Moisture-resistant eye wear

• US 10,613,355 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2013
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Vision Optics LLC
• Original Assignee: e-Vision, LLC (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blum, Ronald D., Kokonaski, William, Longa, Claudio Dalla, Graham, Mark, Haddock, Joshua, Willey, Charles, Tabacchi, Tiziano, Bock, Martin, Pinazza, Massimo, Richman, Scott N., Ozguz, Volkan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, Ricky L
• Assistant Examiner(s): O'Neill, Gary
• Application Number:
  US13/890,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20130250233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,525 Days
• Field of Search: 351 41-158, 351178
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0134 of stereoscopic type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/146 having special front end
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/2209 Pivot bearings and hinge bolts other than screws
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2414 conductive elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

Eyewear including an optical functional member, control electronics, and a sealed electrical connective element connecting the electronics to the optical functional member. The connective element can directly connect the electronics to the optical functional member, or can connect through an intermediate contact, e.g., a plug-and-receptacle. The connective element can be routed from the electronics, around a rimlock of the eyewear to the optical functional member. The connective element can be a conductive compressible member, such as conductive rubber. In some embodiments, the connective element can be a multiconductor cable.

Claims

1. An eyewear system comprising:

an eyewear frame;

an electronics assembly comprising electronic components configured to control an electrical functional member;

a capacitive touch switch coupled to at least one electronic component in the electronics assembly;

at least one electrical connective element electrically connected to the electronic assembly and the electrical functional member; and

a conformal layer over the electronic assembly to seal the electronic components;

wherein the conformal layer is moisture proof and seals electrical connections of the electronic component;

wherein the conformal layer is disposed in an enclosure of the eyewear frame;

wherein the eyewear frame comprises a temple; and

wherein the electronic assembly is enclosed in the temple.

2. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the electrical functional member comprises a lens.

3. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the electrical functional member includes at least one of an electro-active lens, an electro-chromic lens, an electronic display, a sensor, an imager, a GPS, an alarm, a hearing aid, a virtual reality function, an augmented reality function, a gaming function, an audio output function, a microphone function, a recording function, a transmitter function, a pedometer, and an active 3D function.

4. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical connective element is a conductive compressible member or a multi-conductor cable.

5. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly comprises a micro-processor.

6. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises at least one of an outer casing of the electronic assembly or a cavity of the eyewear frame.

7. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the conformal layer comprises at least one of an encasing layer or an encapsulating layer.

8. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the conformal layer protects the electronic components from external environmental damage.

9. The eyewear system of claim 1, wherein the conformal layer is a conformal coating.

10. The eyewear system of claim 9, wherein a thickness of the conformal coating is less than 1 mm.

11. The eyewear system of claim 9, wherein the conformal coating comprises at least one of an acrylic, urethane, silicone, or epoxy.

12. The eyewear system of claim 11, wherein the conformal coating is brush applied, spray applied, or dip applied.

13. A method of manufacturing an eyewear system comprising:

disposing a plurality of electronic components on a capacitive touch switch;

connecting the plurality of electronic components via electrical connections to form an electronic assembly;

depositing a conformal layer over at least a portion of the electronic assembly and at least a portion of the capacitive touch switch; and

coupling the electronic assembly and the capacitive touch switch with the conformal layer to an enclosure of an eyewear frame.

14. Eyewear comprising:

an eyewear frame comprising a temple;

a plurality of electronic components disposed within a cavity formed in the temple, the plurality of electronic components comprising (i) at least one of a processor or a controller, iii) a memory, (iii) a power source, (iv) an antenna, (v) at least one of a transmitter or a receiver, and (vi) at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope;

a conformal coating, deposited over at least a portion of the plurality of electronic components, to protect the plurality of electronic components; and

a capacitive touch switch operably coupled to an electronic component in the plurality of electronic components.

15. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the conformal coating exposes an electrical contact of the electronics assembly.

16. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the conformal coating has a thickness of less than 1 mm.

17. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the conformal coating has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm.

18. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the electronic component is disposed on a surface of the capacitive touch switch.

19. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the conformal coating protects a portion of the capacitive touch switch.

20. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the capacitive touch switch is fit to the cavity in the temple.

21. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the capacitive touch switch is electrically connected to an electronic component disposed on the eyewear frame.