WO2014204916A1

WO2014204916A1 - Systems and method for wearable items that are audio responsive

Info

Publication number: WO2014204916A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/042662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harrison HERNDON; Nicolas Brendan CATE
Original assignee: Dropshades Eyewear, Llc
Priority date: 2013-06-17
Filing date: 2014-06-17
Publication date: 2014-12-24

Abstract

The embodiments provide wearable technology that outputs a visually aesthetic display, such as a light show. The embodiments may be implemented in various wearable items, such as clothing, jewelry, footwear, headwear, eyewear, and the like, that are responsive to audio stimulus and/or signals to provide an optical aesthetic display. The optical display may be based on flexible lighting, such as electroluminescent wire, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the like. The light show may comprise various sequences, patterns, images, and/or text.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR WEARABLE ITEMS THAT ARE AUDIO

RESPONSIVE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application

Serial No. 61/835,885, filed June 17, 2013, entitled "AUDIO RESPONSIVE EYEGLASSES," and is related to U.S. Design Application 29/395,719, filed March 16, 201 2, entitled "EYEGLASSES WITH SPACED ORNAMENTAL HORIZONTAL BARS," which are both herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wearable technology, and more specifically, wearable items, such as clothing, hats, eyewear, sunglasses, and the like, that incorporate audio responsive technology, such as lighting.

BACKGROUND

Wearable technology or fashion electronics are clothing and accessories that incorporate electronics. Unfortunately, most wearable technology is neither aesthetically pleasing nor practical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary view of one embodiment of the present invention implemented as a set of eyeglasses;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary view of a compartment in an arm of the set of eyeglasses;

FIG. 4 shows exemplary views of an alternative embodiment; and FIG. 5 shows an exemplary audio processing circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments relate to wearable technology. The embodiments may be implemented in various wearable items, such as clothing, jewelry, footwear, headwear, eyewear, and the like, that are responsive to audio stimulus and/or signals to provide an optical aesthetic display. The optical display may be based on flexible lighting, such as electroluminescent wire, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the like.

In addition, in some embodiments, the items may be networked together to coordinate their display while in the same audio environment based on WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. Furthermore, the wearable items may comprise various electronics to control their operation. In some

embodiments, a processor installed within the item may control the wearable item. In other embodiments, the wearable item may be controlled remotely, for example, via a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, etc.

For example, one embodiment may be wearable eyeglasses that are responsive to audio (i.e., sound waves) they receive from the surrounding environment. More specifically, the eyeglasses disclosed herein are equipped with audio response of technology that enables electroluminescent wire on the eyeglasses to light and perform a "light show" according to the frequency of the sounds, such as music, received by a microphone on the eyeglasses. Because the eyeglasses are responsive to the frequency of the audio they receive, they are capable of functioning at generally any intensity level (e.g., varying decibel levels of external sound waves.

Certain embodiments of the inventions will now be described. These embodiments are presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. For example, an exemplary embodiment for an external disk drive is illustrated and described below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the enclosure of the present invention may be adapted for use with any form of external drive. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. To illustrate some of the embodiments, reference will now be made to the figures. For purposes of illustration, an exemplary embodiment as audio responsive eyewear will now be provided. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that

embodiments may relate to any type of wearable item.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the eyeglasses 100 may comprise a frame 1 02, one or more microphones 104, audio processing circuitry 106, a power source 108, and one or more electroluminescent wires 1 10. The framing generally be in the shape of typical eyeglasses, but may be formed in any type of color and style eyeglasses desirable. The frame 102 may be constructed from known materials such as partially plastic, metal, or any other material.

The microphone 104 provided on the frame 102 senses the audio environment and provides an audio signal to the audio processing circuitry 106.

The lighting source for the eyeglasses 100 may be provided from the one or more electroluminescent wires 1 1 0. The luminescent wires 1 10 may be placed anywhere on the frame 102 to provide a visual display. The wires 1 10 may be employed on or around the frame 102. In one embodiment, the electroluminescent wires 1 10 maybe placed across the one area where the lenses of the glasses would be located. The embodiments may output any type of visually perceptible display, such as different patterns or sequences of lights, different colors, images, text, etc.

In some embodiments, a plurality of luminous wires 1 1 0 maybe used across one or both areas of the lens. In one embodiment, the

electroluminescent wires 1 10 maybe horizontally disposed across the lens area of the frame 102. In other embodiments, wires 1 1 0 maybe vertically disposed across the lens area, or may be disposed in various directions, such as diagonally disposed across the lens area of the frame 102. The electroluminescent wires 1 10 maybe diagonally disposed in one direction, for example, from lower left to upper right across one lens area while diagonally disposed in a different direction, for example, from upper left to Laura right across the other ones area. Still further, when multiple wires 1 10 are used, one or more of the electroluminescent wires emit different colors. Any color or color schemes maybe employed in the embodiments by the wires 1 10. In some

embodiments, the color scheme of the wires 1 10 may be programmatic or programmable by the user if desired, for example, via a control switch or via another device, such as smartphone running an interface application connected to the audio processing circuitry 106.

The power source 108 provides electrical power to the components of the eyeglasses 100. The power source 108 may be batteries, such as watch batteries, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 , the power source 108 may be integrated into the frame 102, such as one or more arms of the frame 102.

The audio processing circuitry 106 processes the audio signal from the microphone 104 and controls the display of the wires 1 10. In one

embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the audio processing circuitry 106 may be integrated into the frame 102, such as in a compartment of an arm of the frame 101 . In some embodiments, the audio processing circuitry 1 06 may be all or partially located inside the same arm of the frame 102. An exemplary compartment is shown with reference to FIG. 3.

In one embodiment, the audio processing circuitry 1 06 may be located in one of the arms, while the power source 108 may be located in the other arm. In yet another embodiment, the power source 108 and the audio circuitry 106 may be located apart from the frame of the eyeglasses 100. As shown in FIG. 1 , the microphone 104 may be located in the front of the left arm of the eyeglasses.

In other embodiments, the microphone 104 maybe inside of the frame

102, and located between the eyeholes. In other embodiments, the microphone 104 maybe on the side of the arms of the frame 102. In other embodiments, separate microphones 104 may be placed on one or more locations of the frame 102.

In the embodiments, the eyeglasses 1 00 may or may not include lenses. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of eyeglasses 100 with tinted lenses or lenses. In embodiments where lenses are included, the lenses may be prescription, to obviate the need to wear their own eyeglasses or contacts. In other embodiments, the eyeglasses 100 may be sized large enough to fit over a user's other eyewear.

As shown, the eyeholes of the frame 102 may comprise various supports of any number. The eyeholes of the frame 102 may include horizontal supports, such as six horizontal sports across each eyehole. In some embodiments, the wires 1 10 may be implemented within or on tope of the supports. Alternatively, the horizontal members may simply be the wires 1 10 alone, and in such embodiments no support bars are included.

Alternatively, the horizontal supports may be sized equal to the diameter of electronics wires 100, thus the support bars are hidden behind the wires. In such embodiments, the wearer may be protected from seeing the light from the wires 1 10 when the eyeglasses 100 are in operation. Moreover, the supports may provide structural support for the wires 1 1 0 to prevent bending an/or deformation. Of course, the number supports may differ as desired, no limitation to a specific number supports intended or should be implied.

The number of wires 1 10 may be designed to allow the wearer to see out of the eyeholes of the eyeglasses 1 1 0. The number of supports, or the size the supports, can be used to create more or less visibility through the negative space.

In the embodiments, the electroluminescent wires 1 10 are not limited in their color and types of display possible. For example, all the wires 1 1 0 on the front eyeglasses may be of the same color. However, in other

embodiments, the wires 1 10 may illuminate in different colors and in different sequences, for example, when lighting from bottom to top. Additionally, the wires 1 10 maybe constructed such that each wire is capable of illuminating in different colors when driven by the audio processing circuitry 106, based on sound wave frequency.

The embodiments may use any type of lighting. For example, either electroluminescent wire or LED wires may be used alone or in combination. Alternatively, frosted or internally reflective plastic tubing meeting may be employed to maximize brightness across length of the wires 1 10, while simultaneously assisting in blocking light from being shown to the wearer's eyes, whether support bars are used or not.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of one of the arms for the frame

eyeglasses 100 and showing a compartment to contain the audio processing circuitry 106 and/or power source 108. As shown, the arm may comprise an open space for housing, for example battery for power source the power source components, or even the audio processing circuitry. A removable cover (not shown) may be provided for placement over the opening.

Figure 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of audio responsive eyeglasses 200 constructed in accordance with the principals of the present invention. In this embodiment, the illumination elements, such as wires 1 1 0, are again included over horizontal support members extending across the isles of the frame similar to the embodiments disclosed FIGs. 1 and 2 above.

However, in this embodiment, the arms and frame 102 provided is much thinner. In such embodiments, the arms of the frame may still include the power source, audio processing circuitry, and other useful components for the audio response eyeglasses, that have been manufactured to a smaller scale.

Alternatively, if needed, the power source, processing circuitry, and any other components may be located outside the frame of the eyeglasses. In some embodiments, the microphone may be provided at a central location of the frame, e.g., between the eyeholes and proximate to the brow area frame.

Of course, as mentioned above, the microphone maybe located anywhere on or about the frame.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the illumination wires 1 1 0 or other elements may have any orientation, such as horizontal, diagonal, and the like.

Figure 5 illustrates a circuit diagram for example the audio processing circuitry 106 for use with the disclosed eyeglasses. Although specific components and circuit layout is illustrated in circuit diagram shown, those skilled in the art understand the different components and/or layouts may be used in the embodiments. For example, the audio processing circuitry 1 06 may comprise various electrical components, an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like. In addition, the processing circuitry 106 may comprise various communication interfaces, such as a wireless interface, an auxiliary input, a USB interface, and the like. Thus, the audio processing circuitry 106 may communicate with other items, for example, via a network.

In one embodiment, the audio processing circuitry 1 06 is implemented as a microcontroller. Other embodiments may also include any number of microcontrollers or other types of processors as a solution for each desired application.

Because locations where the eyeglasses are likely to be used, such as in concerts, the audio processing circuitry 106 may automatically compensate for different acoustic levels to avoid saturation. Thus, the light display can respond to a wide range of decibel intensities. In addition, the processing circuitry 106 may be configured to respond to different frequencies of sound. By being responsive to the frequency and/or loudness, the eyeglasses can be responsive in virtually any acoustic environment. Thus, the light displayed may be able to fully cascade up and down in loud environments and also in quieter environments. This includes the ability to respond to the volume of a voice talking in a quiet room and also the availability to respond to different intensities when used at a very loud environment, such as in a concert.

Furthermore, the audio processing circuitry may also be designed to be responsive to decibel levels as well as sound wave frequency. For example, while the lights of the eyeglasses may operate as programmed in response to the frequency of the received sound waves, the lights may be further programmed to respond brighter, yet in the same type of light show or display, based on the loudness of the sound received. Alternatively, the circuitry may alter the type of response displayed by the wires 1 10 based on decibel or frequency of the sounds. For example, a particular type of light show by wires 1 10 (e.g., lighting up and down across the eyeholes of the eyeglasses 1 00) may be provided by the frequencies received, while different colors may be displayed during the same light show based on the loudness and/or frequency of the sound received.

In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism, such as a wheel, switch, etc., may be provided that allows the user to adjust the amount of intensity that the microphone 104 senses. This adjustment mechanism may be useful to calibrate the light display for different frequencies and/or decibel levels. For example, if the eyeglasses are being used in a music

environment, the adjustment may be used to determine the sensitivity of the response to bass or treble frequencies. Such adjustment may apply regardless of the loudness. Additionally, a separate adjustment provided may allow users to adjust the circuitry according to the loudness of environment.

In other embodiments, manual adjustment is not needed, instead, circuitry 106 may comprise one or more components or sensors that sense the frequency and/or volume of the sound waves received, and automatically calibrate the microphone 104 to react appropriately to such levels. In one embodiment, the processing circuitry 106 is self-adjusting to the type of sound music received (for example, heavy bass notes versus higher pitch musical notes) and/or the loudness of the sound. Such adjustments call, whether manual or automatic, allows the wearable item to react in a visually appealing manner in response to the pitch, frequency, loudness or type of music or other sound waves been received by the eyeglasses.

While the above description contains many specific details, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplary description of the embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible, as indicated in the additional embodiments described.

The disclosure provided herein describes examples of some

embodiments of the invention. Designs, figures, and description are non- limiting examples of some embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments of the system may or may not include the features disclosed herein.

Moreover, disclosed advantages and benefits may apply to only some embodiments of the invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

Further, certain implementations of the functionality of the present disclosure are sufficiently mathematically, computationally, or technically complex that application-specific hardware or one or more physical computing devices (utilizing appropriate executable instructions) may be necessary to perform the functionality, for example, due to the volume or complexity of the calculations involved or to provide results substantially in real-time.

Any processes, blocks, states, steps, or functionalities in flow diagrams described herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should be understood as potentially representing code modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific functions (e.g., logical or arithmetical) or steps in the process. The various processes, blocks, states, steps, or functionalities can be combined, rearranged, added to, deleted from, modified, or otherwise changed from the illustrative examples provided herein. In some embodiments, additional or different computing systems or code modules may perform some or all of the functionalities described herein. The methods and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate, for example, in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner.

Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described herein is for illustrative purposes and should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations. It should be understood that the described program components, methods, and systems can generally be integrated together in a single component or packaged into multiple products. Many implementation variations are possible.

The processes, methods, and systems of the embodiments may be implemented in a network (or distributed) computing environment. For example, an audio responsive circuit may comprise a network connection and communicate with other audio responsive circuits or other items to coordinate the response or for other purposes. Network environments include enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), personal area networks (PAN), cloud computing networks, crowd-sourced computing networks, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. The network may be a wired or a wireless network or any other type of communication network. The various elements, features and processes described herein may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. Further, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, element, component,

characteristic, step, module, method, process, task, or block is necessary or indispensable. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements or components may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed examples.

As used herein any reference to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application are to be construed to mean "one or more" or "at least one" unless specified otherwise.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are open-ended terms and intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "at least one of: A, B, or C" is intended to cover: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A, B, and C. Conjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y and Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be at least one of X, Y or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y and at least one of Z to each be present.

The foregoing disclosure, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments, applications, and use cases. However, the illustrative discussions herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventions to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the inventions and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

The features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure provides certain embodiments and applications, other

embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments, which do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be defined only by reference to the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . An audio responsive pair of eyeglasses configured to provide an illuminating display in response to receiving sound waves, the eyeglasses comprising:

a frame comprising a frontal facing structure providing two eyeholes therethrough, and two arms extending from the frontal facing structure configured to rest on or around ears of the wearer of the eyeglasses;

a plurality of illuminating members connected to at least a portion of the frame, at least one illuminating member extending across each of the eyeholes;

a microphone configured to receive sound waves from an environment of the eyeglasses; and

audio processing circuitry connected to the microphone and configured to illuminate the plurality of illuminating members in accordance with frequency of the sound waves received by the microphone.

2. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , wherein the audio processing circuitry is enclosed within a portion of the frame.

3. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , wherein the audio processing circuitry is enclosed within at least one of the arms.

4. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply configured to power the audio processing circuitry and the plurality of illuminating members.

5. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 4, wherein the power supply is enclosed within a portion of the frame.

6. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 4, wherein the power supply is enclosed within at least one of the arms.

7. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , wherein the audio processing circuitry illuminates the plurality of illuminating members across each eyehole in a cascading manner.

8. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of illuminating members comprises electroluminescent wires.

9. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of illuminating members comprise light emitting diodes.

10. The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , wherein the audio processing circuitry controls a brightness of the illumination of the plurality of illuminating members based on a decibel level of the sound waves received by the microphone.

1 1 . The audio responsive eyeglasses of claim 1 , further comprising a manual adjustment for controlling a brightness of the plurality of illuminating members.