IP Library Granted Patent US 12700392
Granted Patent B2
US 12700392 · App. 18/243,526 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Helmet with actuated earpiece

Inventor: Benjamin S. Fuchs (Nowthen, MN)
Assignee: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
G10K11/17823G01C21/367G01C21/3682G01S11/14G06N20/00G06T11/00G10K11/1785G10K11/17873H02J7/02H02J7/933H04R1/1083H04W4/021H04W4/024H04W4/40H04W4/48H04W4/80H04W76/10G10K2210/1081G10K2210/1082G10K2210/1282G10K2210/3012G10K2210/3025G10K2210/3027H04R2460/01
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12700392
App. No.
18/243,526
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for communicating information related to a wearable device are disclosed. Exemplary information includes audio information. As an example, a wearable device is provided. The wearable device includes an earpiece adapted to cover at least a portion of a user's ear, an actuator connected to the earpiece, and a controller configured to actuate the actuator based in part on vehicle state.

Claims (32)

1 . A wearable device comprising:

an earpiece adapted to cover at least a portion of a user's ear;

an actuator connected to the earpiece; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the actuator and configured to:

receive a gear position of a vehicle;

actuate the actuator to push the earpiece into the ear of the user when the gear position indicates that the vehicle is in a drive gear;

receive a vehicle state of the vehicle;

adjust a position of the actuator to increase or decrease pressing of the earpiece against the ear or head of the user based on the vehicle state; and

actuate the actuator to move the earpiece away from the ear of the user when the gear position indicates the vehicle is no longer in the drive gear.

2 . The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle state includes an engine speed, a vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, and/or vehicle deceleration.

3 . The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein:

the earpiece is a first earpiece;

the wearable device further comprises a second earpiece; and

the controller is further configured to control a position of the second earpiece based on the vehicle state, thereby increasing or decreasing a relative distance between the second earpiece and another ear of the user.

4 . The wearable device of claim 3 , wherein the second earpiece is coupled to the actuator.

5 . The wearable device of claim 3 , wherein the actuator is a first actuator and the second earpiece is coupled to a second actuator communicatively coupled to the controller.

6 . A helmet, comprising:

an earpiece positioned in relation to an ear of a wearer of the helmet;

an actuator connected to the earpiece; and

a controller communicatively coupled to the actuator and configured to:

receive a gear position of a vehicle;

actuate the actuator to push the earpiece into the ear of the user when the gear position indicates that the vehicle is in a drive gear;

receive a vehicle state of the vehicle;

adjust a position of the actuator to increase or decrease pressing of the earpiece against the ear or head of the user based on the vehicle state; and

actuate the actuator to move the earpiece away from the ear of the user when the gear position indicates the vehicle is no longer in the drive gear.

7 . The helmet of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle state includes an engine speed, a vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, and/or vehicle deceleration.

8 . The helmet of claim 6 , wherein:

the earpiece is a first earpiece;

the helmet further comprises a second earpiece; and

the controller is further configured to control a position of the second earpiece relative to another ear of the wearer based on the vehicle state.

9 . The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the second earpiece is coupled to the actuator.

10 . The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the actuator is a first actuator and the second earpiece is coupled to a second actuator communicatively coupled to the controller.