US Patent 8157402 Illuminated helmet with programmable lamps and proximity sensor

An illuminated helmet with a plurality of lamps positioned in at least one recess, a controller to operate the lamps in a flashing pattern, and a proximity sensor to activate the controller and lamps upon detection of a user's head. The recesses for the lamps and other components are located in a non-impact area of the helmet. The lamps are arranged to be visible to a viewer from any angle, and the flashing patterns of the lamps are programmed to draw the attention of the human eye.