Eyeglasses with activity monitoring

• US 20070279584A1
• Filed: 08/09/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Original Assignee: C Thomas, David Chao, Peter P. Tong, Thomas Howell
• Inventors: Chao, David, Howell, Thomas, Tong, Peter, Thomas, C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,401,918 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/001 specially adapted for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for or not fully classifiable according to technical characteristics, e.g. therapeutic glasses

Abstract

In one embodiment, eyewear having an activity monitoring capability is disclosed. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their degree of activity.

Claims

1. A pair of eyeglasses comprising:

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

an activity monitoring system at least partially embedded in the frame and operable to measure activity associated with a user of the pair of eyeglasses,

wherein the activity monitoring system includes at least an activity sensor, and wherein the activity sensor is positioned within the frame.

2. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity monitoring system includes at least an input device and an output device, both the input device and the output device are accessible to a user of the eyeglasses.

3. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity monitoring system includes at least an input device and an output device, both the input device and the output device are accessible from a surface of the frame.

4. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1,

wherein the activity monitoring system is at least partially embedded in one of the temples, the temple having an inside surface that faces a user when the eyeglasses are worn, and having an outside surface opposite the inside surface, and

wherein the input and output devices are at least partially exposed at the inside surface of the temple.

5. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity monitoring system includes at least a display for displaying information at one of the temples of the eyeglasses.

6. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 5, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to an activity level.

7. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 5, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a distance traveled.

8. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 5, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a step count.

9. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 5, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a calorie count.

10. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pair of eyeglasses further comprises a speaker for outputting audio information.

11. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 10, wherein the audio information being output pertains to a distance traveled, a step count or a calorie count.

12. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pair of eyeglasses further comprises a being-worn indicator for indicating that the eyeglasses are being worn.

13. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity monitoring system is at least partially embedded in one of the temples.

14. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity measured by the activity monitoring system includes at least measurement of steps taken by the user.

15. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pair of eyeglasses further comprises a switch to activate the activity monitoring system.

16. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity monitoring system is automatically deactivated if the activity monitoring system does not sense activity by the user for a predetermined duration of time.

17. A pair of eyeglasses as recited in claim 1, wherein, if deactivated, the activity monitoring system is automatically activated if the activity monitoring system senses activity by the user.

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

wherein the pair of eyeglasses further comprises a display for displaying activity information at one of the temples of the eyeglasses, and

wherein the activity information being displayed on the display pertains to a distance traveled, a step count, or a calorie count.

19. A pair of eyeglasses comprising:

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

an activity monitoring module at least substantially embedded in the frame and operable to measure activity associated with a user of the pair of eyeglasses.

20. Eyewear, comprising:

an eyewear support structure; and

an activity monitoring system at least substantially internal to the support structure and operable to measure activity of a user of the eyewear.