Patent Publication Number: US-2021191159-A1

Title: Eyeglasses with Charging Interface

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a pair of eyeglasses for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information and having temples that articulate so as to be selectively foldable with respect to a lens holder for holding eyeglass lenses. The present invention further relates to a charging station for charging a pair of eyeglasses for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information and having temples that articulate so as to be selectively foldable with respect to a lens holder for holding eyeglass lenses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Eyeglasses for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information and having temples that articulate so as to be selectively foldable with respect to a lens holder for holding eyeglass lenses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,482,882 and 9,971,169, each of which patent being hereby incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes. Such eyeglasses can include electronics that can be charged via a case that is used to transport and protect the eyeglasses. 
     The plug in connections for charging these eyeglasses can become soiled and loosen with repeated usage, and thus charging degrades over time without the exercise of vigilant inspection and maintenance by the user. The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages from the related art, in particular to avoid a soiling and/or damage of a charging interface of the eyeglasses and/or to ensure a reliable charging of the eyeglasses when these have been placed into a charging station. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Each of the objects of the invention is achieved by means described below. The invention relates to a pair of eyeglasses for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information, with a lens holder for holding eyeglass lenses. The lens holder comprises at least one first joint surface. Moreover, the eyeglasses comprise at least one, preferably two, eyeglass temple(s). The eyeglass temple comprises a second joint surface. The eyeglasses comprise a temple joint associated with the eyeglass temple, via which the eyeglass temple is articulatedly connected to the lens holder, in particular in a joint area of the eyeglasses. The eyeglass temple is connected to the lens holder in such a way that the two joint surfaces are folded away from each other in the folded state of the eyeglass temple and are folded toward each other in the unfolded state of the eyeglass temple. Preferably, the two joint surfaces rest against one another at least in one area in the folded state. The eyeglasses also comprise an energy store, which is arranged in the lens holder and/or the eyeglass temple. The eyeglasses comprise a charging interface for charging the energy store. The charging interface is arranged at the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface. As a result, the charging interface is covered by the opposite joint surface in the unfolded state of the eyeglass temple. Advantageously, as a result, the design of the eyeglasses is not negatively affected by the charging interface. Moreover, in the unfolded state of the eyeglass temple, the charging interface of the one joint surface is protected from soiling and damage by the opposite, other joint surface. In the folded state of the eyeglass temple, the charging interface is exposed, so that this can be contacted to a current interface of a charging station. 
     It is advantageous when the charging interface comprises at least one charging contact. This is intended for a current interface of a charging station. 
     It is also advantageous when the charging contact is designed to be flat and/or designed as a metal surface. As a result, the two corresponding joint surfaces can rest closely against one another in the unfolded state. 
     It is advantageous when two charging contacts are arranged, in particular next to one another, in the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface. 
     Likewise, it is advantageous when the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface are/is designed to be flat. 
     It is advantageous when the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface extend(s) obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis and/or transverse axis of the eyeglass temple. 
     It is also advantageous when the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface extend(s) radially with respect to a joint axis of the temple joint. 
     Moreover, it is advantageous when the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface are/is slanted by an angle of more or less than 90° with respect to a temple outer side of the eyeglass temple, in particular in a top view of the eyeglasses. When the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface are/is slanted by an angle of more than 90° with respect to the temple outer side of the eyeglass temple, an obtuse angle is formed between these two. When the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface are/is slanted by an angle of less than 90° with respect to the temple outer side of the eyeglass temple, an acute angle is formed between these two. 
     It is advantageous when, in the folded state of the two eyeglass temples, the two second joint surfaces of the two eyeglass temples, which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the lens holder, are slanted and/or arranged in a V-shaped manner with respect to one another in a top view of the eyeglasses. As a result, it can be ensured that the charging interface, in particular the at least one charging contact, of the eyeglass temple reliably comes into contact with a current interface of a charging station when the eyeglasses are placed into the charging station. 
     It is also advantageous when the eyeglasses comprise an audio system, in particular with a MEMS loudspeaker, which is electrically connected to the energy store. 
     Furthermore, the invention relates to a charging station for charging a pair of eyeglasses for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information, with an eyeglass receptacle, into which the eyeglasses, in the folded state, can be placed, and at least one current interface for charging an energy store of the eyeglasses. The charging station comprises at least one charging surface, in which the current interface is arranged. 
     It is advantageous when the charging surface extends obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis and/or vertical axis of the charging station. 
     It is also advantageous when the current interface is designed to be magnetic. In this case, the charging interface is drawn toward the current interface. 
     It is advantageous when the charging station comprises two charging surfaces spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the charging station, which are slanted and/or arranged in a V-shaped manner with respect to one another. As a result, it can be ensured that the charging interface, in particular the least one charging contact, of the eyeglass temple reliably comes into contact with a current interface of the charging station when the eyeglasses are placed into the charging station. 
     The invention relates to an eyeglass charging system with a pair of eyeglasses for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information and a charging station for charging the eyeglasses. The eyeglasses and/or the charging station are/is designed according to the preceding description, wherein the mentioned features can be present individually or in any combination. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiment. Wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic, perspective side view of a pair of eyeglasses, 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic top view of the eyeglasses in the area of an eyeglass temple, 
         FIG. 3  shows an eyeglass charging system with a pair of eyeglasses according to  FIGS. 1 and 2  and a charging station, into which the eyeglasses have been placed, in a schematic longitudinal sectional representation, 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective back view of the eyeglasses from  FIGS. 1 and 2  in detail, 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the eyeglass charging system from  FIG. 3  in detail, which comprises the eyeglasses according to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , and the charging station, and 
         FIG. 6  shows a longitudinal section through the eyeglass charging system from  FIGS. 3 and 5  in detail. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Each of  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4  shows in a view taken from a different viewpoint, a pair of eyeglasses  1  for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information, with a lens holder  2  for holding eyeglass lenses. As shown in  FIG. 2  for example, the lens holder  2  defines at least one first joint surface  3 . Moreover, the eyeglasses  1  comprise at least one, preferably two, eyeglass temple(s)  4 . Each eyeglass temple  4  defines a second joint surface  5 . The second joint surface  5  is configured in a complementary manner so as to correspond to the first joint surface  3 . The eyeglasses  1  comprise a temple joint  6  associated with each eyeglass temple  4 , via which the eyeglass temple  4  is articulatedly connected to the lens holder  2 , in particular in a joint area  7  of the eyeglasses  1 . The eyeglass temple  4  is connected to the lens holder  2  in such a way that the two joint surfaces  3 ,  5  are folded away from each other in the folded state of the eyeglass temple  4  shown in  FIG. 3  and are folded toward each other in the unfolded state of the eyeglass temple  4  shown in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, in the unfolded state as shown in  FIG. 2 , the two joint surfaces  3 ,  5  rest against one another at least in one area such as the joint area  7 . 
     The eyeglasses  1  also comprise an energy store  15 , which desirably is arranged in the eyeglass temple  4  as schematically shown in dashed outline in  FIG. 2 . However, for the sake of avoiding undue complication of the drawings, the energy store  15  is not explicitly represented in the remaining figures. Though not separately depicted in the figures, the energy store  15  also can be arranged in the lens holder  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  for example, the eyeglasses  1  comprise a charging interface  8  for charging the energy store  15 . The charging interface  8  is electrically connected to the energy store  15  via electrical connections  23  indicated schematically by the dotted lines so labelled in  FIG. 2 . The charging interface  8  is arranged at the first joint surface  3  and/or the second joint surface  5 . As a result, the charging interface  8  is covered from view by the opposite joint surface  3 ,  5  in the unfolded state of the eyeglass temple  4 . Advantageously, as a result, the aesthetic appearance of the eyeglasses is not negatively affected by the visibility of the charging interface  8 . Moreover, as a result, the charging interface  8  arranged in the one joint surface  5  is protected from soiling and damage by the opposite, other joint surface  3 . 
     The charging interface  8  comprises at least one charging contact  16 , as is apparent in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 . The charging contact  16  is intended for a corresponding current interface  13  of a charging station  11  shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 . The charging contact  16  is configured to be flat and/or configured to form or include a metal surface. Preferably, two charging contacts  16  are arranged, in particular next to one another, in the first joint surface  3  and/or the second joint surface  5 . In the exemplary embodiment represented in the figures, two charging contacts  16  are provided at each of the two eyeglass temples  4 . Furthermore, the first joint surface  3  and/or the second joint surface  5  are/is configured to be a flat surface. As schematically shown in  FIG. 2 , the first joint surface  3  and/or the second joint surface  5  extend(s) obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis  19  and/or transverse axis  20  of the eyeglass temple  4 . Furthermore, as schematically shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first joint surface and/or the second joint surface  5  extend(s) radially with respect to a joint axis  17  of the temple joint  4 . The first joint surface  3  and/or the second joint surface  5  are/is designed to be flat. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first joint surface  3  and/or the second joint surface  5  are/is slanted by an angle of less than or more than 90° with respect to a temple outer side  9  of the eyeglass temple  4 . In the represented exemplary embodiment, the second joint surface  5  is slanted by more than 90° with respect to the temple outer side  9  in a top view, as arises, in particular, from  FIGS. 2 and 6 . Therefore, an obtuse angle is formed between the temple outer side  9  and the second joint surface  5 . The first joint surface  3  is slanted in a complementary manner corresponding to the second joint surface  5 . Accordingly, an acute angle is formed between the outer side of the lens holder  2 , which preferably continues the temple outer side  9  according to the represented exemplary embodiment, and the first joint surface  3 . 
     The eyeglasses  1  comprise an audio system  18  as schematically shown in dashed outline in  FIG. 2 , in particular with a MEMS loudspeaker, which is electrically connected to the energy store  15  via an electrical connection  24  indicated schematically by the dotted line so labelled in  FIG. 2 . Sound outlets of the audio system  18  are represented by a clustered pattern of small circles in  FIG. 4 . These sound outlets are located on the top side of the eyeglass temple  4  shown in  FIG. 4  as well as on the underside of the eyeglass temple  4 , the underside being hidden from view in  FIG. 4 . In order to avoid unduly complicating the drawings, the audio system  18  is not explicitly represented in the remaining figures. 
       FIGS. 3, 5 and 6  show an eyeglass charging system  10  with the eyeglasses  1  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4  for the input/output of visual and/or auditory information.  FIGS. 3 and 6  show a longitudinal sectional view of the eyeglass charging system  10 . The eyeglass charging system  10  comprises a charging station  11  that is configured for receiving the eyeglasses  1  and for charging the eyeglasses  1 . The charging station  11  desirably can comprise a hinged cover (not represented in the present case). The eyeglasses  1  are designed according to the preceding description, wherein the mentioned features can be present individually or in any combination. 
     The charging station  11  defines an eyeglass receptacle  12 , into which the eyeglasses  1 , in the folded state, can be placed. Accordingly, the configuration of the eyeglass receptacle  12  provides a cavity, into which the eyeglasses  1  can be placed. Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the charging station  11  comprises at least one current interface  13  for charging the energy store  15  of the eyeglasses  1 . The charging station  11  comprises at least one charging surface  14 , in which the current interface  13  is arranged. In order to ensure reliable electrical contact between the current interface  13  and the proximally associated joint surface  3 ,  5  of the eyeglass temple  4 , the charging surface  14  is configured in a manner corresponding to the proximally associated joint surface  3 ,  5  of the eyeglass temple  4 . For this purpose, as schematically shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the charging surface  14  extends obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis  21  and/or vertical axis  22  of the charging station  11 . The current interface  13  is preferably designed to be magnetic. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the charging station  11  comprises a first current interface  13 , which is associated with the one eyeglass temple  4 , and a second current interface  13 , which is associated with the other eyeglass temple  4 . As arises, in particular, from  FIGS. 3 and 6 , in the folded state of the two eyeglass temples  4 , the two second joint surfaces  5  of the two eyeglass temples  4 , which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the lens holder  2 , are slanted and/or arranged in a V-shaped manner with respect to one another in the represented top view of the eyeglasses  1 . Moreover, the two charging surfaces  14 , which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the charging station  11 , are slanted and/or arranged in a manner corresponding to the two joint surfaces  3 ,  5  and, therefore, also in a V-shaped manner with respect to one another. As a result, it can be ensured that the two charging interfaces  8 , in particular the charging contacts  16 , of the eyeglass temples  4  reliably come into contact with the particular current interface  13  of the charging station  11  when the eyeglasses  1  are placed into the charging station  11 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the represented and described exemplary embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are also possible, as is any combination of the described features, even if they are represented and described in different parts of the description and/or in the claims or in different exemplary embodiments, provided that a contradiction of the teaching of the independent claims does not arise. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1  eyeglasses 
               2  lens holder 
               3  first joint surface 
               4  eyeglass temple 
               5  second joint surface 
               6  temple joint 
               7  joint area 
               8  charging interface 
               9  temple outer side 
               10  eyeglass charging system 
               11  charging station 
               12  eyeglass receptacle 
               13  current interface 
               14  charging surface 
               15  energy store 
               16  charging contact 
               17  joint axis 
               18  audio system 
               19  longitudinal axis of temple  4   
               20  transverse axis of temple  4   
               21  longitudinal axis of charging station  11   
               22  vertical axis of charging station  11   
               23  electrical connections between energy store  15  and charging interface  8   
               24  electrical connection between energy store  15  and audio system  18