Media communication device

• US 8,523,352 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2011
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• 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., Julian, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG XUAN
• Application Number:
  US13/170,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20110255050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 351/158, 351/41, 345/8, 345/7, 345/9, 359/630, 359/637, 359/638, 359/639, 359/640
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed is an eyewear retention system, which may include any of a variety of electronics, including telecommunications receivers, transmitters, electronic storage devices, and head-up display driving circuitry.

Claims

1. A media communication device, comprising:

a support frame configured to extend at least partially along the head of a wearer in an as-worn position;

at least one lens being supported by the support frame and positionable in a line of sight of the wearer when the support frame is positioned on the head of the wearer;

a receiver supported by the support frame, the receiver being configured to receive a wireless signal from at least one remote device;

a heads-up display carried by the support;

display driving circuitry carried by the support frame and being configured to drive the heads-up display;

an earphone carried by the support; and

transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal from the media communication device to at least one remote device.

2. A media communication device as in claim 1, further comprising a memory device carried by the support frame.

3. A media communication device as in claim 2, further comprising circuitry configured to play media from the memory device.

4. A media communication device as in claim 3, wherein the circuitry is configured to play music from the memory device.

5. A media communication device as in claim 1, further comprising circuitry configured to play music from a compressed audio source.

6. A media communication device as in claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to communicate music and telecommunications to the earphone.

7. A media communication device as in claim 1, wherein the heads-up display comprises a liquid crystal display.

8. A media communication device as in claim 1, wherein the heads-up display comprises miniature display technology.

9. A media communication device as in claim 1, further comprising a global positioning unit carried by the support frame.

10. A media communication device as in claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises an eyeglass frame configured to support at least one lens in the field of view of the wearer.

11. A media communication device for communicating audio and visual media to a wearer, the media communication device cooperating with a speaker support configured to adjustably position at least a first earphone relative to the head of the wearer to provide audio to the wearer, the media communication device comprising at least one display unit and display driving circuitry, the display driving circuitry being configured to drive the at least one display unit, the media communication device further comprising at least one receiver, the receiver being configured to receive a signal from at least one other device for the display driving circuitry configured to drive the display unit and provide audio to the first earphone from a compressed audio source.

12. A media communication device as in claim 11, further comprising a memory device.

13. A media communication device as in claim 11, wherein the display unit comprises a liquid crystal display.

14. A media communication device as in claim 11, wherein the display unit comprises miniature display technology.

15. A media communication device as in claim 11, wherein the display unit comprises a heads-up display.

16. A media communication device as in claim 11, further comprising a transmitter, the transmitter being configured to transmit a wireless signal from the media communication device to at least one remote device.

17. A media communication device as in claim 11, further comprising a support frame configured to be coupled with the speaker support and to support the display unit, the transmitter, receiver, and the display driving circuitry of the media communication device.

18. A media communication device as in claim 17, wherein the support frame comprises an eyeglass frame configured to support at least one lens in the field of view of the wearer.

19. A media communication device comprising a speaker support and a display unit configured to be coupled with a support apparatus extending over the top of the head of a wearer in an as-worn position, the apparatus being configured to support eyewear in a line of sight of a wearer when the apparatus is positioned on the head of the wearer, the speaker support extending laterally along the head of the wearer so as to support at least a first earphone in a position such that the first earphone is directed toward at least a first ear of the wearer when the apparatus is positioned on the head of the wearer, the display unit configured to provide visual media to the wearer, the device further comprising a receiver carried by the apparatus, the receiver being configured to receive a wireless signal from the at least one remote device to communicate media to the display device and the first earphone, wherein the device further comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal from the media communication device to at least one remote device.

20. A media communication device as in claim 19, further comprising circuitry configured to play music from a compressed audio source through the first earphone.

21. A media communication device as in claim 19, further comprising a memory device and driver electronics configured to play media from the memory device.

22. A media communication device as in claim 21, wherein the driver electronics comprise circuitry configured to play music from the memory device.

23. A media communication device as in claim 19, wherein the receiver is configured to communicate music and telecommunications to the first earphone.

24. A media communication device as in claim 19, wherein the device is GPS enabled.

25. A media communication device as in claim 19, wherein the device comprises a second speaker support.

26. A media communication device as in claim 19, wherein the apparatus is an eyeglass.

27. A media communication device as in claim 19, wherein the display unit comprises a liquid crystal display.

28. A media communication device as in claim 19, wherein the display unit comprises miniature display technology.

29. A media communication device as in claim 19, wherein the display unit comprises a heads-up display.