Glasses with audio playback function

Abstract

The eyeglasses (10) with audio playback function include a front body (20) adapted to hold at least one lens (30) and having a first horizontal end (21a) and a second horizontal end (21b) to which a first temple (40a) and a second temple (40b) are respectively connected for fixing the eyeglasses (10) on a user's head, and a plurality of electronic components (51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b) including at least one audio driver (53a, 53b). and (53a, 53b), wherein the eyeglasses (10) are capable of being configured in at least an open state in which the eyeglasses (10) can be worn by a user and the first temple (40a) and the second temple (40b) are disposed substantially parallel to each other and at an appropriate angle relative to the front body (20), and the electronic components (51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b) are housed only inside the two temples (40a, 40b).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to glasses with sound reproduction capabilities. More specifically, the present invention relates to electronic glasses, particularly but not exclusively, useful and practical in the fashion field. [Background technology]

[0002] As is well known, spectacles are devices whose primary function is to protect the wearer's eyes from the sun's rays and / or to correct visual impairments by means of appropriate lenses.

[0003] This main function is now important from a commercial point of view, with the function of aesthetics and design accessories following the trends of the fashion industry.

[0004] A pair of glasses usually consists of a front body that houses the lenses and two temples that are attached to the temples of the head and allow the user to wear the glasses by resting them on the ears.

[0005] The front body is the element that mainly characterizes the aesthetic appearance of the eyeglasses and can take on various shapes and dimensions: it ranges from eyeglasses with very large and conspicuous front bodies, sometimes with unusual shapes, to eyeglasses with very simple and thin front bodies, especially in the fashion industry where design elements are important.

[0006] Certain glasses known as electronic glasses have evolved in recent years, i.e. glasses that are equipped with electronic components and associate additional functions commonly performed by other devices, such as playing music, answering calls, taking videos or photos, acquiring physiological parameters, sensing environmental parameters, etc., with the primary function of the glasses.

[0007] One particular type of electronic glasses is constituted by glasses that generally enable the reproduction of music or sound by means of an audio driver integrated therein.

[0008] In addition to the audio driver, which may be a stereo, these glasses usually contain other electronic components, such as a microchip, a display, a charging generator, a battery, connectors, data storage means, etc.

[0009] According to the prior art, electronic components are usually distributed in all parts of the eyeglasses, both inside the front body and inside the temples.

[0010] Generally, known types of glasses, whether stereo or non-stereo, have at least part of the electronics housed inside the front body, in particular the signal transmission wiring or charge supply.

[0011] Furthermore, in the known type of spectacles, the electronic components present in the two temples are different, perform different tasks and therefore have different energy consumption.

[0012] In these glasses, the dimensions, design and aesthetic appearance are therefore greatly influenced by the presence of electronic components: in particular, the front body must have suitable dimensions and shape to allow the correct operation of the electronic components.

[0013] These limitations make the known type of electronic spectacles entirely unsuitable for use in the fashion industry, where, as already mentioned, there is a strong need to have spectacles with almost unique shapes and sizes.

[0014] Moreover, also in the fashion sector, the same manufacturers generally have to modify the design of their products very quickly, which for known types of stereo glasses entails the need to redesign the electronic components every time there is a design change, with obvious inconveniences in terms of costs and time for every model of glasses.

[0015] Another drawback of the known type of spectacles is that the presence of electronic components makes them unbalanced, which leads to a total loss of wearing comfort. In particular, the known type of spectacles often have a weight that is unbalanced towards the front body or towards one temple.

[0016] Moreover, the fact that the temples have different energy consumptions leads to premature exhaustion of one of the two batteries if the temples are each powered independently by a battery. To eliminate this drawback, background art stereo glasses may use a single battery body that powers both temples and is housed in the front body together with various wiring, resulting in further increased weight and size of said front body. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0017] The goal of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the background art mentioned above and to devise glasses capable of providing sound reproduction and at the same time being suitable for use in the fashion sector, offering great versatility in design with regard to shape and size.

[0018] Within this goal, it is an object of the present invention to provide eyeglasses whose aesthetic design is modifiable without the need to redesign the electronic components.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of glasses which avoids the premature depletion of one battery relative to another.

[0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide eyeglasses that are well balanced and comfortable to wear.

[0021] A particular object of the present invention is to provide eyeglasses that are easy to provide and economically competitive when compared to the background art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0022] This goal, these objectives, and others which will become more apparent from the following, are directed to a pair of glasses having sound reproduction capabilities, a front body adapted to hold at least one lens and having a first horizontal end and a second horizontal end to which a first temple and a second temple are respectively connected for securing the spectacles to a user's head; a plurality of electronic components including at least one audio driver; This is achieved by a pair of glasses which at least allows the glasses to be worn by a user and can be configured in an open state in which a first temple and a second temple are arranged substantially parallel to each other and at an appropriate angle to the front body, and which is characterized in that the electronic components are housed only inside the two temples.

[0023] Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a pair of stereo glasses, given by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the attached drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of glasses according to the invention, with the temples separated from the front body; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first possible embodiment of glasses according to the invention in association with an external source device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view of a portion of a temple housing electronic components of eyeglasses according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second possible embodiment of glasses according to the invention in association with an external source device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] With reference to the drawings, a pair of spectacles according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, comprises a front body 20 suitable for holding at least one lens 30 and comprising a first horizontal end 21a and a second horizontal end 21b to which a first temple 40a and a single second temple 40b, respectively, are connected for fixing the spectacles 10 on the head of a user.

[0026] The front body 20 may have any shape and size depending on requirements and design preferences, as will be made clearer below.

[0027] Lenses 30 are preferably two, one for each eye, although it is also possible to provide glasses in accordance with the invention characterized by a single contour lens covering both eyes.

[0028] Moreover, the lens 30 can be of any type known in the art, both protective and corrective lenses.

[0029] In the embodiment shown, the temples 40a, 40b are of a type commonly used in commercially available eyeglasses, i.e., characterized by a proximal portion adjacent the front body that is substantially straight, and a distal portion that is slightly arched to rest comfortably on the ear, however, temples having more unusual shapes may be used in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] The temples 40a, 40b are connected to the two horizontal ends 21a, 21b of the front body 20 by one of the known methods, for example by the use of hinges that allow the temples 40a, 40b to rotate 90° and pass from the open position to the folded position.

[0031] The eyeglasses may therefore be configured in at least an open state in which the temples 40a, 40b are arranged substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front body 20 while allowing the eyeglasses to be worn by a user, and preferably also in a closed state in which the temples 40a, 40b are folded and lie substantially parallel to the front body 20.

[0032] According to an optional and advantageous feature, the temples 40a, 40b are connected to the front body 20 such that they are easily connectable and disconnectable, allowing a user to easily replace the temples 40a, 40b and / or the front body 20.

[0033] The glasses further comprise a number of electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b, including at least one audio driver 53a, 53b.

[0034] The audio drivers 53a, 53b may be of any type known in the art, such as, for example, conventional expanders or voltage drivers that use the walls and internal structure of the temples 40a, 40b as speaker enclosures.

[0035] Preferably, the audio drivers 53a, 53b are a pair of drivers or a group of stereo drivers, there may be three, for example, for each temple, two tweeters and one woofer.

[0036] The glasses according to the invention further comprise electronic components, not shown in the drawings, which in the background art are required for the operation of at least the audio drivers 53a, 53b, such as one or more voltage sources 51a, 51b, preferably constituted by rechargeable batteries, audio amplifiers and microchips, or means for the electrical connection of the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b.

[0037] The glasses 10 according to the invention may optionally comprise other electronic components for the performance of additional functions, such as connectors, data storage means, displays, transmission means, etc.

[0038] According to the present invention, since the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, and 53b are accommodated only inside the two temples 40a and 40b, the front body 20 does not include any electronic components.

[0039] Indeed, according to the invention, all the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b are located inside the temples 40a, 40b.

[0040] In this embodiment, the front body 20 is completely free of configuration limitations imposed by the presence of the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b and can therefore be provided with almost any other shape and size. Furthermore, the absence of electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b in the front body 20 has the advantage of avoiding imbalance of the spectacles 10 towards the front part.

[0041] Preferably, at least one audio driver 53a, 53b and at least one voltage source 51a, 51b are housed within each temple 40a, 40b.

[0042] Advantageously, the audio drivers 53a, 53b are located in the portions of the temples 40a, 40b that are adjacent the wearer's ears when the glasses 10 are worn.

[0043] The electronic components may be located in one or more cavities suitably provided in the temples 40a, 40b or may be directly integrated into said temples, depending on the configuration chosen.

[0044] Advantageously, the two temples 40a, 40b have substantially the same weight and the same volume.

[0045] This result can be achieved by inserting asymmetric decorative elements on the temples, such as logos and / or decorations, or by using materials with different densities, such as polymers with different fillers or balancing elements specifically designed to compensate for the imbalance.

[0046] Alternatively, when the electronic components are lighter than the plastic material that surrounds them, it may be necessary to create appropriate pores.

[0047] In this manner, the eyeglasses 10 are free of imbalances that may affect the correct fit.

[0048] Preferably, at least one wireless transmitting and / or receiving means 52a, 52b is also housed inside each of the two temples 40a, 40b, said wireless transmitting and / or receiving means 52a, 52b enabling at least communication between said two temples 40a, 40b.

[0049] Communication between the two temples consists at least in the exchange of audio signals in digital or analog form.

[0050] Advantageously, this communication occurs in a manner that allows distribution of the audio signal on various synchronous channels.

[0051] Preferably, one temple 40a performs the master function and the other temple 40b performs the slave function.

[0052] Advantageously, the glasses 10 according to the invention may also be equipped with one or more microphones. In the preferred embodiment shown, at least one of the temples 40a, 40b is capable of communicating by said wireless transmitting and / or receiving means 52a, 52b with an external source device S, such as for example a smartphone or an audio playback device equipped with wireless technology or a tablet.

[0053] The communication between the external source device S and the at least one temple 40a, 40b consists in the exchange of audio signals at least in digital form.

[0054] Advantageously, this communication occurs in a manner that allows distribution of the audio signal on various synchronous channels.

[0055] In a first possible embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, an external source device S communicates with a first temple 40a, which in turn communicates with a second temple 40b.

[0056] Indeed, in this first embodiment, an audio signal is transmitted from an external source device S to the first temple 40a and from there to the second temple 40b.

[0057] In a second possible embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, each of the two temples 40a, 40b is capable of communicating independently with an external source device S by means of said at least one wireless transmitting and / or receiving means 52a, 52b.

[0058] Advantageously, in this second embodiment, the independent communication between the external source device S and each temple 40a, 40b consists in the exchange of audio signals at least in digital form.

[0059] Advantageously, these communications occur in a manner that allows distribution of the audio signals on various synchronous channels.

[0060] Preferably, the external source device S also has telephone capabilities and is preferably a smartphone. In this case, the glasses 10 according to the invention make it possible to answer at least a telephone call received by said external source device S, by means of one of the technical solutions well known in the art.

[0061] According to an optional and advantageous feature, the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b are distributed between the two temples 40a, 40b so that the energy consumption of the two temples 40a, 40b is substantially equal.

[0062] In fact, the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b, including those not shown, are distributed between the first temple 40a and the second temple 40b, so that the total energy consumption of the electronic components 51a, 52a, 53a (including those not shown) housed in the first temple is substantially equal to the total energy consumption of the electronic components 51b, 52b, 53b (including those not shown) housed in the second temple 40b.

[0063] The expression "energy consumption of temple 40a (or 40b)" is in fact understood as the sum of the power consumptions of all electronic components 51a, 52a, 53a (or 51b, 52b, 53b) housed in said temple 40a (or 40b).

[0064] In this manner, it is possible to prevent one of the temples 40a, 40b, each preferably powered by an independent battery, from depleting its charge faster than the other.

[0065] As an alternative or in addition to the technical solutions mentioned above, the glasses 10 according to the invention may comprise a computer system that manages the operation of the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b so that the energy consumption of the two temples 40a, 40b is substantially equal. For example, it is possible to distribute the workload in different ways depending on the case of use, for example mono sound in the case of a telephone call or stereo in the case of music.

[0066] Such a computer system is constituted, for example, by software regulating the work of the electronic components 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b by an electronic device controlling the operation of at least some of the electronic components so that the total electrical consumption of the electronic components 51a, 52a, 53a housed in the first temple 40a is substantially equal to the total electrical consumption of the electronic components 51b, 52b, 53b housed in the second temple 40b.

[0067] Also, in order to obtain a substantially equal energy consumption of the two temples 40a, 40b, each temple 40a, 40b may contain additional electronic components that can be activated when required.

[0068] Indeed, it has been found that the spectacles according to the invention achieve their intended goals and objectives, being suitable for use in the fashion sector and offering wide versatility in design with regard to shapes and sizes.

[0069] Another advantage of glasses according to the invention is that they allow for changes in aesthetic design without the need to redesign the electronics.

[0070] A further advantage of the spectacles according to the invention is that they can have a lightweight front body with any shape.

[0071] Another advantage of the glasses according to the invention is that they avoid premature draining of one of the batteries.

[0072] Another advantage of the glasses according to the invention is that they are well balanced and comfortable to wear.

[0073] A further advantage of the glasses according to the invention is that they are easy to provide and economically competitive when compared to the background art.

[0074] The conceived eyeglasses are thus susceptible to innumerable modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0075] All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In fact, the materials used can be of any shape and size, depending on the requirements and state of the art, as long as they are compatible with the particular use.

[0076] In conclusion, the scope of protection of the claims should not be limited by the illustrative or preferred embodiments set out in the description by way of example, but rather the claims should comprise all the patent novel features of the present invention, including all features that may be treated as equivalents by a person skilled in the art.

[0077] Where technical features recited in the claims are followed by reference signs, these reference signs are included merely for the purpose of making the claims more understandable, and do not have a limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by the embodiments according to such reference signs.

Claims

1. A pair of glasses (10) with a sound reproduction function, a front body (20) suitable for holding at least one lens (30) and having a first horizontal end (21a) and a second horizontal end (21b) to which a first temple (40a) and a second temple (40b) are respectively connected for fixing said spectacles (10) on a user's head; a plurality of electronic components (51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b) including at least one audio driver (53a, 53b); the eyeglasses (10) are configurable in at least an open state that allows the eyeglasses to be worn by a user and in which the first temple (40a) and the second temple (40b) are arranged substantially parallel to each other and at an appropriate angle to the front body (20), and the electronic components (51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b) are accommodated only inside the two temples (40a, 40b); A pair of spectacles (10), further comprising a computer system for managing the work of said electronic components (51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b) so that the energy consumption of the two temples (40a, 40b) is substantially equal.

2. 2. The eyeglasses (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one audio driver (53a, 53b) and at least one voltage source (51a, 51b) which are components of the electronic components are housed inside each of the temples (40a, 40b).

3. 2. The eyeglasses (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one wireless transmitting and / or receiving means (52a, 52b) is also housed inside each of said temples (40a, 40b), said at least one wireless transmitting and / or receiving means (52a, 52b) enabling communication between at least two of said temples (40a, 40b).

4. The spectacles (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the two temples (40a, 40b) is capable of communicating with an external source device (S) by means of said wireless transmitting and / or receiving means (52a, 52b).

5. 5. The eyeglasses (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the two temples (40a, 40b) is capable of communicating independently with an external source device (S) by means of the at least one wireless transmitting and / or receiving means (52a, 52b).

6. The glasses (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one microphone.

7. 5. The glasses (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the external source device (S) also functions as a telephone, enabling the glasses to answer at least telephone calls received by the external source device (S).

8. 5. The glasses (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the audio drivers (53a, 53b) are a pair of stereo drivers and communication between the two temples (40a, 40b) and / or between at least one temple (40a) and the external source device (S) occurs in such a way as to enable distribution of audio signals in various synchronous channels.

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