U.S. patent application number 11/935650 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for eyeglass speaker case.
Invention is credited to Lee Ming Shuang, Lee Lan Ying.
Application Number | 20090114550 11/935650 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40587021 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090114550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ying; Lee Lan ; et
al. |
May 7, 2009 |
EYEGLASS SPEAKER CASE
Abstract
Described is an eyeglass case having integrated speakers. The
eyeglass case includes a housing having two compartments, wherein a
first compartment is adapted to receive a pair of eyeglasses while
a second compartment houses a speaker system.
Inventors: |
Ying; Lee Lan; (Tainan,
TW) ; Shuang; Lee Ming; (Tainan, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG
3773 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY, SUITE 500 NORTH
LAS VEGAS
NV
89169
US
|
Family ID: |
40587021 |
Appl. No.: |
11/935650 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/5 ; 206/216;
206/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 15/00 20130101;
A45C 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/5 ; 206/6;
206/216 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/04 20060101
A45C011/04; A45C 11/00 20060101 A45C011/00; B65D 69/00 20060101
B65D069/00 |
Claims
1. An eyeglass case comprising: a first compartment having a first
recessed area; a second compartment having a second recessed area;
coupling means for coupling the first and second compartments; and
a speaker system integrated into said first or second recessed
compartment wherein said speaker is operable to transmit audible
sounds from a sound source in communication therewith.
2. The eyeglass case of claim 1, wherein the coupling means
includes a hinge.
3. The eyeglass case of claim 1, wherein the first or second
recessed area houses a power supply for providing electricity to
the speaker system.
4. The eyeglass case of claim 1, further comprising an input
aperture, an indicator light and a volume control knob to
facilitate operation of the speaker system.
5. The eyeglass case of claim 1, wherein the first or second
recessed area is adapted to house a pair of eyeglasses.
6. The eyeglass case of claim 1, wherein the first or second
recessed area includes a fastening means for securing a pair of
eyeglasses.
7. The eyeglass case of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass case is
fabricated of plastic, metal, leather or cloth material.
8. The eyeglass case of claim 1, further comprising attachment
means for securing the two compartments to each other.
9. The eyeglass case of claim 1, wherein the sound source is an MP3
player.
10. The eyeglass case of claim 1, wherein the sound source and
speakers communicate via wires or wireless signals.
11. An eyeglass case comprising: a first compartment having a first
recessed area; a second compartment having a second recessed area;
a speaker system integrated into said first or second recessed
compartment wherein said speaker is operable to transmit audible
sounds from a sound source in communication therewith; and wherein
the first and second compartments are hingably coupled to one
another.
12. The eyeglass case of claim 11, wherein the first or second
recessed area houses a speaker system.
13. The eyeglass case of claim 11, wherein the first or second
recessed area houses a power supply for providing electricity to
the speaker system.
14. The eyeglass case of claim 11, further comprising an input
aperture, an indicator light and a volume control knob to
facilitate operation of the speaker system.
15. The eyeglass case of claim 11, wherein the first or second
recessed area is adapted to housing a pair of eyeglasses.
16. The eyeglass case of claim 11, wherein the first or second
recessed area incorporates fastening means for securing the pair of
eyeglasses.
17. The eyeglass case of claim 11, wherein the eyeglass case is
constructed of plastic, metal, leather or cloth material.
18. The eyeglass case of claim 11, further comprising attachment
means for securing the two compartments to each other.
19. The eyeglass case of claim 11, wherein the sound source is an
MP3 player.
20. The eyeglass case of claim 11, wherein the sound source and
speakers communicate via wires or wireless signals.
21. An eyeglass case comprising: a first compartment having a first
recessed area; a second compartment having a second recessed area;
one or more hinges connecting the first and second compartments; a
speaker system integrated into said first or second recessed
compartment wherein said speaker is operable to transmit audible
sounds from a sound source in communication therewith.
22. The eyeglass case of claim 21, wherein the sound source is an
MP3 player.
23. The eyeglass case of claim 21, wherein the sound source and
speakers communicate via wires or wireless signals.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to an
eyeglass case. More specifically, to an eyeglass case having an
integrated speaker system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In today's field of electronics one goal is to make portable
electronic devices smaller and lighter. Moreover, there is also an
added incentive to integrate electronic devices and provide added
functionality so as to give more value to the customer and
encourage purchase and utilization of the electronic devices.
[0003] Thus, there exists a need for an eyeglass case having an
integrated speaker system.
SUMMARY
[0004] Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention
discloses an eyeglass case comprising: a first compartment having a
first recessed area; a second compartment having a second recessed
area; coupling means for coupling the first and second
compartments; and at least one speaker integrated into said first
or second recessed compartment wherein said speaker is operable to
transmit audible sounds from a sound source in communication
therewith. In one embodiment, the coupling means is a hinge and the
compartments are constructed of plastic, metal, leather or cloth
material. In one embodiment, the first recessed compartment houses
a speaker system along with a power supply for providing
electricity to the speaker system, while the second recessed
compartment is adapted to hold a pair of eyeglasses. The second
recessed compartment may include securing means for retaining the
pair of eyeglasses. The eyeglass case may further include an input
aperture for physical connection with the sound source, an
indicator light and a volume control knob to facilitate operation
of the speaker system.
[0005] Other variations, embodiments and features of the present
invention will become evident from the following detailed
description, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an eyeglass case in
a closed position;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the eyeglass case
in an open position; and
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an upper
compartment of the eyeglass case in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The
presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all
respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
[0010] Initial reference is made to FIG. 1 illustrating an eyeglass
case 10 comprising a housing 12 that is constructed of plastic,
metal or other rigid material. Alternatively, the housing 12 can be
a semi-hard or soft bag made of leather or cloth. Although a
clamshell-shaped housing 12 is shown, it is understood that the
housing 12 can take on any shape including rectangular, circular or
square. The housing 12 includes an upper compartment 14 hingably
coupled (the hinge is hidden behind the housing 12 and thus is not
visible in the drawing) to a lower compartment 16. Although hinges
allow the compartments 14, 16 to be opened or closed without
additional attachment means 18, it is envisioned that other
connecting means 18 may be utilized to connect the compartments 14,
16 to each other such that the eyeglass case 10 may open and close
freely. For example, instead of hinges, other swiveling, swinging
or pivoting mechanisms may be utilized.
[0011] The upper compartment 14 includes an input aperture 20 along
with an indicator light 22 and a volume control knob 24. The input
aperture 20 allows a portable music player such as a CD player, MP3
player (e.g., IPOD manufactured by Apple), cellular phone or
microphone to be plugged into a speaker system 38 housed within the
eyeglass case 10. The music player may also communicate wirelessly
with the speaker system 38. Additional description of the speaker
system is provided in subsequent figures and discussion. The
indicator light 22 allows a user to determine if the speaker system
38 is active while the volume control 24 allows the user to control
the volume of the speaker system 38. Optionally, additional control
knobs (not shown) for adjusting bass, treble and other sound
qualities may be provided. Although portable music players are
described, other external devices (e.g., laptop) capable of
producing audio frequency can broadcast via the speaker system 38.
It will also be understood by one skilled in the art that the input
aperture 20, indicator light 22 and the volume control knob 24 can
be positioned elsewhere on the eyeglass case 10 based on design or
manufacturing preference, and that there can be, as necessary,
other items besides the input aperture 20, light 22 and knob
24.
[0012] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 illustrating the eyeglass
speaker case 10 in an open position. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower
compartment 16 includes a recessed area 26 for housing a pair of
glasses 28 including eyeglasses and sunglasses. The glasses 28 can
be further secured using a pair of straps 30. The glasses 28 can
also be secured by other fastening means such as buckles and loops
(not shown). No fastening means 30 are necessary for securing the
glasses 28. The recessed area 26 can also be used to store wipes,
cleaning cloth or cleaning solutions (not shown). Moreover, the
recessed area 26 can also include pockets and compartments (not
shown) for storing miscellaneous objects, items and supplies.
Although not shown, the lower compartment 16 can include a soft
cloth or hard plastic cover for covering both the pair of glasses
28 and straps 30.
[0013] The upper compartment 14 of the eyeglass case 10, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, is in a closed position having a cover 32
for concealing the speaker system 38 situated beneath as described
in more detail below. The cover 32 can be constructed of a soft
cloth or hard plastic or polymer material. The speaker system 38
protected beneath the cover 32 can be powered a power supply or
module such as batteries, which can be accessed by an access panel
34 as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the speaker system 38 can also
be powered by a power supply adaptor plugged into an external wall
socket (not shown).
[0014] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 illustrating the upper
compartment 14 of the eyeglass case 10 in an open position. As
shown in FIG. 3, the interior of the upper compartment 14 is
exposed as the cover 32 is temporarily peeled back. Like the lower
compartment 16, the upper compartment 14 includes a recessed area
34 for housing a power supply 36 and a speaker system 38. The power
supply 36 can be electrically coupled to the speaker system 38 via
a set of electrical wires 40. As described above, the power supply
36 can include batteries accessible via the access panel 34.
Alternatively, the power supply 36 can be an adaptor or converter
used with an external power source. By providing power to the
speakers 38, the sound frequency of a music device plugged into the
eyeglass case 10 via the input aperture 20 can be amplified and
manipulated by the speakers 38 via another set of electrical wires
42. The speaker system 38 is further coupled with an electronic
circuitry 44 that facilitates communication with the indicator
light 22 and volume control knob 24 (electrical wires not shown).
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that additional
electronic components including diodes, resistors and capacitors
may be implemented within the recessed area 34 as necessary to
facilitate operation of the speaker system 38 and power supply
36.
[0015] In operation, a user plugs his or her portable electronic
music device or microphone into the input aperture 20 of the
eyeglass case 10, whether the eyeglass case 10 is open or closed.
In one embodiment, the upper compartment 14 of the eyeglass case 10
remains in a closed position as shown in FIG. 2 since a user need
not observe the electronic circuitry 44 and speaker system 38.
Users need only access the power supply via the access panel 34. By
activating the music on the portable electronic music device (e.g.,
MP3 player) or microphone, sound frequency can subsequently be
generated by the speaker system 38. Users can adjust the volume
using the volume control knob 24 on the exterior surface of the
eyeglass case 10. Likewise, users can also adjust the volume using
the portable electronic music device itself. If the speaker system
38 is working (i.e., has sufficient power 36), the indicator light
22 is illuminated. Conversely, the indicator light 22 may be off if
the battery is low of if there is a problem with the speakers 38,
the electrical wires 40, 42 or the electronic circuitry 44. The
eyeglass case 10 as presently disclosed serves as a portable
speaker system that a user can readily take with them wherever they
go.
[0016] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to several embodiments, additional variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
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