Eyeglasses with wireless communication features

• US 7,231,038 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2006
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Warren, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui; Bing Q.
• Application Number:
  US11/371,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20060183427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 379/420.01, 379/420.02, 379/420.03, 379/420.04, 455/66.1, 455/90.3, 455/569.1, 455/575.1
• US Class Current: 379/420.01
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 20/00 Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/245 Means for mounting audio or communication systems
• 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: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A microphone, transmitter, speaker, receiver, and power source, all mounted to an eyeglasses frame, for sending and receiving signals wirelessly to and from a remote cell phone or other electronic device. The microphone and the transmitter can be mounted to extension arms that can be extended, pivoted, or otherwise moved to a position for use, and then moved to a stored position when not in use. Alternatively, the microphone, transmitter, speaker, receiver, and power source, can be mounted onto a clip-on or other attachment member that mounts onto a conventional eyeglasses frame, or to a hat or other article worn on the head.

Claims

1. Eyeglasses for audio communication, comprising:

an eyeglass frame comprising a lens holder and two support arms;

a microphone coupled to the eyeglass frame;

at least one speaker coupled to the eyeglass frame; and

a segmented connecting arm having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the segmented connecting arm coupled to the eyeglass frame at the proximal portion and coupled to the at least one speaker at the distal portion, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to advance the speaker from a first position to a second position.

2. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm comprises a plurality of segments.

3. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to retract into the lens holder.

4. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to retract into one of the support arms.

5. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm extends downward to a location beyond a bottom surface of the lens holder.

6. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm is curved.

7. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm is coupled to the eyeglass frame at a pivot.

8. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver in communication with the microphone and speaker.

9. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 8, wherein the transceiver comprises a Bluetooth transceiver.

10. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm is removably coupled to the eyeglass frame.

11. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to retract into the eyeglass frame.

12. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 1, wherein the segmented connecting arm comprises a telescoping arm.

13. Eyeglasses for audio communication, comprising:

an eyeglass frame comprising a lens holder and two support arms;

a microphone coupled to the eyeglass frame;

at least one speaker coupled to the eyeglass frame; and

a segmented connecting arm having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the segmented connecting arm coupled to the eyeglass frame at the proximal portion and coupled to the microphone at the distal portion, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to advance the microphone from a first position to a second position.

14. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm comprises a plurality of segments.

15. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to retract into the lens holder.

16. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to retract into one of the support arms.

17. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm extends downward to a location beyond a bottom surface of the lens holder.

18. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm is curved.

19. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm is coupled to the eyeglass frame at a pivot.

20. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, further comprising a transceiver in communication with the microphone and speaker.

21. The eyeglass for audio communicaticn of claim 20, wherein the transceiver comprises a Bluetooth transceiver.

22. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm is removably coupled to the eyeglass frame.

23. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm is configured to retract into the eyeglass frame.

24. The eyeglass for audio communication of claim 13, wherein the segmented connecting arm comprises a telescoping arm.