Eyeglasses for wireless communications

• US 7,792,552 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2004
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Thomas, C. Douglass, Tong, Peter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B
• Application Number:
  US10/822,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20060003803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,339 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 455/556.1, 455/569.1, 455/575.1, 455/575.2, 455/344, 455/347, 455/350, 455/351, 379/433.01, 379/433.1, 379/434
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• 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: 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: H04R 17/00 Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A pair of eyeglasses that includes wireless communication capabilities is disclosed. The eyeglasses are referred to herein as “wireless eyeglasses.” The eyeglasses can also include one or more operation indicators. The wireless eyeglasses can allow a user to communicate with a communication device in a wireless and hands-free manner. The one or more operation indicators that can be provided with the wireless eyeglasses can signal operational status of the wireless communication circuitry.

Claims

1. A method for operating a pair of eyeglasses having wireless communication circuitry and at least one operation indicator, said method comprising:

monitoring, via electronic circuitry at least partially embedded in the glasses, the wireless communication circuitry to determine an operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry; and

controlling, by the electronic circuitry, the at least one operation indicator based on the operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry as determined by said monitoring,

wherein the operational condition Indicates at least whether the wireless communication circuitry is in use,

wherein the electronic circuitry further couples to at least one sensor,

wherein said method further comprises receiving sensor information from the at least one sensor, the sensor being operable to provide sensor information that pertains to a physical condition of the user, and

wherein said controlling operates to control the at least one operation indicator based on the sensor information and based on the operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the operational condition indicates at least that the wireless communication circuitry is operating on an incoming call.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is internal to the eyeglasses.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is attached to the eyeglasses.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is remote from the eyeglasses, and wherein the sensor information from the sensor is wirelessly supplied to the eyeglasses.

6. A method for operating a pair of eyeglasses having wireless communication circuitry and at least one operation indicator, said method comprising:

monitoring, via electronic circuitry at least partially embedded in the glasses, the wireless communication circuitry to determine an operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry; and

controlling, by the electronic circuitry, the at least one operation indicator based on the operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry as determined by said monitoring,

wherein the operational condition indicates at least whether the wireless communication circuitry is in use,

wherein the electronic circuitry further operatively couples to at least one sensor,

wherein said method further comprises receiving sensor information from the at least one sensor, the sensor being operable to provide sensor information that pertains to a mood of the user, and

wherein said controlling operates to control the at least one operation indicator based on the sensor information and based on the operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor is internal to the eyeglasses.

8. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor is attached to the eyeglasses.

9. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor is remote from the eyeglasses, and wherein the sensor information from the sensor is wirelessly supplied to the eyeglasses.

10. A method for operating a pair of eyeglasses having wireless communication circuitry and at least one indicator, the eyeglasses further operatively coupling to at least one sensor, said method comprising:

monitoring, via electronic circuitry, the wireless communication circuitry to determine an operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry, the operational condition indicating at least whether the wireless communication circuitry is in use;

receiving sensor information from the at least one sensor; and

controlling, by the electronic circuitry, the at least one indicator based on the operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry as determined by said monitoring as well as based on the sensor information as obtained by said receiving,

wherein the wireless communication circuitry and the electronic circuitry are at least partially internal to the eyeglasses.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the operational condition indicates at least that the wireless communication circuitry Is operating on an incoming call.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one indicator comprises at least one light source, and wherein the at least one light source illuminates light in a predetermined manner when the wireless communication circuitry is in use.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is internal to the eyeglasses.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is attached to the eyeglasses.

15. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is physically separate from the eyeglasses, and wherein the sensor Information from the sensor is wirelessly supplied to the eyeglasses.

16. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the sensor information from the at least one sensor pertains to an emotional condition of a user of the eyeglasses.

17. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the sensor information from the at least one sensor pertains to a physical condition of the user.

18. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the sensor information from the at least one sensor is for a position of the eyeglasses and/or a position of a user of the eyeglasses.

19. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor that provides position information.

20. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one indicator is at least partially internal to the eyeglasses.

21. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the eyeglasses interact with a base unit, and wherein the at least one sensor is operatively connected to the base unit.

22. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a visual Indicator configured to controllably provide at least one or more visual indications.

23. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the at least one indicator comprises an audio indicator configured to controllably provide at least one or more audio indications.

24. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the eyeglasses are configured to operate with at least one speaker, and wherein the at least one speaker produces audio output for the wireless communication circuitry.

25. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said controlling of the at least one indicator comprises receiving electrical signals pertaining to the operational condition of the wireless communication circuitry as determined by said monitoring and receiving electrical signals pertaining to the sensor information as obtained by said receiving.