Patent Description:
Many devices, including wearable devices, utilize electronics to perform various functions. Heat management for such electronics, to keep the electronics within a heat range corresponding to acceptable performance, can be problematic owing for example to space and weight constraints of a wearable device of which the electronics form part, as well as by the fact that some such devices can be worn in contact with the user's body.

<CIT> describes a head-mounted eye-piece with a micro-projector mounted at the joint between a frame and a temple. The micro-projector cooperates with an electrically adjustable liquid lens. <CIT> concerns eyewear to which electrical components can be attached without compromising aesthetic design principles: the electrical components can be attached as after-market enhancements.

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:.

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 electronic components such as a camera, a processor, WiFi, and various modules as is shown in <FIG>. As such, the eyewear article comprises smart glasses. The onboard electronic components can be carried by a body of the smart glasses, such as in the frame as illustrated in <FIG>, or in the temple(s). The onboard electronic components can generate relatively large amounts of heat during electrically powered operation, given volume constraints for the smart glasses. For smart glasses, it is generally desirable for the onboard electronics components to be carried (e. g, housed) in a manner that does not make the smart glasses unsightly or ungainly for the user. Although these criteria may be satisfied by making the onboard electronic components and/or the housing for those components smaller, such reduction in size/volume and corresponding reduction in surface area can pose heat management problems. Inadequate heat transfer away from the electronics can eventually lead to failure or mal-performance of the onboard electronics components and/or can lead to undesirable external surface heating of the smart glasses. Such external surface heating can have undesired effects, e.g., by causing discomfort to the user or by creating a perception on the part of the user that the onboard electronics components are being overworked due to the user's activities.

In view of the foregoing, the current inventor proposes, among other solutions, utilizing a core wire, which typically acts to provide structural integrity to the smart glasses and also allows for adjustability of the temples to make the frames fit different face shapes, to additionally act as a heat sink to transfer heat generated by the onboard electronic components away therefrom (and away from the face of the user), so as to reduce the likelihood of localized heating adjacent the onboard electronic components and heating adjacent the user's face. Furthermore, the inventor proposes a configuration for the smart glasses that can provide for a thermal coupling between different components of the smart glasses (e.g., between the temple and the frame). More particularly, the thermal coupling can extend across an articulated joint (e.g., a hinge assembly) between the temple and the frame to provide part of a heat conduction path from onboard electronic components in the frame to the core wire, as shown in the example embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Further, the inventor proposes a cap hinge that can be part of the housing of the frame as well as being part of the hinge assembly (e.g., <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the cap hinge can be abutted along one or more internal surfaces disposed within the frame in a conductive heat exchange relationship by one or more heat sinks internal to the frame. These internal heat sinks can carry the on board electronics components thereon. Thus, according an example, a conductive heat transfer pathway can be formed from the internal heat sinks to the cap hinge and from the cap hinge across the hinge assembly to the core wire as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In some examples, the onboard electronic components may be carried by the frame alone. In other embodiments, the electronic components may be carried by on or more of the temples. In yet further embodiments, the electronic components may be carried by both the frame and at least one of the temples. Similarly, the core wire can be part of the temple(s) and/or part of the frame (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>). Thus, in some embodiments, the onboard electronic components can be disposed on both the left and right side portions of the frame, and each temple can contain a respective core wire that is thermally coupled to corresponding onboard electronic components.

In some embodiments, the smart glasses can be operable (i.e. are electrically powered) even in a collapsed condition where one or more of the temples are folded towards the frame to a non-wearable position for the user. In such a collapsed condition, as well as in a wearable condition where one or both of the temples are extended so as to be received around a user's face, the onboard electronic components can run software and perform other tasks that can improve the glasses' efficiency and performance. The thermal coupling between the temple and the frame can be configured to conduct heat across the articulated joint both when the temple(s) is in the wearable condition and when the temple is in the collapsed condition.

In the collapsed condition, the smart glasses can be placed in a case or carrier (e.g., <FIG>). In some examples, the case can have a port (e.g., <FIG>) for data and/or power transfer to a mating port on the smart glasses. Thus, the case can be used for recharging of a battery of the smart glasses, for example. In such examples, the thermal coupling between the temple and the frame can be configured to conduct heat to the core wire. Such heat can result from the charging of the battery and/or from powered operation of the onboard electronic components when the temple is in the collapsed condition within the case.

The subject matter of the claimed invention is defined in the claims. The description that follows includes apparatuses, systems, and techniques that embody illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. In general, well-known structures and techniques are not necessarily shown in detail. Certain embodiments described in detail herein may be referred to as examples.

Embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses, systems and techniques that allow smart glasses to that can conduct heat away from onboard electronic components (and the face of the user) in a more desirable manner. This can make the smart glasses as more reliable and wearable.

This disclosure applies to smart glasses (e.g., those that have electronics carried thereby). Smart glasses include onboard electronic components 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, modules, and/or the like.

Regarding the construction of the smart glasses itself, according to one example, the smart glasses comprise an eyewear body configured for wearing by a user to hold one or more optical elements mounted on the eyewear body within a field of view of the user. Such optical elements can include not just lenses (as is the case in the embodiments described below), but can in other embodiments include any object that can be held close to the eye and through which or from which light is passed to the eye. As such, the term optical elements includes displays (such as virtual reality displays, augmented reality displays, or other near-eye displays), surfaces such as those of a smartphone or tablet, and lenses, both corrective and non-corrective, for example.

The smart glasses can include the frame and a pair of the temples coupled thereto on opposite ends of the frame at articulated joints. For any one of the temples, the temple is in the wearable configuration or condition when the temple is substantially fully unfolded for reception along a side of the user's head. In contrast, a temple is in the collapsed configuration or condition when that temple 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) and the onboard electronics components can be electrically powered so as to be operable in either condition, as previously discussed.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a front of a pair of smart glasses <NUM>. The smart glasses <NUM> can comprise an eyewear body <NUM>. The eyewear body <NUM> can include one or more temples 14A and 14B and a frame <NUM>. The smart glasses <NUM> can additionally include articulated joints 18A and 18B, onboard electronic components 20A and 20B, and core wires 22A, 22B and <NUM>.

The eyewear body <NUM> can be configured for wearing by a user to hold one or more optical elements mounted on the eyewear body <NUM> within a field of view of a user. More particularly, the frame <NUM> can be configured to hold the one or more optical elements, while the temples 14A and 14B can be connected to the frame <NUM> at the respective articulated joints 18A and 18B. The temples 14A and 14B can comprise elongate members having core wires 22A and 22B extending therein.

The temple 14A is illustrated in the wearable condition while the temple 14B is illustrated in the collapsed condition in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the temple 14A can be connected to a right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM> by the articulated joint 18A. Similarly, the temple 14B can be connected to a left end portion 26B of the frame <NUM> by the articulated joint 18B. The right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM> can carry the onboard electronic components 20A by housing the onboard electronic components 20A therein, and the left end portion 26B can carry the onboard electronic components 20B by housing the onboard electronic components 20B therein.

The core wire 22A can comprise a portion of the temple 14A (e.g., can be embedded within a plastics material or other material that comprises an outer cap of the temple 14A and can extend longitudinally from adj acent the articulated joint 18A toward a second longitudinal end of the temple 14A. Similarly, the core wire 22B can comprise a portion of the temple 14B (e.g., can be embedded within a plastics material or other material that comprises an outer cap of the temple 14B) and can extend longitudinally from adjacent the articulated joint 18B toward a second longitudinal end of the temple 14B. The core wire <NUM> can extend from the right end portion (terminating adjacent the onboard electronic components 20A) to the left end portion 26B (terminating adjacent the onboard electronic components 20B).

The onboard electronic components 20A and 20B can be carried by the eyewear body <NUM> (e.g., either or both of the temple(s) 14A, 14B and/or the frame <NUM>). The onboard electronic components 20A and 20B can comprise a heat source that generates heat during electrically powered operation As previously discussed, the onboard electronic components 20A and 20B can comprise a power source, power and communication related circuitry, communication devices (e.g., a camera, a microphone, sensors, etc.), display devices, a computer, a memory, modules, and/or the like.

The temples 14A, 14B and the frame <NUM> can be constructed of a plastics material, cellulosic plastic (e.g., cellulosic acetate), an eco-plastic material, a thermoplastic material, or the like in addition to the core wires 22A, 22B and <NUM>. The core wires 22A, 22B and <NUM> can act to provide structural integrity to the eyewear body <NUM> (i.e. the temple(s) 14A, 14B and/or the frame <NUM>). Additionally, the core wires 22A, 22B and/or <NUM> can act as a heat sink to transfer the heat generated by the onboard electronic components 20A and 20B away thereform so as to reduce the likelihood of localized heating adjacent the onboard electronic components 20A and 20B. As such, the core wires 22A, 22B and/or <NUM> can be thermally coupled to the heat source to provide a heat sink for the heat source. The core wires 22A, 22B and/or <NUM> can be constructed of a relatively flexible conductive metal or metal alloy material such as one or more of an aluminum, an alloy of aluminum, alloys of nickel-silver, and a stainless steel, for example.

<FIG> shows a side view of the smart glasses <NUM> illustrating the temple 14A, the right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM>, the articulated joint 18A, the onboard electronic components 20A and the core wire 22A.

Temple 14A and core wire 22A extend generally longitudinally rearward from a rear facing surface of the right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM>. According to the illustrated example of <FIG>, the articulated joint 18A (shown in dashed) comprises a hinge assembly <NUM> that includes hinge projections configured to mate with one another as illustrated and discussed subsequently. According to other embodiments, the articulated joint 18A 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 14A relative to the frame <NUM>.

As will be illustrated subsequently, the articulated joint 18A can also be formed as part of the frame <NUM> and the temple 14A. Indeed, the articulated joint 18A can be configured to provide for movement of the temple 14A relative to the frame <NUM>. Thus, the articulated joint 18A allows for movement of the temple 14A such that it is disposable between the collapsed condition and the wearable configuration as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an enlarged view of the right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM>, the articulated joint 18A, the onboard electronic components 20A, the temple 14A and the core wire 22A. <FIG> also illustrates components of the hinge assembly <NUM> including a cap hinge <NUM> and a temple hinge <NUM>.

As shown in the example of <FIG>, the onboard electronic components 20A are located within the frame <NUM>. Thus, the heat source is located within the frame <NUM>. In particular, the onboard electronic components 20A can be housed within a cavity in the right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM>. According to one example, this cavity can encompass a small volume (e.g., the cavity can be is ~<NUM> long). Thus, in order to dissipate the heat more evenly and effectively, the core wire 22A can be used as the heat sink to pull heat away from the onboard electronic components 20A and a housing <NUM> that forms and encases the cavity and the onboard electronic components 20A.

Together, components of the hinge assembly <NUM> can form a thermal coupling <NUM>. The thermal coupling <NUM> can comprise at least a second heat sink (after the core wire 22A) for the heat source. The thermal coupling <NUM> can extend between the heat source and the core wire 22A across the articulated joint 16A between the temple 14A and the frame <NUM>. As the thermal coupling <NUM> can be comprised of components of the hinge assembly <NUM>, the thermal coupling <NUM> can be configured to conduct heat across the articulated joint 18A both when the temple 14A is in the wearable condition and when the temple is in the collapsed condition.

The cap hinge <NUM> can form a portion of the thermal coupling <NUM> and can additionally form a portion of the frame <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM>. More particularly, the cap hinge <NUM> can have a first portion <NUM> integrally formed with the housing <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and has a second portion <NUM> comprising a projection extending from the frame <NUM> and the first portion <NUM>. As will be further illustrated subsequently in reference to <FIG>, the cap hinge <NUM> can be abutted along one or more internal surfaces disposed within the frame <NUM> in a conductive heat exchange relationship by one or more heat sinks internal to the frame <NUM>.

The temple hinge <NUM> can form a portion of the thermal coupling <NUM> and can additionally form a portion of the temple 14A and the hinge assembly <NUM>. The temple hinge <NUM> can comprise a third heat sink (in addition to at least the core wire 22A and the cap hinge <NUM>). The temple hinge <NUM> can be coupled to the core wire 22A in a conductive heat exchange relationship. More particularly, according to one example the core wire 22A can be soldered or otherwise connected to the temple hinge <NUM> in a solid heat conductive manner. The temple hinge <NUM> can be connected to the cap hinge <NUM> via a metal screw or fastener (shown in <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates a conductive heat transfer pathway (illustrated by arrows) where heat generated by electrical powered operation of the onboard electronic components 20A is conducted away therefrom (and away from the face of the user) via one or more heat sinks internal to the frame <NUM>. The heat is conducted along the pathway to the cap hinge <NUM>, through the screw (see <FIG>), and the temple hinge <NUM> to the core wire 22A within the temple 14A. Thus, the thermal coupling <NUM> can be configured such that the heat from the onboard electronic components 20A can be conducted to the cap hinge <NUM>, through the screw and temple hinge <NUM> to the core wire 22A within the temple 14A.

<FIG> shows an enlarged view of the right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM>, the articulated joint 18A, the onboard electronic components 20A, the temple 14A, the core wire 22A, the hinge assembly <NUM> and the thermal coupling <NUM> from a rear position. The encasing portion of the temple 14A is removed in <FIG> to better illustrate the cap hinge <NUM>, the screw <NUM>, the temple hinge <NUM> and the core wire 22A. Portions of the housing <NUM> are also removed to better illustrate the cap hinge <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the cap hinge <NUM> in further detail. For example, the first portion <NUM> can have a relatively large surface area comprised of opposing relatively flat surfaces that can take up most of the rear-facing portion of the right end portion 26A of the frame <NUM>. Such relatively large surface area provides a sufficient area for heat transfer purposes. The first portion <NUM> can include apertures <NUM> therein. These apertures <NUM> can be used for convection heating of the onboard electronic components 20A in some embodiments. In other cases, the apertures <NUM> can be used to facilitate electrical communication via wire therethrough and/or can simply be used to reduce the weight of the cap hinge <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the cap hinge <NUM> comprising projections are configured to be received in corresponding projections <NUM> of the temple hinge <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> and the projections <NUM> can be configured to receive the screw <NUM> therein.

<FIG> illustrates the conductive heat transfer pathway (previously discussed and illustrated in reference to <FIG>) where heat generated by electrical powered operation of the onboard electronic components 20A is conducted away therefrom (and away from the face of the user) via one or more heat sinks internal to the frame <NUM>. The heat is conducted along the pathway (indicated by arrows) to the cap hinge <NUM>, through the screw <NUM>, and the temple hinge <NUM> to the core wire 22A within the temple 14A. Thus, the thermal coupling <NUM> can be configured such that the heat from the onboard electronic components 20A can be conducted to the cap hinge <NUM>, through the screw <NUM> and temple hinge <NUM> to the core wire 22A within the temple 14A.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the cap hinge <NUM> according to one example embodiment. The cap hinge <NUM> can include a first portion <NUM> also referred to as a hinge foot or base foot herein. The first portion <NUM> can be configured to be flush with the housing <NUM> according to some embodiments. Thus, the thickness L<NUM> (<FIG>) of the first portion <NUM> can be substantially the same as the housing <NUM> according to one onibodinient. According to one embodiment, the thickness L<NUM> (<FIG>) can be less than about <NUM> and can be between <NUM> and <NUM> in some embodiments. The thickness of the first portion <NUM> can be up to <NUM> times smaller than a longitudinal thickness measured along the same axis of the cavity which houses the electronic components and the heat sinks therein. The first portion <NUM> can be co-molded (inset molded) with the housing <NUM> to maintain structural load transfer between the temple and the frame <NUM>. Thus, a plastic that can form the housing <NUM> can be molded over the hinge cap <NUM> including the first portion <NUM> rather than the hinge being assembled within the frame <NUM> in a manner of traditional glasses.

Furthermore, the first portion <NUM> can be provided with various features including the apertures <NUM> and tab features <NUM>, which can facilitate load transfer between the housing <NUM> and the first portion <NUM>. For example, the aperture <NUM> allow an amount of molded material that forms the housing <NUM> to flow therein to facilitate fixation and load transfer between the housing <NUM> and the first portion <NUM>. Additionally, as shown in <FIG>, the first portion <NUM> can be provided with a width W<NUM> and a height H<NUM> that are relatively large compared to that of the thickness L<NUM>. In some embodiments, the width W<NUM> and the height H<NUM> can each be up to <NUM> times larger than the thickness L<NUM>. The relatively larger width W<NUM> and the height H<NUM> provide the first portion <NUM> with a relatively large surface area (e.g., about <NUM><NUM>) for fixation to the housing <NUM> and to other components of the smart glasses <NUM>.

Thus, the embodiment of the cap hinge <NUM> can have a relatively smaller longitudinal dimension relative to other dimensions such as a width W<NUM> and the height H<NUM>. The cap hinge <NUM> can include a hinge foot portion that is configured to be co-molded to a housing of the smart glasses. The co-molding can facilitate that the hinge foot portion be arranged flush with the housing <NUM> with an exposed inward facing surface that is configured to be abutted by electronics and/or heat sink components. The cap hinge <NUM> can include fixation features to facilitate structural load transfer between a temple and a frame. These features can include apertures <NUM> configured to receive the housing <NUM> therein. The features can also include tab projections extending from an edge of the hinge foot and abutting the housing <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the hinge foot portion can take up significantly the entirety of a longitudinal end portion of a connection area between the temple and the frame.

Thus, according to one embodiment, a wearable device is disclosed comprising the frame <NUM>, the elongate temple 14A and the articulated joint 18A. The frame <NUM> can define one or more optical element holders configured to hold respective optical elements for viewing by a user in a viewing direction. The temple 14A can be moveably connected to the frame for holding the frame in position when the device is worn by the user. The articulated joint 18A can connect the temple and the frame to permit movement of the temple relative to the frame between a wearable position in which the temple is generally aligned with the viewing direction, and a collapsed position in which the temple extends generally transversely to the viewing direction. The articulated joint can include the base foot <NUM> fixed to the frame and oriented transversely to the viewing direction.

The wearable device can further include the onboard electronic components 20A that can be housed by at least one of the temple 14A and the frame <NUM>. The onboard electronic components 20A can be housed in the frame in the first end portion 26A located at a lateral end of the frame. The first end portion 26A can project rearward relative to the one or more optical element holders and can comprise the housing <NUM> that defines a cavity configured to receive the onboard electronic components therein. According to some embodiments, the base foot <NUM> of the articulated joint comprises a rear end face of the housing <NUM> and comprises the rear end face that interfaces with the temple 14A.

According to one embodiment, the articulated joint 18A can comprise a hinge assembly <NUM> and the base foot <NUM> can form part of the cap hinge <NUM>, which additionally extends rearward from the housing and can be configured to couple with a hinge component of the temple. The base foot <NUM> can form both a portion of the frame <NUM> and a part of the hinge assembly <NUM>. The base foot <NUM> can form a portion of the housing <NUM> of the frame <NUM> that can be integrated into the housing <NUM>. The base foot <NUM> can be abutted along one or more internal surfaces <NUM> disposed within the frame <NUM> in a conductive heat exchange relationship by one or more heat sinks <NUM> and <NUM> internal to the frame <NUM>.

The base foot <NUM> can be configured to form substantially an entirety of the rear end face of the housing <NUM>. The base foot <NUM> can be configured to be flush with a surface of the housing and can have a longitudinal thickness (L<NUM>) substantially similar to a longitudinal thickness of the housing. According to one embodiment, the longitudinal thickness (L<NUM>) of the base foot is between <NUM> and <NUM>. According to further embodiments, the base foot <NUM> can have a width (W<NUM>) and a height (H<NUM>) that are each are up to <NUM> times larger than the longitudinal thickness (L<NUM>).

The base foot <NUM> can be configured to be embedded into the housing <NUM> and can be configured to have the housing <NUM> extend into and around at least a portion of the base foot (e.g., apertures <NUM>). The base foot <NUM> can include one or more features that can be configured to facilitate a connection and a load transfer between the housing and the base foot (e.g., apertures <NUM> and/or tab features <NUM>). Thus, according to one embodiment the one or more features can include the aperture <NUM> configured to receive a part of the housing <NUM> therein.

According to another embodiment, a pair of smart glasses <NUM> is disclosed which can include the frame <NUM>, the elongate temple 14A, the onboard electronics components 20A, and the hinge assembly <NUM>. The frame <NUM> can define one or more optical element holders configured to hold respective optical elements for viewing by a user in a viewing direction. The temple 14A can be moveably connected to the frame for holding the frame in position when the device is worn by the user. The onboard electronic components 20A that can be housed by at least one of the temple 14A and the frame <NUM>. The onboard electronic components 20A can be housed in the frame in the first end portion 26A located at a lateral end of the frame. The first end portion 26A can project rearward relative to the one or more optical element holders and can comprise the housing <NUM> that defines a cavity configured to receive the onboard electronic components therein. According to some embodiments, the hinge assembly <NUM> can connect the temple 14A to the frame. The hinge assembly <NUM> can have the base foot <NUM> that forms substantially an entirety of a rear end face of the housing that interfaces with the temple 14A. The base foot <NUM> can be configured to be flush with a surface of the housing <NUM> and can be configured to be embedded into the housing <NUM>. The base foot <NUM> can be configured to facilitate a connection and load transfer between the housing <NUM> and the base foot <NUM>.

According to yet another embodiment, a pair of smart glasses <NUM> is disclosed which can include the frame <NUM>, the elongate temple 14A, the onboard electronics components 20A, and the hinge assembly <NUM>. The frame <NUM> can define one or more optical element holders configured to hold respective optical elements for viewing by a user in a viewing direction. The temple 14A can be moveably connected to the frame for holding the frame in position when the device is worn by the user. The onboard electronic components 20A that can be housed by at least one of the temple 14A and the frame <NUM>. The onboard electronic components 20A can be housed in the frame in the first end portion 26A located at a lateral end of the frame. The first end portion 26A can project rearward relative to the one or more optical element holders and can comprise the housing <NUM> that defines a cavity configured to receive the onboard electronic components therein. According to some embodiments, the hinge assembly <NUM> can connect the temple 14A to the frame. The hinge assembly <NUM> can have the base foot <NUM> that is a portion of the housing <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and can be integrated into the housing <NUM>. The base foot <NUM> can be configured to facilitate a connection and load transfer between the housing <NUM> and the base foot <NUM>. The base foot <NUM> can be configured to form substantially an entirety of a temple interfacing part of the housing <NUM>. The base foot <NUM> has a width (W<NUM>) and a height (H<NUM>) that are each are up to <NUM> times larger than a longitudinal thickness (L<NUM>) thereof.

<FIG> shows portions of the frame <NUM> with portions of the housing <NUM> (<FIG>) and components of the temple <NUM> (<FIG>) removed. In particular, <FIG> shows the onboard electronic components 20A, a first internal heat sink <NUM>, a second internal heat sink <NUM>, and the cap hinge <NUM> arranged together.

The cap hinge <NUM> can be abutted along one or more internal surfaces <NUM> disposed within the frame <NUM> in a conductive heat exchange relationship by the first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM>. The first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM> can be entirely internal to the frame <NUM> (i.e. can be disposed within the housing <NUM> of <FIG>). Similarly, the onboard electronic components 20A can disposed entirely within the frame <NUM> (i.e. can be disposed within the housing <NUM> of <FIG>) and can carried by the first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM>.

The first internal heat sink <NUM> can be spaced from the second internal heat sink <NUM>. According to the example of <FIG>, the first internal heat sink <NUM> can extend generally longitudinally and can extend generally parallel with the second internal heat sink <NUM>. The first internal heat sink <NUM> can be configured to hold and to wrap around various boards and/or modules that comprise some of the onboard electronic components 20A. Similarly, the second internal heat sink <NUM> can be configured to hold and sandwich various boards and/or modules that comprise some of the onboard electronic components 20A. In the example of <FIG>, the second internal heat sink <NUM> can extend longitudinally from the cap hinge <NUM> to abut an image sensor <NUM> of a camera <NUM>. As discussed previously, the first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM> can act to conduct heat away from the onboard electronic components 20A to the cap hinge <NUM> and onward to the core wire 22A (<FIG>).

According to one example, the one or more internal surfaces <NUM> of the cap hinge <NUM> can have a thermal interface material (TIMs) disposed thereon. The TIM can help to provide good thermal contact between the cap hinge <NUM> and the first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM>. The first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM> can additionally utilize TIMs to provide for good thermal contact between the first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM> and the onboard electronic components 20A (e.g., the processor, the WiFi module, the memory, and the image sensor <NUM>). All of these contacts via TIMs allow for heat to be moved rearward through the first internal heat sink <NUM> and the second internal heat sink <NUM> to the cap hinge <NUM> and on to the core wire 22A (<FIG>).

According to a further example, the smart glasses <NUM> previously described can be used as part of a system such as system <NUM>. The system <NUM> can include a case <NUM> and the smart glasses <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. In some cases, a cable (not shown) can also be utilized with the system <NUM>. As discussed with regard to previous embodiments, the smart glasses <NUM> can generally include the frame <NUM>, one or more temples 14A and 14B, and on board electronic components (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 <NUM> can comprise a container or holder for the glasses <NUM>. In some embodiments such as that of <FIG>, the case <NUM> and glasses <NUM> can include complementary electronic connectors <NUM>. One such electronic connectors <NUM> can comprise a base or internal connector or port <NUM> on the case <NUM> and a corresponding connector (not shown) on the smart glasses <NUM>.

Further details regarding such electronic connectors <NUM> and discussion of the systems and apparatuses related thereto can be found the Applicant's co-pending <CIT>, co-pending <CIT>, and co-pending <CIT>.

In the collapsed condition, the smart glasses <NUM> can be placed in the case <NUM>. The smart glasses <NUM> can be operable (i.e. are electrically powered) even in the collapsed condition. In such collapsed condition, as well as in the wearable condition where one or both of the temples 14A and 14B are extended so as to be received around a user's face, the onboard electronic components can run software and perform other tasks that can improve the glasses' efficiency and performance thereby improving the user experience. The thermal coupling between the temple 14A, 14B and the frame <NUM> can be configured to conduct heat across the articulated joint both when the temple(s) 14A, 14B is in the wearable condition (previously shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) and when the temples 14A and 14B are in the collapsed condition such as shown in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the smart glasses <NUM> and the case <NUM> can interact together in various ways and for various purposes. For example, the case <NUM> can be used to transport and protect the smart glasses <NUM>, to charge or provide power to the electronics incorporated in the smart glasses <NUM>, and/or to communicate with the electronics of the smart glasses <NUM>. Thus, in some embodiments the case <NUM> can house a supplemental battery to those of the smart glasses <NUM>. The thermal coupling <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) between the temples 14A, 14B and the frame <NUM> can be configured to conduct heat to the core wire with the temples 14A, 14B in any position relative to the frame <NUM>. Such heat can result from the charging of the battery or from powered operation of the onboard electronic components when the temples 14A, 14B are in the collapsed condition within the case <NUM>.

The internal connector of the case <NUM> can be configured to couple to a corresponding electronic connector of the glasses <NUM> in a manner previously described in Applicant's previously cited co-pending U. P atetit Applications when the temples 14A and 14B are in the collapsed position and docked in the case <NUM>. As such, the interior of the case <NUM> can be shaped to receive the smart glasses <NUM> only when the temples 14A and 14B are in the collapsed condition. The shape of the interior also can be such that the electronic connectors <NUM> (<FIG>) of those of the case <NUM> and of the glasses <NUM> interface together and are docked with little slippage or movement occurring between the case <NUM> and the glasses <NUM>. Although illustrated as pogo pin/pad connectors in <FIG>, 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.

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 as long as they fall under the scope of the claims. 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, whereby the scope of protection is limited by the claims.

Claim 1:
A wearable device comprising:
a frame (<NUM>) defining one or more optical element holders configured to hold respective optical elements for viewing by a user in a viewing direction, the frame having a first end portion (26A, 26B) located at a lateral end of the frame, the first end portion projecting rearward relative to the one or more optical element holders and forming a housing (<NUM>);
an elongate temple (14A, 14B) moveably connected to the frame (<NUM>) for holding the frame in position when the device is worn by the user;
onboard electronic components (20A, 20B) housed in the first end portion (26A, 26B) of the frame (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>) of the first end portion defining a cavity configured to receive the onboard electronic components therein;
an articulated joint (18A, 18B) connecting the temple (14A, 14B) and the frame (<NUM>) to permit movement of the temple relative to the frame between a wearable position in which the temple is generally aligned with the viewing direction, and a collapsed position in which the temple extends generally transversely to the viewing direction, the articulated joint (18A, 18B) comprising a hinge assembly (<NUM>), the hinge assembly (<NUM>) including a temple hinge (<NUM>) and a cap hinge (<NUM>), the cap hinge (<NUM>) including a base foot (<NUM>) fixed to the frame (<NUM>) and oriented transversely to the viewing direction; and
one or more heat sinks (<NUM>, <NUM>) internal to the frame (<NUM>),
wherein the base foot (<NUM>) of the articulated joint (18A, 18B) comprises a rear end face of the housing (<NUM>), the rear end face interfacing with the temple (14A, 14B), and wherein the cap hinge (<NUM>) extends rearward from the housing (<NUM>) and is configured to couple with the temple hinge (<NUM>), and
wherein the base foot (<NUM>) is additionally a portion of a housing of the frame (<NUM>) that is integrated into the housing (<NUM>) and the base foot (<NUM>) is abutted along one or more internal surfaces disposed within the frame (<NUM>) in a conductive heat exchange relationship by the one or more heat sinks (<NUM>, <NUM>).