WO2014191983A1

WO2014191983A1 - System for conveying audio malfunction and general data messages to a motorcycle rider

Info

Publication number: WO2014191983A1
Application number: PCT/IL2014/050427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erez MEITAL
Original assignee: Cardo Systems Inc.
Priority date: 2013-05-28
Filing date: 2014-05-15
Publication date: 2014-12-04

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for conveying motorcycle malfunction, information, and status messages to a headset of the motorcycle rider, which comprises : (a) an on board computer at the motorcycle which in turn comprises a storage of a predefined set of malfunction, information and status messages, wherein for each message, the storage comprises a message ID; (b) a Bluetooth unit for receiving a respective message ID from said on board computer upon detection by the same of a severe motorcycle malfunction or pre-defined information and status, and for communicating said message ID to a Bluetooth connectable headset; and (c) a headset which is connectable with said Bluetooth unit of the motorcycle, and which comprises a storage for audio messages, each of said audio messages being assigned with a respective message ID, and wherein upon receipt at said headset of a message ID, sounding the message to the rider via suitable loudspeakers.

Description

SYSTEM FOR CONVEYING AUDIO MALFUNCTION AND GENERAL DATA MESSAGES TO A MOTORCYCLE RIDER

Field of the Invention

The field of the invention relates in general to communication devices for motorcycle riders. More specifically, the invention relates to a system which provides motorcycle malfunction, information and status messages to a motorcycle rider.

Background of the Invention

Modern motorcycles, in similar to most modern cars, have an embedded computer. This computer is responsible for various well known functionalities, such as- a. Providing information to the motorcycle rider with respect to the gas consumption, the outside temperature, the driving distance, etc.

b. Providing information with respect to the proper functionality of various systems of the motorcycle, such as the brakes, the cooling S3^stem, the oil pressure, etc. For the purpose of this function, the computer receives inputs from various respective sensors, it processes the inputs, and when it determines any malfunction or pre-defined information and status, it issues a visible alert.

c. Among others, the motorcycle computer in modern motorcycles also controls the operation of a built-in Bluetooth unit, which in turn enables communication between various mobile devices, for example, between a cellular phone or a music player and a dedicated mobile headset (typically a mobile device which is attachable to the rider helmet enables communication between motorcycle riders), etc. For this purpose, the built-in Bluetooth unit is paired with the respective mobile device. As noted, hands free headset devices that are attachable to the helmet of the motorcycle rider are well known in the art. For example, the Scala Rider of Cardo Systems Inc. enables the rider to listen to an audio signal using speakers that are attached to the inner portion of his helmet. For carrying out this function, the headset communicates via a respective Bluetooth unit which is equipped within the motorcycle. PCT/IL2012/050417 entitled "System and Method for Performing a Quick Creation of Bluetooth Communication Between Mobile Devices" and PCT/ IL2012/050425 entitled "Mobile Device for Group Activities Having Broadcasting of Emergency Messages Capability" describe various aspects and capabilities of such headset devices.

PCT/IL2012/050420 entitled System and Method for Managing Hardware Community describes how a headset device can be managed and configured by a web application. More specifically, PCT/IL2012/050420 teaches how a motorcycle rider can configure the headset and update its software using a web application.

The malfunction, information and status messages that are visually displayed to the rider are not always seen immediately by the rider, a situation which may result in a severe damage to the motorcycle (for example, when the malfunction relates to the motorcycle cooling system), or in some other cases the malfunction may even endanger the rider (for example, when the malfunction relates to the motorcycle brakes).

The present invention overcomes said drawbacks.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide audio malfunction, information and status messages directly to the headset of the rider.

It is another object of the invention to provide said audio messages in the native language of the rider. It is still another object of the invention to provide an easy manner for installing audio messages in the native language of the rider within the headset of the rider.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system in which the communication between the on board computer and the headset of the rider is simple and minimal.

It is still another object of the invention to enable installation of said messages in a compact, compressed manner within the headset of the rider.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system which requires a minimal modification to the firmware of the on board computer of the motorcycle, while significant modifications and upgrades are simple and can be performed any time later on, as they are performed at the headset device mobile against a community server.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to a system for conveying motorcycle malfunction, information, and status messages to a headset of the motorcycle rider, which comprises: (a) an on board computer at the motorcycle which in turn comprises a storage of a predefined set of malfunction, information and status messages, wherein for each message, the storage comprises a message ID; (b) a Bluetooth unit for receiving a respective message ID from said on board computer upon detection by the same of a severe motorcycle malfunction or pre-defined information and status, and for communicating said message ID to a Bluetooth connectable headset; and (c) a headset which is connectable with said Bluetooth unit of the motorcycle, and which comprises a storage for audio messages, each of said audio messages being assigned with a respective message ID, and wherein upon receipt at said headset of a message ID, sounding the message to the rider via suitable loudspeakers.

Preferably, a set of audio messages is selectivery downloaded into the headset by the motorcycle rider from a community website, and said website comprises plurality of sets of audio messages in several native relevant languages respectively.

Preferably, the audio messages are downloaded into the headset in a compressed form.

Preferably, at least one set of audio malfunction, information and status messages is stored within the on board computer rather than within the headset, and wherein a respective message is transmitted from said Bluetooth unit via an audio channel to the headset in an audio format, rather than transmission of only the message ID in data format.

Preferably, an update to the list of audio messages is performed by the headset first accessing a community website to download updated one or more messages to the headset, and next establishment of a Bluetooth communication between the headset and the on board computer, and downloading the updated one or more messages from the headset to the on board computer.

In still another embodiment, (a) said headset further comprises a voice recognition unit for recognizing and decoding a voice command, and a set of corresponding pre-recorded voice messages; (b) a controller for receiving a voice command from a rider, conveying the voice command to said speech recognition unit, receiving a detected command index from said speech recognition unit, sounding a corresponding message from said pre-recorded messages to the rider, and upon approval, sending a corresponding data message to said on-board computer; and (c) said on board computer which decodes said data message, and activates a corresponding feature at the motorcycle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings ^:

Fig. 1 describes a general structure of the system of the present invention! Fig. 2 describes the general structure of an on-board computer and its communication with a headset, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary structure of a command message which is sent from an on-board computer to a headset, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

According to the present invention, a group of severe malfunction, information and status messages is defined. Typically, as noted, not all the messages that the motorcycle computer issues are severe, so the defined group of sever messages is substantially a selection from among the entire set messages that the motorcycle computer issues.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the following procedure is performed to enable transmission of severe malfunction, information and status messages to the rider^

Pre Definition of Severe Malfunction, information and status Messages:

a. The motorcycle vendor and the headset manufacturer agree on a severe malfunction, information and status messages list, including ID number for each message, and wording for each message in various native languages; b. A technician from the headset manufacturer company creates a compressed audio file which includes an entire set of severe malfunction, information and status messages for each motorcycle model. Preferably, a plurality of such compressed files are prepared for plurality of languages respectively.

c. A record which comprises plurality of compressed files, according to motorcycle vendor, motorcycle model, and language, is created in a community web database such as described in PCT/IL2012/050420.

Device Set Up:

a. A user of a headset logs into said community web application.

b. The user selects a motorcycle vendor, motorcycle model, and language, and downloads the selected file, which contains a selected set of audio messages in the selected relevant language, including the respective message ID for each message, to his headset.

Message Transmission:

a. When the motorcycle computer (l) detects a severe malfunction or pre^¬ defined important information and status, it transmits a short message to the headset (2) via the Bluetooth unit, HSP or SPP profile, the message includes the motorcycle manufacturer and model ID (a predefined number), and the message ID.

b. The headset (2) allocates the audio message within its memory using the message ID.

c. The audio message is decompressed, and played via the headset speakers to the rider.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary structure of the command message which is sent from the on-board computer to the headset. The command message comprises three fields of 8 bits each, as follows ^'■ (a) Motorcycle vendor and model field; (b) a message type field; and (c) a message ID field (in which the message index is provided). As shown, the invention provides audio messages to the headset of a motorcycle rider with respect to motorcycle malfunctions or information and status. These messages can gain the immediate attention of the rider, as they do not require a visual observation.

Fig. 1 describes the general structure of the system of the present invention, and Fig. 2 describes the general structure of the on-board computer and its communication with the headset. The on board computer 1 of the motorcycle, which comprises a CPU 9, communicates with the headset 2 of the user via a Bluetooth unit 12. The headset 2 is typically attached to the rider's helmet 13. When desired to configure the headset 2, this is done by using a browser 4, against the web application 5 (within user's Personal Computer 3), and by connecting the headset 2 to a USB port of the computer and using a USB protocol. Web application 5 communicates with the headset manufacturer's website 6, which comprises a web application 7. The web application 7 comprises the database 8 of the messages in various languages. The Text To Speech engine 11, which is transparent to the user, is responsible to conversion of text messages (in various languages) to audio messages. The Text To Speech engine 11 is used only once if the messages are initially provided in text format, and any time when the messages are modified. The vocoder 10 is responsible for the compression of the audio messages.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, several multilingual sets of malfunction, information and status messages, preferably in compressed audio format, are all stored at a database within the on board computer of the motorcycle. While setting up the system, the rider defines in advance his relevant language, such that malfunction, information and status messages in the selected language will be transmitted to his device via the Bluetooth unit. In this latter case, an audio Bluetooth channel is established between the Bluetooth unit of the motorcycle and the headset of the rider, in contrast to the data channel which is established according to the first embodiment. As shown, the system of the present invention can be easily upgraded or modified, as the selected messages, and the means for sounding them in audio form to the rider are all located within the mobile headset. Any time when a new version of messages or a new firmware relating to the operation of the invention becomes available, the modified versions are provided by the headset manufacturer within the community website, enabling the user to download the messages into his headset. The first embodiment of the invention as described above is advantageous over said second embodiment in the following aspects^ a. While in the first embodiment the rider can easily upgrade by himself his headset by accessing the community website, in a manner as described above, this is not the case in the second embodiment where the audio messages are installed within on board computer at the motorcycle, and where any upgrade requires bringing the motorcycle to a service station.

b. While in the first embodiment the rider can select and download into his headset device only messages in his relevant language, the other option requires inclusion within the on board computer of messages in all available languages, allowing the user to download onhy the preferred set in his relevant language. Therefore, the first embodiment allows a significant saving of memory compared to the second embodiment.

c. The first embodiment is more flexible than the second embodiment in terms of software modifications and upgrades, as essentially almost all of the significant modifications can be performed by introducing new software versions at the community website, enabling the user to upgrade to the new version by simply connecting his mobile headset to the computer, accessing the community website, and downloading the updates to the headset. In still a third embodiment of the invention, the second embodiment is improved such that the audio messages are still stored within the motorcycle computer. However, updates to the messages are made by means of the mobile headset. More specifically, the user accesses the web community server as in the second embodiment, downloads the new message to the headset. Next, a Bluetooth communication is established between the on board computer of the motorcycle and the headset, and the new audio message (or more messages) is downloaded from the headset to the on board computer via said Bluetooth channel.

In still a fourth embodiment of the invention, a two-way Bluetooth communication is established between the headset and the on-board computer. The rider may control the motorcycle by means of either voice commands or specific buttons on the headset. A group of commands are defined both at the motorcycle and the on-board computer. Furthermore, a speech recognition unit is also provided within the headset to recognize the specific command in a manner well known in the art. When the rider sounds a voice command, the command is recognized by the speech recognition unit, and the recognized command is repeated to the rider by means of a corresponding audio sentence enabling the rider to confirm that the command has appropriately decoded. Upon approval by the rider, the command is transmitted to the on-board computer in data format via said Bluetooth channel, decoded within the onboard computer, and activated there. Various voice commands may be applied, for example, "reset the odometer", "activate right turn signal", etc. Fig. 3 shows an exemplary structure of the command message which is sent from the headset to the on-board computer. The structure of the command may be identical to the structure as described above with respect to the first embodiment. The command message comprises three fields of 8 bits each, as follows^: (a) Motorcycle vendor and model field; (b) a message type field; and (c) a message ID field (in which the message index is provided).

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. System for conveying motorcycle malfunction, information and status messages to a headset of a motorcycle rider, which comprises- a. an on board computer at the motorcycle which in turn comprises a storage of a predefined set of malfunction, information and status messages, wherein for each message, the storage comprises a message

ID;

b. a Bluetooth unit for receiving a respective message ID from said on board computer upon detection by the same of a severe motorcycle malfunction or pre-defined information and status, and for communicating said message ID to a Bluetooth connectable headset; and c. a headset which is connectable with said Bluetooth unit of the motorcycle, and which comprises a storage of at least one of audio messages, each of said audio messages being assigned with a respective message ID, and wherein upon receipt at said headset of a message ID, sounding the message to the rider via suitable loudspeakers.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein a set of audio messages is selectively downloaded into the headset by the motorcycle rider from a community website, and wherein said website comprises plurality of sets of audio messages in several native relevant languages respectively.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the audio messages are downloaded into the headset in a compressed form.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein at least one set of audio malfunction, information and status messages is stored within the on board computer rather than within the headset, and wherein a respective message is transmitted from said Bluetooth unit via an audio channel to the headset in an audio format, rather than transmission of only the message ID.

5. System according to claim 4, wherein an update to the list of audio messages is performed by the headset first accessing a community website to download updated one or more messages to the headset, and next establishment of a Bluetooth communication between the headset and the on board computer, and downloading the updated one or more messages from the headset to the on board computer.

6. System according to claim 1, wherein:

a. said headset further comprises a speech recognition unit for recognizing and decoding a voice command, and a set of corresponding pre-recorded voice messages;

b. a controller for receiving a voice command from a rider, conveying the voice command to said speech recognition unit, receiving a detected command index from said speech recognition unit, sounding a corresponding message from said pre-recorded messages to the rider, and upon approval, sending a corresponding data message to said on-board computer; and

c. said on board computer which decodes said data message, and activates a corresponding feature at the motorcycle.