Electrochromic eyewear system, rechargeable eyewear and external charger therefor

• US 5,455,637 A
• Filed: 09/10/1993
• Issued: 10/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comdisco, Inc (Comdisco Holding Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Comdisco, Inc (Comdisco Holding Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Roberts, Mark B., Kallman, William R., Baretich, David F., Ahern, John F., Dorfman, Leonard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US08/119,750
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/44, 351/49, 351/158
• US Class Current: 351/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F

Abstract

A power and control system for micro-electronics is described, as for lightweight, battery-powered electrochromic (EC) eyewear. Preferably such system includes a primary, lithium-type cell and a secondary, sealed lead acid-type cell in a hybrid, power-sharing configuration capable of supplying the low-energy, high-current (pulse) drain requirements of microelectronics, e.g. a switchable EC lens. A switch-mode power supply controller manages the power-sharing load on the hybrid battery system such that the secondary cell is charged by the primary cell. The system is capable of meeting short-term pulse drain requirements of switching EC lenses from clear to fully darkened at an acceptably fast rate and long-term operating life requirements of approximately 1500 cycles. The invented lead acid-type battery preferably is elongate, of uniform, right-rectangular cross section and provides over 20 mA-hours'"'"' capacity and the invented lithium-type battery preferably also is elongate, of uniform, right-rectangular cross section and provides over 180 mA-hours'"'"' capacity, all in a tiny volume compatible with one or more volume-restricted spaces. Preferably, the lithium-type and lead acid-type batteries are of approximately equal form factor and volume, for symmetric placement thereof in a void within either temple. The temples are hingedly connected with the eyewear'"'"'s front piece via a unique leaf spring that biases the former into one of two orientations relative to the latter. Dual like-cell battery configurations also are disclosed, along with a flexible circuit defining one or more frame-mounted transmissivity switches. A microcontroller is described that fits within a tiny void formed in the eyewear'"'"'s bridge. Finally an external, battery-powered battery charger case and circuit are described for use with EC eyewear powered by dual lead acid batteries.

Claims

1. An electrochromic eyewear system comprising:

electrochromic eyewear including

an eyewear frame;

an electrochromic lens mounted in said frame, said lens being capable of switching its visible light transmissivity;

one or more switches mounted in said frame, at least one of said switches being operatively connected to said lens; and

a power supply contained within said frame, said power supply including a controller and at least one lead acid battery for supplying current to said controller and for supplying switching current through said connected switch to said lens;

an electrical contact conductively connected to said battery for external charging of said battery, wherein the electrical contact is disposed on the external surface of the eyewear; and

an external battery charger for said electrochromic eyewear, said charger having an electro-mechanical configuration for conductive electrical connection to said electrical contact of said eyewear for charging said battery and a mechanical connection for gripping said frame during charging of said battery.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said external battery charger is integrally housed in an eyewear enclosure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said battery charger is battery operable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said battery charger includes an annunciator for communicating to a user when said charger is supplying charging current to said batteries of said eyewear.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said annunciator is optical and such communicating is visual.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said battery charger is battery operable and wherein said annunciator is operated intermittently to conserve power on said battery-operable battery charger.

7. The system of claim 4 in which said battery charger is portable and includes a battery, wherein said annunciator consumes current from said battery at a level of less than approximately 1 milliampere.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said annunciator consumes current from said battery at a level of less than approximately 100 microamperes.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said annunciator consumes current from said battery at a level of less than approximately 50 microamperes.

10. Rechargeable electrochromic eyewear comprising:

an eyewear frame including a pair of electrical contacts disposed on an external surface thereof;

an electrochromic lens mounted in said frame, said lens being capable of switching its visible light transmissivity;

one or more switches mounted in said frame, at least one of said switches being operatively connected to said lens; and

a power supply contained within said frame, said power supply including a controller, one or more rechargeable batteries for supplying current to said controller and for supplying switching current through said connected switch to said lens, said batteries being electrically connected with said dual contacts for external recharging of said batteries.

11. An external recharging case for use with rechargeable electrochromic eyewear having a frame and one or more rechargeable batteries contained therein comprising:

a base dimensioned to receive thereon electrochromic eyewear,

said base having connected therewith an electro-mechanical interface to such electrochromic eyewear, said interface providing an electrical connection for charging the batteries, said interface further providing a mechanical connection for gripping the frame during the charging of the batteries.