US20050242771A1 - Method and apparatus for recharging eyeglasses - Google Patents

Abstract

An eyeglass recharger is disclosed, whereby a pair of eyeglass frames may be placed into an eyeglass case, thereby making an electric connection and charging a battery attached to the pair of eyeglass frames.

Description

• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/566,464 filed Apr. 30, 2004. U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/566,464 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to the field of vision correction, more particularly to a method and system for recharging eyeglasses via an eyeglass case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• With the advent of electro-active and electro-chromic lenses, and eyeglasses that contain a visual display, there is a need for a convenient way to recharge batteries that provides power to these various new generations of eyewear.
• An embodiment of the present invention is to use the eyeglass case as a recharger. In this embodiment, the eyeglass case may contain a recharging element and a plug that allows for the eyeglass case to be plugged into an electrical socket each evening or however often the user elects to recharge their eyewear. Thus, the present invention solves the need for a compact and convenient way for a wearer of eyeglasses to recharge them.
• Aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof as shown in the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a compact and convenient system for recharging eyeglasses.
• FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of eyeglass frames adapted for use with a eyeglass case recharger.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a compact and convenient system for recharging eyeglasses. In this embodiment, theeyeglass case10 may contain acharging system30 and anelectrical cord50 that may be plugged into any electrical outlet. Many users may prefer to plug their eyeglasses in to charge them at night, while they are sleeping, because it is convenient. However, the user may recharge their eyeglasses at any time of the day or night.
• Eyeglass case10 may be of numerous shapes or sizes, ideally slightly larger that the eyeglasses they house. InFIG. 1,eyeglass case10 is a clam-shell design, withhinges20 along one side of theeyeglass case10.Eyeglass case10 may have protrudingelectrodes40 adapted to make surface contact with charging electrodes on a pair of eyeglasses placed intoeyeglass case10. Other embodiments of the present invention include making contact between theeyeglass case10 and charging electrodes on the eyeglasses with a male/female connector.
• Theeyeglass case10 may also contain acharging system30 capable of providing electrical charge to a battery, such as is routinely used to charge many small appliances such as phones, electric shavers, drills, etc. Thecharging system30 may either be connected to an electrical current charger or an electrical inductive charging system. These electrical current chargers and electrical inductive charging systems are well known to those skilled in the art.
• Moreover, theeyeglass case10 may have a plug connection in its sides capable of receiving a receptacle pug attached toelectrical cord50. The other end ofelectrical cord50 may be connected to a common electrical outlet plug for inserting into a wall receptacle.
• FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment ofeyeglass frame60 adapted for use with theeyeglass case10 recharger shown inFIG. 1.Eyeglass frame60 may be connected to chargingelectrodes70, such that wheneyeglass frame60 is placed within theeyeglass case10,charging electrodes70 make contact with protrudingelectrodes40.Battery80, capable of storing an electrical charge, may be connected toeyeglass frame60.Battery80 may also provide power to electro-active lenses contained withineyeglass frame60. In another embodiment of the present invention,eyeglass frame60 may contain electro-chromic lenses.
• The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims. Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of a particular implementation in a particular environment for a particular purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as disclosed herein.

Claims (18)

1. A method for recharging eyeglasses, comprising:

placing an eyeglass frame into an eyeglass case; and

making a connection between the eyeglass frame and the eyeglass case; and

charging a battery.

2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

indicating the eyeglass frame is charging.

3. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

indicating the eyeglass frame is fully charged.

4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the eyeglass frame holds an electro-active lens.

5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the eyeglass frame holds an electro-chromic lens.

6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the connection between the eyeglass frame and the eyeglass case is a protruding electrode.

7. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the connection between the eyeglass frame and the eyeglass case is a male/female connector.

6. A system for recharging eyeglasses comprising:

a means for making an electric connection between an eyeglass frame and a eyeglass case; and

a means for charging a battery.

7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein the means for making an electrical connection comprises an inductive loop.

8. The system ofclaim 6 further comprising:

a means for indicating that the battery is charging.

9. The system ofclaim 6 further comprising:

a means for indicating that the battery is fully charged.

10. An eyeglass recharger, comprising:

an eyeglass case disposed to hold a pair of eyeglasses;

an electric connection between the eyeglass case and the pair of eyeglasses;

a rechargeable battery attached to the pair of eyeglasses; and

a charging mechanism disposed to provide an electric charge to the rechargeable battery.

11. The eyeglass recharger ofclaim 10 wherein the electric connection comprises an inductive loop.

12. The eyeglass recharger ofclaim 10 wherein the electric connection is a protruding electrode.

13. The eyeglass recharger ofclaim 10 wherein the electric connection is a male/female connector.

14. The eyeglass recharger ofclaim 10 wherein the charging mechanism is an electrical cord adapted to be connected to an electrical outlet.

15. The eyeglass recharger ofclaim 10 further comprising a mechanism capable of indicating that the battery is charging.

16. The eyeglass recharger ofclaim 10 further comprising a mechanism capable of indicating that the battery is fully charged.

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