EYEWEAR SUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

• US 20110187990A1
• Filed: 04/12/2011
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C. Douglass Thomas, David Chao, Peter P. Tong, Thomas A. Howell
• Original Assignee: C. Douglass Thomas, David Chao, Peter P. Tong, Thomas A. Howell
• Inventors: Thomas, C. Douglass, HOWELL, THOMAS A., Tong, Peter P., Chao, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,500,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/158
• 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
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/14 Side-members

Abstract

Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear (e.g., eyeglasses) without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. Often, the electrical components can be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere.

Claims

1. An eyewear frame, comprising:

a first temple having a first end and a second end, with the second end having a first temple arrangement coupled to at least a portion of the second end of the first temple;

a second temple having a first end and a second end, with the second end having a second temple arrangement coupled to at least a portion of the second end of the second temple;

an electronic device at least partially embedded in one of the temple arrangements; and

another electronic device physically separated from the first and second temple arrangements yet internal to said eyewear frame and operatively interconnected with the electronic device.

2. A pair of glasses, comprising:

a pair of temples, each of the temples having a rearward portion that fits over an ear of a person when said pair of glasses is being worn by the person;

a temple arrangement provided at the rearward portion of one of the temples, wherein the temple arrangement includes at least one electronic device, the at least one electronic device being embedded in the temple arrangement; and

another electronic device physically separated from the temple arrangement yet embedded in said pair of glasses and operatively interconnected with the at least one electronic device.