Modular heads-up display system

• US 10,288,908 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2017
• Issued: 05/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Calilung, Ryan Anthony, Saylor, Ryan, Reyes, Carlos D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung X
• Application Number:
  US15/663,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20180011344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 351158, 351 41
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• 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 2200/08 Modular frames, easily exchangeable frame parts and lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/02 Bridges; Browbars; Intermediate bars nose engaging-surfaces G02C5/12
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 9/00 Attaching auxiliary optical parts auxiliary optical parts per se G02C7/08 - G02C7/16

Abstract

A modular electronic communication system is disclosed with interchangeable components attachable on eyewear. A plurality of pre-existing eyewear models can each be retrofitted by attachment of one or more of such interchangeable components to that eyewear. Such components can be configured for custom attachment with a particular eyewear or such components can be configured for universal attachment with one or more different eyewear models. The communication system can be configured to produce an adjustable heads-up display for the wearer of the eyewear. The electronic communication system can comprise a plurality of interchangeable, electronically interconnected components, such as a first optical module, a first base module, a base link, a second base module, and/or a second optical module. In some embodiments, one or more or all of the components of the electronic communication system are integrally and permanently attached to an eyewear and are not interchangeable or modular.

Claims

1. A modular communication system configured to be attachable to eyewear having one or more lenses, the modular communication system comprising:

a first base module configured to attach directly to a lens of the eyewear, the first base module comprising at least one of a wireless transmitter configured to transmit data and a wireless receiver configured to receive data;

a second base module configured to attach directly to a lens of the eyewear, the second base module comprising at least one of a wireless transmitter configured to transmit data and a wireless receiver configured to receive data;

the first and second base modules each also comprising at least one of;

a speaker;

a microphone;

a camera;

a power source;

a processor; and

a sensor;

wherein the first base module and the second base module are configured to be in electronic communication with each other, such that data can be transferred between the first base module and the second base module.

2. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the eyewear comprises at least two lenses and wherein the first base module and the second base module are configured to be directly attached to separate lenses of the eyewear.

3. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first base module and the second base module are removably attached to a lens.

4. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first base module and the second base module are permanently attached to the eyewear.

5. The modular communication system of claim 1, further comprising a base link having a first port and a second port, wherein the first base module and the second base module are configured to be coupled to the first and second ports respectively.

6. The modular communication system of claim 5, wherein the first port and the second port include an electrical connection to electronically link the first base module and the second base module.

7. The modular communication system of claim 5, wherein the base link is integrated with the eyewear.

8. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication system is configured to be attachable by a user in retrofitted engagement with a pre-existing eyewear.

9. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the modular communication system comprises an environmental sensor and a physiological sensor.

10. A modular communication system comprising:

an eyewear having one or more lenses, the eyewear comprising at least one of a wireless transmitter configured to transmit data and a wireless receiver configured to receive data;

a base module configured to attach directly to a lens of the eyewear, the base module comprising at least one of a wireless transmitter configured to transmit data and a wireless receiver configured to receive data;

the eyewear and base module each also comprising at least one of;

a speaker;

a microphone;

a camera;

a power source;

a processor; and

a sensor;

wherein the eyewear and the base module are configured to be in electronic communication with each other, such that data can be transferred between the eyewear and the base module.

11. The modular communication system of claim 10, wherein the base module is removably attached to the lens.

12. The modular communication system of claim 10, wherein the base module is permanently attached to the lens.

13. The modular communication system of claim 10, further comprising a base link having a port, wherein the base module is configured to be coupled to the port.

14. The modular communication system of claim 13, wherein the port includes an electrical connection to electronically link the base module to the base link.

15. The modular communication system of claim 13, wherein the base link is integrated with the eyewear.

16. The modular communication system of claim 10, wherein the eyewear is configured to communicate with a variety of base links, each base link having different combinations of electronic components.

17. The modular communication system of claim 10, wherein the modular communication system comprises an environmental sensor and a physiological sensor.

18. The modular communication system of claim 17, wherein the eyewear is a helmet comprising a battery and the modular communication system is configured to draw power from the battery.

19. The modular communication system of claim 10, wherein the eyewear comprises contact elements configured to engage contact elements of an external device.

20. The modular communication system of claim 10, wherein the base module comprises contact elements configured to engage contact elements of an external device.