Earlier this month we posted a report titled "Google Reveals a Future 'Glass' Component System, which for the most part covered that which was already in-play since the beginning of the year. But it's been quite evident over the last year that Google hasn't figured out how to tap into the massive world of optics to the point that would catapult their "Glass" product into being an original global phenomenon like the iPhone or iPad has been for Apple. Last week a new patent application published by the US Patent Office reveals Google's ongoing search for the right set of designs that might make Google Glass the killer device that they're dreaming of. Instead of the pirate look, Google is looking for styles that are more mainstream, especially for sunglasses.
Google invents new Device Mountable Lens Component
In Google's patent FIG. 1 noted below we're able to see a front perspective view of a lens system (#100) that may include lens unit (#102). The lens unit may be formed as a unitary lens or may be formed as a pair of lenses attached to one another.
The lens unit may have two lens surfaces noted as #104 and #106 in FIG. 1. In one example, the first lens surface 104 may be a front lens surface while lens unit surface 106 may be a rear lens surface. In this example, the rear lens surface may face the eye of a user when worn by the user, while the front lens surface may oppose the rear lens surface. The lens unit may also have an edge surface 108 that defines a perimeter and an overall shape of the lens unit. In one example, the edge surface may have a coated layer such as a polymeric material.
The lens unit may be polarized or tinted to provide a user with protection from excess sunlight, UV rays, and the like. This was further detailed in our report titled "Google Considers Sunglass Coatings for Future Google Glass." The lens unit may also be configured to account for one or more ocular disorders, such as far or nearsightedness.
The retention structure noted as #120 in FIG. 1 may allow the lens system to be coupled to a head-wearable device – such as Google Glass.
When assembled with Google Glass, Google notes that the lens system may be disposed between the eye of a user and the display 180 of Google Glass 172 when worn by the user. In this regard, the lens system may serve as an eye protection or "shield" from foreign objects, such as footballs, soccer balls, debris, or any other object. Google's patent FIG. 13 below illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the new lens system.
The New York Times reported in March of this year that Google had announced "a partnership with the Luxottica Group, the largest eyeglass company in the world, to design, manufacture and distribute frames for Google Glass, the Internet-connected eyewear.
The announcement is Google's biggest effort yet to make Glass attractive and available to mainstream consumers as it prepares to sell it more widely later this year. In January, Google announced that it would partner with VSP, the nation's biggest optical health insurance provider, to offer subsidized frames and prescription lenses for Glass.
Yet Google has struggled to gain mainstream acceptance for Glass. Certain bars have barred patrons from wearing it, lawmakers are grappling with whether to allow people to wear it while driving, and a man in Ohio was removed from a theater and interrogated by Homeland Security agents after wearing Glass to a movie. Less conspicuous types of wearable computers, like wristbands, are catching on more quickly."
According to a Luxottica press release, the first collection will "combine high-end technology with avant-garde design offering the best in style, quality, and performance."
Luxottica owns Ray-Ban and Oakley and Google's patent figures resemble one of the lens components from Oakley as noted below.
Google filed their patent application back in Q1 2013 which was way ahead of the NY Times report. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
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