Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20080068559?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6,034,652
Timestamp: 2015-01-29 23:32:44
Document Index: 663826268

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'art 900', 'art 900', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Patent US20080068559 - Eyeglasses with activity monitoring and acoustic dampening - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsIn one embodiment, eyewear having an activity monitoring capability is disclosed. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of...http://www.google.com/patents/US20080068559?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20080068559 - Eyeglasses with activity monitoring and acoustic dampeningAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20080068559 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/903,512Publication dateMar 20, 2008Filing dateSep 20, 2007Priority dateSep 20, 2006Also published asUS7543934Publication number11903512, 903512, US 2008/0068559 A1, US 2008/068559 A1, US 20080068559 A1, US 20080068559A1, US 2008068559 A1, US 2008068559A1, US-A1-20080068559, US-A1-2008068559, US2008/0068559A1, US2008/068559A1, US20080068559 A1, US20080068559A1, US2008068559 A1, US2008068559A1InventorsThomas A. Howell, David Chao, Yeou-Soon Lee, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. TongOriginal AssigneeHowell Thomas A, David Chao, Yeou-Soon Lee, Thomas C Douglass, Tong Peter PExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (9), Classifications (12), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetEyeglasses with activity monitoring and acoustic dampeningUS 20080068559 A1Abstract In one embodiment, eyewear having an activity monitoring capability is disclosed. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their degree of activity. For quieter operation, acoustic dampening can be employed. In other embodiments, activity monitoring capability can be provided to products other than eyewear.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/846,150, filed Sep. 20, 2006, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH ACTIVITY MONITORING,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
This application is related to each of: (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,276 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,437), filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH ACTIVITY MONITORING,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and: (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/891,411, filed Aug. 9, 2007, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH ACTIVITY MONITORING,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to eyeglasses and, more particularly, to eyeglasses having activity monitoring components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a number of embodiments, the invention pertains to eyewear having an activity monitoring capability. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their degree of activity, without the need to carry a separate electrical device. For quieter operation, acoustic dampening can be employed.
As a pair of glasses, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: a first lens holder having a first side and a second side; a second lens holder having a first side and a second side; a bridge element coupling the second side of the first lens holder to the first side of the second lens holder; a first temple coupled to the first side of the first lens holder; a second temple coupled to the second side of the second lens holder; and a pedometer system at least partially embedded in the glasses. The pedometer system including at least: a movable structure that moves in association with user movement. During operation the movable structure moves and causes the movable structure to be in electrical contact with a conductive surface. The conductive surface is in physical contact with an acoustic dampening material at least while the movable structure is in electrical contact with the conductive surface.
As a pair of glasses, another embodiment of the invention includes at least: a frame having at least a bridge and a pair of temples; and an activity monitor at least partially embedded in the frame and operable to measure activity associated with a user of the pair of glasses. The activity monitor includes a pendulum that is used in measuring the activity associated with the user, the pendulum moves in accordance with the activity associated with the user. The activity monitor further includes means for acoustically dampening noise induced by the pendulum.
As a method for operating a pedometer, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: receiving a count signal; determining whether the count signal is reliable; ignoring the count signal when it is determined that the count signal is not reliable; incrementing a total count when it is determined that the count signal is reliable; and outputting the total count or a value derived therefrom.
FIG. 7A is diagram of an example of a conventional pedometer.
FIG. 7B is a diagram of a pedometer according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7C is a diagram of a pedometer according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7D is a diagram of a pedometer according to still another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7E is a diagram of a pedometer according to yet still another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7F is a diagram of a representative front side of the pedometer illustrated in FIG. 7E according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a pedometer process according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a chart that depicts examples of auxiliary sensors that can be utilized with the eyewear.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a number of embodiments, the invention pertains to eyewear having an activity monitoring capability. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their degree of activity, without the need to carry a separate electrical device. For quieter operation, acoustic dampening can be employed. In other embodiments, the invention can provide activity monitoring capability to products other than eyewear.
Embodiments of different aspects of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-9. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
In general, the pedometer 116 is at least partially embedded in the temple 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG.1, the pedometer 116 is embedded in the temple 110 with the display 118 and the switch 120 being exposed. Other components of the pedometer 116, including various electrical components, are embedded in the temple 110 and not exposed.
Pedometer designs can have various different structures. In one embodiment, an advantage of having a pedometer in the glasses can be due to the structure of one type of pedometer. In one approach, a pedometer includes a weight and a spring. In one embodiment, the pedometer can also include an LED, a photodetector and a controller. The weight is at the end of the spring, which can be a leaf spring. The weight with the spring have a resonant frequency that can be in the range of normal walking pace, such as 60-120 steps/minute. At that frequency, the weight with the spring will resonate. The resonance can be critically damped, such as by allowing the weight to go up and down beyond a threshold, but only once per step of the user. Normally, the photodiode receives light from the LED. When the weight goes beyond the threshold, it can block the light from the LED from reaching the photodiode. By measuring (e.g., counting) the number of times light is blocked and unblocked, a controller would be able identify the number of steps the user has walked. Based on such a structure, in one embodiment, for optimal performance, the orientation of the up-down motion of the weight should be substantially vertical. If a pedometer is a device you can clip onto a piece of clothing, a user can clip it on such that the orientation of the up-down motion of the weight is horizontal, which causes the performance of the pedometer to be substantially degraded. Glasses are usually worn in a standard position. The position, including the orientation, of the pedometer can thus be fixed relative to the glasses. Then, the orientation of the up-down motion of the weight can be fixed to be substantially vertical when the glasses are worn, or be substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the bridge of the glasses. This is another advantage of having a pedometer in the glasses in a number of embodiments.
In one embodiment, the activity sensor is a pedometer. For example, the pedometers can be based on a piezo-electric element, which does not need to have moving parts and thus can be more quiet. Other examples of pedometers can be based on movements of mechanical parts or mechanical pedometers.
Classically, a mechanical pedometer uses a pendulum that moves in association with user movement. The pendulum can include a level arm which can swing downward as a user takes a step and then is returned upward by a spring. The spring can be, for example, a coiled spring or a hairspring. Typically, the pendulum is provided internal to a small housing that is being worn by a user, usually at the waist of the user.
As noted above, in different embodiments, a pedometer can be integrated with eyewear. For example, all components for a pedometer can be integrated with eyewear (e.g., eyeglasses), such as in a frame (e.g., a temple of the frame) of the eyewear. In different embodiments, the pendulum of the mechanical pedometer can make an audible sound (e.g., clicking sound) as it strikes a surface (e.g., metal surface) within the pedometer housing. With the pedometer placed within eyewear, the pendulum can be proximate to at least one of the user's ears. Some users like the clicking sound because they remind them that they are exercising, and their exercise is being calibrated or monitored by a working pedometer. On the other hand, some users may not like to have the clicking sound. They may find the audible sound being produced to be bothersome.
Another aspect of the invention pertains to techniques to dampen the audible sound being produced by a mechanical pendulum within a pedometer housing. In one embodiment, the invention provides a dampening material within the pedometer housing.
FIG. 7A is diagram of an example of a conventional pedometer 700. The pedometer 700 includes a pendulum 702 within a pedometer housing. The pendulum 702 includes an arm 704 and a mass 706, such as a drum. The mass 706 is at one end of the arm 704 and a structure 708 fixes the other end of the arm 704. As the pedometer 700 moves, such as through user movement, the pendulum 702 moves, namely, the mass 706 at the one end of the arm 704 moves such that the mass 706 contacts a fixed conductive surface 710 in the pedometer housing. The contacting of the mass 706 with the fixed conductive surface 710 produces an electrical signal that can be sensed by electrical circuitry 712 and used in calculating distance traveled, calories consumed or the like. For some users, the audible sound that results from the contacting of the mass 706 with the fixed conductive surface and/or the pedometer housing can be distracting and otherwise undesirable.
FIG. 7B is a diagram of a pedometer 720 according to one embodiment of the invention. The pedometer 720 having a pendulum 702 within a pedometer housing. The pendulum 702 includes an arm 704 and a mass 706, such as a drum. The mass 706 is at one end of the arm 704 and a structure 708 fixes the other end of the arm 704. As the pedometer 720 moves, such as through user movement, the pendulum 702 moves, namely, the mass 706 at the one end of the arm 704 moves such that the mass 706 contacts a dampening material 722 interposed between the mass 706 and a fixed conductive surface 710 of the pedometer housing. In one embodiment, the dampening material 722 is non-conductive, such as rubber or silicone rubber. To provide the electrical connection from the pendulum 702 and the fixed conductive surface 710, the pedometer 720 can provide a conductive arm 724 of a relatively small mass as compared to the mass 706. Hence, as the small mass strikes the dampening material 722, the conductive arm 724 contacts the fixed conductive surface 710 so that the event can be electronically tracked. The contacting of the mass 706 with the fixed conductive surface 710 produces an electrical signal that can be sensed by electrical circuitry 712 and used in calculating distance traveled, calories consumed or the like. The conductive arm 724 can also be referred to as an auxiliary arm.
In an alternative embodiment, the dampening material 722 can be acoustically dampening while also being conductive, such as a piece of conductive silicone rubber. Here, the conductive arm 724 is not needed as the electrical connection can be made through the dampening material 722 which is adequately conductive. The contacting of the mass 706 with the dampening material 722 which is placed on the fixed conductive surface 710 produces an electrical signal that can be sensed by electrical circuitry 712 and used in calculating distance traveled, calories consumed or the like.
FIG. 7C is a diagram of a pedometer 740 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the mass 706 is covered by a dampening material 742. The dampening material 742 is acoustically dampening while also being conductive, such as conductive silicone rubber. The contacting of the dampening material 742 provided on the mass 706 with the fixed conductive surface 710 produces an electrical signal that can be sensed by electrical circuitry 712 and used in calculating distance traveled, calories consumed or the like.
FIG. 7D is a diagram of a pedometer 760 according to still another embodiment of the invention. The pedometer 760 is similar to the pedometer 740 illustrated in FIG. 7C. However, the pedometer 760 with the dampening material 742 contacts a battery 762 (also provided within the pedometer housing), which provides power for the electrical circuitry 712. As the pedometer 760 moves, such as through user movement, the pendulum 702 moves, namely, the mass 706 at the one end of the arm 704 moves such that the mass 706 (surrounded by the dampening material 742) contacts the conducting surface of the battery 762 directly. The direct contact produces an electrical signal that can be sensed by electrical circuitry 712 and used in calculating distance traveled, calories consumed or the like. By contacting the battery 762 directly the audio sound produced due to the contact is reduced given that the mass of the battery 762 is substantially greater that the fixed conductive surface 710 (which can be a metal plate). Further, in this embodiment, acoustic dampening can be further provided by having a dampening material 742 about the mass 706 of the pendulum as shown in FIG. 7C. As previously noted, the dampening material 742 is acoustically dampening while also being conductive, such as conductive silicone rubber.
In an alternative embodiment, the dampening material can be placed on at least a portion of the battery 762 so that further acoustic dampening can be obtained. The dampening material can be acoustically dampening while also being electrically conductive, such as made of conductive silicone rubber.
FIG. 7E is a diagram of a pedometer 780 according to yet still another embodiment of the invention. The pedometer 780 includes features similar to the pedometer 720 illustrated in FIG. 7B without the conductive arm 724. However, in this embodiment, the pedometer 780 is illustrated within a housing 782 (e.g., pedometer housing). In FIG. 7E a representative exposed internal area of the housing 782 is illustrated. The pedometer 780 is provided internal to the housing 782. The housing 782 includes a pendulum 702′ as well as a battery 762 and a printed circuit board 784 as shown to be below the pendulum 702′.
As the pedometer 780 moves, such as through user movement, the pendulum 702′ moves, namely, a mass 706′ at the one end of the arm 704 moves such that the mass 706′ contacts a conductive element 786 provided on an acoustically dampening material 788. In this embodiment, the acoustically dampening material 788 need not be conductive. As one example, the dampening material 788 can be a small piece (e.g., layer) of foam. As another example, the dampening material 790 can be rubber or silicone rubber. The dampening material 788 can also be considered an elastic material. Here, the mass 706′ can be made smaller than the mass 706 illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7D. For example, the mass 706′ can be in the shape of a disk, with a diameter on the order of 4 mm. The mass 706′ therefore can be lighter than the mass 706 so that audio sounds generated when the mass 706′ strikes a contact can be reduced. Furthermore, the presence of the dampening material 788 serves to acoustically dampen audio sounds generated when the mass 706′ strikes the conductive element 786. The conductive element 786 is, for example, a conductive wire, strip or plate. The conductive element 786 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 784 via a conductive extension 787, which only a portion is shown in FIG. 7E. The conductive extension enables electrical circuitry 712 provided on the printed circuit board 784 to sense an electrical signal when the mass 706′ contacts the conductive element 786. Hence, as in other embodiments noted above, the electrical circuitry 712 can calculate distance traveled, calories consumed or the like. Optionally, the pedometer 780 can further include an opening at the upper portion of the housing. The opening reduces the contact surface the mass 706′ made if and when the mass 706′ hits the housing 782. In addition, there can be dampening material 790 (e.g., non-conductive) that is provided on an inner surface of the housing 782, such as at the edge of the opening. Then, instead of hitting the housing material directly, the mass 706′ hits the dampening material 790. As one example, the dampening material 790 can be a small piece of foam. As another example, the dampening material 790 can be rubber or silicone rubber. The dampening material 790 can acoustically dampen an audio sound that might otherwise be prevented if the mass 706′ contacts the inner surface of the housing 782 directly. As another option, the conductive extension 787 can be provided as a spring to provide additional flexibility to the conductive element 786.
FIG. 7F is a diagram of a representative front side 790 of the pedometer 780 illustrated in FIG. 7E according to one embodiment. The front side 790 includes a display 792 and three buttons 794, 796 and 798. As an example, the button 794 can pertain to a reset operation, the button 796 can pertains to a adjustment button (e.g., stride setting), and the button 798 can pertain to a mode selection (e.g., distance, calories or count)
Any of the other pedometers illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7D can be similarly provided within a housing, such as the housing 782 illustrated in FIGS. 7E and 7F.
In one embodiment, the pedometer, or parts thereof, including a pendulum, can be provided on a small scale, even a nano-scale.
Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method for operating a pedometer or pedometer system. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a pedometer process 800 according to one embodiment of the invention. The pedometer process 800 can be performed on any of the pedometers or pedometer systems noted in this patent application.
The pedometer process 800 begins with a decision 802 that determines whether a count signal has been received. The count signal, for example, can correspond to the contact of the pendulum with a contact surface so as to signal a count. When the decision 802 determines that a count signal has been received, a decision 804 determines whether the count signal is reliable. The reliability of the count signal can be evaluated in a variety of ways. In one implementation, a series of counts within a window of time and with no more counts for another consecutive window of time can be used to distinguish walking/running from random movements. Examples of random movements include taking off/putting on eyewear having the pedometer, and the like. To illustrate, a first four counts within three seconds is ignored if the counts are followed by no counts in the consequent six seconds. In another implementation, successive counts that occur too close to one another to correspond to walking or running can be designated as random movements. Regardless, to provide reliable count of a user's walking or running, counts that are not due to running or walking can be filtered out (and thus ignored). As noted above, according to one implementation, the pedometer 780 illustrated in FIG. 7E can use a mass 706′ that is reduced in size so as to generate less contact noise. However, the smaller the reduced mass 706′ is, the more sensitive the pedometer 780 is to movements of all types. Hence, the pedometer process 800 is well suited for filtering out counts that are not associated with user movements of the type to be measured by a pedometer.
In other embodiment, filtering of count signals may not be desired. For example, if the pedometer or pedometer system is merely used as a counter for the user, than filtering out counts may not be required or desired.
In another embodiment, filtering of count signals is provided to filter those counts that occur while the pedometer or pedometer system is not in proper use. For example, when the pedometer or pedometer system is embedded in eyewear, a being-worn sensor can be used to indicate that the eyewear is not being worn. If the sensor indicates that the eyewear is not being worn, then count signals that have registered will be filtered or ignored.
Nevertheless, when the decision 804 determines that the count signal is not reliable, the count signal is ignored and processing returns to repeat the decision 802 and subsequent blocks. On the other hand, when the decision 804 determines that the count signal is reliable, then a total count is incremented 806.
The total count can be used for different applications. In one embodiment, the total count can be converted 808 to a total distance. The total distance can then be output 810. For example, the total distance can be output visually on a display device or output in an audio manner via a speaker. After the total distance is output 810, the pedometer process 800 can return to repeat the block 802 and subsequent blocks so that subsequent count signals can be processed in a similar manner.
Alternatively, when the decision 802 determines that a count signal has not been received, a decision 812 determines whether a reset operation has been requested. As an example, a reset operation can be requested by a user pressing a button coupled to or being part of the pedometer or pedometer system. When the decision 812 determines that a reset operation has not been requested, the pedometer processing 800 returns to repeat the decision 802 to await a count signal. On the other hand, when the decision 812 determines that a reset operation has been requested, the total count is cleared 814 and the processing proceeds to perform blocks 808 and 810 so the output of the total distance can be updated (e.g., zeroed).
Although the pedometer process 800 discussed in FIG. 8 provides a distance output, it should be understood that the output could alternatively be in the format of, for example, calorie or count output.
In one embodiment, an activity sensor can be used to measure distance traveled. In another embodiment, the activity sensor can acquire a position. The relative change in position over time can be used to determine a distance traveled. Then, the distance traveled over time can be used to correlate to an activity level. The activity level can then be displayed in any of the various ways noted above. In other embodiment, the activity sensor can be used to measure minimum activity (e.g., sleeping). In still another embodiment, the activity sensor can be used to measure velocity or acceleration.
The activity monitoring system can have a �being-worn� switch. In one embodiment, the �being-worn� switch enables the activity monitoring system to automatically determine when to monitor activity and when not to monitor activity. In particular, the activity can be monitored when an eyeglass frame having the activity monitoring system is �being-worn� and not when the eyeglass frame is not �being-worn.� The �being-worn� switch can be positioned in the temple portion with the other components of the activity monitoring system. In one embodiment, the activity monitoring system is provided, as a module as noted above, and which further includes a switch. The switch can, for example, be a �being worn� switch. By having the switch integral with the module, the manufacture and assembly of the end-product having the activity monitoring system can be simplified. As examples, the �being-worn� switch can be an optical, magnetic or mechanical switching device.
In one embodiment, the eyewear including the activity monitoring system can further include one or more auxiliary sensors. FIG. 9 is a chart 900 that depicts examples of auxiliary sensors that can be utilized with the eyewear.
The chart 900 indicates that one type of auxiliary sensor is a �being worn� sensor. The �being worn� sensor would indicate whether the glasses are being worn by its user. The �being worn� sensing mechanism can be performed using, for example, a thermal sensor, a motion detector, a stress sensor or a switch.
Still another type of auxiliary sensor is a physical sensor. The physical sensor can sense physical conditions of the user of the glasses. Examples of physical sensors include sensing one or more of location, temperature, alertness, and vital signs (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, etc.) associated with the user of the glasses. Still other physical sensors can sense emotions of the user. For example, the physical sensor could sense whether the user is calm, excited, happy, sad, angry, etc. In one embodiment, the physical sensor can also more generally sense user activity level. As an example, the user activity level can be used to provide a lifestyle indication. For example, a lifestyle indication might show that the user was active today or, alternatively, lazy today. Such a lifestyle indication can be displayed as a text or graphic symbol to let the user or others aware of the activity level.
In one embodiment, one particular type of physical sensor is a heart-beat sensor. The heart-beat sensor measures the heart beat of the wearer of the eyewear. One implementation for the heart-beat sensor utilizes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector as components. The infrared emitter can be an infrared LED and the infrared detector can be an infrared photodiode (or a non-infrared photodiode with a separate infrared filter). The components can be located on a frame (e.g. temple or nose-pad) of the eyewear, with both the emitter and the detector facing the user when the eyewear is worn. In operation, the infrared emitter shines infrared radiation towards the user, and the detector captures the infrared signals reflected back by the skin of the user. The magnitude of the reflected signals depends on the amount of blood flowing below the skin, which, in turn, depends on (i.e., fluctuates with) the heart beat. The rate of emission by the emitter and reception by the detector can be modulated (e.g., amplitude modulate) in a frequency range much higher than the heart beat, such as three Kilohertz. And the signals from the detector can be low-pass filtered before they are measured to identify the heart beat of the user. For example, the low-pass filter can a cutoff frequency at about 1 Hertz (Hz). Alternatively, some or all of the components can be tethered to the frame of the eyewear in a manner described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,011, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further details on heart-beat sensors or heart-beat monitoring are contained in (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/647,836, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH HEART RATE MONITOR;� and (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/787,850, filed Apr. 1, 2006, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH A HEART RATE MONITOR,� both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In one embodiment, there could be an output device to provide outputs to the user, such as regarding her heart rate and/or other monitored information. For example, the output device could be based on audio or visual capabilities or both. In one embodiment with visual outputs, the output device could be located at the inside, peripheral position of the glasses, such as a forward, inner area of a temple close to a hinge that couples a temple to a lens holder. Such an output device can also provide status information to the user, such as battery condition, on/off, communicating, etc.
In another embodiment, there could be a wireless transceiver in the glasses to send signals regarding the monitored heart rate and/or other monitored information and/or status information to a portable or handheld device carried by the user for additional processing and/or display. In still another embodiment, the glasses can further include a memory device storing, for example, data from any of the sensors (monitored data), status data, song data, file data, etc. The memory device could be integral with or attachable to the glasses. One example of an attachable memory is a memory card.
This application references each of: (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/822,218, filed Apr. 12, 2004, and entitled �EYEGLASSES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,136), filed Oct. 12, 2004, and entitled �TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/006,343 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,976), filed Dec. 7, 2004, and entitled �ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/078,855, filed Mar. 11, 2005, and entitled �EYEWEAR WITH RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/078,857, filed Mar. 11, 2005, and entitled �RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (vi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,269, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled �EYEWEAR SUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (vii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,283, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled �EVENT EYEGLASSES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (viii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,262, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH HEARING ENHANCED AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING CAPABILITIES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ix) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,256, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (x) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,263, filed Jul. 15, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH A CLOCK OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (xi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/700,550, filed Jan. 30, 2007, and entitled �HAT WITH A RADIATION SENSOR,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. (xii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/650,626, filed Jan. 6, 2007, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH A HEART RATE MONITOR,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. (xiii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/521,256, filed Sep. 13, 2006, and entitled �TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (xiv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/580,222, filed Oct. 11, 2006, and entitled �EYEWEAR SUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (xv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/546,685, filed Oct. 11, 2006, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present application also references each of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/509,631, filed Oct. 9, 2003, and entitled �TETHERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR EYEGLASSES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/527,565, filed Dec. 8, 2003, and entitled �ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/562,798, filed Apr. 15, 2004, entitled �EYEWEAR WITH ULTRAVIOLET DETECTION SYSTEM,� and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/583,169, filed Jun. 26, 2004, entitled �ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR,� and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (v) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/592,045, filed Jul. 28, 2004, entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH A CLOCK OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT,� and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (vi) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/605,191, filed Aug. 28, 2004, entitled �ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR USE WITH EYEWEAR, AND METHODS THEREFOR,� and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (vii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/725,999, filed Oct. 11, 2005, and entitled �EYEWEAR SUPPORTING AFTER-MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (viii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/725,896, filed Oct. 11, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ix) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/647,836, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH HEART RATE MONITOR;� (x) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/787,850, filed Apr. 1, 2006, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH A HEART RATE MONITOR,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (xi) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/620,238, filed Oct. 18, 2004, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH HEARING ENHANCED AND OTHER AUDIO SIGNAL-GENERATING CAPABILITIES,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (xii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/647,826, filed Jan. 31, 2005, and entitled �EYEGLASSES WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (xiii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/763,854, filed Jan. 30, 2006, and entitled �HAT WITH A RADIATION SENSOR,� which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8118740Jun 30, 2006Feb 21, 2012Ipventure, Inc.Moisture sensor for skinUS8184067Jul 20, 2011May 22, 2012Google Inc.Nose bridge sensorUS8384617Apr 23, 2012Feb 26, 2013Google Inc.Nose bridge sensorUS8686924Feb 18, 2013Apr 1, 2014Google Inc.Determining whether a wearable device is in useUS8725453Jan 21, 2009May 13, 2014Fujitsu LimitedMobile terminal and step length-calculating methodUS8744802 *Aug 12, 2011Jun 3, 2014Fujitsu LimitedMobile terminal and step length-calculating methodUS20110300835 *Aug 12, 2011Dec 8, 2011Fujitsu LimitedMobile terminal and step length-calculating methodWO2010027725A1 *Aug 24, 2009Mar 11, 2010Tri-Specs, Inc.Fashion eyewear frame that houses circuitry to effect wireless audio communication while providing extraneous background noise cancellation capabilityWO2013050735A1 *Sep 20, 2012Apr 11, 2013University Of LeicesterSpectacles* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification351/158, 377/19International ClassificationG01C22/00, G02C11/00Cooperative ClassificationG02C11/00, G02C11/10, G02C5/001, G01C22/006European ClassificationG02C11/10, G02C5/00A, G02C11/00, G01C22/00PLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionFeb 13, 2014ASAssignmentOwner name: SMART IGLASSES, LLC, CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TONG, PETER P.;THOMAS, C. DOUGLASS;REEL/FRAME:032211/0330Effective date: 20121030Owner name: TONG, PETER P., CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:IPVENTURE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:032263/0874Owner name: INGENIOSPEC, LLC, CALIFORNIAFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SMART IGLASSES, LLC;REEL/FRAME:032263/0912Effective date: 20121220Owner name: THOMAS, C. DOUGLASS, CALIFORNIANov 30, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Apr 24, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: IPVENTURE, INC., CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HOWELL, THOMAS A.;CHAO, DAVID;LEE, YEOU-SOON;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022591/0674;SIGNING DATES FROM 20070919 TO 20071102RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services