Tethered electrical components for eyeglasses

• US 20050078274A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IngenioSpec LLC
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass, Chao, David, Howell, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,192,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids

Abstract

Tethered electrical components coupled to electrical components in or attached to a pair of eyeglasses are disclosed. The tethered electrical components can allow a user to communicate with a communication device in a wireless and hands-free manner. The tethered electrical components may also include and/or control one or more operation indicators to signal operational status of the electrical components. In addition, the tethered electrical components may also include and/or control one or more sensors to monitor and signal conditions of users of the tethered electrical components.

Claims

1. An eyewear system for a user, comprising:

an eyeglass frame;

an eyeglass cord; and

a base device having at least one electrical part,

wherein said eyeglass cord connects said base device to said eyeglass frame, and

wherein when said eyewear system is worn by the user, said base device is positioned proximate to the neck or upper back region of the user.

2. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said eyeglass cord connects to each of a pair of temples of said eyeglass frame.

3. An eyewear system as recited in claim 2, wherein said eyeglass cord includes at least one conductor therethrough.

4. An eyewear system as recited in claim 3, wherein said eyeglass frame has at least one electrical part, and wherein the at least one electrical part in said base device is electrically connected to the at least one electrical part in said eyeglass frame via the at least one conductor within said eyeglass cord.

5. An eyewear system as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one electrical part in said eyeglasses is provided in a temple arrangement for at least one temple of said eyeglass frame.

6. An eyewear system as recited in claim 5, wherein the temple arrangement is a temple tip.

7. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said eyeglass frame has at least one electrical part that cooperates with the at least one electrical part in said base device to provide an electronic system.

8. An eyewear system as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic system pertains to one or more of a wireless communication system, a radiation monitoring system, a health monitoring system or a fitness monitoring system.

9. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said base device includes at least one electrical circuit on a substrate.

10. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said base device includes at least one integrated circuit.

11. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein when said eyewear system is worn by the user, said base device is supported by said eyeglass cord.

12. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said eyewear system further comprises:

a clip to attach said base device or said eyeglass cord to an article of clothing worn by the user.

13. An eyewear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said base device is able to be electrically coupled to a portable electronic device.

14. An eyewear system as recited in claim 13, wherein said base device includes a connector for electrically coupling the portable electronic device to said base device via an electrical cable having at least one conductor therethrough.

15. An eyewear system as recited in claim 13, wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, or a media player.

16. An eyewear system for a user, comprising:

an eyeglass frame having a least one electrical component;

an eyeglass cord having at least one electrical conductor therethrough; and

a base device having at least one electrical component,

wherein said eyeglass cord connects said base device to said eyeglass frame, and said eyeglass cord electrically connects the at least one electrical component in said base device to the at least one electrical component in said eyeglass frame.

17. An eyewear system as recited in claim 16,

wherein said eyeglass frame has a pair of temples, and each of the temples has a temple electrical connector,

wherein said eyeglass cord has a pair of ends, and each of the ends has a cord electrical connector, and

wherein each of the cord electrical connectors connects with a corresponding one of the temple electrical connectors, thereby electrically connecting said eyeglass cord to said eyeglass frame.

18. An eyewear system as recited in claim 16, wherein each of the temples has a temple tip region, and wherein one of the temple electrical connector is provided at the temple tip region of each of the temples.

19. An eyewear system as recited in claim 16, wherein when said eyewear system is worn by the user, said base device is positioned proximate to the neck or upper back region of the user.

20. An eyewear system as recited in claim 16, wherein said eyeglass cord has an outer textile cover, and wherein the electrical conductor is internal to the outer textile cover.

21. A tethered apparatus for a pair of eyeglasses, said tethered apparatus comprising:

a base containing electrical components; and

at least one cord for attaching said base to the eyeglass, said cord being attached or attachable to said base, and said cord containing at least one electrical conductor for providing electrical signals from said base through said cord.

22. A tethered apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein when said cord couples said base to the eyeglasses, said base is tethered to the eyeglasses.

23. A tethered apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein when said base is tethered to the eyeglasses which are being worn by a user, said base is positioned proximate to the neck or upper back region of the user.

24. A tethered apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein a speaker is attached to at least one end of said cord or to the eyeglasses, and

wherein the at least one electrical connector contained within said cord electrically couples to the speaker.

25. A tethered apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said cord attaches to said base with one or a pair of connectors.

26. A tethered apparatus as recited in claim 21,

wherein said cord has first and second eyeglass ends for coupling to the eyeglasses,

wherein the eyeglasses have a frame, the frame including at least a pair of arms, and

wherein the first eyeglass end of said cord couples to one of the arms of the frame and the second eyeglass end of said cord couples to the other of the arms of the frame.