Eyeglass interface system

• US 6,349,001 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MicroOptical Corporation
• Inventors: Spitzer, Mark B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US09/481,195
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 359/618, 359/630, 359/409, 359/475, 351/50, 351/123, 351/158, 345/6, 345/8, 345/7
• US Class Current: 359/618
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0196 having transparent supporting structure for display mounting, e.g. to a window or a windshield
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0198 System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00
• 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 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F

Abstract

An eyeglass interface system is provided which integrates interface systems within eyewear. The system includes a display assembly and one or more audio and/or video assemblies mounted to an eyeglass frame. The display assembly is mounted to one temple and provides an image which can be viewed by the user. The audio or video assembly is mounted to the other temple and is in communication with the display assembly. The audio or video assembly may comprise a camera assembly and/or an audio input or output assembly, such as a microphone and/or speakers. The camera assembly is placed on the temple to record the visual field observed by the user. A head-tracking assembly may be provided to track the position of the user'"'"'s head. A number of applications can be provided with the present system, such as a telephone system, pager system, or surveillance system. The present eyeglass interface system is compact, offers the user hands-free operation, and provides an attractive appearance due to concealment of the assemblies within the eyeglass frame and lenses.

Claims

1. An eyeglass interface system comprising:

an eyeglass frame having a lens holder assembly configured to hold a pair of lenses and first and second temples configured to be supported on a user'"'"'s head;

a cavity formed within the first temple;

an audio or video assembly mounted to one of the first and second temples, the audio or video assembly operative to receive or transmit audio or video signals;

interface circuitry in communication with the audio or video assembly, the interface circuitry comprising integrated circuits disposed within the cavity.

2. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits are interconnected in a multi-chip module.

3. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits are interconnected by a substrate comprising flexible Kapton circuitry.

4. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits are interconnected on a substrate comprising a hybrid circuit assembly.

5. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits include a cellular telephone transceiver.

6. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits include a circuit for reception of radio frequency transmissions of video information.

7. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits include a pager transceiver.

8. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits include an audio recorder.

9. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits include a clock.

10. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits are in communication with a general function computer.

11. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits include a video conferencing interface.

12. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuits include a video recorder.

13. The eyeglass interface system of claim 1, further comprising a second cavity formed within the second temple, and the interface circuits comprise integrated circuits disposed within the second cavity.

14. An eyeglass frame configured for an eyeglass interface system comprising:

a lens holder assembly configured to support a lens system and configured to be supported on a user'"'"'s head;

first and second temples configured to be supported on said user'"'"'s head; and

a cavity formed within the first temple and configured to house interface electronics.

15. The eyeglass frame of claim 14, further comprising a lens system disposed in the lens holder assembly.

16. The eyeglass frame of claim 14, further comprising interface circuits disposed within the cavity.