Tethered electrical components for eyeglasses

• US 7,438,410 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2006
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Howell, Thomas A., Chao, David, Thomas, C. Douglass, Tong, Peter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG XUAN
• Application Number:
  US11/521,256
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 351/158, 351/41, 351/111, 351/121, 351/156, 351/157, 381/381, 381/333
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/00 Non-optical adjuncts; Attachment thereof G02C7/16 takes precedence

Abstract

Tethered electrical components coupled to electrical components in or attached to a pair of eyeglasses are disclosed. Tethered electrical components, alone or in combination with eyeglass electrical components, can be used for a variety of different applications and uses. As examples, the tethered electrical components can support signal capturing, signal processing, signal transmission, data acquisition, data processing, and/or data storage.

Claims

1. An eyewear system for a user, comprising:

an eyeglass frame including;

a first lens holder for receiving lenses, the first lens holder having a first side and a second side,

a second lens holder for receiving lenses, the second lens holder having a first side and a second side, with the first side of the first lens holder connected to the second side of the second lens holder,

a first temple connected to the second side of the first lens holder, and

a second temple connected to the first side of the second lens holder;

a cord; and

a base device having at least one electrical component,

wherein at least a portion of a speaker is internal to the eyeglass frame,

wherein the eyeglass frame includes an electrical connector;

wherein when the eyewear system is worn by the user,

the base device is positioned proximate to the neck or upper back region of the user, and

the cord provides electrical connection between the at least one electrical component in the base device to the speaker in the eyeglass frame through the electrical connector to perform an electrical function, and

wherein the eyeglass frame can be separately worn by the user without the cord and the base device.

2. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical function is related to the eyewear system being operable as a media player.

3. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein the eyeglass frame includes an operation indicator, which is configured to indicate that the electrical function is in operation.

4. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least a portion of the speaker is internal to one of the temples, which includes the electrical connector.

5. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2,

wherein each temple includes a temple tip, and

wherein the at least a portion of the speaker is internal to one of the temple tips, which includes the electrical connector.

6. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein at least a portion of a microphone is internal to the eyeglass frame.

7. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein the base is adapted to receive a memory module that is attachable and detachable by the user.

8. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein when the eyewear system is worn by the user, the cord is held about the head of the user.

9. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein the eyewear system further includes an attachment device that is configured to attach the base or the cord to an article of clothing worn by the user.

10. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein the base includes a power source for electrical components in the eye wear system.

11. An eyewear system as recited in claim 10, wherein the power source includes a rechargeable battery, and the electrical connector facilitates electrical connection to a charger to charge the battery.

12. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein the eyewear system includes a RFID.

13. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein the eyeglass frame is for a pair of sunglasses.

14. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein the eyewear system includes electrical components configured for monitoring the fitness of the user.

15. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1,

wherein at least a portion of a microphone is internal to the eyeglass frame, and

wherein the electrical function is related to the eyewear system being operable as a mobile phone.

16. An eyewear system as recited in claim 15, wherein the system includes a position sensor that is configured to determine position.

17. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein the eyeglass frame includes a sensor that is configured to sense a physical condition of the user.

18. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1,

wherein the cord is a strap, and

wherein when the eyewear system is worn by the user, the strap snugly attaches the eyeglass frame about the head of the user.

19. An eyewear system for a user, comprising:

an eyeglass frame including;

a first lens holder for receiving lenses, the first lens holder having a first side and a second side,

a second lens holder for receiving lenses, the second lens holder having a first side and a second side, with the first side of the first lens holder connected to the second side of the second lens holder,

a first temple connected to the second side of the first lens holder,

a second temple connected to the first side of the second lens holder, and

at least a portion of a speaker internal to the eyeglass frame, a cord; and

a base device including wireless interface electronics, which are configured to wirelessly receive signals from a portable electronic device worn or carried by the user to generate audio signals to be heard by the user via the speaker,

wherein the eyeglass frame includes an electrical connector,

wherein when the eyewear system is worn by the user, the base device is positioned at the upper region of the user, and the cord provides electrical connection between the base device and the speaker in the eyeglass frame through the electrical connector, and

wherein the eyeglass frame can be separately worn by the user without the cord and the base device.

20. An eyewear system as recited in claim 19, wherein the eyewear system includes electrical components to allow the eyewear system to operate as a media player.

21. A base device for a pair of eyeglasses, the base device comprising:

at least one electrical component, which is configured to be electrically connected to the eyeglasses through a cord that is attached or attachable to the base device, the cord having at least one electrical conductor therethrough,

wherein the eyeglasses having a frame that includes at least first and second temples,

wherein the frame includes an electrical connector,

wherein at least a portion of a speaker is internal to the frame,

wherein when eyeglasses are being worn by the user with the cord coupling the base device to the eyeglasses, the base is tethered to the eyeglasses, and the base device is positioned proximate to the neck or upper back region of the user, and

wherein the eyeglasses can be separately worn by a user without the cord and the base device.

22. A base device as recited in claim 21, wherein the base device is configured to be operable as a part of a media player.

23. A base device as recited in claim 21, wherein the base device and the cord are within in a kit.

24. An eyewear system for a user, comprising:

an eyeglass frame having a least one electrical component internal thereto, the frame including first and second temples;

a pair of cords, with at least one of said cords having at least one electrical conductor therethrough; and

a base device having at least one electrical component,

wherein when said eyewear system is worn by the user,

said base device is positioned proximate to the neck or upper back region of the user,

said cords connect said base device to said eyeglass frame, with one of said cords connecting to said first temple and the other of said cords connecting to said second temple, and

at least one of said cords electrically connects the at least one electrical component in said base device to the at least one electrical component in said eyeglass frame to perform an electrical function, and

wherein said eyeglass frame can be separately worn by the user without said cords and said base device.

25. An eyewear system as recited in claim 24, wherein the electrical function is related to the eyewear system being operable as a media player.