Eyewear with multi-part temple for supporting one or more electrical components

• US 8,465,151 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2010
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C. Douglass Thomas, IngenioSpec LLC, Peter P. Tong
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Howell, Thomas A., Chao, David, Thomas, C. Douglass, Tong, Peter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US12/806,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20100309426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/111, 351/119, 351/121, 351/158
• US Class Current: 351/121
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/10 for personal use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• 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. A pair of glasses, comprising:

a first lens holder for receiving a first lens, the first lens holder having a first side and a second side;

a second lens holder for receiving a second lens, the second lens holder having a first side and a second side;

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

a first temple having a first end and a second end, with the first end secured proximate to the second side of the first lens holder;

a second temple having a first end and a second end, with the first end secured proximate to the first side of the second lens holder; and

wherein the first temple is a multi-part temple having a first part and a second part, the first part being closer to the corresponding lens holder than the second part, and the second part of the first temple being configured to be removably coupled to the first part of the first temple using a connector, and

wherein a data storage device is at least partially internal to the second part of the first temple.

2. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a USB connector.

3. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the connector is integral with the second part of the first temple.

4. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the connector is electrically connected to the data storage device.

5. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector includes a USB connector, and wherein the USB connector is electrically connected to the data storage device.

6. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the second part of the first temple is designed so that it can be removed or attached to the first part of the first temple by a wearer of said pair of glasses.

7. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein while the second part of the first temple is removably attached to the first part of the first temple using the connector, the connector serves to mechanically secure the second part of the first temple to the first part of the first temple.

8. A pair of glasses as recited in claim 1, wherein the second part of the first temple is used at least as a memory stick or memory card that is attachable and detachable from the first part of the first temple via the connector.

9. An eyewear product, comprising:

an eyeglass frame having at least first and second temples, one on each side of the eyeglass frame, the first temple having a rearward part that removably attaches to a forward part; and

a electronic device fully embedded in the rearward part of the first temple,

wherein the rearward part and the forward part of the first temple are interconnected by a connector, the connector being electrically connected to the electronic device.

10. An eyewear product as recited in claim 9, wherein the electronic device includes at least a data storage device.

11. An eyewear product as recited in claim 9, wherein the rearward part of the first temple comprises a memory stick or memory card providing portable data storage, the memory stick or memory card being attachable and detachable from the forward part of the first temple via the connector.

12. An eyewear product as recited in claim 9, wherein the connector includes at least a USB connector.

13. An eyewear product as recited in claim 9,

wherein the electronic device includes at least a data storage device, and

wherein the connector includes at least a USB connector.

14. An eyewear product as recited in claim 9, wherein while the rearward part of the first temple is removably attached to the forward part of the first temple using the connector, the connector serves to mechanically secure the rearward part of the first temple to the forward part of the first temple.

15. An eyewear product as recited in claim 14,

wherein the electronic device includes at least a data storage device, and

wherein the connector includes at least a USB connector.

16. An eyewear product as recited in claim 9, wherein while the rearward part of the first temple is removably attached to the forward part of the first temple using the connector, the forward part and the rearward part are substantially collinear at least in the vicinity of the connector.

17. An eyewear product as recited in claim 9, wherein said eyewear product further comprises a battery fully embedded in the rearward part of the first temple.

18. An eyewear product as recited in claim 17, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

19. An eyewear product, comprising:

an eyeglass frame having at least first and second temples, one on each side of the eyeglass frame, the first temple having a rearward part that removably attaches to a forward part; and

a data storage device at least partially embedded in the rearward part of the first temple,

wherein the rearward part and the forward part of the first temple are interconnected by a connector, the connector being electrically connected to the data storage.

20. An eyewear product as recited in claim 19, wherein the rearward part of the first temple comprises a memory stick or memory card providing the data storage, the memory stick or memory card being attachable and detachable from the forward part of the first temple via the connector.

21. An eyewear product as recited in claim 19, wherein the connector includes a USB connector, and wherein the USB connector is electrically connected to the data storage.

22. An eyewear product as recited in claim 19, wherein while the rearward part of the first temple is removably attached to the forward part of the first temple via the connector, the connector serves to mechanically secure the rearward part of the first temple to the forward part of the first temple.

23. An eyewear product as recited in claim 22, wherein the connector is electrically connected to the data storage.

24. An eyewear product as recited in claim 23, wherein the connector is a USB connector.

25. An eyewear product, comprising:

an eyewear frame having at least first temple, the first temple having a rearward part that removably attaches to a forward part; and

a data storage device at least partially embedded in the rearward part of the first temple,

wherein the rearward part and the forward part of the first temple are interconnected by a connector,

wherein the connector is electrically connected to the data storage device, and

wherein while the rearward part of the first temple is removably attached to the forward part of the first temple exclusively using the connector, the connector serves to mechanically secure the rearward part of the first temple to the forward part of the first temple.

26. An eyewear product as recited in claim 25, wherein the connector is a USB connector.

27. An eyewear product, comprising:

an eyewear frame having at least first temple, the first temple having a rearward part that removably attaches to a forward part; and

a data storage device at least partially embedded in the rearward part of the first temple,

wherein the rearward part and the forward part of the first temple are interconnected by a connector, the connector being electrically connected to the data storage device,

wherein while the rearward part of the first temple is removably attached to the forward part of the first temple using the connector, the connector serves to mechanically secure the rearward part of the first temple to the forward part of the first temple, and

wherein the rearward part of the first temple functions as a removable memory stick or memory card providing the portable data storage device, the memory stick or memory card being attachable and detachable from the forward part of the first temple via the connector.

28. An eyewear product as recited in claim 27, wherein the connector includes at least a USB connector.