Abstract:
Described is an eyeglass case having integrated speakers. The eyeglass case includes a housing having two compartments, wherein a first compartment is adapted to receive a pair of eyeglasses while a second compartment houses a speaker system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to an eyeglass case. More specifically, to an eyeglass case having an integrated speaker system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In today&#39;s field of electronics one goal is to make portable electronic devices smaller and lighter. Moreover, there is also an added incentive to integrate electronic devices and provide added functionality so as to give more value to the customer and encourage purchase and utilization of the electronic devices. 
         [0003]    Thus, there exists a need for an eyeglass case having an integrated speaker system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention discloses an eyeglass case comprising: a first compartment having a first recessed area; a second compartment having a second recessed area; coupling means for coupling the first and second compartments; and at least one speaker integrated into said first or second recessed compartment wherein said speaker is operable to transmit audible sounds from a sound source in communication therewith. In one embodiment, the coupling means is a hinge and the compartments are constructed of plastic, metal, leather or cloth material. In one embodiment, the first recessed compartment houses a speaker system along with a power supply for providing electricity to the speaker system, while the second recessed compartment is adapted to hold a pair of eyeglasses. The second recessed compartment may include securing means for retaining the pair of eyeglasses. The eyeglass case may further include an input aperture for physical connection with the sound source, an indicator light and a volume control knob to facilitate operation of the speaker system. 
         [0005]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an eyeglass case in a closed position; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the eyeglass case in an open position; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an upper compartment of the eyeglass case in an open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0010]    Initial reference is made to  FIG. 1  illustrating an eyeglass case  10  comprising a housing  12  that is constructed of plastic, metal or other rigid material. Alternatively, the housing  12  can be a semi-hard or soft bag made of leather or cloth. Although a clamshell-shaped housing  12  is shown, it is understood that the housing  12  can take on any shape including rectangular, circular or square. The housing  12  includes an upper compartment  14  hingably coupled (the hinge is hidden behind the housing  12  and thus is not visible in the drawing) to a lower compartment  16 . Although hinges allow the compartments  14 ,  16  to be opened or closed without additional attachment means  18 , it is envisioned that other connecting means  18  may be utilized to connect the compartments  14 ,  16  to each other such that the eyeglass case  10  may open and close freely. For example, instead of hinges, other swiveling, swinging or pivoting mechanisms may be utilized. 
         [0011]    The upper compartment  14  includes an input aperture  20  along with an indicator light  22  and a volume control knob  24 . The input aperture  20  allows a portable music player such as a CD player, MP3 player (e.g., IPOD manufactured by Apple), cellular phone or microphone to be plugged into a speaker system  38  housed within the eyeglass case  10 . The music player may also communicate wirelessly with the speaker system  38 . Additional description of the speaker system is provided in subsequent figures and discussion. The indicator light  22  allows a user to determine if the speaker system  38  is active while the volume control  24  allows the user to control the volume of the speaker system  38 . Optionally, additional control knobs (not shown) for adjusting bass, treble and other sound qualities may be provided. Although portable music players are described, other external devices (e.g., laptop) capable of producing audio frequency can broadcast via the speaker system  38 . It will also be understood by one skilled in the art that the input aperture  20 , indicator light  22  and the volume control knob  24  can be positioned elsewhere on the eyeglass case  10  based on design or manufacturing preference, and that there can be, as necessary, other items besides the input aperture  20 , light  22  and knob  24 . 
         [0012]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  illustrating the eyeglass speaker case  10  in an open position. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower compartment  16  includes a recessed area  26  for housing a pair of glasses  28  including eyeglasses and sunglasses. The glasses  28  can be further secured using a pair of straps  30 . The glasses  28  can also be secured by other fastening means such as buckles and loops (not shown). No fastening means  30  are necessary for securing the glasses  28 . The recessed area  26  can also be used to store wipes, cleaning cloth or cleaning solutions (not shown). Moreover, the recessed area  26  can also include pockets and compartments (not shown) for storing miscellaneous objects, items and supplies. Although not shown, the lower compartment  16  can include a soft cloth or hard plastic cover for covering both the pair of glasses  28  and straps  30 . 
         [0013]    The upper compartment  14  of the eyeglass case  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is in a closed position having a cover  32  for concealing the speaker system  38  situated beneath as described in more detail below. The cover  32  can be constructed of a soft cloth or hard plastic or polymer material. The speaker system  38  protected beneath the cover  32  can be powered a power supply or module such as batteries, which can be accessed by an access panel  34  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In addition, the speaker system  38  can also be powered by a power supply adaptor plugged into an external wall socket (not shown). 
         [0014]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  illustrating the upper compartment  14  of the eyeglass case  10  in an open position. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the interior of the upper compartment  14  is exposed as the cover  32  is temporarily peeled back. Like the lower compartment  16 , the upper compartment  14  includes a recessed area  34  for housing a power supply  36  and a speaker system  38 . The power supply  36  can be electrically coupled to the speaker system  38  via a set of electrical wires  40 . As described above, the power supply  36  can include batteries accessible via the access panel  34 . Alternatively, the power supply  36  can be an adaptor or converter used with an external power source. By providing power to the speakers  38 , the sound frequency of a music device plugged into the eyeglass case  10  via the input aperture  20  can be amplified and manipulated by the speakers  38  via another set of electrical wires  42 . The speaker system  38  is further coupled with an electronic circuitry  44  that facilitates communication with the indicator light  22  and volume control knob  24  (electrical wires not shown). It will be understood by one skilled in the art that additional electronic components including diodes, resistors and capacitors may be implemented within the recessed area  34  as necessary to facilitate operation of the speaker system  38  and power supply  36 . 
         [0015]    In operation, a user plugs his or her portable electronic music device or microphone into the input aperture  20  of the eyeglass case  10 , whether the eyeglass case  10  is open or closed. In one embodiment, the upper compartment  14  of the eyeglass case  10  remains in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 2  since a user need not observe the electronic circuitry  44  and speaker system  38 . Users need only access the power supply via the access panel  34 . By activating the music on the portable electronic music device (e.g., MP3 player) or microphone, sound frequency can subsequently be generated by the speaker system  38 . Users can adjust the volume using the volume control knob  24  on the exterior surface of the eyeglass case  10 . Likewise, users can also adjust the volume using the portable electronic music device itself. If the speaker system  38  is working (i.e., has sufficient power  36 ), the indicator light  22  is illuminated. Conversely, the indicator light  22  may be off if the battery is low of if there is a problem with the speakers  38 , the electrical wires  40 ,  42  or the electronic circuitry  44 . The eyeglass case  10  as presently disclosed serves as a portable speaker system that a user can readily take with them wherever they go. 
         [0016]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.