Case for head-mounted devices

Abstract

A case (1) for head-mounted devices, comprising a case body (2) which is provided, on a surface thereof, with an electrochromic display (3).

Description

[0001] CASE FOR HEAD-MOUNTED DEVICES

[0002] The present invention relates to a case for head-mounted devices.

[0003] With the term “head-mounted device” reference is made for example to electronic eyeglasses and to all those devices that are worn on the head of the user and need to be recharged.

[0004] As is known, the term electronic eyeglasses refers to electronic eyeglasses, electrochromic eyeglasses and in general all eyeglasses that have electronic functionality.

[0005] Electronic eyeglasses are generally rechargeable, by placing them in their special case and connecting a connector on the casing to the mains electricity supply.

[0006] This solution enables the user to recharge the eyeglasses with simplicity and to use them substantially anywhere, by bringing just the case and the mains connecting cable with them.

[0007] Eyeglasses cases for electronic eyeglasses are known which have an LCD display that makes it possible to display various information about the eyeglasses, for example the charge status and the like.

[0008] Eyeglasses case solutions are also known which have LEDs to provide the above information.

[0009] A drawback of such solutions with LEDs or LCDs is that LCD displays are not flexible, have a relatively high energy consumption and are not easily legible under conditions of intense brightness.

[0010] All this means that eyeglasses cases with LCD or LED displays are not satisfactory from the point of view of use.

[0011] The aim of the present invention is to provide a case for headmounted devices in which the display can constitute a form of smart tag on the casing proper, in order to display animated logos and / or useful information for the user about the eyeglasses contained in the case.

[0012] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a case for head-mounted devices in which the display can be flexible and readable even under conditions of intense brightness.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a case for headmounted devices that has a display that consumes relatively little energy.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a case headmounted devices that is highly reliable, is easily and practically implemented, and at low cost.

[0015] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a case for head-mounted devices, comprising a case body, characterized in that said case body is provided on a surface thereof with an electrochromic display.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the case for head-mounted devices according to the present invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the case for head-mounted devices according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is a detailed view of the display of the case.

[0019] With reference to the figures, the case for head-mounted devices, according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , comprises a case body 2 which can be made of leather, plastic, bio-plastic or similar materials, known in the state of the art for the realization of cases, with which a display 3 is associated of the electrochemical (EC) type.

[0020] The display 3 makes it possible to display animated logos, information about the electronic eyeglasses contained in the case and being charged in it, etc.

[0021] The EC display 3 is of flexible type in that it is a flexible film that therefore defines a form of smart tag applied to the case body 2. In this manner the EC display 3 can closely follow the shape of the eyeglasses case, ensure good legibility under direct sunlight, and low energy consumption.

[0022] The EC display 3 is connected by connecting wires 4 to an electronic board 5 which is accommodated inside the body 2 of the eyeglasses case.

[0023] The electronic board 5 supports a connector 6 for example of the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) type, into which the EC display 3 is plugged. The connecting wires 4 can be located either on the side of the EC display 3 or behind it.

[0024] The ZIF connector can be substituted by conductive glue and / or tape in order to further reduce costs, the thickness of the assembly and to be substantially invisible for the user.

[0025] The electronic board 5 is provided with a driver which provides current to the segments of the EC display 3 so as to be able to switch them on or off.

[0026] The driver is managed by a microcontroller 7 arranged on the electronic board 5.

[0027] The microcontroller 7 fully manages the display of images on the EC display 3.

[0028] The microcontroller 7 can be provided with a radio module for receiving commands or status information from a nearby device such as for example a cellular telephone or the electronic eyeglasses proper, and can also be provided with sensors such as an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a brightness sensor, a UV sensor etc. in order, for example, to switch off the EC display 3 when no movement is detected, in order to conserve battery power.

[0029] The electronic board 5 is powered in fact by a battery or other similar power storage which can be recharged for example by way of a USB-C connector or other means which can be integrated in the eyeglasses case, such as for example a mini solar panel.

[0030] The EC display 3 is accommodated for example in a window 10 in the the plastic of the inner structure of the body 2 and the outer layer of leather of the body 2.

[0031] Given that the EC display 3 is flexible, there can be many other options for coupling it to the body 2 of the case, for example non-active areas of the display could be sewn to the case.

[0032] Alternatively, the EC display 3 could be glued on the outer surface of the body 2 of the case, while the control electronics, i.e. the electronic board and all its components, can be kept inside the body 2.

[0033] In practice it has been found that the case for head-mounted devices according to the present invention fully achieves the set aim and objects, in that it makes it possible to have an EC display that defines a smart tag of the case, so that the display can display animated logos, information useful to the user such as battery status, Bluetooth coupling mode, on / off status and the like.

[0034] The EC display is by its nature flexible and this enables it to adapt perfectly to the shape of the body of the eyeglasses case.

[0035] Furthermore, the EC display can be read under conditions of intense brightness.

[0036] The case thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0037] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0038] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

[0039] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000017809 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A case (1) for head-mounted devices, comprising a case body (2), characterized in that said case body (2) is provided on a surface thereof with an electrochromic display (3).

2. The case according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrochromic display (3) defines a smart tag on the case body (2) of the case (1).

3. The case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said electrochromic display (3) is connected to an electronic board (5) by way of connecting wires (4).

4. The case according to claim 3, characterized in that said electronic board (5) comprises a driver and a microcontroller (7), said driver being adapted to drive segments of said electrochromic display (3) in order to switch them on and / or off.

5. The case according to claim 4, characterized in that said microcontroller (7) of the electronic board (5) is equipped with a radio module for receiving commands or status information from devices nearby.

6. The case according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electrochromic display (3) is accommodated in a window (10) defined on said case body (2) of the case (1), said electrochromic display (3) being attached using adhesive from the inside.

7. The case according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a battery to power said electronic board (5).

8. The case according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said microcontroller (7) is provided with sensors chosen from one or more of an accelerometer, temperature sensors, light sensors, UV sensors and the like.

9. The case according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wires (4) connecting said electrochromic display(3) to said electronic board (5) are arranged on the side of said electrochromic display (3).

10. The case according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wires (4) connecting said electrochromic display (3) to said electronic board (5) are arranged on the back of said electrochromic display (3).

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