Modular heads-up display system

• US 9,720,260 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Reyes, Carlos D., Calilung, Ryan Anthony, Saylor, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US14/961,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20160085092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 351158
• 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 removably attachable to eyewear with a first lateral region, a second lateral region, and a front face, the modular communication system comprising:

a base link comprising a first port, the base link being configured to be selectively attachable to and removable from eyewear by a user along a portion of the front face of the eyewear, the base link extending, when attached to the eyewear, from the first lateral region of the eyewear to the second lateral region of the eyewear; and

a first base module comprising a connector, the connector being selectively attachable to and removable from the first port of the base link by a user.

2. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the base link is shaped to correspond to a lens profile of a lens or a lens mount of the eyewear.

3. The modular communication system of claim 2, wherein the base link extends along a bottom periphery of the lens or lens mount.

4. The modular communication system of claim 2, wherein the base link is selectively attachable to and removable from the lens or lens mount.

5. The modular communication system according to claim 2, the base link further comprising a securing structure configured to secure the base link to the lens or lens mount of the eyewear.

6. The modular communication system of claim 5, wherein the securing structure is a groove formed along a surface of the base link.

7. The modular communication system of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the base link is configured to be selectively attachable directly to and removable directly from the lens.

8. The modular communication system of claim 2, wherein the connector of the first base module is selectively attachable to and removable from a port of a second base link by a user, the second base link being shaped to follow a different lens profile from that of the base link.

9. The modular communication system of claim 8, wherein the base link is shaped to correspond to a lens profile of a dual-lens eyewear and the second base link is shaped to correspond to a lens profile of a unitary lens eyewear.

10. The modular communication system of claim 1, the base link further comprising a connector configured to secure the base link to a frame of the eyewear.

11. The modular communication system of claim 10, wherein the connector comprises at least one of a hook, a protrusion, an indention, and a latch.

12. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the first port is positioned about a lateral region of the eyewear.

13. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the first port is positioned about a nose bridge region of the eyewear.

14. The modular communication system of claim 1, further comprising a second base module comprising a connector, the connector being selectively attachable to and removable from a second port of the base link.

15. The modular communication system according to claim 14, wherein the first base module and the second base module are in electrical communication via the base link.

16. The modular communication system of claim 1, further comprising an optical module configured to display an image to a user.

17. The modular communication system of claim 16, wherein the optical module comprises a retinal projector.

18. The modular communication system of claim 1, further comprising the eyewear.

19. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the first base module comprises at least one of a transmitter, a receiver, and a transceiver.

20. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the first base module comprises at least one of a speaker, a microphone, and a camera.

21. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the first base module comprises at least one of an environmental sensor, a velocity sensor, and a physiological sensor.

22. The modular communication system of claim 21, wherein the first base module comprises at least one of a heartbeat sensor and a velocity sensor.

23. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the modular communication system is configured to be removably attachable to eyewear with integrated electronics.

24. The modular communication system of claim 23, further comprising the eyewear with integrated electronics.

25. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first base module and the base link comprises a conductive contact element configured to electrically couple with a conductive contact element of a structure separate from an eyewear.

26. The modular communication system of claim 25, wherein the structure separate from an eyewear is a helmet.

27. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the base link is formed of a malleable material.

28. The modular communication system of claim 1, wherein the base link is formed of a rigid material.