Snowboards and the like having integrated dynamic light displays related to snowboard motion

Abstract

Selected patterns of lights are displayed on a recreational conveyance such as a snowboard according to the motion of the board. A selection of patterns is stored in a processor memory, the motion of the board is measured (for example with accelerometers) and a pattern is selected from memory based on the measured motion. Then lights on the board are blinked on and off in the selected pattern. Accelerometer inputs are analyzed and a series of states is derived for each accelerometer axis. A series of states can be analyzed as a set to select a different pattern. Also, the magnitude of the states (such as duration, speed, or intensity) may affect the pattern selected. The process may be adaptive, so that the analyzing step further analyzes user weight or past snowboarding style to set adaptive thresholds for selecting patterns.

1 . A method of displaying selected patterns of lights on a recreational conveyance such as a snowboard comprising the steps of: 
 (a) loading a processor memory on the recreational conveyance with a selection of patterns    (b) measuring the motion of the recreational conveyance;    (c) selecting a pattern from processor memory based upon measured motion;    (d) selectively lighting lights on the recreational conveyance according to the selected pattern.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the measuring step is performed by two accelerometers.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the selecting step includes the substeps of: 
 analyzing the accelerometer inputs and deriving a series of states for each accelerometer axis;    a matching step for analyzing the derived states and selecting patterns in a lookup table according to the analysis results.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the analyzing step further analyzes series of states as a set.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the analyzing step further analyzes the magnitude of states, and wherein the magnitude of a state includes one or more of the following magnitude attributes: 
 duration;    speed;    intensity.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further wherein the analyzing step further analyzes one or more of the following adaptive attributes and sets adaptive thresholds for selecting patterns based upon analysis of adaptive attributes: 
 user weight;    past history of motion;    a user defined style setting.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of selectively lighting comprises the steps of: 
 converting the selected pattern into serial data;    conveying the serial data to an LED decoder and power driver;    decoding the serial data    alternatively powering and unpowering selected LEDs in LED arrays according to the decoded data.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of suspending steps (c) and (d) if step (b) indicates activity below a predetermined level.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lighting step further includes the step of selecting the brightness of lighted lights.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lighting step further includes the step of selecting a clock rate for patterns.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for selectively displaying light patterns on a recreational conveyance such as a snowboard comprising: 
 a memory for storing a set of lighting patterns;    an array of lights affixed to the recreational conveyance;    sensors for determining the motion of the recreational conveyance and providing sensor output;    input circuitry for generating data signals based upon the sensor output;    a processor for decoding the data signals and for retrieving patterns from the memory based upon the decoded data signals;    a driver circuit for alternatively lighting and extinguishing lights in the array according to the retrieved patterns.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the sensor output is analog and wherein the input circuitry includes a low pass filter for filtering the sensor output and an analog to digital converter for converting filtered data into digital data.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further including an input port for downloading patterns into the memory from an external device.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further including an output port for uploading data based upon the sensor output for external processing.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the lights are LEDs.  
   
   
       16 . A kit for displaying patterns of lights on a recreational conveyance such as a snowboard comprising: 
 a memory for storing a set of lighting patterns;    an array of lights to be affixed to the recreational conveyance;    sensors for determining the motion of the recreational conveyance and providing sensor output;    input circuitry for generating data signals based upon the sensor output;    a processor for decoding the data signals and for retrieving patterns from the memory based upon the decoded data signals;    an LED driver circuit for alternatively lighting and extinguishing lights in the array according to the retrieved patterns.    
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein the sensors comprise a 3-axis accelerometer.  
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein the kit is contained in a multilayer flexible sheet for adhesion to the board.  
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 18  wherein the sensor, circuitry, processor, and driver comprise a flexible printed circuit board.