Eyewear supporting electrical components and apparatus therefor

• US 10,330,956 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Original Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Inventors: Howell, Thomas A., Chao, David, Thomas, C. Douglass, Tong, Peter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung X
• Application Number:
  US14/715,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20150253590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 351158, 351 41, 345 8, 381381, 446 26, 445344
• 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: G02C 2200/08 Modular frames, easily exchangeable frame parts and lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/143 having special ear pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/146 having special front end
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. The electrical components can be partially or completely internal to eyewear. The electrical components can also be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. Apparatus for presenting after-market electrical components are also disclosed.

Claims

1. Eyewear, comprising:

an eyewear frame having a front section and first and second extended endpieces, the first and second extended endpieces being provided at opposite ends of the front section of the eyewear frame, the first extended endpiece being adjacent a first end of the front section, and the second extended endpiece being adjacent a second end of the front section;

a circuit board at least partially embedded in the first extended endpiece of the eyewear frame, the circuit board supporting a first electronic system including at least one integrated circuit that is physically and electrically connected to the circuit board; and

an electrical component partially or fully embedded in the second extended endpiece.

2. Eyewear as recited in claim 1, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

3. Eyewear as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the first extended endpiece is attached to or integral with a first end of the front section, and wherein a portion of the second extended endpiece is attached to or integral with a second end of the front section, the first and second ends of the front section being at opposite ends of the front section.

4. Eyewear as recited in claim 1, wherein a forward portion of the first extended endpiece is provided in the plane of the front section, and wherein a forward portion of the second extended endpiece is provided in the plane of the front section.

5. Eyewear as recited in claim 4, wherein a back portion of the first extended endpiece is provided substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front section, and wherein a back portion of the second extended endpiece is provided substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front section.

6. Eyewear as recited in claim 1, wherein the eyewear frame includes a first rear side structure, and wherein a forward end of the first rear side structure couples to the first extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section.

7. Eyewear as recited in claim 6, wherein the first electronic system comprises a camera.

8. Eyewear as recited in claim 1,

wherein a portion of the first extended endpiece is attached or integrally coupled to a first end of the front section, and wherein a portion of the second extended endpiece is attached or integrally coupled to a second end of the front section, the first and second ends of the front section being at opposite ends of the front section,

wherein a forward portion of the first extended endpiece is provided at least partially in the plane of the front section, and wherein a forward portion of the second extended endpiece is at least partially provided in the plane of the front section, and

wherein the additional electrical component is electrically connected to the first electronic system by at least an electrically conductive element that is at least partially embedded within the front section.

9. Eyewear as recited in claim 8,

wherein the second extended endpiece comprises a battery, and

wherein the eyewear comprises:

a charging circuit electrically connected to the battery, the charging circuit being embedded in the eyewear; and

a visual indicator configured to signal, to a person, information concerning at least an operational status pertaining to an electrical component of the eyewear, and

wherein the eyewear further comprises a connector port that is electrically connected with the charging circuit, the connector port being at least partially embedded in the eyewear frame.

10. Eyewear as recited in claim 1,

wherein the eyewear frame includes a first rear side structure, and wherein a forward end of the first rear side structure movable mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section.

wherein the first rear side structure mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece via a hinge, the hinge being provided adjacent an interface between the forward end of the first rear side structure and the first extended endpiece.

11. Eyewear as recited in claim 10, wherein the eyewear comprises a switch component provided adjacent the hinge.

12. Eyewear as recited in claim 11, wherein the eyewear comprises a magnetic element provided adjacent the hinge.

13. Eyewear as recited in claim 10,

wherein the eyewear frame includes a second rear side structure, and wherein a forward end of the second rear side structure movable mechanically couples to the second extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section, and

wherein the eyewear comprises a switch component provided adjacent the forward end of the first or second rear side structure.

14. Eyewear as recited in claim 13, wherein the switch component comprises at least one electrical contact.

15. Eyewear as recited in claim 13, wherein the eyewear comprises a magnetic element provided adjacent the forward end of the first or second rear side structure.

16. Eyewear as recited in claim 15, wherein the second extended endpiece comprises a battery.

17. Eyewear as recited in claim 13, wherein the switch component is exposed when the eyewear is not being worn, and concealed when the eyewear is being worn.

18. Eyewear as recited in claim 1,

wherein the eyewear frame comprises a battery,

wherein the eyewear comprises:

a charging circuit electrically connected to the battery, the charging circuit being embedded in the eyewear; and

wherein the eyewear further comprises a connector port that is electrically connected with the charging circuit, the connector port being at least partially embedded in the eyewear frame.

19. Eyewear as recited in claim 18,

wherein the eyewear frame includes a first rear side structure, and wherein a forward end of the first rear side structure movable mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section.

wherein the first rear side structure mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece via a hinge, the hinge being provided adjacent an interface between the forward end of the first rear side structure and the first extended endpiece.

20. Eyewear as recited in claim 19, wherein the eyewear comprises a switch component provided adjacent the hinge.

21. Eyewear, comprising:

an eyewear frame having a front section and first and second extended endpieces, the first and second extended endpieces being provided at opposite sides of the front section of the eyewear frame, the first extended endpiece being adjacent a first side of the front section, and the second extended endpiece being adjacent a second side of the front section; and

a circuit board at least partially internal to the first extended endpiece of the eyewear frame, the circuit board supporting a plurality of electrical components, at least one of the plurality of electrical components including at least one integrated circuit that is physically attached to the circuit board and electrically connected to another of the plurality of electrical components supported by the circuit board.

22. Eyewear as recited in claim 21, wherein the eyewear comprises:

an additional electrical component at least partially internal to the second extended endpiece.

23. Eyewear as recited in claim 22, wherein the additional electrical component is electrically connected to one or more of the plurality of electrical components.

24. Eyewear as recited in claim 21, wherein the eyewear comprises:

an additional electrical component at least partially internal to the eyewear frame but not in the first extended endpiece.

25. Eyewear as recited in claim 22, wherein the additional electrical component is electrically connected to one or more of the plurality of electrical components.

26. Eyewear as recited in claim 21, wherein a portion of the first extended endpiece is attached to a first end of the front section, and wherein a portion of the second extended endpiece is attached to a second end of the front section, the first and second ends of the front section being at opposite ends of the front section.

27. Eyewear as recited in claim 21, wherein a forward portion of the first extended endpiece is provided in the plane of the front section, and wherein a forward portion of the second extended endpiece is provided in the plane of the front section.

28. Eyewear as recited in claim 27, wherein a back portion of the first extended endpiece is provided substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front section, and wherein a back portion of the second extended endpiece is provided substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front section.

29. Eyewear as recited in claim 21, wherein the eyewear frame includes a first rear side structure, and wherein a forward end of the first rear side structure couples to the first extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section.

30. Eyewear as recited in claim 29, wherein the eyewear frame comprises a magnetically-assisted switch for providing electrical connection.

31. Eyewear as recited in claim 30, wherein the magnetically-assisted switch is positioned proximate to the connection point where the forward end of the first rear side structure couples to the first extended endpiece.

32. Eyewear as recited in claim 21, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

33. Eyewear, comprising:

an eyewear frame having a front section, at least a first extended endpiece, and a first side section, the first side section having a forward end and a rearward end, and the first extended endpiece being coupled or adjacent to at least one of the first side section or the front section; and

a circuit board partially or fully embedded in the first extended endpiece, the circuit board supporting a first electronic system including at least an integrated circuit and an electronic device, the integrated circuit and the electronic device being physically attached to the circuit board, and the integrated circuit being electrically connected to the electrical component.

34. Eyewear as recited in claim 33, wherein a portion of the first extended endpiece is coupled to a first end of the front section.

35. Eyewear as recited in claim 34, wherein a first portion of the first extended endpiece is provided in the plane of the front section.

36. Eyewear as recited in claim 35, wherein a second portion of the first extended endpiece is provided substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front section.

37. Eyewear as recited in claim 33, wherein the first electronic system comprises a camera.

38. Eyewear as recited in claim 33, wherein the first side section includes a forward end and a rearward end, and wherein the forward end of the first side section couples to the first extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section.

39. Eyewear as recited in claim 38, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

40. Eyewear as recited in claim 38, wherein the eyewear comprises:

an additional electrical component at least partially internal to the eyewear frame but not in the first extended endpiece.

41. Eyewear as recited in claim 40, wherein the additional electrical component is electrically connected to the first electronic system.

42. Eyewear as recited in claim 41, wherein the additional electrical component is electrically connected to the first electronic system by at least a wire that is at least partially embedded within the front section.

43. Eyewear as recited in claim 42, wherein the circuit board is a flexible circuit board.

44. Eyewear as recited in claim 42, wherein the eyewear comprises:

a microphone; and

an audio output device,

wherein the wireless transmitter and/or receiver, the microphone and the audio output device are each at least partially embedded in the eyewear.

45. Eyewear as recited in claim 41,

wherein a portion of the first extended endpiece is attached or adjacent to a first end of the front section, and wherein a portion of the second extended endpiece is attached or adjacent to a second end of the front section, the first and second ends of the front section being at opposite ends of the front section, and

wherein a forward portion of the first extended endpiece is provided in the plane of the front section, and wherein a forward portion of the second extended endpiece is provided in the plane of the front section.

46. Eyewear as recited in claim 45, wherein the eyewear comprises:

a visual indicator configured to signal, to a person, information concerning at least an operational status pertaining to an electrical component of the eyewear.

47. Eyewear as recited in claim 46, wherein the eyewear comprises:

a battery embedded in the eyewear; and

a charging circuit electrically connected to the battery, the charging circuit being embedded in the eyewear.

48. Eyewear as recited in claim 47, wherein the eyewear further comprises a connector port that is electrically connected with the charging circuit, the connector port being at least partially embedded in the eyewear frame.

49. Eyewear as recited in claim 33, wherein the front section of the eyewear frame includes at least one lens holder, and wherein the first extended endpiece is positioned between the at least one lens holder and the first side section, and wherein the first side section mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece.

50. Eyewear as recited in claim 49, wherein the first side section includes a forward end and a rearward end, and wherein the forward end of the first side section couples to the first extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section.

51. Eyewear as recited in claim 49, wherein the first side section mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece via a hinge.

52. Eyewear as recited in claim 33,

wherein the eyewear frame comprises a battery,

wherein the eyewear comprises:

a charging circuit electrically connected to the battery, the charging circuit being embedded in the eyewear; and

wherein the eyewear further comprises a connector port that is electrically connected with the charging circuit, the connector port being at least partially embedded in the eyewear frame.

53. Eyewear as recited in claim 52,

wherein the eyewear frame includes a first rear side structure, and wherein a forward end of the first rear side structure movable mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece at a connection point that is set back from the front section.

wherein the first rear side structure mechanically couples to the first extended endpiece via a hinge, the hinge being provided adjacent an interface between the forward end of the first rear side structure and the first extended endpiece.

54. Eyewear as recited in claim 53, wherein the front section of the eyewear frame includes one or more lens holders to hold one or more lens, the one or more lens permit a user whom wears the eyewear to view its physical environment through the one or more lens.

55. Eyewear as recited in claim 54, wherein at least a portion of an exposed surface at the front section of the eyewear is provided by the one or more lens.

56. Eyewear as recited in claim 54, wherein the one or more lens are replaceable with one or more prescription lens.

57. Eyewear as recited in claim 54, wherein the first electronic system comprises a camera.