Eyeglasses with activity monitoring

• US 7,255,437 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Chao, David, Thomas, C. Douglass, Tong, Peter P., Howell, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/183,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/83, 351/111, 351/158
• 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 glasses comprising:

a first lens holder having a first side and a second side;

a second lens holder having a first side and a second side;

a bridge element coupling the second side of the first lens holder to the first side of the second lens holder;

a first temple attached to the first side of the first lens holder through a first joint;

a second temple attached to the second side of the second lens holder through a second joint; and

a pedometer system at least partially embedded in the glasses, said pedometer system including at least a controller, a sensor, an input device and an output device, wherein the controller and the sensor are embedded in the glasses, and wherein the input and output devices of the pedometer system are at least partially embedded in the classes but remain accessible to receive user input or to provide user output.

2. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the output device of the pedometer system comprises a display for displaying at least pedometer information.

3. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the input device of the pedometer system comprises a switch, which can be used to start the pedometer system.

4. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pedometer system further comprises a battery to power the pedometer system.

5. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller and the sensor are embedded in the first temple of the glasses, and wherein the input and output devices of the pedometer system are at least partially embedded in the first temple of the glasses.

6. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1,

wherein each of the first temple and the second temple has a first end and a second end, with the first end being the end that is pivotally secured to its corresponding one of the first joint and the second joint,

wherein the second end of at least one of the first and second temples has a temple arrangement, and

wherein the pedometer system is in one of the temple arrangements.

7. A pair of glasses comprising:

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

a functional module including a plurality of electrical components that are electrically interconnected with a substrate and that can monitor an activity of a user wearing the pair of glasses,

wherein the eyeglass frame includes a cavity within the at least one of the temples for receiving the functional module.

8. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the cavity has an opening through which the functional module is inserted into the at least one of the temples of the eyeglass frame.

9. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 8, wherein a cover is placed over the opening after the functional module is inserted in the eyeglass frame.

10. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 9, wherein the functional module includes a display screen, and wherein the cover has an opening for a display screen.

11. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the functional module operates as a pedometer.

12. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the functional module includes at least an accelerometer, a battery, a controller and an output device.

13. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board.

14. A pair of glasses comprising:

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

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

wherein said activity monitoring system includes at least an input device and an output device, both the input device and the output device are accessible at an inside surface of the frame.

15. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 14, wherein the output device comprises a display for displaying information on the inside of one of the temples of the glasses.

16. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to an activity level.

17. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a distance traveled.

18. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a count.

19. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a calorie count.

20. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15 wherein the audio information being output pertains to a distance traveled, a count or a calorie count.

21. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 14, wherein the pair of glasses further comprises a speaker for outputting audio information.

22. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 14, wherein the pair of glasses further comprises a being-worn indicator to activate the activity monitoring system.

23. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 14,

wherein the activity monitoring system is at least substantially embedded in one of the temples, the temple having an inside surface that faces a user when wearing the glasses, and having an outside surface opposite the inside surface,

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

wherein the activity monitoring system is embedded with respect to the outside surface of the temple.