Cell phone display that clips onto eyeglasses

• US 7,631,968 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motion Research Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Purdy, Peter K., Dobson, Dominic
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG XUAN
• Application Number:
  US11/555,317
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/158, 345/7, 345/8
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast

Abstract

An apparatus generally including a first housing and a second housing is disclosed. The first housing may have (i) one or more first clips configured to removably secure the first housing to a frame of eyeglasses, (ii) at least one sensor configured to sense a response of a user wearing the eyeglasses and (iii) a transceiver configured to (a) receive an image in a receive message from external of the apparatus and (b) transmit the response in a transmit message to external of the apparatus. The second housing may be (i) attached to the first housing, (ii) positionable before a lens opening of the eyeglasses on a side of the lens opening opposite the user and (iii) configured to display the image to the user through the lens opening.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first housing having (i) one or more first clips configured to removably secure said first housing to a frame of eyeglasses, (ii) at least one sensor configured to sense a response of a user wearing said eyeglasses and (iii) a transceiver configured to (a) receive an image in a receive message from a device external to said apparatus and (b) transmit said response in a transmit message to said device, wherein said response comprises a hands free response generated and transmitted in a hands free configuration in response to a movement of a head of said user; and

a second housing (i) attached to said first housing, (ii) positionable before a lens opening of said eyeglasses and (iii) configured to display said image to said user through said lens opening.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transceiver is further configured to receive an audio signal external from said apparatus and said apparatus further comprises a speaker mounted to said first housing and configured to convert said audio signal into a sound audible to said user.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a microphone and said response comprises a sound receivable from said user.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising (i) a display disposed within said second housing and configured to generate said image and (ii) a pair of mirrors disposed within said second housing and bracketing said display.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a backlight source disposed within said second housing and configured to illuminate said display.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image is displayed in a periphery of vision of said user.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third housing having (i) one or more second clips configured to removably secure said third housing to said frame and (ii) a cavity configured to house a battery.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a harness electrically coupling said battery to a circuit within said first housing.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said harness has a length sufficient to wrap behind a head of said user to serve as a retention chord for said eyeglasses.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first clips are configured to removably secure said first housing to a temple of said frame.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second housing is pivotally attached to said first housing to rotate away from said lens opening.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second housing is rigidly attached to said first housing.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second housing is further configured to adjust a projected direction of said image about a pitch axis.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second housing is further configured to adjust a projected direction of said image about a yaw axis.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second housing is further configured to adjust a horizontal position of said image along a pitch axis.

16. A method for interfacing with a user, comprising the steps of:

(A) removably securing a housing to a frame of eyeglasses;

(B) receiving an image in a first receive message from a device external to said housing;

(C) displaying said image to said user through a lens opening of said eyeglasses;

(D) sensing a response from said user; and

(E) transmitting said response in a transmit message to said device, wherein said response is generated and transmitted in a hands free configuration in response to a movement of a head of said user.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said image is related to an incoming call received by a telephone.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of:

receiving a ring command in a second receive message from said telephone.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

generating a sound audible to said user in response to said ring command.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein detecting said response comprises detecting one of (i) a first audible phrase and (ii) a second audible phrase.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein said image is for at least one of (i) a caller identification, (ii) an instant message, (iii) a global positioning system heading, (iv) a temperature, (v) a time, (vi) a gas detection notification, (vii) a compass heading, (viii) a PALM personal computer, (ix) a laptop computer, (x) a speedometer, (xi) an odometer, (xii) an altimeter and (xiii) an audio player menu.

22. An apparatus comprising:

means for removably securing a housing to a frame of eyeglasses;

means for receiving an image in a receive message from a device external to said housing;

means for displaying said image to a user through a lens opening of said eyeglasses;

means for sensing a response from said user; and

means for transmitting said response in a transmit message to said device, wherein said response is generated and transmitted in a hands free configuration in response to a movement of a head of said user.