GB2272073A

GB2272073A - Spectacle frame with a radio and alarm clock

Info

Publication number: GB2272073A
Application number: GB9222625A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hak Ngai Howard Ko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-28
Filing date: 1992-10-28
Publication date: 1994-05-04
Also published as: GB9222625D0; JPH06281893A; AU5035193A

Abstract

A pair of spectacles is provided in which the various basic components of a radio are mounted together with an automatic frequency tuning device 22 which is operable by touch. A pair of spectacles is also provided in which the basic various components of a radio are mounted together with an alarm clock 31. Power may be supplied by batteries 30 or a solar cell in which case a sliding door 35 can open to catch the suns rays. Power and volume switch 26 and headphone plug 28 are shown. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO A RADIO This invention relates to an improvement in a radio, and in particular transportation of a radio by its user.

Ordinary radios, when they need to be used by a user on the move have to be carried by a user. Portable radios are also known, which have to be clipped to the waist belt of the user when moving.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a pair of spectacles is provided in which the various basic components of a radio are mounted together, an automatic frequency tuning device which is operable by touch.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pair of spectacles is provided in which the basic various components of a radio are mounted together with an alarm clock.

Such arrangements are particularly advantageous in that the radio can be easily transported by a user without the hassle of having to either physically carry by hand the radio, or to attach the radio of the waist belt of the user. Furthermore, the automatic frequency tuning touch function is advantageous in that it is easy to operate, whilst the alarm clock function is advantageous in that it will provide a reminder function to the spectacle user, for instance a reminder of the start of a favourite programme on the radio.

Suitably the main components of the radio are mounted within the two arms of the spectacles, whereby externally the spectacles will look no different from ordinary spectacles other than a few small buttons. Suitably one arm of the radio carries the power supply in the form of batteries, whilst the other arm carries the integrated circuit for the radio together with the channel selector, power and volume switch, receiver and headphone plug.

Preferably, the various components of the radio are mounted on the spectacles such that the pair of spectacles is properly balanced on the user's head during use. In this regard, the positioning of a component at a particular point on the pair of spectacles is relevant. Furthermore, one or more extra weights (which may be in the form of another feature eg alarm device) may be provided on the pair of spectacles to balance the weight thereof.

Suitably the arms of the spectacles are connected by a power cable in order to provide power from the batteries to the rest of the radio. Preferably, the power cable extends between the inner ends of the arms through the frame of the spectacles.

Alternatively, the power cable extends between the outer ends of the arms such that the cable also acts as a retaining means for the spectacles, whereby when the spectacles are removed from the head, the spectacles can be supported around the neck of the user.

Suitably the arrangement can be used with ordinary spectacles or with sunglasses.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the right side view of the spectacles with radio in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows the left side view of the spectacles of Figure 1; Figure 3 is the front view from above of the spectacles of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is the plan view of the spectacles of Figure 1.

In the drawings, a combined hi-fi radio and spectacle unit 10 is shown comprising a pair of spectacles having two arms 12 and 14 interconnected via a frame portion 16 of the spectacles which mount the eyeglasses 18 and 20.

On the right side arm 12 of the spectacles (see Figure 1), an integrated circuit 21 for the radio, a channel selector in the form of an automatic frequency tuning touch button 22, a power and volume switch 26 and a headphone plug 28 are mounted.

On the left side arm 14 of the spectacles (see Figure 2), a power supply for the radio in the form of batteries 30 are mounted together with an alarm clock 31 and associated setting button 33. Suitably the batteries 30 are rechargeable button cells or a solar cell. If a solar cell is used, the spectacle unit also has a sliding door 35 which can open to catch the sun's rays in order to power the solar cell. The batteries 30 power both the radio and the alarm clock 31.

The various components of the radio are mounted on the spectacles 10 such that the spectacles are properly balanced on the user's head during use. In particular, the various components are positioned at particular points on the arms 12 and 14 in order to obtain proper balancing. In an arrangement not shown, extra weight (eg in the form of an alarm device) may be provided on the spectacles in order to achieve better balancing.

The two arms 12 and 14 are interconnected by a power cable (not shown) passing through the frame portion 16 via the inner ends of the two arms in order to provide power from the batteries 30 to the other components of the batteries mounted on the other arm.

Alternatively in an arrangement not shown the cable can extend between the outer ends of the arms 12 and 14, and in this arrangement the cable also acts as a means to retain the combined radio and spectacle unit 20 around the neck of the user, when the combined radio and glasses is removed from the head.

In another arrangement now shown, the headphone plug 28 is replaced by two small speaker earpieces, one connected by a cable to the outer end of the arm 12, and the other being connected by a cable to the outer end of the arm 14.

Suitably the eyeglasses 18 and 20 of the spectacle unit 20 are either prescription (for users with long or short sightedness) or sunglasses.

Such an arrangement is simple yet effective in that a radio can be transported with little effort, and without hassle, and in particular without having to be carried everywhere, and such overcomes the problems of prior art arrangements. Furthermore, the arrangement externally looks like ordinary spectacles, save for a few small buttons.

Claims

1. A pair of spectacles wherein the various basic components of a radio are mounted therewith, the arrangement including an automatic frequency tuning device which is operable by touch.

2. A pair of spectacles wherein the basic various components of a radio are mounted therewith together with an alarm clock.

3. A pair of spectacles as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the main components of the radio are mounted within the two arms of the spectacles.

4. A pair of spectacles as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one arm of the spectacles carries a power supply in the form of batteries.

5. A pair of spectacles as claimed in claim 4 wherein the other arm carries the integrated circuit for the radio together with the channel selector, power and volume switch, receiver and headphone plug.

6. A pair of spectacles as claimed in claim 5 wherein the arms of the spectacles are connected by a power cable in order to provide power from the power supply to the rest of the radio.

7. A pair of spectacles as claimed in claim 6 wherein the power cable extends between the inner ends of the arms through the frame of the spectacles.

8. A pair of spectacles as claimed in claim 6 wherein the power cable extends between the outer ends of the arms.

9. A pair of spectacles as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the various components of the radio are mounted on the spectacles such that the pair of spectacles is weight balanced.

10. A pair of spectacles as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more extra weights may be provided on the pair of spectacles to balance the weight thereof.

11. A pair of spectacles as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arrangement can be used with ordinary spectacles or with sunglasses.