Patent ID: 7874666

Claim:
Smart eyewear exhibiting variable light transmittance functionality, comprising: (a) a smart lens member including an electrochromic (EC) polymer, the EC polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state by selectively applying a voltage thereto, wherein the EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state; (b) a voltage source member that is selectively connectable to the smart lens and is configured to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state; (c) a controller configured to control the state of the EC polymer, the controller being operatively coupled to the smart lens member and the voltage source member; (d) a support member configured to support the lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear, the support member comprising a first earpiece and a second earpiece, the controller being incorporated into at least one of the first earpiece and the second earpiece such that the controller is not readily visible; and (e) an energy harvesting element configured to enable energy from a user of the smart eyewear to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state, wherein the energy harvesting element meets at least one condition selected from a group of conditions consisting of: (i) a first condition wherein the energy harvesting element converts heat energy from a user of the smart eyewear to electrical energy; and (ii) a second condition wherein the energy harvesting element produces electrical energy when there is a difference of more than about two degrees Celsius between a body of the user and an ambient environment.