Patent Description:
The present invention relates generally to medical and dental devices, and more particularly to a user-wearable illumination device for medical and dental purposes.

User-wearable illumination devices are known for providing illumination to assist practitioners during the performance of various medical and/or dental procedures. In many applications, such illumination devices may be used in combination with optical loupes for providing magnified viewing during the performance of the medical and/or dental procedures. <CIT> refers to a pair of eyeglasses which is equipped an illuminating device, wherein hollow housing parts are pivoted to respective ones of front end portions of temples of the eyeglasses, and adjustable in position, wherein the temples each have a battery box formed thereon, wherein the illuminating device includes a light emitting element held in each one of hollow housing parts, a wire connected to each one of the light emitting elements at one end, and a battery set held in each one of the battery boxes and connected to the other end of each one of the wires. <CIT> refers to a head worn instrument such as optical loupes which includes an instrument such as a loupe assembly having at least one eyepiece and a head worn frame generally configured in the nature of a pair of spectacles having side arms wherein the frame carries a mounting section which includes sockets wherein the loupes carry a shaft which in turn carries balls which are spring biased by springs so that the balls can register in the sockets to selectively attach or detach the loupes to and from the frame wherein the joint formed by the shaft and the mounting section also enables the loupes to pivotally move so that they can pivot into and out of alignment with a user's eyes when the instrument is worn by a user.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments.

A user-wearable illumination assembly according to the invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

The dependent claims refer to particular embodiments of the invention. According to one aspect, a circuit to selectively modify power to an LED comprises:.

According to one aspect, a circuit to selectively modify power to an LED comprises:.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

<FIG> depict an exemplary user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM>. The illumination assembly <NUM> comprises eyeglass frames <NUM> adapted to be worn by a user and defining a pair of apertures 14a, 14b for supporting lenses 16a, 16b on the eyeglass frames <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, individual lenses 16a, 16b are carried by each aperture 14a, 14b of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that a single lens may alternatively be carried by the eyeglass frames <NUM>, with the single lens extending between both apertures 14a, 14b. In this embodiment, the illumination assembly <NUM> further includes a pair of magnification loupes 18a, 18b. The loupes 18a, 18b shown are supported through the respective lenses 16a, 16b and are therefore permanently supported on the illumination assembly <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that optical loupes 18a, 18b may alternatively be provided on a flip-up style mounting, such as the mounting shown and described in <CIT> for example, instead of being mounted through the lenses 16a, 16b as depicted herein. Exemplary optical loupes 18a, 18b for use in the illumination assembly <NUM> are disclosed in <CIT> <CIT> and <CIT> are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It is contemplated that the illumination assembly <NUM> may alternatively be provided without optical loupes 18a, 18b, or that optical loupes may be removably attached to the eyeglass frames <NUM>, such as by a flip-up style mounting.

The eyeglass frames <NUM> are configured to receive a headlamp <NUM> for providing illumination to the wearer of the illumination assembly <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, a first mounting structure <NUM> is provided on a bridge portion <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. In this embodiment, the mounting structure <NUM> comprises a T-shaped slot for slidably receiving a corresponding mounting structure <NUM> on the headlamp <NUM>, whereby the headlamp <NUM> may be easily attached to the eyeglass frames <NUM>. The corresponding mounting structure <NUM> provided on the headlamp <NUM> of this embodiment has a shape that is complementary to the T-shaped slot formed in the eyeglass frames <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, mounting structure <NUM> further includes a multi-directional ball-and-socket-joint <NUM> and a pivot arm <NUM> to facilitate positioning and orienting the headlamp <NUM> as may be desired. It will be appreciated, however, that various other mounting structure suitable for removably coupling the headlamp <NUM> to the frames <NUM> may alternatively be provided, and the mounting structure <NUM>, <NUM> is not limited to that shown and described herein.

The headlamp <NUM> further comprises a housing <NUM> having an open end <NUM> for supporting a lens <NUM> thereon. A light source <NUM> is supported within the housing <NUM> and generally behind the lens <NUM>. In this embodiment, lens <NUM> comprises first and second lens elements 34a, 34b. It will be appreciated, however, that lens <NUM> may have various other configurations and may comprise only a single lens element, or more than two lens elements. In one embodiment, the light source <NUM> is a light emitting diode (LED) that is configured to provide bright illumination through the lens <NUM>. Such an LED light source <NUM> is relatively lightweight and consumes a relatively small amount of power. While light source <NUM> is depicted in this embodiment as a single LED, it will be appreciated that light source <NUM> may alternatively comprise two or more LEDs, as may be desired. Electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> are provided on the mounting structure <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM> and the mounting structure <NUM> of the headlamp <NUM>, respectively, to provide electrical communication between the light source <NUM> and the electrical circuitry of the eyeglass frames <NUM> when the headlamp <NUM> is mounted to the eyeglass frames <NUM>.

In another aspect, the user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> includes a battery power source that is removably couplable to the eyeglass frames <NUM> to provide power to the light source <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, lithium polymer batteries 50a, 50b are provided on respective sides of the eyeglass frames <NUM>, generally between the front frame portion 12a and the temple arms 12b. In this configuration, the batteries 50a, 50b form side shields for the eyeglass frames <NUM> to help protect a wearer's eyes against airborne debris, such as splattered body fluids or other material. The batteries 50a, 50b are removably coupled to the eyeglass frames <NUM> by snap-in-place connections, whereby the batteries 50a, 50b may be easily removed and replaced for minimal interruption to the user of the illumination assembly <NUM>. The batteries 50a, 50b may be equipped with a microchip that enables smart battery technology to be utilized to optimize the charging and power usage of the batteries 50a, 50b on the illumination assembly <NUM>. The batteries 50a, 50b may further include a charge monitor <NUM> for displaying information related to the charge and/or health of the batteries 50a, 50b. In the embodiment, shown, the charge monitor <NUM> includes illuminating elements <NUM> to provide a visual indication of the level of charge or the health of the batteries 50a, 50b. Alternatively, the charge monitor <NUM> may be configured to provide an audible indication related to the level of charge or health of the batteries 50a, 50b, or to provide both a visual and audible indication. It will be appreciated that various other structure may alternatively be provided to indicate information related to the charge and/or health of the batteries 50a, 50b.

While the illumination assembly <NUM> is shown and described herein as including a pair of batteries 50a, 50b in the form of side shields and comprising lithium polymer material, it will be appreciated that a single battery, or more than two batteries, may alternatively be used to provide power to the light source <NUM>, and that various other materials or types of batteries may alternatively be used. Moreover, the one or more batteries may be configured to be secured to the eyeglass frames <NUM> in various other locations.

The eyeglass frames <NUM> of the exemplary user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> further include electrical circuitry <NUM> integrated into the frames <NUM> for providing electrical communication between the removably mountable headlamp <NUM>, the eyeglass frames <NUM>, and the battery power source to provide power and/or electronic signals, such as for the control and operation of the light source <NUM>. In one embodiment, conductive wiring may be provided through conduits formed in the eyeglass frames <NUM>. In another embodiment, electrically conductive materials may be directly embedded into the structure of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. The eyeglass frames <NUM> may further include control circuitry for an LED power supply and for driving an LED light source <NUM>. The control circuitry may also be configured to monitor the state of charge or state of health of a battery power source, and to provide an indication to a user when a battery power source is ending or near the end of its useful charge.

In one embodiment, the user-wearable illumination assembly may further include a remote control configured to enable a user to turn the light source <NUM> on and off, and/or to adjust the output level of the light source <NUM>. For example, the remote control may utilize radio signals or other electromagnetic signals to facilitate wireless communication between the remote control and the control circuitry. In another embodiment, the electrical circuitry <NUM> may be configured to turn the light source <NUM> on or off, or to adjust the output level of the light source <NUM>. If the electrical circuitry <NUM> extends to the temple arms 12b of the eyeglass frames <NUM>, flexible electrical connections, slip rings, or rotating electrical connectors may be used to facilitate folding of the temple arms 12b toward the front frame portion 12a of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. The illumination assembly <NUM> may further include a switch <NUM> provided on the eyeglass frames to permit a user to turn the light source <NUM> of the headlamp <NUM> on or off, and/or to adjust the power provided to the light source <NUM> to adjust the intensity of illumination.

While the exemplary embodiments shown and described above include eyeglass frames <NUM> for supporting a headlamp <NUM>, it will be appreciated that a user-wearable illumination assembly in accordance with the present disclosure may alternatively comprise various other types of user-wearable devices suitable for supporting a headlamp. For example, a headlamp <NUM>, as described above, may alternatively be supported on goggles, face shields, masks, headbands, helmets, or various other user-wearable devices. Moreover, while headlamp <NUM> has been shown and described above as being removably mounted to eyeglass frames <NUM>, it will be appreciated that various other embodiments may comprise a headlamp that is coupled to a user-wearable device such that it is not removable, or a headlamp that is integrally formed with the user-wearable device.

<FIG> depict an exemplary embodiment of a user-wearable illumination assembly 110in accordance with the present invention. The exemplary embodiment of <FIG> is similar to the user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> shown and described with respect to <FIG>, and similar features are similarly numbered. Accordingly, only the differences will be described herein.

In this embodiment, the first mounting structure <NUM> on the eyeglass frames <NUM> comprises a dumbbell-shaped slot proximate a bridge portion <NUM> of the frames <NUM>. Bridge portion <NUM> also supports nose pads <NUM>. The dumbbell-shaped slot has an opening on an upper side of the bridge portion <NUM> and defines two pockets 122a, 122b (see <FIG>) extending toward a lower side of the bridge portion <NUM> for slidably receiving corresponding mounting structure <NUM> on headlamp <NUM>, in a manner similar to that described above. The corresponding mounting structure <NUM> on headlamp <NUM> has a shape that is complementary to the dumbbell-shaped slot on eyeglass frames <NUM>. Other features of headlamp <NUM> are similar to that described above with respect to headlamp <NUM>.

The battery power source of illumination assembly <NUM> comprises lithium polymer batteries 150a, 150b provided on respective sides of the eyeglass frames <NUM> and positioned proximate the terminal ends 112c of the temple arms 112b. The temple arms are pivotally coupled to the front portion 112a of frames <NUM>, such as by hinges <NUM>. In this configuration, batteries 150a, 150b may be utilized to provide a counterbalance to the weight of the headlamp <NUM> and/or optical loupes 118a, 118b. In the embodiment shown, batteries 150a, 150b are removably received in respective battery housings 170a, 170b positioned at the terminal ends 112c of the temple arms 112b to facilitate quick and easy replacement of the batteries 150a, 150b, as may be required. The batteries 150a, 150b are releasably secured to the respective battery housings 170a, 170b by a snap-fit feature comprising a flexible tab <NUM> that engages a respective battery 150a, 150b when installed in the respectively associated battery housing 170a, 170b. To remove batteries 150a, 150b from the housings 170a, 170b, tabs <NUM> are depressed, thereby releasing the batteries 150a, 150b for removal. While batteries 150a, 150b have been shown and described in this embodiment as being releasably secured to housings 170a, 170b by a snap-fit feature, it will be appreciated that batteries 150a, 150b may alternatively be secured to battery housings 170a, 170b by various other methods. Batteries 150a, 150b may further include additional features similar to those described above with respect to batteries 50a, 50b.

While the batteries 150a, 150b of this exemplary embodiment, and the batteries described in the various other embodiments, have been described as lithium polymer batteries, it will be appreciated that various other types of batteries may alternatively be used.

In the embodiment shown, battery housings 170a, 170b are pivotally coupled to the terminal ends 112c of the respective temple arms 112b, such as by hinged joints <NUM>, to permit pivotal movement of the battery housings 170a, 170b about substantially vertical axes such that each battery housing 170a, 170b can be selectively adjusted to a desired position toward or away from the oppositely disposed battery housing 170a, 170b. The battery housings 170a, 170b may thereby be adjusted to a position adjacent to or in contact with the head of the wearer. In the embodiment shown, battery housings 170a, 170b are pivotally adjustable about axes that are substantially parallel to the axes provided by hinges <NUM> that facilitate the folding of temple arms 112b. Pads <NUM> or other cushioning elements may be provided on interiorly facing sides of the battery housings 170a, 170b to provide a comfortable feel to the wearer.

While battery housings 170a, 170b are shown and described herein as being pivotally coupled to the terminal ends 112c of temple arms 112b by hinged joints <NUM>, it will be appreciated that the batteries 150a, 150b may alternatively be coupled proximate the terminal ends 112c of temple arms 112b by various other methods suitable to facilitate selectively adjusting the position of the batteries 150a, 150b relative to the head of a user. As a non-limiting example, batteries 150a, 150b may alternatively be coupled proximate the terminal ends 112c of temple arms 112b by flexible connecting structure that can be deformed by the user to engage the user's head, as may be desired.

User-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> further includes control circuitry and electrical circuitry integrated into frames <NUM> for providing electrical communication between the removably mountable headlamp <NUM>, eyeglass frames <NUM>, and batteries 150a, 150b, as described above. The illumination assembly <NUM> may further include user controls <NUM> and indicators <NUM> to facilitate operation of headlamp <NUM>, and to communicate information regarding the condition or health of the batteries 150a, 150b to a user. In the embodiment shown, user controls and indicators may be provided on at least one of the temple arms 112b. For example, buttons or switches 180a, 180b, 180c may be provided to enable the user to turn the headlamp <NUM> on and off, and/or to enable the user to adjust the intensity of illumination provided by the headlamp <NUM>. Indicators <NUM> may provide a visual and/or audible indication related to the condition or health of the batteries 150a, 150b, or provide various other information to the user.

In addition to, or as an alternative to controls <NUM> such as buttons or switches 180a, 180b, 180c provided on temple arms 112b, user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> may further include controls in the form of one or more touch-sensitive capacitance switches <NUM> provided on other portions of the eyeglass frames <NUM>, such as on the brow portions 186a, 186b of the frames <NUM>, generally located laterally from the bridge portion <NUM>. The touch-sensitive capacitance switches <NUM> may be integrated with the eyeglass frames <NUM>, or may be disposed on an outer surface of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. When located on the brow portions 186a, 186b of the eyeglass frames <NUM>, the touch-sensitive capacitance switches <NUM> provide a convenient way to selectively turn power to the headlamp <NUM> on and off, and/or selectively adjust the intensity of the illumination provided by headlamp <NUM> by contacting the touch-sensitive capacitance switches <NUM> with a portion of the body, such as the back of the hand. This configuration may provide more convenient access to controls than when controls are located on the temple arms <NUM>, or other portions of the eyeglass frames <NUM>, particularly for users having long hair, which may interfere with access to temple arm-mounted controls, or when a user desires to adjust the output of the headlamp <NUM> while maintaining the sterility of their hands, such as during the performance of surgical procedures.

<FIG> depict an exemplary embodiment of a user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> for use with eyeglass frames <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the illumination assembly <NUM> is configured to be selectively removably coupled to the bridge portion <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. The eyeglass frames <NUM> define a pair of apertures 216a, 216b for supporting lenses 218a, 218b on the eyeglass frames <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, individual lenses 218a, 218b are carried by each aperture of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that a single lens may alternatively be carried by the eyeglass frames <NUM>, with the single lens extending between both apertures 216a, 216b. Alternatively, eyeglass frames <NUM> with which the illumination assembly <NUM> can be used may be provided without individual apertures 216a, 216b, and may instead include a single lens extending between temple arms 220a, 220b of the frames <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, the eyeglass frames <NUM> further include a pair of magnification loupes 222a, 222b supported through the respective lenses 218a, 218b. It will be appreciated, however, that the eyeglass frames <NUM> with which the illumination assembly <NUM> can be used may not include optical loupes 222a, 222b, or that optical loupes 222a, 222b may alternatively be provided on a flip-up style mounting, such as the mounting shown and described in <CIT>, for example, instead of being mounted through the lenses 218a, 218b as depicted herein. Exemplary optical loupes 222a, 222b for use in the illumination assembly <NUM> are disclosed in <CIT> <CIT> and <CIT> are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the illumination assembly <NUM> comprises a clip assembly <NUM> for selectively removably coupling the illumination assembly <NUM> to the bridge portion <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. The clip assembly <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> and first and second clamp members <NUM>, <NUM> extending generally downwardly therefrom and defining structure for securing the illumination assembly <NUM> to the bridge portion <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the first clamp member <NUM> is hingedly coupled to the second clamp member <NUM>, and is biased in a direction toward the second clamp member <NUM>, such as by a spring, a resilient member, or by other suitable structure, so that the bridge portion <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM> may be clamped between the first and second clamp members <NUM>, <NUM> to couple the clip assembly <NUM> to the eyeglass frames <NUM>. While the first clamp member <NUM> is depicted as being hingedly coupled to the second clamp member <NUM>, it will be appreciated that the first clamp member <NUM> may alternatively be hingedly coupled directly to the body portion <NUM>, or that clamping structure may be provided in various other configurations to facilitate clamping the clip assembly <NUM> to the bridge portion <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, the first and second clamp members <NUM>, <NUM> each include clamp arms 234a, 234b, 236a, 236b extending generally downwardly and outwardly from central portions of the clamp members <NUM>, <NUM> to provide a secure connection with the eyeglass frames <NUM> without obstructing a nose piece of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. While not depicted herein, the clip assembly <NUM> may further include a locking feature to prevent inadvertent release of the first and second clamping members <NUM>, <NUM> from the bridge portion <NUM> of the eyeglass frames <NUM> after the clip assembly <NUM> has been attached.

The illumination assembly <NUM> further includes a head lamp <NUM> coupled to the body portion <NUM> of the clip assembly <NUM> by first and second support arms <NUM>, <NUM>. A first joint <NUM> is provided between the first and second support arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and a second joint <NUM> is provided between the second support arm <NUM> and the headlamp <NUM> to provide for articulating movement of the headlamp <NUM> relative to the body <NUM> of the clip assembly <NUM> and thereby facilitate positioning and orienting the headlamp <NUM>, as may be desired. It will be appreciated, however, that various other structure for mounting the headlamp <NUM> to the clip assembly <NUM> may alternatively be provided.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the headlamp <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> having an open end <NUM> for supporting a lens <NUM> thereon. A light source <NUM> is supported within the housing <NUM> and generally behind the lens <NUM>. In this embodiment, lens <NUM> comprises first and second lens elements 254a, 254b. It will be appreciated, however, that lens <NUM> may have various other configurations and may, for example, comprise only a single lens element, or more than two lens elements. In one embodiment, the light source <NUM> is a light emitting diode (LED) that is configured to provide bright illumination through the lens <NUM>. Such an LED light source <NUM> is relatively lightweight and consumes a relatively small amount of power. While light source <NUM> is depicted in this embodiment as a single LED, it will be appreciated that light source <NUM> may alternatively comprise two or more LEDs, as may be desired.

The user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> further includes a battery power source that is selectively removably couplable to the eyeglass frames <NUM> to provide power to the light source <NUM> of the headlamp <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, first and second lithium polymer batteries 260a, 260b are provided on respective sides of the eyeglass frames <NUM>, and generally along the temple arms 220a, 220b. The illumination assembly <NUM> includes attachment structure that can be selectively attached to the temple arms 220a, 220b, and corresponding attachment structure is provided on the batteries 260a, 260b to facilitate selective mounting of the batteries 260a, 260b to the temple arms 220a, 220b. In the embodiment shown, attachment structure for the temple arms 220a, 220b includes rails <NUM> that that can be removably coupled to the temple arms 220a, 220b by respective brackets <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, rails <NUM> of this embodiment have generally I-shaped cross-sections. The corresponding attachment structure on the batteries 260a, 260b include complementarily-shaped channels <NUM> formed along an upper edge of the batteries 260a, 260b for slidably receiving the rails <NUM> therein when the batteries 260a, 260b are coupled to the temple arms 220a, 220b of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that various other structure may alternatively be used to facilitate selectively removably coupling the batteries 260a, 260b to the temple arms 220a, 220b.

The batteries 260a, 260b may further include additional attachment structure to facilitate coupling side shields 268a, 268b to forward facing ends of the batteries 260a, 260b. In the embodiment shown, the additional attachment structure includes projections <NUM> on the distal ends of the batteries 260a, 260b for engaging complementarily-shaped recesses on the side shields 268a, 268b. When coupled in this arrangement, the batteries 260a, 260b and side shields 268a, 268b cooperate to help protect a wearer's eyes against airborne debris, such as splattered body fluids or other material. The side shields 268a, 268b may also be configured to facilitate securely retaining the batteries 260a, 260b on the rails <NUM> when the batteries 260a, 260b are received on the rails <NUM>.

The batteries 260a, 260b may be equipped with a microchip that enables smart battery technology to be utilized to optimize the charging and power usage of the batteries 260a, 260b on the illumination assembly <NUM>. The illumination assembly <NUM> may further include a charge monitor for displaying information related to the charge and/or health of the batteries 260a, 260b. In one embodiment, the charge monitor may include illuminating elements to provide a visual indication of the level of charge or health of the batteries 260a, 260b. The illuminating elements may be positioned on the clip assembly <NUM>, on the batteries 260a, 260b, or at various other locations of the illumination assembly <NUM> to provide the visual indication to the wearer of the device. Alternatively, the charge monitor may be configured to provide an audible indication related to the level of charge or health of the batteries 260a, 260b, or to provide both a visual and audible indication. It will be appreciated, however, that various other structure may alternatively be provided to indicate information related to the charge and/or health of the batteries 260a, 260b.

At least one of the batteries 260a, 260b may further include user-actuatable controls to facilitate operation of the illumination assembly <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, battery 260b includes a button 261a for selectively activating and deactivating power to headlamp <NUM>, and buttons 261b, 261c to selectively adjust the intensity of the light emitted by light source <NUM>. It will be appreciated that user-actuatable controls may comprise various other structure, and/or may be provided on various other structure of the illumination assembly <NUM> to control various other functions of the illumination assembly <NUM> to facilitate operation by a user of the device.

In another embodiment, the user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> may further include a remote control configured to enable a user to control various functions of the illumination assembly <NUM>. For example, the remote control may utilize radio signals or other electromagnetic signals to facilitate wireless communication between the remote control and control circuitry of the illumination assembly <NUM> and thereby turn the light source <NUM> on or off, adjust the output level of the light source <NUM>, or control various other functions of the illumination assembly <NUM>.

The illumination assembly <NUM> may further include one or more electrical conductors for providing electrical communication between the batteries 260a, 260b and the light source <NUM> of the headlamp <NUM>. In the embodiment shown first and second electrical conductors 272a, 272b extend between the body portion <NUM> of the clip assembly <NUM> and the first and second batteries 260a, 260b, respectively. The first and second electrical conductors 272a, 272b may then be further routed to the light source <NUM>. Alternatively, additional electrical conductors may be provided in or on the body portion <NUM> of the clip assembly <NUM> and the support arms <NUM>, <NUM> supporting the headlamp <NUM> thereon, to provide electrical communication further to the light source <NUM>. For example, electrical circuitry may be integrated into the body portion <NUM> and/or the support arms <NUM>, <NUM> for providing electrical communication between the body portion <NUM> and the light source <NUM>. The electrical circuitry may be capable of providing power and/or electronic signals, such as for the control and operation of the light source <NUM>. The illumination assembly may further include control circuitry for an LED power supply and for driving an LED light source <NUM>. The control circuitry may also be configured to monitor the state of charge or state of health of a battery power source, and to provide an indication to a user when a battery power source is ending or near the end of its useful charge. Such control circuitry may be integrated within the body portion <NUM> of the clip assembly <NUM>, for example.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, another exemplary embodiment of a user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> for use with eyeglass frames <NUM> is illustrated. Many features of the illumination assembly <NUM> are the same, or are similar to, features described above with respect to the illumination assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, and detailed discussion of these features is not repeated here. Similar features illustrated in the drawings have been similarly numbered. In this embodiment, one or more batteries may be provided for attachment near terminal ends of the temple arms 220a, 220b, around the backside of the wearer's head. Such an arrangement may be configured to counterbalance the weight of one or more of the clip assembly <NUM>, the headlamp <NUM>, and/or the optical loupes 222a, 222b of the eyeglass frames <NUM> (if provided). In the embodiment shown, a battery <NUM> is coupled to first and second strap members 284a, 284b of a head strap <NUM> that is selectively removably attachable to the temple arms 220a, 220b of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. The first and second strap members 284a, 284b may be selectively deformable to facilitate conforming the head strap <NUM> to the shape of the head of a wearer and thereby provide a custom fit for the illumination assembly <NUM>.

The illumination assembly <NUM> may further include an adjustable member <NUM> coupled to head strap <NUM> for sliding movement along the first and second strap members 284a, 284b to further facilitate adjusting the head strap <NUM>, as may be desired by a wearer of the illumination assembly <NUM>. The illumination assembly <NUM> may further include first and second conduits 288a, 288b associated with the first and second strap members 284a, 284b, respectively, wherein at least one of the conduits 288a, 288b may be used to route electrical conductors 272a, 272b between the battery <NUM> and the light source <NUM> of the headlamp <NUM>. For example, one or more electrical conductors 272a, 272b may be routed from the battery <NUM>, through one or more of the first and second strap members 234a, 234b, through one or more of the first and second conduits 288a, 288b, to the body portion <NUM> of the clip assembly, as described above.

In another aspect, battery <NUM> may be configured with smart battery technology, as discussed above with respect to batteries 260a, 260b. Battery <NUM> may further include user actuatable controls to facilitate operation of the illumination assembly <NUM>, such as a button <NUM> for selectively activating and deactivating power to headlamp <NUM>. It will be appreciated that user-actuatable controls may also be provided on various other structure of the illumination assembly <NUM> to facilitate operation by a user of the device. For example, illumination assembly <NUM> may further include one or more controls, such as buttons 290a, 290b, on body portion <NUM> of clip assembly <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. In the embodiment illustrated, buttons 290a, 290b may be actuated by a user to selectively adjust the intensity of the light emitted by light source <NUM>, or to control various other functions of the illumination assembly <NUM>. Similar features may optionally be provided on the illumination assembly <NUM> shown and described above.

<FIG> depicts another exemplary embodiment of a user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> for use with eyeglass frames <NUM> in accordance with the present invention. The user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> of this embodiment includes a clip assembly <NUM> and headlamp <NUM> similar to that the clip assembly <NUM> and headlamp <NUM> of user-wearable illumination assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> shown and described with respect to <FIG>, <FIG>, <NUM>, 33A, and <NUM>-<NUM>. The various features of clip assembly <NUM> and headlamp <NUM> that are similar to the features of clip assembly <NUM> and headlamp <NUM> are numbered in a similar manner, the details of which are not repeated here.

The user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> further includes lithium polymer batteries 350a, 350b provided on respective sides of the eyeglass frames <NUM> and positioned proximate the terminal ends 312c of the temple arms 312b in a manner similar to the batteries 150a, 150b of the illumination assembly <NUM> shown and described with respect to <FIG>. In this embodiment, the batteries 350a, 350b are removably coupled to the terminal ends 112c of the temple arms 112b to provide a counterbalance to the weight of the headlamp <NUM> and/or optical loupes 118a, 118b, as may be desired. To this end, the batteries 350a, 350b include an attachment portion <NUM> that can be slidably received over the terminal ends 312c of the temple arms 312b of the eyeglass frames <NUM>. The attachment portions <NUM> may be formed from flexible material to facilitate selective adjustment of the position of the batteries 350a, 350b supported on the terminal ends 312c of the temple arms 312b, such that the inside surfaces <NUM> of the batteries 350a, 350b can be positioned to engage the head of the user in a manner similar to that described above with respect to user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM>. While the batteries 350a, 350b are shown and described in this embodiment as being positionably adjustable by flexible attachment portions <NUM>, it will be appreciated that batteries 350a, 350b may alternatively be hingedly coupled to the terminal ends 312c of temple arms 312b to facilitate adjustment, or that the batteries may be made positionably adjustable by various other methods.

The user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> may further include control circuitry and one or more electrical conductors for controlling a light source and for providing electrical communication between the batteries 350a, 350b and the light source of the headlamp <NUM>, as described above with respect to user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM>. Various other features of the user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> and batteries 350a, 350b are similar to those of the user-wearable illumination assembly <NUM> and batteries 150a, 150b described herein.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic illustration of one embodiment of a power supply circuit <NUM> that may be configured on and/or within the illumination assembly <NUM> consistent with embodiments of the invention. In particular, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the power supply circuit <NUM> is provided power from at least two battery packs <NUM> and <NUM> (which may each be Li-Ion polymer battery packs). The power supply circuit <NUM> is also in communication with a first switch <NUM> (illustrated as "SW_1"), which may operate to turn the power supply circuit <NUM> (and thus the remaining circuitry of the illumination assembly <NUM>) on and off. As illustrated in <FIG>, each of the battery packs <NUM> and <NUM> may be in communication with a respective fuse F1 and F2, which may be <NUM>. The output of the fuses F1 and F2 is in turn in communication with the anode end of Zener diodes D1 and D2 (which may be BAT54C series Schottky barrier diodes as distributed by Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. of South Portland, Maine). The Zener diodes D1 and D2, in turn, each have their cathode ends in communication with a first power signal VCC1 (which, in exemplary embodiments, may be about <NUM>. The output of the fuses F1 and F2 are also in communication with ground through Zener diode arrays ZD1 and ZD2, respectively, wherein each Zener diode array includes two Zener diodes in an anode-to-anode configuration.

The output of the fuses F1 and F2 is also in communication with a respective resistor R1. Each resistor R1 is positioned between the output of a fuse (e.g., fuse F1 or F2) and a first input of a respective buck-boost converter <NUM> and <NUM>. A resistor R2 is in communication with resistor R2, the first input of the respective buck-boost converter <NUM> and <NUM>, and a second input of the respective buck-boost converter <NUM> and <NUM>. In turn, a resistor R3 is in communication with respective resistor R2, the second input of respective buck-boost converter <NUM> and <NUM>, and a respective ground. The output of the first buck-boost converter <NUM> is in communication with the first power signal VCC1 through a resistor R4, while the second buck-boost converter <NUM> is in communication with the first power signal VCC1 through a resistor R5. The output of each buck-boost converter <NUM> and <NUM> is also in communication with a respective light-emitting diode <NUM> and <NUM> (first LED <NUM> and second LED <NUM>, respectively) that receives a second power signal VCC2 (which, in exemplary embodiments, may be about <NUM>. 7V) through a resistor R6. As illustrated in <FIG>, the output of each buck-boost converter <NUM> and <NUM> is also in communication with an OR gate <NUM> (which may be a NLU1G32 series <NUM>-input OR gate as distributed by ON Semiconductor, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona).

A first output of the first switch <NUM> is in communication with ground through a resistor C1 while a second output of the first switch <NUM> is in communication with ground through a resistor C2. The first output of the first switch <NUM> is also in communication with a resistor R7, while the second output of the first switch <NUM> is in communication with, in parallel, an input of a first dual Schmitt trigger inverter DST1 (where each dual Schmitt trigger inverter may be a NLU2G14 series dual Schmitt trigger inverter as distributed by ON Semiconductor) in one branch and a resistor R8 in series with an output of a second dual Schmitt trigger inverter DST2 in the second branch. In turn, the parallel circuit is in communication with the output from the resistor R7 and an input of a third dual Schmitt trigger inverter DST3.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the output of the OR gate <NUM> is in communication with a first input of an AND gate <NUM> (which may be an NLU1G08 series <NUM>-input AND gate as distributed by ON Semiconductor) and the output from the third dual Schmitt trigger inverter DST3 is in communication with a second input of the AND gate <NUM>.

Returning to fuses F1 and F2, the output of fuses F1 and F2 are in communication with a respective first input and second input of a converter chip <NUM> (which may be an LTC4413 series dual <NUM>. 5V to <NUM>. 5V chip as distributed by Linear Technology of Milpitas, California). In turn, the converter chip <NUM> is in communication with a switch chip <NUM> (which may be an NLAS5213 series 1Ω RON DPST and dual SPST switch chip as distributed by ON Semiconductor). Two inputs of the converter chip <NUM> are also separately in communication with the first power signal VCC1 through two respective resistors R9. As illustrated in <FIG>, one input to the switch ship <NUM> is in communication with the output from the second buck-boost converter <NUM>, a second input to the switch chip <NUM> is in communication with an output of a fourth dual Schmitt trigger inverter DST4, while a third and a fourth input to the switch chip <NUM> are tied together and in communication with the output from the AND gate <NUM>.

In specific embodiments, the power supply circuit <NUM> is configured to regulate and monitor the power from battery packs <NUM> and <NUM> and provide power to additional components of the illumination assembly <NUM>. Specifically, the power supply circuit <NUM> electronically selects which battery pack <NUM> or <NUM> is used to provide power and also allows for the battery packs to be "hot-swappable" (e.g., one battery pack can be changed while the other supplies power). Moreover, when the illumination assembly <NUM> is turned off, the power supply circuit disconnects both battery packs <NUM> and <NUM> from supplying main power but allows power to at least one additional component of the illumination assembly <NUM> to keep a previous intensity setting. In further specific embodiments, Table <NUM> indicates approximate resistor and capacitor values that may be used for the resistors R1-R9 as well as the capacitors C1-C2 illustrated and described.

One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that alternative components may be utilized in the power supply circuit <NUM> consistent with alternative embodiments of the invention. Specifically, the power supply circuit <NUM> may include more or fewer battery packs, switches, or LEDs consistent with alternative embodiments of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the specific components illustrated and described, and the specific values of resistors and capacitors, are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, one having ordinary skill in the art and the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that at least some of the connections for power signals and/or to ground, as well as additional resistors, capacitors, and inductors, used to provide the power signals to the components of the power supply circuit <NUM> are not illustrated. However, such power and ground connections, and such additional resistors, capacitors, and inductors, are known and available to one having ordinary skill in the art.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic illustration of one embodiment of an intensity circuit <NUM> to adjust the brightness of a third LED <NUM>. Specifically, the intensity circuit receives inputs from a second switch <NUM> and a third switch <NUM> (illustrated as "SW_2" and "SW_3," respectively). An output from each of the second and third switches <NUM> and <NUM> is in communication with respective grounds through third and fourth Zener diode arrays ZD3 and ZD4, respectively. The outputs from each of the second and third switches <NUM> and <NUM> are also in communication with respective inputs of a digital potentiometer <NUM> (which may be an AD5228 digital potentiometer as distributed by Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Massachusetts). In turn, a first output of the digital potentiometer <NUM> is in communication with ground through a resistor R10. The first output of the digital potentiometer <NUM> is in turn in communication with a second output of the digital potentiometer through a resistor R11. The second output of the digital potentiometer <NUM> is also in communication with an output of an operational amplifier <NUM> (which may be an LT6220 series operational amplifier as distributed by Linear Technology) (hereinafter, "op-amp" <NUM>) through a resistor R12. A third output of the digital potentiometer <NUM> is in communication with the negative input of the op-amp <NUM>. The positive input of the op-amp <NUM> is in communication with ground through a resistor R13 as well as the cathode side of the third LED <NUM>. Thus, and in some embodiments, the op-amp <NUM> acts as a current-to-voltage amplifier.

The output of the op-amp <NUM> is in communication with a first input of a buck-boost converter <NUM> (which may be an NCP5030 series buck-boost converter to drive an LED as distributed by ON Semiconductor). In turn, a second input of the buck-boost converter <NUM> is in communication with, in parallel, a capacitor C3 connected to ground in one branch and a resistor R14 in series with a capacitor C4 connected to ground in another branch. A third and fourth input of the buck-boost converter <NUM> are tied together and are in communication with the second voltage signal VCC2 as well as, in parallel, a capacitor C5 connected to ground in one branch and a capacitor C6 connected to ground in a another branch. A fifth input of the buck-boost converter <NUM> is also in communication with the second voltage signal VCC2 for power.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a sixth and seventh input of the buck-boost converter <NUM> are tied together and in communication with one end of an inductor L1, with the other end of the inductor L1 in communication with a seventh input of the buck-boost converter <NUM>. A first output of the buck-boost converter <NUM> is in communication with ground through a resistor R15 while a second output of the buck-boost converter <NUM> is in communication with ground through a capacitor C7. The second output is also in communication with the third LED <NUM>.

In specific embodiments, the intensity circuit <NUM> allows the user to control the intensity of the third LED <NUM>. Specifically, the intensity of the third LED <NUM> is controlled by the digital potentiometer <NUM> whose value is controlled by the second and third switches <NUM> and <NUM>, with the second switch <NUM> operating as an "intensity increase" switch (e.g., depression of the second switch <NUM> operates to increase the intensity of the third LED <NUM>), and the third switch <NUM> operating as an "intensity decrease" switch (e.g., depression of the second switch <NUM> operates to decrease the intensity of the third LED <NUM>). In specific embodiments, the digital potentiometer <NUM> provides about <NUM> step levels with an autoscan function (in which the resistance of the digital potentiometer <NUM> rapidly increases or decreases automatically) when either switch <NUM> or <NUM> is held down for about a second. In further specific embodiments, Table <NUM> indicates approximate resistor, capacitor, and inductor values that may be used for the resistors R10-R15, capacitors C3-C7, and the inductor L1 illustrated and described.

While the intensity circuit <NUM> is described above with a digital potentiometer <NUM>, it will be appreciated that an intensity circuit for controlling the brightness of an LED may alternatively comprises a microcontroller. One having ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that alternative components may be utilized in the intensity circuit <NUM> consistent with alternative embodiments of the invention. Specifically, the intensity circuit <NUM> may include more or fewer switches or LEDs consistent with alternative embodiments of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the specific components illustrated and described, and the specific values of resistors, capacitors, and inductors, are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, one having ordinary skill in the art and the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that at least some of the connections for power signals and/or to ground, as well as additional resistors, capacitors, and inductors, used to provide the power signals to the components of the intensity circuit <NUM> are not illustrated. However, such power and ground connections, and such additional resistors, capacitors, and inductors, are known and available to one having ordinary skill in the art.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic illustration of a graphical representation <NUM> illustrating the level of input current to the third LED <NUM> with respect to the voltage provided at least one battery pack <NUM> or <NUM>. In particular, the graphical representation <NUM> illustrates both the maximum battery voltage point as at <NUM> (e.g., the voltage corresponding to about the highest safe voltage from a battery pack <NUM> and/or <NUM>) as well as the low battery turn off point as at <NUM> (e.g., the voltage corresponding to about the lowest safe voltage from a battery pack <NUM> and/or <NUM>). Moreover, the graphical representation <NUM> indicates the power supply under-voltage protection cut-off point as at <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the power supplied to the third LED <NUM> is approximately constant across the range of voltage from about <NUM>. 8V to about <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic illustration of a graphical representation <NUM> illustrating the level of input current to at least the power supply circuit <NUM> and/or intensity circuit <NUM> from the battery pack <NUM> and/or <NUM> with respect to the input voltage from the battery pack <NUM> and/or <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the current from the battery pack <NUM> and/or <NUM> has a relatively stable negative slope in relation to increasing voltage from about <NUM>. 8V to about <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagrammatic illustration of a graphical representation <NUM> illustrating the efficiency of at least the power supply circuit <NUM> and/or intensity circuit <NUM> with respect to the input voltage from the battery pack <NUM> and/or <NUM>. In particular, the graphical representation <NUM> illustrates the nominal cell voltage as at <NUM> (e.g., the nominal voltage at which the battery pack <NUM> and/or <NUM> will typically operate). As illustrated in <FIG>, the circuitry of the illumination assembly <NUM> operates at about <NUM>% efficiency at the nominal cell voltage <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A user-wearable illumination assembly, comprising:
an eyeglass frame (<NUM>; <NUM>) supporting a pair of lenses and including a first and a second temple arm (112b; 312b);
a headlamp (<NUM>; <NUM>) coupled to said eyeglass frame;
a first battery (150a, 150b; 350a, 350b) positioned and coupled proximate a terminal end (112c; 312c) of said first temple arm; and
a second battery (150a, 150b; 350a, 350b) positioned and coupled proximate a terminal end of said second temple arm,
characterized in that
said first battery is selectively positionably adjustable relative to said first temple arm and is coupled to said first temple arm by a first flexible connecting structure or pivotally coupled to said first temple arm; and
said second battery is selectively positionably adjustable relative to said second temple arm and is coupled to said second temple arm by a second flexible connecting structure or pivotally coupled to said second temple arm.