Eyeglasses with electrical components

• US 20060023158A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass, Chao, David, Howell, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,500,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/41
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/06 Hearing aids construction of hearing aids H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids

Abstract

A pair of glasses with one or more electrical components partially or fully embedded in the glasses is disclosed. In one embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a speaker and an electrical connector, both at least partially embedded in the glasses, with the speaker and the connector electrically coupled together by an electrical conductor. In another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a storage medium and an electrical connector. In yet another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a speaker, a coder/decoder, a processor and a storage medium. The glasses can serve as a multimedia asset player. In a further embodiment, some of the electrical components are in a base tethered to a pair of glasses. Instead of just receiving signals, in one embodiment, a pair of glasses also has a microphone and a wireless transceiver. In another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a preference indicator that allows a user to indicate the user'"'"'s preference regarding, for example, what is being output by the glasses. In yet another embodiment, there can be one or more control knobs on the glasses. In a further embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a camera and electrical components for wireless connection. In yet a further embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a sensor.

Claims

1. A pair of glasses for a user, comprising:

a speaker at least partially embedded in the glasses;

an electrical connector at least partially embedded in the glasses; and

an electrical conductor electrically coupling the speaker to the connector.

2. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein

the pair of glasses includes at least one temple;

and

the speaker, the electrical connector and the electrical conductor are embedded in the temple.

3. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1 further comprising a tube, the tube extending from the speaker to guide sound generated by the speaker to one of the ears of the user.

4. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector is a standard connector.

5. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 4, wherein

the pair of glasses includes a temple;

and

the connector is a standard cylindrical plug at the end of the temple.

6. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 4, wherein

the pair of glasses includes a temple;

and

the connector is a USB connector.

7. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 4, wherein the connector is to receive a storage medium.

8. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7,

wherein multimedia assets are stored in the storage medium, and

wherein at least a portion of the multimedia assets are categorized.

9. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein

the pair of glasses includes a base and a cord, with the base tethered through the cord to the glasses;

and

one or more electrical components are in the base.

10. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 9, wherein the base is electrically connected to a portable electronic device through another cord.

11. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pair of glasses is electrically connected to a portable electronic device through the connector.

12. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one electrical component for wireless connection.

13. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 12 further comprising a microphone,

wherein the pair of glasses allows the user to engage in wireless communication.

14. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1 further comprising

a coder/decoder;

a processor; and

a storage medium,

wherein the pair of glasses can serve as a multimedia asset player, with the connector facilitating the transfer of multimedia assets.

15. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a microphone;

at least one electrical component for wireless connection, and

wherein the pair of glasses can be used as a wireless headset.

16. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1 further comprising a preference indicator that allows the user to indicate the user'"'"'s preference regarding what is output by the speaker.

17. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 16, wherein the speaker outputs signals from a radio.

18. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1,

wherein the pair of glasses includes at least one temple, with at least one temple device coupled thereto;

and

wherein the at least one temple device having at least one electrical component that is either attached thereto or at least partially embedded therein.

19. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 18, wherein the temple device comprises a replacement temple tip, a temple cover or a fit-over temple.

20. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a camera; and

at least one electrical component for wireless connection,

wherein the images taken by the camera can be wirelessly transmitted to another device.

21. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor.

22. A pair of glasses comprising:

an eyeglass frame having at least a pair of lens holders and a pair of temples; and

a standard connector attached to or integral with one of the temples of the eyeglass frame,

wherein the connector is for receiving a removable electronic device having a plurality of electrical components and a counterpart connector, and

wherein the connector and the counterpart connector operate to removably secure the electronic device to the glasses so that when secured the electronic device is substantially fixed in position relative to the glasses.

23. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 22 wherein said pair of glasses includes at least one electrical component internal to the one of the temples, and wherein the standard connector is electrically connected to the at least one electrical component.

24. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 22 wherein said pair of glasses includes a functional module with a plurality of electrical components that are electrically interconnected through a substrate, and wherein the connector is electrically connected to the components through the substrate.

25. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 22 wherein the connector is a USB connector.

26. A pair of glasses comprising:

an eyeglass frame having at least a pair of lens holders and a pair of temples; and

a functional module including a plurality of electrical components that are electrically interconnected with a substrate,

wherein the eyeglass frame includes a cavity for receiving the functional module.

27. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 26 wherein the functional module is removably provided within the cavity of the eyeglass frame.