Eyeglasses with activity monitoring

• US 20050248718A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• 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 7,255,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/41
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/001 specially adapted for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for or not fully classifiable according to technical characteristics, e.g. therapeutic glasses

Abstract

In one embodiment, eyewear having an activity monitoring capability is disclosed. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their degree of activity.

Claims

1. A pair of glasses comprising:

a first lens holder having a first side and a second side;

a second lens holder having a first side and a second side;

a bridge element coupling the second side of the first lens holder to the first side of the second lens holder;

a first temple pivotally secured to the first side of the first lens holder through a first joint;

a second temple pivotally secured to the second side of the second lens holder through a second joint; and

a pedometer system at least partially embedded in the glasses.

2. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pedometer system comprises a display for displaying at least pedometer information.

3. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pedometer system comprises a switch, which can be used to start the pedometer system.

4. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pedometer system further comprises a battery to power the pedometer system.

5. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the pedometer system is substantially embedded in the first temple.

6. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1,

wherein each of the first temple and the second temple has a first end and a second end, with the first end being the end that is pivotally secured to its corresponding one of the first joint and the second joint,

wherein the second end of at least one of the first and second temples has a temple arrangement, and

wherein the pedometer system is in one of the temple arrangements.

7. A pair of glasses comprising:

an eyeglass frame having at least a pair of lens holders and a pair of temples; and

a functional module including a plurality of electrical components that are electrically interconnected with a substrate and that can monitor an activity of a user wearing the pair of glasses,

wherein the eyeglass frame includes a cavity for receiving the functional module.

8. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the cavity has an opening through which the functional module is inserted into the eyeglass frame.

9. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 8, wherein a cover is placed over the opening after the functional module is inserted in the eyeglass frame.

10. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 9, wherein the functional module includes a display screen, and wherein the cover has an opening for a display screen.

11. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the functional module operates as a pedometer.

12. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the functional module includes at least an accelerometer, a battery, a controller and an output device.

13. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 7, wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board.

14. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 13, wherein the cavity is provided in one of the temples, and wherein the printed circuit board has an irregular shape that conforms to the contour of the temple.

15. A pair of glasses comprising:

a frame having at least a bridge and a pair of temples; and

an activity monitor at least partially embedded in the frame and operable to measure activity associated with a user of the pair of glasses.

16. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15, wherein the pair of glasses further comprises a display for displaying information on the inside of one of the temples of the glasses.

17. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 16, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to an activity level.

18. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 16, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a distance traveled.

19. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 16, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a count.

20. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 16, wherein the information being displayed on the display pertains to a calorie count.

21. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15, wherein the pair of glasses further comprises a speaker for outputting audio information.

22. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 16 wherein the audio information being output pertains to a distance traveled, a count or a calorie count.

23. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 15, wherein the pair of glasses further comprises a being-worn indicator to activate the activity monitor.