Electronic frames comprising electrical conductors

• US 8,801,174 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2012
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Vision Optics LLC
• Original Assignee: HPO Assets LLC
• Inventors: Willey, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choudhury, Mustak
• Application Number:
  US13/372,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20120262667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 351/158, 351/159.03
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/14 Side-members
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/146 having special front end
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/08 Slip-rings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

In some embodiments, a first device may be provided. The first device may comprise a lens housing adapted to support a first lens and a second lens, a first temple movably coupled to the lens housing, a second temple movably coupled to the lens housing, an electronics module disposed at least partially within the first temple, and a first electrical conductor coupled to the first temple. A first conductive path may be provided from the first temple to the lens housing at least in part by the first electrical conductor. The first electrical conductor may be configured to couple the electronics module to the first temple.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising:

a lens housing adapted to support a first lens and a second lens;

a first temple movably coupled to the lens housing;

a second temple movably coupled to the lens housing;

an electronics module disposed at least partially within the first temple;

a first electrical conductor coupled to the first temple,

wherein a first conductive path is provided from the first temple to the lens housing at least in part by the first electrical conductor; and

a second electrical conductor coupled to the first temple,

wherein a second conductive path is provided from the first temple to the lens housing at least in part by the second electrical conductor;

wherein the first and second electrical conductors are configured to couple the electronics module to the first temple to constrain the electronics module.

2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor is integrally coupled to the first temple.

3. The first device of claim 2, wherein the first electrical conductor is insert molded with the first temple.

4. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor comprises a lug.

5. The first device of claim 1, wherein the electronics module comprises any two of:

a power source, a controller, and a sensor.

6. The first device of claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises a touch switch.

7. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor is electrically coupled to a slip ring.

8. The first device of claim 7, further comprising a hinge, wherein the slip ring is disposed substantially within the hinge.

9. The first device of claim 1, wherein the electronics module is configured to be removably coupled to the first temple.

10. The first device of claim 1, wherein the electronics module comprises an opening;

wherein the first electrical conductor has a first portion that extends a first distance of at least approximately 1 cm into the electronic module through the opening, and

wherein the first electrical conductor has a second portion that extends second distance of at least approximately 1 cm outside of the electronics module away from the opening.

11. The first device of claim 10,

wherein the first distance that the first portion of the first electrical conductor extends into the electronics module is at least approximately 2 cm, and

wherein the second distance that the second portion of the first electrical conductor extends away from the opening is at least approximately 2 cm.

12. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor comprises a single structural element.

13. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor is configured to maintain the first conductive path as the first temple is moved relative to the lens housing.

14. The first device of claim 1, further comprising a first lens and a second lens coupled to the lens housing;

wherein the first lens has a first electrical contact; and

wherein the first conductive path is electrically coupled to the first electrical contact.

15. A first method, comprising:

providing a capacitive touch switch;

disposing a plurality of electronic components on the capacitive switch; and

coupling the capacitive touch switch to a partial enclosure to constrain the capacitive touch switch.

16. The first method of claim 15, further comprising the step of disposing the enclosure substantially within a temple of an eyeglass frame.

17. The first method of claim 16,

wherein the eye glass frame comprises electro-active eyeglass frames;

wherein the eyeglass frame comprises a first conductive path; and

wherein the first method further comprises the step of electrically coupling at least one of the electronic components to the first conductive path.

18. The first method of claim 15, further comprising the step of applying a conformal coating to the plurality of electronic components.

19. The first method of claim 15, wherein the capacitive touch switch and the enclosure are configured to be pressure fitted.