Patent Publication Number: US-10317706-B1

Title: Battery assembly for a wearable electronic device

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/672,028, filed on Aug. 8, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,971,171, which is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/928,458, filed on Oct. 30, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,759,933, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to housing a battery. More specifically, the present disclosure discloses apparatuses, systems, methods and techniques used to house a battery within another device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many devices, including wearable devices, utilize a battery to supply charge to electronics. Many of these devices can have usability, space or process constraints that can limit the type, size, or location of the battery used therewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a portion of eyewear carrying a battery according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a plan view of the eyewear comprising a temple and a frame according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an assembly including a battery, a battery carrier, and a temple according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIG. 2A  and further including a cover portion according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is perspective view of another embodiment of the assembly including a temple, a battery carrier, and a battery according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIG. 3A  according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows an arrangement including at least two substrates coupled together according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic view of eyewear comprising smart glasses with electronics carried by a temple and a frame, the temple positioned in a collapsed position relative to the frame according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic view of the smart glasses of  FIG. 4A  with the temple moved to a wearable position relative to the frame according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A  is perspective view of a system including smart glasses and a case according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6B  an enlargement of an interior portion of a case from  FIG. 6A  illustrating an electronic connector can be used within the case, the electronic connector configured to mate with an electronic connector of the smart glasses according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of a cable coupled to a port of the smart glasses according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the cable that is part of the system of  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     OVERVIEW 
     A brief overview of some aspects of the disclosure with reference to selected drawings follows, after which various features of the disclosed subject matter will be described in greater detail. 
     One aspect of this disclosure relates to a wearable device such as an eyewear article with onboard electronics such as a battery as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . As such, the eyewear article comprises smart glasses. The battery can power other onboard electronics carried by the smart glasses. The present inventor has recognized that it can be difficult to fit a suitable battery into smart glasses due to size, material and process constraints. For example, many conventional eyewear (and indeed smart glasses) are typically formed of acetate or similar cellulosic materials that do not have particularly great structural integrity, and therefore, include a wire backbone for reinforcement. Techniques used to form conventional eyewear may not translate desirably to the fabrication of smart glasses. For example, size constraints may dictate that the wire backbone may not be used in a temple that also houses a battery. Smart glasses can be difficult to form into a desired shape and weight while maintaining sufficient structural integrity and size to adequately house the battery. Thus, the current inventor proposes, among other solutions, utilizing a battery carrier to house the battery (e.g.,  FIGS. 1, 2A, 3A ) and additionally act to provide structural integrity to the temple so the temple can more reliably bear mechanical load. An articulated joint (e.g., a hinge assembly) between portions of the smart glasses (e.g., the temple and a frame) can be rigidly mechanically connected to the battery carrier to facilitate more desirable force distribution and transfer to the temple. Further, the inventor recognizes process constraints that limit effective housing of the battery in the smart glasses can be overcome by splitting the temple into a base and cover (e.g.,  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and/or by molding the temple about the battery and battery carrier (e.g.,  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) rather than by employing traditional fabrication techniques from the eyewear industry. The inventor also proposes further techniques that can be used to provide for rigid mechanical connection of the battery carrier to the temple (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ), provide for electrical insulation of the battery, and fix the position of the battery within the battery carrier (and fix the position of the battery carrier within the temple). Indeed, the fixation techniques disclosed in reference to  FIG. 4  have broad applicability to many devices where minimizing form factor is desirable. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure relates to the positioning of an electronic connector (e.g., an interface or port) that allows power from the battery in the temple to be provided to the onboard electronics in the frame when the temple is in a wearable configuration (e.g.,  FIG. 5B ) and when the eyewear article is in a folded or collapsed configuration (e.g.,  FIG. 5A ). Such configuration allows the onboard electronics to be supplied with power in either the wearable configuration or the collapsed configuration. This allows the smart glasses to be operable even in the collapsed configuration such as to run software and perform other tasks that can improve efficient and performance thereby improving the user experience. 
     In some embodiments, electrical/electronic components may be carried both by the frame and at least one of the temples (e.g.,  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). In other embodiments, the battery will be carried by one or both of the temples while substantially all other electrical/electronic components (see, e.g., computer, sensors, camera, microphone, wireless module, and the like, of  FIGS. 1, 5A, and 5B ) are carried only by the frame. This allows for a slimmer frame that can be more desirable for the user to wear and easier for the user to transport. 
     According to further aspects of this disclosure, the electronic connector of the temple can be configured to interface with and receive charge from an external power source (e.g., a case as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a personal computer, or an outlet via a charger as shown in  FIGS. 6C and 6D ) when the eyewear article is in the collapsed configuration. The case or charger can be used for recharging of the battery of the smart glasses, for example. In some embodiments, these devices include electronic connector(s) that may include a data component for transmitting data signals, enabling information upload and/or download between the external source (e.g., a personal computer) and the smart glasses or between components of the smart glasses (e.g., the temple and the frame). 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description that follows includes apparatuses, systems, methods, and techniques that embody illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of various embodiments of the inventive subject matter. It will be evident, however, to those skilled in the art, that embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe practiced without these specific details. In general, well-known structures and techniques are not necessarily shown in detail. 
     Embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses, systems and methods that allow glasses (both conventional and smart) and other wearable objects to be more functional (e.g. slimmer, more portable, more easily and innocuously used) as well as more reliable, wearable and aesthetically pleasing. Certain embodiments described in detail herein include smart glasses and processes for their fabrication. 
     Regarding smart glasses, these may utilize one or more electronic connectors positioned between the temple and the frame such as adjacent an articulated joint there between. The electronic connector(s) may comprise any suitable connector configured for contact and coupling with a complementary connector to establish an electrical and/or electronic link, including for example a port, a link, a socket, a plug, a cord, a contact pin, a contact pad, micro-USB, or the like. Although referred to herein simply as an electronic connector, in some cases the electronic connector can facilitate the transfer of one or both of data and charge. 
     Regarding the construction of the smart glasses itself, according to one example the smart glasses have a lens-carrying frame and a pair of the temples coupled thereto on opposite ends of the frame at the articulated joint. For any one of the temples, the temples in the wearable configuration or mode when at least one of both temples are substantially fully unfolded for reception along a side of the user&#39;s head. In contrast, the temple(s) are in the collapsed configuration when at least one of the temples is hingedly folded towards the frame. Thus, the smart glasses can be in both the wearable configuration and the collapsed configuration at the same time (e.g., one temple unfolded the other temple folded towards the frame). According to further example embodiments, onboard electronics components, comprising at least a pair of electronics components carried by the frame and the temple respectively are disclosed. At least one of the pair of electronics components can include a battery. A battery carrier can be configured to carry the battery and rigidly mechanically connect to the articulated joint that couples the temple to the frame. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic connector extends across (e.g., is located at) the articulated hinge joint where one of the temples is hingedly connected or otherwise coupled to the frame. The electronic connector may be located on several of the joint faces provided by the frame and the temple respectively, the joint faces being in face-to-face abutment when in the wearable configuration (see e.g.,  FIG. 5B ), and being in face-to-face abutment when in the collapsed configuration (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5A ). To facilitate electronic transfer, the temple and the frame may carry cooperating features such as pins and pads configured for automatic contact and coupling when the smart glasses are in either the wearable configuration or the collapsed configuration. Such arrangements can provide for charge connection (and in some cases a data connection) between electronics in the temple and electronics in the frame. 
     This disclosure applies to both smart glasses (e.g., those have electronics carried thereby) and to conventional eyewear, and indeed, to other devices including wearable devices. Smart glasses includes electronics such as a power source, power and communication related circuitry, communication devices (e.g., a camera, a microphone, sensors, etc.), display devices, a computer, a memory, and/or the like. As used herein, conventional glasses make no use of electronics and are purely mechanical and optical in nature. Examples of conventional eyewear include prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and construction glasses. 
       FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a portion of a wearable device  10  such as glasses  12 . The glasses  12  can include a temple  14 , a frame  15  (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ), an articulated joint  16 , and onboard electronics  18  such as a battery  20 . According to the illustrated example, the glasses  12  additionally include a battery carrier  22 . Together the battery  20  and the battery carrier  22  form a battery assembly  23 . The temple  14  can include first and second electronic connectors  24 A and  24 B. According to the illustrated example, the articulated joint  16  (shown in dashed) comprises a hinge assembly  26  that includes hinge projections  28 A and  28 B. According to other embodiments, the articulated joint  16  can comprise a linkage assembly, a ball joint assembly, a male/female assembly, or another type of mechanical connection that allows for movement of the temple  14  relative to the frame  15  ( FIG. 1A ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the articulated joint  16  can be coupled to and/or formed as part of the temple  14 . However, it should be noted that portions of the articulated joint  16  (e.g., longitudinal portions of the hinge projections  28 A and  28 B can extend into and are at least partially housed by the temple  14  and are rigidly mechanically connected to the battery carrier  22 . This rigid mechanical connection is illustrated in  FIG. 1  by overlap of the dashed box indicating articulated joint  16  with the dashed box indicating battery carrier  22  and is also indicated as interface  25  in  FIG. 1 . Such rigid mechanical connection (along with the relatively more rigid battery assembly  23 ) provides structural integrity to the temple  14  in that forces from the articulated joint  16  (forces from the glasses  12  being worn on the user&#39;s face and in hinging the temples  14  back and forth) are transferred directly to the battery carrier  22  with substantially little initial distribution to the body of the temple  14 . From the battery carrier  22 , these forces are eventually distributed over the relatively broader surface area of the battery carrier  22  to the temple  14 . 
     As will be illustrated subsequently, the articulated joint  16  can also be formed as part of the frame  15  as well. Indeed, the articulated joint  16  is configured to provide for movement of the temple  14  relative to the frame  15 . Thus, the articulated joint  16  allows for movement of the temple  14  such that it is disposable between a collapsed (folded) configuration and a wearable configuration (a configuration in which the device  10  is wearable by a user). 
     According to the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , the temple  14  can be configured to house and carry onboard electronics  18  (e.g., the battery  20 ) and the battery carrier  22 . The battery carrier  22  can be configured to house the battery  20  therein. As will be discussed and illustrated subsequently, various techniques and processes can be employed to configure the temple  14  to carry the battery  20  and the battery carrier  22  (and to have the battery carrier  22  house and carry the battery  20 ). Together the battery  20  and battery carrier  22  form the battery assembly  23 . The battery assembly  23  can be longitudinally aligned along a longitudinal extent of the temple  14 . As such, the battery assembly  23  can form a structural spine of the temple  14  for load bearing purposes. The battery carrier  22  can be formed of a more rigid material than the temple  14  such as a metal, metal alloy, or rigid plastic material. In contrast, the temple  14  can be constructed of a less rigid material than the battery carrier  22  such as a plastics material, cellulosic plastic (e.g., cellulosic acetate), an eco-plastic material, a thermoplastic material, or the like. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration where the articulated joint  16  is rigidly mechanically connected to the battery carrier  22  by mechanisms such as welding, adhesives, interlocking, for example. Thus, according to the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , the hinge assembly  26  (in particular internal portions of the hinge projections  28 A and  28 B) can be welded to the battery carrier  22 . Such rigid mechanical connection can facilitate force distribution in a more desirable manner as the hinge assembly  26  will need to bear weight and tension during wearing by a user (see previous discussion above). As such, securely attaching the hinge assembly  26  to a relatively rigid structure such as the battery carrier  22  (e.g. the battery carrier  22  can be formed of a stamped metal, metal alloy, or rigid plastic) can allow for force distribution from the hinge assembly  26  to the battery carrier  22  (and to the remainder of the temple  14 ) in a desirable manner. Thus, in some cases the temple  14  may not utilize a wire frame as is traditionally used with conventional glasses. Thus, the glasses  12  address structural integrity and reliability issues that can arise when cellulosic plastics, bioplastics, and other less rigid (but lightweight) materials are used to form the temple  14 . 
     The first and second electronic connectors  24 A and  24 B can be disposed at or directly adjacent the articulated joint  16 , for example along a face  30  of the temple  14  that interfaces with the frame  15  ( FIG. 1A ). Although illustrated as two electronic connectors  24 A and  24 B comprising pogo pins in  FIG. 1 , according to other examples a single electronic connector comprising another type of connection that facilitates power and/or data transfer to and from the onboard electronics  18  can be utilized. For example, the connector can comprise a port, a link, a socket, a plug, a cord, a contact pin, a contact pad, micro-USB, or the like. Although referred to herein generically as an electronic connector, in some cases the electronic connector can facilitate the transfer of only charge for the battery  20 . According to other examples, the electronic connector(s)  24 A and  24 B can facilitate data transfer in addition to (or in alternative to) facilitating charging of the battery  20 . 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an example of the glasses  12  with the temples  14 A,  14 B coupled to the frame  15  with one temple  14 A shown in the collapsed position  32  and another temple  14 B shown in the wearable position  34 . In such example embodiment, the first and second electronic connectors  24 A,  24 B ( FIG. 1 ) can be configured to interface and make electrical and physical contact with mating connectors  36 A,  36 B on the frame  15 . Such contact can provide for power and/or data transfer between the onboard electronics  18  of the temple  14  and onboard electronics  38  of the frame  15 . Such contact can occur with the temple  14  disposed in the wearable position  34  shown in  FIG. 1A . In such position, the face  30  ( FIG. 1 ) and the first and second electronic connectors  24 A and  24 B of can be substantially covered by an interfacing end face  40  of the frame  15 . 
     In the collapsed position  32  show in  FIG. 1A , the first and second electronic connectors of both the frame  15  and the temple  14  may be uncovered (e.g. electronic connector  36 B is uncovered) and exposed by movement of the temple  14  relative to the frame  15 . This movement uncouples (electrically disconnects and physically separates) the electronic connectors from one another and exposes one or both sets of electronic connectors to be physically and/or electrically coupled to another connection such as a cable connected to an external source of power, data, or power and data as will be discussed and illustrated subsequently. 
     According to the example of  FIG. 1 , the hinge assembly  26  can further include the hinge projections  28 A and  28 B, which correspond to, interface, and receive between one another one or more mating hinge projections of the frame in a conventional manner. Hinge projections  28 A and  28 B can be internally connected to the battery carrier  22  as described previously. Hinge projections  28 A and  28 B can be provided with apertures that can receive a pivot pin, for example. The pivot pin can be used to couple the hinge projections (including hinge projections  28 A and  28 B and projection(s) on frame) to allow for movement of the temple  14  in an articulating manner. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a portion of a temple  114  with an articulated joint portion removed to illustrate components carried by the temple  114 .  FIG. 2B  shows an exploded view of the temple  114  including the components and further including a cover  114 B. As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the temple  114  can include a base  114 A and a cover  114 B. The components carried by the temple  114  can include a battery  120  and a battery carrier  122 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the base  114 A of the temple  114  can be configured to receive the battery  120  and the battery carrier  122  therein. The cover  114 B (shown in  FIG. 2B ) can be configured to couple with the base  114 A to enclose the battery  120  and the battery carrier  122  there between. Assembly of the temple  114 , battery  120 , and battery carrier  122  can include forming the battery carrier  122  into a shape configured to house the battery  120  therein and disposing of the battery  120  in the battery carrier  122 . Such processes can include, for example, stamping the battery carrier  122  out of a thin metal or metal alloy (e.g. stainless steel). In some embodiments, the battery carrier  122  can be formed of a plastic material including, for example, an engineering plastic (polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides, polyetheretherketone, polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, etc.) and/or blends thereof. The material of the battery carrier  122  (e.g., stainless steel or plastic) can be selected to have a relatively higher rigidity than a material that forms the remainder of the temple  114 . Thus, in some embodiments, the temple  114  (e.g. a body) can comprise a plastics material that is relatively lower in rigidity than the material of battery carrier  122 . This construction (along with other factors including the secure mechanical coupling between components) allows the battery carrier  122  to be configured to form at least part of a structural framework of the temple  114 . According to some embodiments, the battery carrier  122  can be plated or otherwise processed or configured to provide for electrical isolation of the battery  120  when housed within the battery carrier  122 . Adhesive, such as a double-sided adhesive, can be used to secure the battery  120  within the battery carrier  122  in order to fix the location of the battery  120 . 
     Assembling of the temple  114  to carry the battery carrier  122  and the battery  120  can additionally include machining the base  114 A to form a cavity  124  ( FIG. 2B ) configured to receive the battery carrier  122  therein. Such machining can be accomplished by computer (or computerized) numerical control “CNC”, for example. The battery carrier  122  and the battery  120  can be inserted into the cavity  124  to assemble the battery carrier  122  and the battery  120  to the base  114 A. 
     According to further exemplary processes, the cover  114 B can be machined or otherwise shaped as desired to cover the cavity  124  and couple with the base  114 A. In some cases, the cover  114 B can be formed with excessive material relative to the size of cavity  124  to facilitate thermal bonding between the base  114 A and the cover  114 B. 
     As discussed in reference to  FIG. 1 , a welding process or another process can be used in mechanically coupling the battery carrier  124  to an articulated joint (for example, articulated joint  16  of  FIG. 1 ) between the temple  114  and the frame. An electrically conductive connection can be created between the battery and a first connector (e.g. electronic connector  24 A of  FIG. 1 ) that is configured to electrically connect the battery to the onboard electronics components of the frame across the articulated joint between the temple and the frame. Such process can be accomplished by wire soldering for example. The cover  114 B can be bonded to the base  114 A by thermal or other methods. According to further embodiments, a polishing process can be used to remove any seams between the base  114 A and the cover  114 B. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a temple  214  according to another example embodiment. This embodiment can include a battery  220  and a battery carrier  222 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the battery  220  and battery carrier  222  can be embedded within the temple  214 . Unlike the temple  114  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the temple  214  is not initially divided into a base and cover. Assembling of the temple  214  can include techniques and methods similar to those previously described in reference to the temple  114  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . However, certain techniques, methods, and/or resulting structures can be altered. 
     Assembly of the temple  214 , battery  220 , and battery carrier  222  can include forming the battery carrier  222  into a shape configured to house the battery  220  therein and disposing of the battery  220  in the battery carrier  222 . Such processes can include, for example, stamping the battery carrier  222  out of a thin metal or metal alloy (e.g. stainless steel). The battery carrier  222  can also be constructed of plastics material and can be configured to form at least part of a structural framework of the temple  214  as previously described. According to some embodiments, the battery carrier  222  can be plated or otherwise processed or configured to provide for electrical isolation of the battery  220  when housed within the battery carrier  222 . Adhesive, such as a double-sided adhesive, can be used to secure the battery  220  within the battery carrier  222  in order to fix the location of the battery  220 . 
     According to the example of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the assembly of the temple  214  can include molding to form the temple  214  around the battery carrier  222  and the battery  220 . For example, the battery  220  and battery carrier  222  can be loaded into an injection molding tool and plastic or another material can be injected around the battery  220  and battery carrier  222  to form the temple  214  in a desired shape. According to further embodiments, a polishing process can be used to remove excess or unwanted material to further shape the temple  214  as desired. 
       FIG. 4  provides an example of an arrangement and processes that can be utilized with the wearable devices disclosed herein. For example, the processes of  FIG. 4  can be used to mechanically couple the battery carrier to the articulated joint or to mechanically couple other components of the smart glasses together.  FIG. 4  additionally has applicability to other devices both electronic and conventional (devices not carrying electronic components). Use of the arrangement and techniques described in  FIG. 4  can be used in applications where space is highly constrained. Such applications can include the fabrication of wearable devices, for example. 
       FIG. 4  shows an arrangement of two substrates  302  and  304  coupled together by the use of adhesive(s) and welding process such as ultra-sonic welding. In particular,  FIG. 4  shows a blend or mixture of a ball  306  with an adhesive  308  such that the ball  306  and the adhesive  308  are disposed in substantially a same relative location between the two substrates  302 ,  304 . According to some examples, the ball  306  can comprise a plastic, a resin, or a glass, or a combination thereof. The adhesive  308  can comprise a material such as an epoxy. The blend of the ball  306  with the adhesive  308  allows the ball  306  to be melted by ultra-sonic welding to provide for a bonding media between the two substrates  302 ,  304 . The adhesive  308  is then located at and between this bonding media. According to further embodiments, the two substrates  302  and  304  can differ in composition such that they have different melting temperatures and/or are of an incompatible chemical structure for surface fusion. In such cases, the balls used in facilitating bonding of the two substrates  302  and  304  can comprise two or more different types of balls (e.g., two different types of resin balls) each type of ball can have a different chemical composition from the other type(s) of balls. At least one of the two or more different types of balls can be compatible with the first substrate  302  such that an improved bond can be formed therebetween (e.g., with an ultra-sonic welding process). Similarly, at least a second of the two or more different types of balls can be compatible with the second substrate  304  such that an improved bond can be formed therebetween (e.g., with an ultra-sonic welding process). The two or more types of balls can be disposed linearly (with adhesive) along an interface between the substrates  302  and  304  in an alternating pattern, for example. 
     Thus,  FIG. 4  illustrates an assembly of a first substrate, a second substrate, and a bead/adhesive blend. The bead/adhesive blend comprises one or more of a plastic, glass or resin disposed within an adhesive. The bead/adhesive blend is configured to form a bonding media between the first substrate and the second substrate. The bead/adhesive blend can be placed along a single location (interface) between the first substrate and the second substrate according to some examples. In some examples, the beads the two or more different types of balls each type of ball can have a different chemical composition from the other type(s) of balls. 
     In further aspects, a method is described providing a first substrate and a second substrate. A blend comprising one or more beads and an adhesive is applied between the first substrate and the second substrate. The beads are applied within the adhesive along substantially a same interface between the first substrate and the second substrate. The method can include ultra-sonic vibration of the first substrate and/or second substrate to melt the beads to form a bonding media between the first substrate and the second substrate. The beads can comprise one or more of a plastic, a glass, or a resin. 
     The arrangement of  FIG. 4  allows for reduced amount of space in bonding the substrates  302 ,  304  together, thereby reducing form factor. Conventional techniques separate glass beads from adhesive so as to place them along a different separate surface(s) between the substrate. Using separated beads from adhesive (e.g., on two separate bonding media) can increase the amount of spaced needed in bonding, and thereby, increase form factor. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are schematics of glasses  410  that incorporate various aspects of the eyewear previously discussed but may differ therefrom. For example, the glasses  410  can be configured to electrically couple in a first position (e.g., the wearable position  34  as shown in  FIG. 1A ) and a second position (e.g., the collapsed position  32  as shown in  FIG. 1A ). The glasses  410  can be constructed in a manner similar to those previously discussed, and thus, can include two temples (only one temple  414  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) and a frame  415 . However, electronic connectors  424 A,  424 B and articulated joint  416  of the glasses  410  can differ from those previously discussed with regard to specific embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3B . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the glasses  410  comprise smart glasses which carry onboard electronics  418 . 
     The frame  415  and temple  414  can be provided with complimentary electronic connectors  424 A,  424 B configured to electrically and physically couple with one another as generally illustrated. The electronic connectors  424 A,  424 B can be disposed adjacent the articulated joint  416  or can be incorporated into the articulated joint  416 . In some cases, the electronic connectors  424 A,  424 B can be disposed at other portions of the frame  415  and temple  414  from the locations previously discussed. 
     The smart glasses  410  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  can include various onboard electronics  418 . For example, the temple  414  can be configured to carry and/or house a battery  420  and a circuit  430 , such as a protection circuit, in addition to the electronic connectors  424 A and any other devices (e.g. a battery carrier). The battery  420  is configured to operationally store charge. The circuit  430  is coupled to the battery  420  (and to the electronic connector  424 A) and is configured to deliver the charge to and from the battery  420 . 
     The frame  415  can be configured to carry and/or house further electronics  450  such as a computer  452 , a memory  454  (e.g., flash storage), a display  456  (e.g., LCD, LED, and the like), a sensor  458 , a camera/microphone  460 , a capture device  462  (e.g., a button), and a wireless module  464 . Although not illustrated, the temple  414  and/or frame  415  can carry further electronics  450  in some instances such as further sensors, ancillary batteries, peripheral devices or other peripherals. 
     Many if not all of the electronics  450  run software and perform other tasks that require electrical charge from the battery  420 . Thus, the ability to provide charge from the battery  420  to the electronics  450  carried by the frame  415  when the glasses are in the collapsed position of  FIG. 5A  (in addition to the wearable position of  FIG. 5B ) allows software and/or tasks to be performed even when the glasses are stowed. Therefore, performance of the glasses  410  and user experience can be improved as software can run and tasks can be performed even when the glasses are stowed. According to some examples, moving the temple  414  to the folded position of  FIG. 5A  can put the electronics  450  in low power mode of operation where sufficient power is provided to the electronics  450  such that software and other tasks can be performed by one or more of the electronic devices but excessive power is not utilized. Thus, battery life can be preserved even as software and tasks are performed when the glasses  410  are in the folded position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the connectors  424 A and  424 B are configured to interface and couple together to form conductive coupling capable of passing electrical charge. The computer  452  can be of any suitable type (e.g., make use of a low-power circuitry, high-speed circuitry, and/or a display processor) to be carried by the frame  415  and can communicate with the other electronics  450 . The computer  452  can include one or more processors with memory, wireless communication modules and circuitry, a power source, and the like. Additional details of aspects of computer  452  may be implemented with use of the display  456 , the sensor  458 , the camera/microphone  460 , the capture device  462  (e.g., a button), and/or other components or peripherals. Further aspects of the computer  452  may be implemented remotely via wireless, bluetooth, or the like. 
     Although described as a signal unit the camera/microphone  460  can comprise separate components or can be only a camera or only a microphone. The camera/microphone  460  can comprise multiple cameras and/or multiple microphones in some instances. The computer can be configured to communicate with and/or control various of the electronics  450  such as the display  456 , the sensor  458 , the capture device  462 , the wireless module  464  and/or other peripheral devices. The electronics  450  can additionally include a video processor (not shown) such as a microprocessor integrated circuit (IC) customized for processing sensor data from the camera/microphone  460 , along with volatile memory used by the microprocessor to operate. The memory  454  can comprise any suitable storage device capable of storing data generated by the electronics  450  including the camera/microphone  460 . Memory can be integrated with high-speed circuitry, can be an independent standalone element, or can be remote or integrated into the glasses  410 . 
     According to a further example, any of the glasses previously described can be used as part of a system such as system  510 . The system  510  can include a case  511 , glasses  512 , and a cable  513 , for example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A to 6D . As discussed with regard to previous embodiments, the glasses  512  ( FIG. 6A ) can generally include a frame  515 , temples  514 A and  514 B, and electronics (as illustrated and discussed in previous embodiments); the details of each will not be discussed in great detail as aspects of these items have been previously described. 
     The case  511  can comprise a container or holder for the glasses  512  as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . The case  511  and glasses  512  can include complementary electronic connectors  524  ( FIG. 6B ). One such electronic connector  524  can comprise a base or internal connector or port on the case  511  and a corresponding connector (not shown but previously discussed) on the glasses  512 . 
     As illustrated variously in  FIGS. 6A to 6D , the glasses  512 , the case  511  and the cable  513  (having external electronic connector  526  of  FIG. 6C ) can interact together in various ways and for various purposes. For example, the case  511  can be used to transport and protect the glasses  512 , to charge or provide power to the electronics (including the battery housed in the temple  514 A) incorporated in the glasses  512 , and/or to communicate with the electronics of the glasses  512 . Thus, in some embodiments the case  511  can house a supplemental battery to those of the glasses  512 . Thus, the case  511  can be an external source of power for the glasses  512 . 
     The internal connector  524  of the case  511  is configured to couple to a corresponding electronic connector of the glasses  512  in a manner previously described for power and/or data communication when the temples  514 A and  514 B are in the collapsed position and docked in the case  511 . As such, the interior of the case  511  can be shaped to receive the glasses  510  only when the temples  514 A and  514 B are in the collapsed position. The shape of the interior also can be such that the electronic connector (e.g., electronic connectors  24 A,  24 B) of the glasses  512  interfaces directly with the internal electronic connector  524  when the glasses  512  are docked in the case  511  with little slippage or movement occurring between the case  511  and the glasses  512 . Although illustrated as pogo pin/pad connectors, the connectors can be of virtually any type known in the art for power and/or data communication such as micro-USB, or the like. 
       FIG. 6C  shows the end portion of the cable  513  as well as the temple  514 A and a portion of the frame  515 . The cable  513  can include an electronic connection portion  526  that is configured for coupling with electronic connector(s) of either the temple  514 A and/or frame  515 . The cable  513  can be electrically coupled to an external power source. Such electrical coupling can occur when the temple  514 A is in the collapsed condition. The external power source can comprise a personal computer, an electrical outlet connected to the power grid, or another battery powered device, for example. The electronic connection portion  526  can be configured to mount on either one of the temple  514 A or frame  515  and is configured to interface with and couple to the electronic connectors therealong to allow the external power source to charge a battery, for example. 
       FIG. 6D  provides an example of the cable  513 , which includes a cord  544 , a charging face  546 , and pads  548 A and  548 B. In the example embodiment of  FIG. 6D , the charging face  546  is recessed to facilitate mounting to an edge of the temple  514  or the frame  515 . The pads  548 A and  548 B are configured to be complementary to pins or other type of connection used on the glasses  512  between the temple  514 A and the frame  515 . In other embodiments, the pads  548 A and  548 B can be another connector type designed to be complimentary to the connector type used by the glasses  512 . Cord  544  can be configured with a plug, USB or the like on a second end (not shown) to couple with an external power source (or data source) such as a personal computer or outlet. 
     Apparatuses, systems and methods for wearable devices such as smart glasses are described. According to one embodiment, the wearable device can include a frame, a temple, onboard electronics including a battery, and a battery carrier. The frame is frame configured to hold one or more optical elements. The temple is connected to the frame at an articulated joint such that the temple is disposable between a collapsed condition and a wearable condition in which the device is wearable by a user to hold the one or more optical elements within user view. The onboard electronics components comprise at least a pair of electronics components carried by the frame and the temple respectively. At least one of the pair of electronics components comprising the battery. The battery carrier is configured to house the battery therein and is carried by one of the temple and the frame. The battery carrier is rigidly mechanically connected to the articulated joint. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of forming wearable device is disclosed. The method includes forming a battery carrier configured to house a battery therein, disposing a battery in the battery carrier, providing at least a first portion of the wearable device configured to carry onboard electronics components, assembling at least a second portion of the wearable device to carry the battery carrier and the battery, and mechanically coupling the battery carrier to an articulated joint between the first portion and the second portion. 
     LANGUAGE 
     Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single disclosure or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. 
     The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive or exclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided for resources, operations, or structures described herein as a single instance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate resources in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single resource may be implemented as separate resources. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of the present disclosure as represented by the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.