With regard to further advantageous configurations of the wakeboard or surfboard according to the invention, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the exemplary embodiment of the wakeboard or surfboard according to the invention described above only serves to explain the claimed teaching, but does not restrict it to the exemplary embodiment.

Reference List

1

battery compartment

2

side wall of the battery compartment

3

bottom in the battery compartment

4

Pin in the bottom of the battery compartment

5

Magnet integrated into the bottom of the battery compartment

6

Housing (bow side)

7

TFT touch screen

8th

Camera (bow side)

9

battery pack

10

housing (rear)

11

camera (rear)

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• US3262413A [0003]
• WO 2019/122087 A1 [0004]

Claims (22)

Wakeboard or surfboard with an electric drive together with a control device and an internal energy supply in the form of a rechargeable energy storage element (accumulator), the drive and the accumulator (9) being integrated into the board and at least the accumulator (9) being removable from the board , characterized in that the board is permanently assigned at least one camera (8, 11), preferably with a combined video/sound function, which is positioned or positionable and possibly adjustable in such a way that it is suitable for the driver on the board while driving. wakeboard or surfboard claim 1 , characterized in that the camera (8, 11) is built into the board or attached to the board, preferably in a housing (6, 10) assigned to the board or integrated into the board, with a protective function for the camera (8, 11) and the driver. wakeboard or surfboard claim 2 , characterized in that the housing (6, 10) is ramp-like or lectern-shaped with alignment to a driver standing on the board. wakeboard or surfboard claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the camera (8, 11) is adjustable in or on the housing (6, 10), in particular with respect to its optical axis. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the housing (6, 10) is substantially free of edges, preferably streamlined. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that the housing (6) is arranged or formed in the front area of the board. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that two or more cameras (8, 11) are assigned to the board, preferably for recording the driver and/or the surroundings from different perspectives. wakeboard or surfboard claim 2 and possibly one of the claims 3 until 7 , characterized in that two or three cameras (8, 11) are assigned to the housing (6, 10). Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the additional cameras (11) with or without a housing (10) are assigned to the side areas and/or the rear area of the board. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that at least one of the cameras (8 or 11), preferably the camera (8) arranged at the bow, has an automatic setting of the optical axis based on the angle of inclination of the board and/or based on face/body recognition of the driver. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the optical axis of the camera(s) can be adjusted, automatically or manually, in relation to a virtual image perspective or in relation to an optimized camera perspective. wakeboard or surfboard claim 2 and possibly one of the claims 3 until 11 , characterized in that the housing (6, 10) includes a driver-facing display, which is suitable, the current or stored recordings and / or a settings menu of the camera (s) (8, 11) and / or the controller of the board to display. wakeboard or surfboard claim 12 , characterized in that the display is designed as a high-contrast TFT touch screen (7). Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 13 , characterized in that the board is assigned a sound unit with at least one waterproof loudspeaker, the loudspeaker being able to be installed in the board or in a housing permanently assigned to the board. wakeboard or surfboard Claim 14 , characterized in that the sound unit comprises at least one separate microphone. wakeboard or soundboard Claim 14 and possibly 15, characterized in that a sound/sound manipulation for the driver and the spectator/listener can be implemented using loudspeakers and, if necessary, a microphone, which can produce a sound, in particular noises, tones, music, etc., in response to individual driving or environmental situations .generated. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 16 , characterized in that the recordings of the camera(s) and, if applicable, the microphone or microphones can be stored on a storage medium assigned to the camera (8 and/or 11) or the housing (6 and/or 10), and/or which can be transmitted to a recipient in real time via live streaming and/or subsequently in video/audio format. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 17 , characterized in that the board is assigned a telecommunications module, whereby a connection to the Internet can be generated, for example via LTE or GPRS, and data streaming is possible. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 18 , characterized in that the cameras (8 and/or 11) and optionally microphones can be coupled to a mobile radio device carried by the driver and the video/audio data of the recordings can be transmitted via the mobile radio device. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 19 , characterized in that the video / audio data are preferably stored user-specifically in a cloud and / or on the data memory of an integrated mini-computer. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 20 , characterized in that the video/audio data are optionally supplied to a social media channel. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of the Claims 1 until 21 , characterized in that the camera (s) (8 and / or 11) and / or possibly the TFT display and any other electrical / electronic components via a DC / DC converter from the battery or an emergency battery with power be taken care of.

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