COMPUTERIZED REPLACEMENT TEMPLE FOR STANDARD EYEWEAR
In various embodiments, a computerized eyewear retrofit kit comprises a replacement temple configured to replace a temple of a pair of eyewear. The replacement temple comprises an elongated body having a first end configured to attach the replacement temple to the eyewear, at least one of a first group of one or more sensors coupled to the elongated body or a second group of one or more sensors configured to couple to a frame of the standard pair of eyewear. The at least one of the first or second group of sensors are for sensing at least one of a physiological characteristic of the wearer or an environmental characteristic associated with the wearer. The eyewear retrofit kit also comprises at least one processor and a power source that are operatively coupled to at least one of the first group or the second group of the one or more sensors.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/046,406, filed Sep. 5, 2014, entitled, “Wearable Health Computer Apparatus, Systems, and Related Methods,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDIt has become increasingly important to monitor the health and activities of individuals. Accordingly, there is a need for improved devices that make monitoring these aspects of an individual easier and more convenient. Various embodiments of the present computerized replacement temple recognize and address the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art devices.
SUMMARYA computerized eyewear temple, according to various embodiments, comprises an elongated body having (1) a first end comprising a coupling configured to retrofit to at least a portion of a hinge of a standard pair of eyewear and (2) a second end that defines an earpiece configured to support the temple on a wearer's ear. The computerized eyewear temple has one or more sensors coupled to the elongated body. At least one processor is operatively coupled to the one or more sensors and a power source is operatively coupled to the at least one processor and the one or more sensors. The one or more sensors further comprises at least one sensor selected from a group consisting of: (1) a motion sensor; (2) an accelerometer; (3) a gyroscope; (4) a geomagnetic sensor; (5) a global positioning system sensor; (6) an impact sensor; (7) a pedometer; (8) a thermometer; (9) a microphone; (10) a front-facing camera; (11) an eye-facing camera; (12) a heart rate monitor; (13) an electrocardiogram; (14) a pulse oximeter; (15) a blood alcohol monitor; (16) an olfactory sensor; (17) a respiratory rate sensor; and (18) a transdermal sensor, where at least one of the one or more sensors is embedded into the elongated body. The one or more sensors may be configured to detect: (1) a physiological characteristic associated with the wearer of the computerized eyewear temple and/or (2) a characteristic of the environment surrounding the wearer of the computerized eyewear temple.
In particular embodiments, the computerized temple may further include one or more user interfaces for communicating with a wearer of the computerized temple. For example, the computerized temple may include one or more speakers, microphones, displays, and/or other user interface devices that are operatively coupled to facilitate the transfer of information between the wearer of the temple and the temple's one or more processors (e.g., while the wearer is wearing the temple).
According to various embodiments, a computerized eyewear retrofit kit comprises a computerized temple comprising an elongated body having a first end configured to couple to at least a portion of a frame of a standard pair of eyewear and a second end that defines an earpiece configured to support the temple on an ear of the wearer of the standard pair of eyewear (or portion of the eyewear) when the computerized temple is coupled to the frame. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit has one or more sensors operatively coupled to the elongated body. At least one processor is operatively coupled to the one or more sensors. A power source is operatively coupled to the at least one processor and at least one of the one or more sensors. In various embodiments, at least one brow bar is configured to couple to at least a portion of the frame of the standard pair of eyewear. The at least one brow bar may have one or more brow bar sensors operatively coupled (e.g., physically or wirelessly coupled) to the at least one brow bar and to the at least one processor. At least one of the one or more sensors or the one or more brow bar sensors is configured to detect at least one of a physiological characteristic or an environmental characteristic associated with the wearer of the computerized eyewear retrofit kit.
A computerized eyewear retrofit kit, according to various embodiments, comprises a replacement temple that is configured to replace a temple of a standard pair of eyewear, the replacement temple comprising an elongated body having a first end comprising a coupling that is configured to attach the replacement temple to the standard pair of eyewear. The eyewear retrofit kit may further comprise at least one of: (1) a first group of one or more sensors coupled to the elongated body; or (2) a second group of one or more sensors configured to couple to a frame of the standard pair of eyewear and to sense at least one of a physiological characteristic of the wearer and/or an environmental characteristic associated with the wearer (either collectively or individually). In various embodiments, at least one processor is operatively coupled to the at least one of the first group or the second group of one or more sensors. A power source is operatively coupled to the at least one processor and to the at least one of the first group or the second group of one or more sensors.
Various embodiments of a computerized replacement temple for assessing a user's health and activities are described below. In the course of this description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein:
Various embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
EyewearAs shown in
Eyewear Frame
Referring still to
The eyewear frame 108 includes a first nose pad 122 and a second nose pad 124, which may be configured to maintain the eyewear 100 adjacent the front of a wearer's face such that the lenses 118, 120 are positioned substantially in front of the wearer's eyes while the wearer is wearing the eyewear 100. In particular embodiments, the nose pads 122, 124 may comprise a material that is configured to be comfortable when worn by the wearer (e.g., rubber, polymer, etc.). In other embodiments, the nose pads 122, 124 may include any other suitable material (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.). In still other embodiments, the nose pads 122, 124 may be integrally formed with the frame 108 and made from the same material as the eyewear frame 108.
The eyewear frame 108 includes a first connection receiving end 112 that attaches the computerized temple 102 to the frame first end 110, and a second connection receiving end 128 that attaches the second temple 114 to the frame second end 116. In various embodiments, the connection receiving ends 112, 128 may be releasably coupled to the computerized temple 102 and the second temple 114, respectively, by any suitable connection (e.g., tongue and groove, ball and socket, spring hinge, friction fit, screw, spring loaded ball and catch, spring loaded pin and catch, spring tab and catch, etc.). In particular embodiments, the first and second connection receiving ends 112, 128 may be welded to, or integrally formed with, the eyewear frame 108.
Computerized Temple
As shown in
Referring to
Referring again to
As a further example, the at least one processor 132 and the power source 134 may be embedded into the computerized temple 102. In some such embodiments, at least one of the one or more sensors 130 may be embedded or coupled to the computerized temple 102, another of the one or more sensors 130 may be coupled to the frame 108, and still another of the one or more sensors 130 may be operatively coupled to the nose piece 122 (
In particular embodiments, the computerized temple 102 may further include one or more user interfaces for communicating with a wearer of the computerized temple 102. For example, the computerized temple 102 may include one or more speakers, microphones, displays, and/or other user interface devices that are operatively coupled to facilitate the transfer of information between the wearer of the temple and the temple's one or more processors (e.g., while the wearer is wearing the temple). The computerized temple 102 may further include one or more wireless communications devices (e.g., a Bluetooth chip, a near field communications chip, or a cellular communications chip) for facilitating communication between the computerized temple and one or more remote computing devices (e.g., a central server or the wearer's handheld computing device, laptop computer, etc. . . . ).
In various embodiments, the one or more sensors 130, the at least one processor 132, and the power source 134 may be formed in any shape. In particular embodiments, the one or more sensors 130, the at least one processor 132, and the power source 134 may be formed on the inner (back) surface of the frame 108, the computerized temple 102, the second temple 414, the first and second lenses 118, 120, or any other portion of the eyewear 100. In other embodiments, the one or more sensors 130 may be formed on the outer (front) surface of the frame 108, the computerized temple 102, the second temple 414, the first and second lenses 118, 120, or any other portion of the eyewear 100.
Sensors
Referring again to
The one or more sensors 130 may include, for example: (1) one or more heart rate monitors; (2) one or more electrocardiograms (EKG); (3) one or more electroencephalograms (EEG); (4) one or more pedometers; (5) one or more thermometers; (6) one or more transdermal sensors; (7) one or more front-facing cameras; (8) one or more eye-facing cameras; (9) one or more microphones; (10) one or more accelerometers; (11) one or more blood pressure sensors; (12) one or more pulse oximeters; (13) one or more respiratory rate sensors; (14) one or more blood alcohol concentration (BAC) sensors; (15) one or more near-field communication sensors; (16) one or more motion sensors; (17) one or more gyroscopes; (18) one or more geomagnetic sensors; (19) one or more global positioning system sensors; (20) one or more impact sensors; (21) one or more wireless communication sensors (e.g., a Bluetooth chip); (22) one or more tear sensors; (23) one or more olfactory sensors; and/or (24) any other suitable one or more sensors. In particular embodiments, the one or more sensors comprise a pulse oximeter, a front-facing camera, an eye-facing camera, an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
In particular embodiments, the one or more sensors 130 are configured to gather data, for example, about the wearer such as the wearer's heart rate, heart electrical activity, brain electrical activity, transdermal activity, tear composition, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, respiratory rate, perspiration level, or blood alcohol concentration and transmit a signal representative of the data to the at least one processor 132. In various embodiments, the one or more sensors 130 are configured to gather data about the distance traveled by the wearer, the steps taken by the wearer, the acceleration of the wearer, or an impact sustained by the wearer. The one or more sensors 130, in particular embodiments, may also be configured to gather data such as one or more images, one or more sounds, one or more near-field communications, one or more motions, or one or more GPS locations. In various embodiments, the one or more sensors 130 are configured to, for example, store the gathered data and transmit the data (e.g., a signal representative of the data) to the at least one processor, which may analyze the data and determine information based on the gathered data. The information may be: (1) provided to one or more medical professionals, for example, to aid in the diagnosis and/or treatment of the wearer; (2) used to predict one or more medical issues associated with the wearer (e.g., the illness or death of the user); and/or (3) used by a third party to take any other suitable action based at least in part on the information.
In particular embodiments, the system is configured to receive input from a user (e.g., a wearer of the eyewear) via one or more gestures, for example, using at least one of the sensors described immediately above. In various embodiments, the system may, for example, be configured to: (1) identify a gesture performed by the user; and (2) at least partially in response to identifying the gesture, perform a function associated with the gesture. In particular embodiments, the system may be configured to perform a particular function in response to identifying a particular gesture, where the particular gesture is associated with the particular function. In particular embodiments, the system may be configured to enable the user to provide one or more gestures for performing a particular function. In such embodiments, the system may, for example: (1) receive a selection of a particular function from the user; (2) receive input of one or more gestures from the user; and (3) associate the particular function with the one or more gestures.
In various embodiments, the one or more gestures may include, for example: (1) one or more hand gestures (e.g., a thumbs up, a wave, two thumbs up, holding up any particular number of fingers, making one or more fists, performing a particular movement with one or more hands, etc.); (2) one or more head movements (e.g., shaking of the user's head, a nod, etc.); (3) one or more eye movements (e.g., looking in a particular direction for a particular period of time, a wink, blinking, blinking in a particular pattern, etc.); (4) one or more facial movements (e.g., a smile, a frown, sticking out of a tongue, etc.); and/or (5) any suitable combination of these or any other suitable gestures.
In particular embodiments, the system is configured to identify the one or more gestures, for example, using a suitable imaging device (e.g., a camera) that is part of the system. In particular embodiments, the imaging device may be directed toward an area in front of the user while the user is wearing the eyewear 100 and configured to identify gestures performed by the user's hands, arms, feet, legs, etc. In other embodiments, the system may include an imaging device directed toward the user's face and/or eyes while the user is wearing the eyewear 100 that is configured to identify gestures performed by the user's face and/or eyes. In other embodiments, the system comprises one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers configured to determine a position or change in position of the eyewear 100 while the user is wearing the eyewear. In such embodiments, the one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers are configured to identify one or more gestures performed by the user that include one or more gestures that include movement of the user's head. In still other embodiments, the system comprises one or more gyroscopes and/or one or more accelerometers disposed on any other portion of the user's body configured to identify any gesture performed by the user using the other portion of the user's body (e.g., arm, hand, leg, foot, etc.). In various embodiments, the system comprises any other suitable sensor for identifying one or more gestures performed by the user.
Second Temple
In various embodiments, the second temple 114 substantially mirrors the shape of the computerized temple 102. Thus, for purposes of ease of understanding and clarity, only certain parts will be discussed to highlight the differences in the structure and operation of the embodiment shown in
The second temple hinge connection 206 is adapted to be releasably coupled to the eyewear frame second connection receiving end 128 by any suitable second hinge connection 204 (e.g., ball and socket hinge connection, friction fit hinge, screw hinge, spring loaded ball and catch hinge, spring loaded pin and catch hinge, or spring tab and catch hinge). Thus, the second temple 114 is releasably coupled to the eyewear frame 108 at the eyewear frame second end 116 by the coupling of the second hinge connection receiving end 128 to the second temple hinge connection 206 at the second hinge connection 204. Similar to the computerized temple 102, for each of the different hinge connections, the second hinge connection receiving end 128 and the second temple hinge connection 206 are formed by complimentary hinge connections 204. For instance, where the second hinge connection receiving end 128 is a screw hinge, the second temple hinge connection 206 may also be a screw hinge.
EXEMPLARY USEIn various embodiments, a wearer may wear prescription eyewear to correct for nearsightedness or farsightedness. In this example, the prescription eyewear comprises a standard frame with a standard two-prong screw hinge connecting a first standard temple and a second standard temple to the standard frame. The user may remove the first standard temple from a first end of the standard frame by unscrewing the screw connecting the first and second hinge portions. The user may then attach a computerized temple 102 with a three-prong standard screw hinge to the standard frame by aligning the three-prong hinge portion of the computerized temple 102 with the two-prong hinge portion of the standard frame. The computerized temple 102 includes a sensor for measuring the wearer's heart rate when the wear the temple.
In order to attach the computerized temple to the standard frame, the user may insert the screw and tighten it so that: (1) the computerized temple is coupled to the standard eyewear to enable the eyewear to be worn by the wearer; and (2) when the eyewear is worn by the wearer, the sensor is in a suitable position to actively measure the wearer's heart rate. In this instance, the wearer places the retrofitted eyewear on the wearer's head. While wearing the retrofitted eyewear, the user may, for example, have their heart rate monitored. The computerized temple sends the heart rate information via Bluetooth to the wearer's mobile device for use by an application running on the wearer's mobile device. Such an application may, for example, generate an alert to the wearer when the wearer's heart rate exceeds a predetermined threshold heart rate (e.g., while the wearer is exercising).
In various embodiments, the one or more sensors 130 may comprise at least one sensor coupled to the computerized temple 102 and a second sensor configured to attach to the frame 108. In this instance, the wearer attaches the second sensor to the frame 108 prior to wearing the retrofitted eyewear.
Alternate Embodiments Second Temple with SensorsThe eyewear frame 306 may be a standard eyewear frame already owned by the wearer. Similar to the eyewear 100 shown in
Similar to the eyewear 100 of
Similar to the eyewear found in
Eyewear Frame with Sensors
Similar to the eyewear 100 shown in
Similar to the eyewear 100 of
In various embodiments, the second group of one or more sensors 412 may be formed at any point along the eyewear frame 402. For instance, a temperature sensor may be disposed adjacent the inner (back) surface of the eyewear frame first end 408 so that the temperature sensor is positioned proximate to the wearer's ear. In various embodiments, the one or more sensors 412 may be formed in any shape. Additionally, the second group of one or more sensors 412 may be formed on, or attached to, the outer (front) surface of the eyewear frame 402. In particular embodiments, the first and second group of one or more sensors 418, 412 may be operatively coupled to the at least one processor 420. In some embodiments, the power source 422 is operatively coupled to the at least one processor 420 and to at least one of the first group of one or more sensors 418 and/or the second group of one or more sensors 412. In yet other embodiments, the first group of one or more sensors 418 may be coupled to the power source 422, and the second group of one or more sensors 412 may be coupled to an alternative power source (e.g., a solar power source, etc.)
Nose Pad with Sensors
The eyewear frame 502 is a standard eyewear frame. Similar to the eyewear 100 shown in
Similar to the eyewear 100 of
Detachable Eye-Facing Camera
The eyewear frame 602 is a standard eyewear frame having a first end 610, a second end 612, a first lens 614, and a second lens 616. In various embodiments, the detachable eye-facing camera may be releasably coupled to the eyewear frame 602 using any suitable connection (e.g., friction fit, clip-on, detent connection, screws, etc.). In particular embodiments, the detachable eye-facing camera 608 may be configured to clip on to any portion of the eyewear frame 602. In some embodiments, the eye-facing camera may be configured to attach to one of the computerized temple 604, a hinge of the eyewear 618, or the eyewear frame 602.
In various embodiments, the detachable eye-facing camera 608 is configured to enable the wearer of the eyewear 600 to capture one or more images (e.g., video images, still images, etc.), for example, using the computerized temple 604. In particular embodiments, the detachable eye-facing camera 608 is configured to capture one or more images of the wearer's face and eyes. In other embodiments, the detachable eye-facing camera 608 is configured to be turned 180 degrees to capture one or more images of the wearer's surroundings. Images of the wearer's eyes may be used by the at least one processor to measure the wearer's pupil size and determine one or more physiological characteristics associated with the wearer.
Replacement Brow Bar with Sensors
The eyewear frame 702 has a first end 714, a second end 716 and a standard eyewear brow bar 718 positioned there between. In various embodiments, the eyewear frame 702 has a first nose piece 732 and a second nose piece 734. The replacement brow bar 708 is adapted to be releasably coupled to the eyewear frame standard eyewear brow bar 718 by any suitable connection 710 (e.g., friction-fit, detent, spring loaded ball and catch, spring loaded pin and catch, etc.). Thus, the replacement brow bar 708 is releasably coupled to the eyewear frame 702 at the standard eyewear brow bar 718 by coupling of the replacement brow bar 708 to the standard eyewear brow bar 718 at the brow bar connection 710. In various embodiments, the replacement brow bar 708 is slidably mounted to the standard eyewear brow bar 718 between the frame first end 714 and the frame second end 716 using a tongue and groove relationship between the replacement brow bar 708 (e.g., a groove formed therein) and the standard eyewear brow bar 718 (e.g., forming the tongue). For example, a groove (not shown) may run the length of the replacement brow bar 708 such that when the standard eyewear brow bar 718 is slid into the replacement brow bar groove, the replacement brow bar 708 retains the standard eyewear brow bar 718.
Similar to the eyewear frame 702, the replacement brow bar 708 has a first end 720 and a second end 722. In various embodiments, the replacement brow bar 708 may be made of any suitable material such as one or more metals, metal alloys, ceramics, polymers or any combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the replacement brow bar 708 may be formed from any suitable brow bar (e.g., a double brow bar, a single brow bar, a pair of single brow bars, a plurality of brow bars etc.). In various embodiments, the replacement brow bar 708 is at least one brow bar. In some such embodiments, the replacement brow bar 708 includes one or more brow bar sensors 712 that are similar to the sensors described in the retrofitted eyewear 100 of
Similar to the retrofitted eyewear 100 of
In particular embodiments, the replacement brow bar 708 may include a second power source 724 to which the brow bar sensors 712 are operatively coupled. In various embodiments, the second power source 724 may be coupled to the replacement brow bar 708 in any suitable way. For instance, the second power source 724 may be embedded into the replacement brow bar 708, coupled to the replacement brow bar 708, and/or operatively coupled to the replacement brow bar 708. In particular embodiments, the second power source 724 is operatively coupled to the computerized temple 704. In other embodiments, the second power source 724 is directly coupled to the computerized temple 704. In various embodiments, the second power source 724 may be formed at any point along the replacement brow bar 708 and/or the computerized temple 704. For instance, the second power source 724 may be disposed adjacent the replacement brow bar first end 720. In various embodiments, the second power source 724 may be formed in any shape. In addition, the second power source 724 may be formed on the inner (back) surface or the outer (front) surface of the replacement brow bar 708. In various embodiments, the second power source 724 may be any suitable power source (e.g., battery, solar-power, micro-electronic power source, etc.). In particular embodiments, the second power source is a solar power source. In various embodiments, a power source line (not shown) couples the replacement brow bar 708 to the first power source 730 so that the first power source 730 powers the brow bar sensors 712. In other embodiments, the second power source 724 is configured to power one or more sensors coupled to the eyewear frame 702, such as the one or more sensors 726 coupled to the first nose piece 732 and/or the second nose piece 734.
Retrofit Kit
In various embodiments, any one of the components discussed above may be combined with one or more of the other components to form any suitable retrofit kit for retrofitting a computerized temple that includes one or more of a first and/or second group of one or more sensors to a standard pair of eyewear. The retrofit kit may further include one or more additional components beyond just the computerized temple and, for example, suitable instructions and hardware for connecting the computerized temple to one or more components of a standard (e.g., non-computerized) set of eyewear.
For instance, a retrofit computerized eyewear kit may include the computerized temple 102 of
An exemplary computer device 820 includes a processing device 802, a main memory 804 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), etc.), a static memory 806 (e.g., flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), and a data storage device 818, which communicate with each other via a bus 832.
The processing device 802 represents one or more general-purpose or specific processing devices such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or the like. More particularly, the processing device 802 may be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or processor implementing other instruction sets, or processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processing device 802 may also be one or more special-purpose processing devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), network processor, or the like. The processing device 802 may be configured to execute processing logic 826 for performing various operations and steps discussed herein.
The computing device 820 may further include a network interface device 808. The computing device 820 may also include a video display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alpha-numeric input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g., a mouse), and a signal generation device 816 (e.g., a speaker).
The data storage device 818 may include a non-transitory computing device-accessible storage medium 830 (also known as a non-transitory computing device-readable storage medium, a non-transitory computing device-readable medium, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium) on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 822) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The one or more sets of instructions may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 804 and/or within the processing device 802 during execution thereof by the computing device 820—the main memory 804 and the processing device 802 also constituting computing device-accessible storage media. The one or more sets of instructions may further be transmitted or received over a network 815 via a network interface device 808.
While the computing device-accessible storage medium 830 is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “computing device-accessible storage medium” should be understood to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “computing device-accessible storage medium” should also be understood to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the computing device and that causes the computing device to include any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term “computing device-accessible storage medium” should accordingly be understood to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, etc.
CONCLUSIONMany modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, as will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field in light of this disclosure, the invention may take form in a variety of different mechanical and operational configurations. For example, the computerized eyewear temple described in these embodiments may include any other suitable eyewear temple for eyewear, such as, for example, ski or swim goggles, sunglasses, safety goggles or glasses, etc. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that the modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended exemplary concepts. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation.
Claims
1. A computerized eyewear temple comprising:
- a. an elongated body having: i. a first end comprising a coupling that is configured to retrofit to at least a portion of a hinge of a standard pair of eyewear; and ii. a second end that defines an earpiece that is configured to support the temple on a wearer's ear;
- b. one or more sensors coupled to the elongated body;
- c. at least one processor operatively coupled to the one or more sensors; and
- d. a power source operatively coupled to the at least one processor and the one or more sensors,
- wherein: i. the one or more sensors further comprises at least one sensor selected from a group consisting of: (a) a motion sensor; (b) an accelerometer; (c) a gyroscope; (d) a geomagnetic sensor; (e) a global positioning system sensor; (f) an impact sensor; (g) a pedometer; (h) a thermometer; (i) a microphone; (j) a front-facing camera; (k) an eye-facing camera; (l) a heart rate monitor; (m) an electrocardiogram, (n) a pulse oximeter; (o) a blood alcohol monitor; (p) an olfactory sensor; (q) a respiratory rate sensor; and (r) a transdermal sensor; ii. at least one of the one or more sensors is embedded into the elongated body; iii. the one or more sensors are configured to detect a physiological characteristic associated with the wearer of the computerized eyewear temple; and iv. the one or more sensors are configured to detect a characteristic of the environment surrounding the wearer of the computerized eyewear temple.
2. The computerized eyewear temple of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is configured to attach to one of the elongated body or a frame of the standard pair of eyewear.
3. The computerized eyewear temple of claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is an eye-facing camera that attaches to one of the elongated body, a hinge of the eyewear frame, or the frame of the standard pair of eyewear.
4. The computerized eyewear temple of claim 1, wherein:
- a. the physiological characteristic is selected from a group consisting of: i. a heart rate; ii. a respiratory rate; iii. the wearer's brainwave activity; iv. a gait pattern of the wearer; v. a head position of the wearer; vi. a speed of the wearer; and vii. a movement pattern of the wearer.
- b. the characteristic of the environment is selected from a group consisting of: i. the wearer's location; ii. a medicine that the wearer is preparing to take; iii. a food that the wearer is preparing to eat; iv. an amount of ultraviolet light that the wearer is subjected to; v. a smell of an item close to the wearer; vi. a proximity of the wearer to an object; and vii. an identity of an object associated with the wearer.
5. The computerized eyewear temple of claim 1, wherein the coupling is selected from a group consisting of:
- a. a friction fit;
- b. a screw;
- c. a spring loaded ball and catch;
- d. a spring loaded pin and catch; and
- e. a spring tab and catch.
6. The computerized eyewear temple of claim 5, wherein the coupling further comprises a cavity that opens to at least the first end of the elongated body, wherein:
- a. the cavity is configured to receive the at least a portion of the hinge; and
- b. the temple is releasably secured to the at least a portion of the hinge by a press-fit.
7. The computerized eyewear temple of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a pulse oximeter, a front-facing camera, an eye-facing camera, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.
8. A computerized eyewear retrofit kit comprising:
- a. a computerized temple comprising an elongated body having: i. a first end configured to couple to at least a portion of a frame of a standard pair of eyewear; and ii. a second end that defines an earpiece configured to support the temple on an ear of the wearer of the standard pair of eyewear when the computerized temple is coupled to the frame;
- b. one or more sensors operatively coupled to the elongated body;
- c. at least one processor operatively coupled to the one or more sensors;
- d. a power source operatively coupled to the at least one processor and at least one of the one or more sensors; and
- e. at least one brow bar that is configured to couple to at least a portion of the frame of the standard pair of eyewear,
- wherein: the at least one brow bar has one or more brow bar sensors operatively coupled to the at least one brow bar, the one or more brow bar sensors are operatively coupled to the at least one processor, at least one of the one or more sensors or the one or more brow bar sensors is configured to detect at least one of a physiological characteristic or an environmental characteristic associated with the wearer of the computerized eyewear retrofit kit.
9. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 8, wherein the one or more sensors or the one or more brow bar sensors are sensors selected from a group consisting of:
- a. a motion sensor;
- b. an accelerometer;
- c. a gyroscope;
- d. a geomagnetic sensor;
- e. a global positioning system sensor;
- f. an impact sensor;
- g. a pedometer,
- h. a thermometer;
- i. a microphone;
- j. a front-facing camera;
- k. an eye-facing camera;
- l. a heart rate monitor;
- m. an electrocardiogram;
- n. a pulse oximeter;
- o. a blood alcohol monitor;
- p. an olfactory sensor;
- q. a respiratory rate sensor; and
- r. a transdermal sensor.
10. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 9, wherein
- a. the one or more sensors further comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope; and
- b. the one or more brow bar sensors further comprises an eye-facing camera.
11. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer and gyroscope are embedded into the elongated body, and the eye-facing camera is operatively coupled to the at least one brow bar.
12. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 10, wherein the eye-facing camera is hardwired to the at least one processor.
13. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 8, further comprising one or more sensors that are coupled to one or more nose pieces.
14. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 13, where the one or more sensors that are coupled to one or more nose pieces are selected from a group consisting of:
- a. a transdermal sensor;
- b. a blood pressure monitor;
- c. a hear rate monitor;
- d. an electrocardiogram;
- e. a pulse oximeter; and
- f. an olfactory sensor.
15. The computerized eyewear retrofit of claim 14, wherein the one or more sensors that are coupled to the one or more nose pieces are hardwired to the at least one processor.
16. A computerized eyewear retrofit kit comprising:
- a. a replacement temple that is configured to replace a temple of a standard pair of eyewear, the replacement temple comprising an elongated body having a first end comprising a coupling that is configured to attach the replacement temple to the standard pair of eyewear;
- b. at least one of: i. a first group of one or more sensors coupled to the elongated body for sensing at least one of a physiological characteristic of the wearer or an environmental characteristic associated with the wearer; or ii. a second group of one or more sensors configured to couple to a frame of the standard pair of eyewear, wherein the second group of one or more sensors sense at least one of a physiological characteristic of the wearer or an environmental characteristic associated with the wearer;
- c. at least one processor operatively coupled to the at least one of the first group or the second group of one or more sensors; and
- d. a power source operatively coupled to the at least one processor and to the at least one of the first group or the second group of one or more sensors.
17. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 16, further comprising one or more brow bars that are configured to couple to a top portion of the frame, wherein the second group of one or more sensors are operatively coupled to the one or more brow bars.
18. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 17, wherein the one or more brow bars further comprise a second power source configured to power the second group of one or more sensors.
19. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 18, wherein the second power source is a solar power source.
20. The computerized eyewear retrofit kit of claim 16, wherein the second group of one or more sensors is configured to couple to a portion of the frame selected from a group consisting of:
- a. one or more nose pieces of the frame;
- b. a rim of the frame;
- c. a hinge of the frame; and
- d. a second temple of the standard pair of eyewear.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 30, 2015
Publication Date: Mar 10, 2016
Inventors: Jay William Sales (Citrus Heights, CA), Richard Chester Klosinski, Jr. (Sacramento, CA), Matthew Allen Workman (Sacramento, CA), Meghan Kathleen Murphy (Davis, CA), Matthew David Steen (Sacramento, CA)
Application Number: 14/610,628