Method of Integrating an Electronic Device Into an Eyeglass Frame, and Electronic Glasses

Abstract

Example embodiments relate to methods of integrating an electronic device into an eyeglass frame, and electronic glasses. One example set of electronic glasses is configured to be provided with at least one electro-optical component formed by an electro-active lens. The electronic glasses include an eyeglass frame that includes a first temple and a second temple, which include a first front temple part and a second front temple part, respectively. The electronic glasses also include a front part. The front part includes a left eyepiece for a left electro-active lens, a right eyepiece for a right electro-active lens, a bridge connecting the left and right eyepieces, and a groove. In addition, the electronic glasses include an electronic device. The electronic glasses further include a flexible cable arranged in the groove. Additionally, the electronic glasses include closure measures that include a sealing element.

Claims

1-50. (canceled)

51. Electronic glasses configured to be provided with at least one electro-optical component formed by an electro-active lens, the electronic glasses comprising: an eyeglass frame comprising: a first temple and a second temple, wherein the first and second temple comprise respectively a first front temple part and a second front temple part, wherein one end of each of the first front temple part and the second front temple part is attached to a side of the front part, wherein the first and second temple comprise respectively a first rear temple part and a second rear temple part, and wherein the first front temple part comprises a first cavity and the second front temple part comprises a second cavity; and a front part comprising a left eyepiece for a left electro-active lens, a right eyepiece for a right electro-active lens, a bridge connecting the left and right eyepieces, and a groove extending over substantially the whole length of the front part between the first cavity of the first front temple part and a second cavity of a second front temple part, wherein the other ends of the first and second front temple parts are attached to the respective rear temple parts in such a way that the front temple parts and rear temple parts are movable with respect to each other; an electronic device comprising a first device part arranged at least partially in the first cavity, a second device part arranged at least partially in the second cavity, a flexible cable configured to provide an electrical connection between the first device part and the second device part, and at least one connector suitable for providing an electrical connection between the electronic device and the at least one electro-active lens; a flexible cable arranged in the groove, wherein the groove comprised of a first, second and third groove part, wherein the second groove part is arranged in an inward face of the bridge, and wherein the first groove part and third groove part are respectively arranged in the radially inwardly directed circumferential surfaces of the left eyepiece and the right eyepiece; and closure means comprising a sealing element arranged in the second groove part to ensure that the electronic device is enclosed in such a way that it is substantially protected from moisture intrusion or other contamination.

52. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein if an electro-active lens comprises connection points provided at its radially outwardly directed circumferential surfaces, then the connector is arranged to directly contact the connection points, for instance by placement of the connector directly on top of the connection points of the associated electro-active lens.

53. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the closure means comprise a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing is arranged to enclose the first device part and is fastened at least partially in the first cavity, preferably using a snap-fit connection, and wherein the second housing is arranged to enclose second device part and is fastened in second cavity, preferably using a snap-fit connection.

54. The electronic glasses of claim 53, further comprising electrical wires integrated into the flexible cable so as to provide a supply voltage from the first device part, for instance a battery, inside the first housing to the second device part, for instance a controller, in the opposite second housing and to provide control signals for controlling the left and right electro-active lenses from the second device part in the second housing to respective connections points in the respective electro-active lenses.

55. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the sealing element is at least partially made of a flexible material and/or wherein the sealing element is at least partially made of compressible material and/or elastic material.

56. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the flexible cable is configured to be arranged in the first cavity, the groove and the second cavity in order to provide an electrical connection between the first and second device parts of the electronic device.

57. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the first front temple part and the second front temple part are fixedly attached on either side of the front part, and/or wherein the front part, the first front temple part and the second front temple part are embodied as a single element, preferably manufactured by injection molding, milling, or 3D printing, and/or wherein the section of the frame comprising the front part, the first front temple part and the second front temple part includes a plurality of elements fixedly connected to each other, preferably by welding, gluing, or heating and pressing and/or wherein the connections between the front temple parts and the respective rear temple parts are hinged connections.

58. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the frame comprises, for each eyepiece fitted with a lens comprising an electro-optical component, a passage from the cavity of the first and the second cavity closest to this lens, to the edge of this lens, and wherein the electronic device is electrically connected to the electro-optical component(s) through the passage(s).

59. The electronic glasses of claim 51, further comprising at least one connector arranged through the passage(s) to electrically connect the electronic device and the electro-optical component(s).

60. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the connector comprises connection wires arranged inside the passage, optionally also in the groove, and wherein the connection wires are configured to provide an electrical connection between the electronic device, preferably the device part comprising a controller for controlling the electro-optical component, and the electro-optical component.

61. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the connection wires are wires separate from the flexible cable.

62. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the connection wires are integrated with the flexible cable.

63. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the first and second device parts, the flexible cable and the at least one connector are integrated in one module configured to be arranged as a whole in the eyeglass frame.

64. The electronic glasses of claim 51, further comprising: a first device part comprising a battery for providing the at least one electro-optical component with electrical power; a second device part comprising a controller for controlling the optical characteristics of at least one electro-optical lens; a flexible cable connecting the battery with the controller; or connections wires for connecting the controller with the at least one electro-optical component.

65. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the closure means comprise at least one covering element comprising an interface element, and wherein the interface element is preferably an element configured to: allow a user to input a command for the electronic device; output information from the electronic device to a user; or allow power transfer to the electronic device.

66. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the sealing element comprises a compressible and/or elastic front section, arranged in and/or over the groove, thereby providing a sealed channel for the flexible cable.

67. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the closure means comprise a first lid and a second lid, wherein the first lid is arranged to cover the first cavity and to enclose the first device part between the first lid and the first cavity, wherein the second lid is arranged to cover the second cavity and to enclose the second device part between the second lid and the second cavity, and wherein sealing material is provided between each of the said lid and said corresponding front temple parts to render the cavity protected from moisture intrusion or other contamination, said sealing material being optionally part of or attached to the sealing element covering the groove.

68. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the sealing material is embodied as a first compressible and/or elastic ring and a second compressible and/or elastic ring, wherein the first ring is arranged between the first lid and the first cavity to provide a moisture resistant seal, and wherein the second ring is arranged between the second lid and the second cavity to provide a moisture resistant seal.

69. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the compressible and/or elastic front section, the first ring, and the second ring are manufactured as a single part, preferably out of a rubber material or a silicone, preferably elastomer, material.

70. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the closure means and the electronic device form a sub-assembly, and wherein preferably the electronic device is substantially protected from moisture intrusion or other contamination in the sub-assembly, which sub-assembly is fastened to the eyeglass frame, preferably in a removable manner.

71. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the sealing element is configured to encapsulate the flexible cable, and/or wherein the flexible cable comprises a flexible printed circuit (FPC) cable.

72. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the frame comprises: plastic, preferably injection-molded plastic; acetate; or a 3D-printable material.

73. A method of integrating an electronic device into the electronic glasses of claim 51, the method comprising: arranging the first device part at least partially in the first cavity and the second device part in the second cavity; arranging the flexible cable in the groove; and arranging the closure means into the second groove part to ensure that the electronic device is enclosed in such a way that it is substantially protected from moisture intrusion or other contamination.

74. The method of claim 73, comprising arranging the flexible cable into the groove and then attaching the sealing element onto the front part so to seal the flexible cable inside the groove.

75. The method of claim 74, comprising arranging the flexible cable in the first cavity, the groove, and the second cavity in order to provide an electrical connection between the first and second device of the electronic device.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein the providing of the eyeglass frame comprises providing an eyeglass frame wherein the first front temple part and the second front temple part are fixedly connected on either side of the front part.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the providing of the eyeglass frame comprises providing the front part, the first front temple part, and the second front temple part as a single element, preferably wherein at least this single element is manufactured by injection molding, milling, or 3D printing.

78. The method of claim 73, wherein the section of the frame comprising the front part and the front temple parts is provided by providing a plurality of elements and fixedly connecting these elements to each other, preferably by gluing; heating and pressing; or welding.

79. The method of claim 73, wherein the movable attaching of the front temple parts to the respective rear temple parts is provided by hinged connections.

80. The method of claim 73, wherein the providing of the eyeglass frame comprises modifying an existing eyeglass frame design to include the groove, the first cavity, and the second cavity, and wherein the modifying of the existing eyeglass frame design preferably comprises adapting the shape and size of the front part and/or the front temple parts such that they can accommodate the groove and/or the cavities, respectively.

81. The method of claim 73, wherein the providing of the eyeglass frame comprises providing an eyeglass frame wherein the first front temple part and/or the second front temple part comprises fastening elements configured to cooperate with the electronic device and/or the closure means in the step of integrating the electronic device into the eyeglass frame.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the fastening elements comprise a threaded opening, and wherein the electronic device and/or the closure means are provided with an aperture such that they may be fastened to the temple parts by a correspondingly threaded screw.

83. The method of claim 73, further comprising: fitting lenses in eyepieces included in the front part of the eyeglass frame, wherein at least one of the lenses is an electro-optical component, wherein the providing of the eyeglass frame comprises providing an eyeglass frame, wherein, for each lens comprising an electro-optical component, a passage is provided from the cavity of the first and the second cavity which is closest to this lens, to an edge of the lens, and wherein the integrating of the electronic device into the eyeglass frame using the closure means includes, for each lens comprising an electro-optical component, establishing an electrical connection between the electronic device and the at least one electro-optical component system through the passage.

84. The method of claim 73, further comprising: fitting lenses in eyepieces included in the front part of the eyeglass frame, wherein at least one of the lenses is an electro-optical component, and wherein the integrating of the electronic device into the eyeglass frame using the closure means includes, for each electro-optical component, establishing an electrical connection between the electronic device and the at least one electro-optical component through a flexible cable wherein at least one connector is integrated.

85. The method of claim 73, wherein the closure means further comprises a covering element comprising an interface element, and wherein the interface element is preferably an element configured to: allow a user to input a command for the electronic device; output information from the electronic device to a user; or allow power transfer to the electronic device.

86. The method of claim 73, wherein the sealing element comprises a compressible and/or elastic front section configured to fit into and/or over the groove such as to define, with the groove, a channel configured to accommodate the flexible cable of the electronic device, and wherein the step of providing the closure means optionally comprises: providing a first lid and a second lid, wherein the first lid is configured as a cover for the first cavity in the first temple and the second lid is configured as a cover for the second cavity in the second temple; and providing sealing material between each of the said lid and said corresponding front temple parts to render the cavity protected from moisture intrusion or other contamination, said sealing material being optionally part of or attached to the sealing element covering the groove.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the sealing material is embodied as a first compressible and/or elastic ring and a second compressible and/or elastic ring, which first ring is configured to provide a seal between the first lid and the first cavity, and which second ring is configured to provide a seal between the second lid and the second cavity.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein integrating the electronic device into the eyeglass frame using the closure means comprises the following steps: arranging the first device part at least partly in the first cavity; arranging the second device part at least partly in the second cavity; arranging the flexible cable into the groove; arranging the sealing element of the closure means such that: the compressible and/or elastic front section seals the flexible cable into the groove, thus substantially protecting the flexible cable from moisture intrusion; the first ring is arranged around an edge of the first cavity; and the second ring is arranged around an edge of the second cavity; arranging and fastening the first lid on the first cavity such that the first ring provides a seal between the first lid and the first cavity, thus substantially enclosing the first device part and protecting it from moisture intrusion; and arranging and fastening the second lid on the second cavity such that the second ring provides a seal between the second lid and the second cavity, thus substantially enclosing the second device part and protecting it from moisture intrusion.

89. The method of claim 73, wherein the integrating of the electronic device into the eyeglass frame using the closure means comprises: assembling at least part of the closure means and the electronic device to form a sub-assembly, wherein preferably the electronic device is substantially protected from moisture intrusion or other contamination in the sub-assembly; and fastening the sub-assembly to the eyeglass frames.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the closure means comprise a first housing and a second housing, and wherein assembling the sub-assembly comprises: arranging the first housing around the first device part, such as to substantially enclose the first device part; and arranging the second housing around the second device part, such as to substantially enclose the second device part.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein assembling the sub-assembly further comprises encapsulating the flexible cable with a compressible and/or elastic material

92. The method of claim 73, wherein providing the electronic device comprises providing an electronic device wherein the flexible cable comprises a flexible PCB.

93. A method of manufacturing an electronic pre-assembly for use in the method of claim 73, comprising the following steps: providing an electronic device comprising a first device part, a second device part, and a flexible cable, preferably a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), configured to provide an electrical connection between the first device part and the second device part; manufacturing a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing is shaped to fit at least partially in the first cavity and configured to enclose the first device part, and wherein the second housing is shaped to fit at least partially in the second cavity and configured to enclose the second device part; arranging and sealing the first housing to enclose the first device part; and arranging and sealing the second housing to enclose the second device part.

94. The method of claim 93, further comprising: encapsulating the flexible cable by a compressible and/or elastic material such that the electronic device as a whole is substantially protected from moisture intrusion or other contamination.

95. The method of claim 94, further comprising providing at least one connector suitable for providing an electrical connection between the electronic device and an electro-optical component.

96. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein the groove parts are sealed off from the environment by lenses positioned on top of or slightly inside the respective groove parts thereby fully covering the groove parts.

97. The electronic glasses of claim 51, wherein if an electro-active lens comprises connection points provided at its radially outwardly directed circumferential surfaces, then the connector is arranged to directly contact the connection points, when the electroactive lens is positioned on top of or slightly inside the associated groove part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] The disclosure will be further illustrated at the hand of the appended figures, wherein:

[0082] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the glasses according to an exemplifying embodiment, in a disassembled state;

[0083] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in its assembled state;

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the disassembled embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0085] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are detail views from different perspectives of the disassembled embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0086] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the electronic glasses according to the present disclosure, in a disassembled state;

[0087] FIG. 6A shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 in its assembled state;

[0088] FIG. 6B shows a cross-cut detail of FIG. 6A along the line A-A indicated in that figure;

[0089] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a further embodiment of the glasses according to the present disclosure, while FIG. 8 is a detail back side view of a part of the groove that is configured to be widened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0090] Note that like reference numerals are used for like parts in the following description. A list of all used numerals and a brief description thereof can be found at the end of this description.

[0091] FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4A and 4B illustrate one possible embodiment of electronic glasses according to examples of the present disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view in perspective, to be able to illustrate the various elements of the glasses. An eyeglass frame 100 comprises a front part 103, with on the left side a left front temple part 101 and a left rear temple part 151 and on the right side a right front temple part 102 and a right rear temple part 152. In FIG. 1, hinge 162 is visible, connecting right front temple part 102 and right rear temple part 152 so that the rear temple part can be folded inwards, towards the front part; left front temple part 101 and left read temple part 151 are similarly connected by a hinge (not visible in the figure). Other types of connections which allow the rear temple parts to be folded inwards are known to the skilled person in the field of (normal) eyeglass design.

[0093] A first or left cavity 111 (not visible) is provided in left front temple part 101; a second or right cavity 112, of which the shape may mirror the shape of the first/left cavity but which may also have a different shape, is provided in right front temple part 102. The size, shape and dimensions may differ from what is depicted, and will be adapted to the size, shape and dimensions of the electronic device 200 and the closure means 300. The cavities may for instance be more shallow than depicted here, as it is not required for electronic device 200 and closure means 300 to be fully taken up in the space that would, absent a cavity, be occupied by the front temple part. It is sufficient that the cavity can receive electronic device 200 and closure means 300 at least in part, and can serve as an anchoring point therefore. In the depicted embodiment, second/right cavity 112 includes a threaded opening 122, suitable for a screw to be screwed into it, but many alternative or additional fastening means are also possible. Correspondingly, the first/left cavity, which is not visible in FIG. 1, comprises a second threaded opening.

[0094] The front part 103 comprises a left eyepiece 131 with a left lens 171; a right eyepiece 132 with a right lens 172; and a bridge 133 connecting eyepieces 131, 132, and further is provided with a left nosepad 141 and a right nosepad 142 for comfortable support of the glasses on user's nose.

[0095] As is well-known to the aforementioned skilled person in the field of eyeglass design, various other forms of frames 100 are possible, for instance with differently shaped eyepieces, a different type of bride, or wherein the nosepads are embodied as ridges on the internal side of the eyepieces. For the present disclosure, any eyeglass frame 100 in which there is sufficient space in the front part 103 to provide a suitable groove and sufficient space in the front temple parts 101, 102 to provide suitable cavities 111, 112 may be used.

[0096] Electronic device 200 is depicted in FIG. 1 in an extended state: during the step of integrating the electronic device into the frame, flexible cable 203 will be bent so that first device part 201 may be arranged in first/left cavity 111 and so that second device part 202 may be arranged in second/right cavity 112. In the shown embodiment, first device part 201 consists mainly of a battery 211, preferably a rechargeable battery, on and connected to an electronic substrate, and second device part 202 includes a controller, for instance comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), but many other arrangements are possible, depending on the intended purpose of the electronic glasses. In the shown embodiment, first device part 201 and second device part 202 further comprise a first aperture 221 and second aperture 222, which can be aligned with the first threaded opening in the first cavity and second threaded opening 122 in second cavity 112, respectively, thereby making it possible to fix first device part 201 and second device part 202 in the respective first and second cavity by a screw; however, many alternative ways of securing the first device part and second device part are also possible.

[0097] While this is not shown in the figures relating to this particular embodiment, if the electronic device is a device for control of at least one electro-active lens system, it may further comprise at least one suitable connector for connecting the electronic device to the at least one electro-active lens system.

[0098] In the depicted embodiment, closure means 300 include a number of elements, which may be separately provided. In particular, closure means 300 include a sealing element 304 formed of a first/left ring 301, a second/right ring 302, and a front section 303. Closure means 300 further include first/left lid 311, which is provided with first lid opening 321 suitable for first screw 331, and second/right lid 312, which is provided with second lid opening 322 suitable for second screw 332.

[0099] The lids further include elements which make it possible to interact with electronic device 200 in various ways. In this particular embodiment, first lid 311, which is intended to cover the first cavity in first front temple part 101 to enclose first device part 201 including its battery 211, includes charging contacts 341, to make it possible to charge battery 211 without needing to remove first lid 311. Second lid 312, meanwhile, is provided with an interface element in the form of output means, specifically in this embodiment a window 342 which may allow light from an LED (not shown) on the PCB to be visible through the lid, thus functioning as a led indicator.

[0100] It will be clear that in integrating electronic device 200 into eyeglass frame 100 using closure means 300, first lid 311 and second lid 312, including elements such as charging contacts 341 and window 342, should where needed be chosen to cooperate with the specific first device part 201 and second device part 202 of electronic device 200, e.g. such that a potential window is aligned with a potential led or such that charging contact, after assembly, contact a rechargeable power source so that it may be charged. Lids 311, 312 should furthermore be sized and shaped to function as covers for the first cavity and second cavity 112, respectively, wherein first and second device parts 201, 202, respectively, should fit in the enclosed space that is then created. Likewise, first ring 301 and second ring 302 should be configured such that they may form a moisture resistant seal between lids 311, 312 and an edge of the respective cavity.

[0101] Electronic device 200 may be integrated into eyeglass frame 100 by bending flexible cable 203 and arranging first device part 201 in the first cavity and second device part 202 in second cavity 112, such that the threaded openings in the cavities align with the apertures in the device parts. Flexible cable 203 is placed in a groove (not shown in FIG. 1) on the rear side of the front part, preferably such that no part of flexible cable extends from the groove, more preferably not occupying the entire depth of the groove, such that a shallower groove remains present after the flexible cable is placed.

[0102] Sealing element 304 is then arranged with first ring 301 around an edge of the first cavity, second ring 302 arranged around an edge of second cavity 112, and the front section 303 being fitted into the groove, closing it off—preferably, in the resulting glasses the groove is completely closed, and the surface of front section 303 is flush with the surface of the rear side of front part 103.

[0103] First ring 301 and second ring 302 are then fixed by placement of first lid 311 and second lid 312, respectively, and by the fastening thereof by means of screws 331, 332, wherein first screw 331 is inserted through first lid opening 321 and aperture 221 and screwed into the threaded opening in the first cavity, and second screw 332 is analogously inserted through second lid opening 322 and aperture 222 and screwed into second threaded opening 122 in second cavity 112.

[0104] The resulting electronic glasses, in which the electronic device is well protected from moisture intrusion due to the seal provided by sealing element 304, is shown in FIG. 2.

[0105] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a the disassembled glasses of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing frame 100 with front part 103, including eyepieces 131, 132, bridge 133, and nosepads 141 and 142; left front temple part 101 with first cavity 121 and left rear temple part 151; and right front temple part 122 with second cavity 122 and right rear temple part 152; showing electronic device 200 including first device part 201 with battery 211 and aperture 221, second device part 202 with controller 212, for instance a PCB, and aperture 222; and flexible cable 203 connecting the two, wherein this cable can be bent to arrange the electronic device in the frame; and closure means 300, including sealing element 304 consisting of first ring 301, second ring 302, and front section 303 connecting the two; lids 311, 312; and screws 331, 332.

[0106] FIGS. 4A and 4B are more detailed view, each of half of the previously described embodiment. In particular, FIG. 4A shows first cavity 111 with first threaded opening 121, which cavity is connected to the groove for the flexible cable and to a passage leading to the edge of the first lens and the connection points therein. Note that once lid 311 is positioned as a cover to the cavity and attached with screw 331, with ring 151 or the sealing element arranged between lid 311 and an edge of the cavity, both device part 211 and the passage to the lens will be protected from moisture intrusion. FIG. 4B also shows groove 113, into which flexible cable 203 can be inserted, and which may then be sealed by the compressible and preferably elastic element 303 of sealing element 304. FIG. 4B shows how an input means such as a button may be integrated into the lid and allow a user to input commands to the electronic device.

[0107] FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6A and 6B show a different embodiment of electronic glasses according to the disclosure. FIG. 5 shows the glasses in a state wherein a sub-assembly 500, comprising both the electronic device and the closure means, is not assembled with the eyeglass frame 400. In the shown assembly the sub-assembly forms an integrated sub-assembly of an electronic device and closure means (i.e. the closure means have been integrated with both electronic device parts of the electronic device). This has as an advantage that the sub-assembly, wherein the electronic device is well protected, for instance against moisture, may be provided to a manufacturer of eyeglass frames, and may be easily assembled later, potentially even by a user buying the eyeglass frame and the sub-assembly separately.

[0108] Sub-assembly 500 in the shown embodiment comprises first housing 501, enclosing a first electronic device part (not shown) including a battery, and second housing 502, enclosing a second electronic device part (not shown) including a controller, for instance comprising a PCB or similar arrangement. In the shown embodiment, the housings have apertures 521, 522 so that sub-assembly 500 can be fastened to eyeglass frame 400 by using screws, but it may be preferably to use another fastening method, for instance a snap-fit connection. Connectors 581 and 582, which are suitable to connect the electronic device to electro-active lens systems in lenses fitted in eyeglass frame 400, extend from the housings 501, 502. The sealing element of the closure means in integrated with the flexible cable in that the flexible cable is encapsulated by flexible and/or elastic material protecting the cable against external influences, like moist and the like. Encapsulated flexible cable 504 provides an electric connection between the first device part in first housing 501 and the second device part 502. Advantageously, the cable may comprise or even be embodied as a flexible PCB (FPC).

[0109] Eyeglass frame 400 is quite similar to the eyeglass frame described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4: in fact, it may be that a same eyeglass frame is compatible with both a sub-assembly such as sub-assembly 500 and with an electronic device and separate closure means as described in conjunction with the embodiment described earlier.

[0110] Eyeglass frame 400 comprises front section 403, with lenses 471 and 472 fitted into the eyepieces, wherein these lenses may comprise an electro-active lens system (note that while connection points of these electro-active lens systems are not explicitly depicted here, this should not be seen as indicating their absence). Groove 413 is formed along the top edge of front part 403. Right front temple part 402 includes cavity 412, which is in this embodiment, for the screw connection, provided with threaded opening 422—left front temple part 401 is similarly formed. Passage 492 goes from cavity 412 to an edge of lens 472; a similar passage is provided from the (non-depicted) cavity in the left front temple part to left lens 471. Rear temple parts 451, 452 are attached to the front temple parts 401, 402 through hinged connection 462.

[0111] FIG. 6A shows this embodiment in its assembled state. Connector 582 is inserted through passage 492 to connect to connection points 482 in right lens 472. Housings 501, 502 are fastened to the front temple parts by a screw connection, though other connections are possible and may even be preferred.

[0112] FIG. 6B shows a cross-section along line A-A indicated in FIG. 6A, which shows that flexible PCB 504C is fully encapsulated by 504B, thus protecting it. It may further be seen that the encapsulated flexible PCB is fitted into the groove: in this embodiment, the groove may comprise recessed sections 525 towards its opening, and the encapsulation 504B of the PCB may comprise corresponding bulges 526: this may assure a more secure retention of the encapsulated PCB in the groove, while still allowing it to be removed from the groove if/when needed.

[0113] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6A the groove 113, 413 extends between the first cavity 111 of the first front temple part and the second cavity 112 of the second temple part over substantially the whole length of the front part 403, i.e. over the upper part of the left eyepiece 131, over the bridge 133 and over the upper part of the right eyepiece 132. Furthermore, the groove 113, 413 is provided in the inward face of the left eyepiece 131, bridge 133 and right eyepiece 132, i.e. the side facing the eyes of the user when the eyeglass frame is worn by the user. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B the eyeglass frame similarly comprises a front part 514 comprising a left eyepiece 531 with a left lens 571, a right eyepiece 532 with a right lens 572, a bridge 533 connecting eyepieces 531, 532 (and may optionally a left nose pad and a right nose pad) and a groove 513 (comprised of groove parts 513.sup.1, 513.sup.2 and 513.sup.3 in open connection with each other) extending over substantially the whole length of the front part 514, i.e. over the upper part of the left eyepiece 531, over the bridge 533 and over the upper part of the right eyepiece 532, but in the bridge 533 the groove 513.sup.2 is provided in the inward face 552 of the bridge 533 whereas in the left and right eyepiece 531, 532 the groove 513 is provided in the respective radially inwardly directed circumferential surfaces 541 and 542 (i.e. the surfaces facing the lenses 571 and 572). This has a number of advantages. First of all, the thickness (i.e. the height h) of the upper part of the left eyepiece 531 and the upper part of the right eyepiece 532 can be reduced. Secondly, by providing the groove 513 (i.e. the groove parts 513.sup.1 and 513.sup.3) in the inwardly directed circumferential surfaces 541, 542 the groove parts 513.sup.1 and 513.sup.3 may be sealed off from the environment by positioning the lenses 571, 572 on top of or slightly inside the groove thereby fully covering the groove parts. The (bridge) part 513.sup.2 of the groove 513 present in the bridge 533 in this case may be sealed off from the environment (with the cable 503 arranged inside the groove 513) by placing a sealing element 550, preferably a sealing element comprised of a compressible and/or elastic material, on and/or or inside the groove part 513.sup.2.

[0114] In the embodiment of FIG. 6A the electrical connectors comprise electrical wires 581, 582 arranged in a passage 492 providing an open connection with the cavity 412, the electrical wires forming electrical connections (only the outer ends being shown in the figure) with the connection points in the respective electro-active lenses 471, 472. As is (partially) shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A, the electrical wires 582 of the electrical connector of the right electro-active lens 472 may extend as separate wires from the electronic device (for instance, the controller) in the second housing 502 via the passage 492 towards the electrical connections of the right lens 472 and as separate wires from the same electronic device via the passage 492 and the groove 413 to the electrical connection points in the left lens 471. In other embodiments, for instance embodiments similar to those of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the electrical wires of the electrical connectors 581, 582 may have been integrated into the cable 504. In these embodiments the cable 504 comprises a plurality of electrical connections so as to be able not only to provide a supply voltage from the battery inside the first housing 501 to the controller in the opposite second housing 502, but also to provide control signals for controlling the left and right electro-active lenses 471, 472 from the controller in the second housing 502 to the respective connections points in the respective lenses 471, 472.

[0115] In mounted position the electrical wires 581,582 are connected to the connection points so as to provide electrical contact between the electrical connection point and the second device part 202 (for instance the controller 212 (PCB).

[0116] In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, however, such passage can be dispensed with and the connector 583, 584 can be fully accommodated inside the respective groove part 513.sup.1, 513.sup.3. Alternatively or additionally, if the connection points 482 are provided at the radially outwardly directed circumferential surfaces of the lens 471, 472, then the connector 583, 584 can be made to directly contact the connection points 482 (i.e. separate electrical wires can be dispensed with), for instance by placing the connector 583, 584 directly on top of the connection points 482 of the lens 471, 472. In these cases the connector 583, 584 may form an integral part of the cable 503, more specifically be an integral part of the flexible printed circuit (FPC) cable. The manufacturing of the eyewear can be simplified and/or the risk of defects in the electrical connections can be reduced even further.

[0117] In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B the eyeglass frame comprise a front part 514, a left front temple part 801, a right front temple part 802, a left rear temple part 851 and a left rear temple part 852. Each of the rear temple parts 851, 852 comprises a first rear temple part 871 and a second rear temple part 870. The first and second rear temple parts are shown here as separate parts, although in other embodiments the first and second rear temple parts 870, 871 are integrated.

[0118] The front temple parts 802, 803 may be fixedly connected to the associated front part 514 (through connection elements such as screws 515 arranged at an outer end of the front temple part). The other other ends of the front temple parts 802, 803 are attached to the respective rear temple parts 851, 852 in such as way that the front temple parts and rear temple parts are movable with respect to each other. Whereas the connections between the front temple parts and the respective rear temple parts of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6A are hinged connections, the connections between the front temple parts 802, 803 and the respective rear temple parts 851, 852 of the embodiments of FIGS. 7A-7B are slidable connections: the rear temple parts 851, 852 may be slid over the upper outer surface 809 and lower outer surface 810 of the first housing 805 of the left front temple part 801 and the second housing 806 of the right front temple part 802 and then connected to each other using screws 820.

[0119] FIG. 8 is a detailed back side view of a part of the groove 513 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The figure shows that a lower part 901 of both the left eyepiece 531 and the left eyepiece 532 are provided with a groove part 513.sup.4. Furthermore, the lower part 901 can be manually bent slightly downward (see arrow 900) so as to widen the groove part 513.sup.4. This makes it possible for a user to easily insert the flexible cable 504 into the groove 5134. The lower part 901 then bends back to its original position so that the flexible cable 504 then is maintained firmly inside the groove part 513.sup.4.

[0120] Note that while the figures only show the front temple parts attached to the front part, and while in embodiments the front part and the front temple parts may indeed be manufactured together, this is not a requirement. In fact, for certain choices of materials and/or certain frame designs, it may be preferably to manufacture the front part and the front temple parts separately, and to later assemble them. It may also be possible to have a first element including the front part and a subsection of the front temple parts, with the remainder of the front temple parts being manufactured separately and assembled later; likewise, it may be possible to include subsections of the front part in separately manufactured elements further comprising the front temple parts, etc.—in other words, the border between the front part and the front temple parts need not correspond exactly to the edges of separately manufactured parts.

[0121] As an example, in some embodiments, a first element may correspond to the front part, or include both the front part with the groove and a subsection of the front temple parts and the cavities therein. This first element may for instance advantageously be milled, for instance CNC milled, from an acetate slab. Second elements, which each include the remainder of a front temple part and a cavity, may then be made either also of milled acetate, or may be manufactured in a different way: for instance, they may be manufactured by injection molding a plastic material, by 3-D printing a suitable material, or even made of metal. These second elements are then attached to the first element in a way that is suitable for the material or materials used: for instance, through gluing or—if possible—welding. Third elements, corresponding to the rear temple, are then also manufactured separately, out of a suitable material which may or may not correspond to the material sued for the first element and second elements, and may for instance be attached to the second elements with hinges.

[0122] It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular described embodiments, and, as such, may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.