Eyeglasses with detachable adjustable electronics module

• US 7,461,936 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2006
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Jannard, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/352,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/111, 351/158, 381/381
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/003 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/348 Muting in response to a mechanical action or to power supply variations, e.g. during tuning; Click removal circuits
• 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 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1025 Accumulators or arrangements for charging secondary cells per se H01M10/00; charging in general H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

A detachable adjustable electronics module may be removably or permanently connected to eyewear. The module may include electronics for processing audio and/or video signals. The module may be provided with an adjustable arm, for adjustably carrying a speaker. The module and/or the speaker may be adjusted relative to the wearer in any of the anterior-posterior direction, the inferior-superior direction and laterally. Rotation adjustments may also be accomplished. Eyewear may be provided with only a single module, on a single side, or with two modules, one on each side, such as to provide stereo audio or dual mono sound.

Claims

1. A dual speaker eyewear system, comprising:

an eyeglass, having a first ear stem and a second earstem;

a first speaker supported by the first earstem;

a second speaker supported by the second earstem; and

an electronics module supported by the first earstem and in electrical communication with each of the first and second speakers, wherein the electronics module comprises a connector that allows the electronics module to be rotated with respect to the first ear stem and to be releasably connected to the first ear stem.

2. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes an MP3 format memory.

3. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a radio frequency receiver.

4. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a radio frequency transmitter.

5. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes a cellular telephone.

6. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 1, wherein the first speaker is adjustable relative to the right earstem.

7. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 1, further comprising an articulating arm that couples the first speaker to the right earstem.

8. An electronics module for mounting to eyewear, comprising:

a housing;

a clamp movably mounted to the housing;

a speaker movably mounted to the housing; and

electronics contained in the housing;

wherein the clamp and speaker are movable in a manner that permits conversion of the module between a first configuration and a second configuration which is a mirror image of the first configuration.

9. An electronics module for mounting to eyewear as in claim 8, wherein said electronics comprise a digital music player.

10. An electronics module for mounting to eyewear as in claim 8, wherein said electronics comprise a memory for storing a digital music file.

11. An electronics module for mounting to eyewear as in claim 8, wherein said electronics comprise a radio frequency transmitter.

12. An electronics module for mounting to eyewear as in claim 8, wherein said electronics comprise a radio frequency receiver.

13. An electronics module for mounting to eyewear as in claim 8, wherein said electronics comprise a cellular telephone.

14. An electronics module for mounting to eyewear as in claim 8, further comprising an articulating arm that couples the speaker to the housing.

15. A kit for electronically enabling eyewear, comprising:

a first speaker, adjustably connected to a first clamp;

a second speaker adjustably connected to a second clamp;

source electronics; and

wiring connecting the first and second speakers to the source electronics

wherein the first speaker, second speaker, source electronics, and wiring are configured to be removably attached to an eyewear.

16. A kit for electronically enabling eyewear as in claim 15, wherein said source electronics comprises a digital music player.

17. A kit for electronically enabling eyewear as in claim 15, wherein said source electronics comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

18. A kit for electronically enabling eyewear as in claim 15, wherein said source electronics comprises a radio frequency receiver.

19. A kit for electronically enabling eyewear as in claim 15, wherein said source electronics comprises a cellular telephone.

21. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 19, wherein the electronics module includes a radio frequency receiver.

22. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 19, wherein the electronics module includes a radio frequency transmitter.

23. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 19, wherein the electronics module includes a cellular telephone.

24. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 19, wherein the first speaker is adjustable relative to the right earstem.

25. A dual speaker eyewear system as in claim 19, further comprising an articulating arm that couples the first speaker to the right earstem.

20. A dual speaker eyewear system, comprising:

an eyeglass, having a right ear stem and a left earstem;

a first speaker supported by the right earstem;

a second speaker supported by the left earstem; and

an electronics module supported by the eyeglass and in electrical communication with each of the first and second speakers, wherein the electronics module is releaseably connected to one of the right and left earstems, and wherein the electronics module includes an MP3 format memory.