Last week the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Google that reveals a possible future component system for their wearable computer known as "Glass." The system shows that users may one day soon be able to attach "Glass" components to a prescription glasses frame designed by Google and partners. Google is now working with several companies such as the Luxottica Group on these future frames. Our report contains a number of jumbo graphics illustrating the various components and a brief overview of the system.
Invention: Component Housing for Google Glass
Google's invention generally relates to Google Glass that includes a device module having a component housing with a display configured to present information to the user, an auxiliary housing unit remote from the component housing, and a connecting member extending between the housing unit and the auxiliary housing unit.
The connecting member includes a first attachment structure on a surface thereof. The device also includes a head retention structure having a center support with a nosepiece extending therefrom, a first side arm extending from the center frame support on a first side thereof, and an attachment arm extending from the center support on a second side thereof.
The attachment arm includes a second attachment structure that is configured to mate with the first attachment structure. The device module and the head retention structure are configured for releasable assembly together by removably attaching the first attachment feature with the second attachment feature, and when assembled together, the device assembly is wearable on the head of the user with the module positioned on a first side of the head with the display adjacent an eye of the user, the side arm positioned on a second side of the head, and the nosepiece contacting the nose of the user.
Another aspect of Google's invention relates to a retention member for use with a personal display module that has a display configured to present information to a user, a housing unit remote from the display, and a connecting member extending at least partially between the housing unit and the display.
Google's patent FIG. 7 shows Google Glass in a Modular configuration that is in a disassembled state.
Google's patent FIG. 8 shows the device of FIG. 7 in a disassembled state with additional modular structures.
Google's patent FIGS. 9A and 9B below show detail views of components of an attachment mechanism that can be used in attaching components of the modular configuration of the device of FIGS. 7 and 8.
Google's patent FIG. 10 below shows a further detail view of components of the attachment mechanism of FIGS. 9A and 9B.
FIG. 11 shows a wearable computer device with an alternative modular configuration according to another aspect of the
Google notes that Google Glass may also include an on-board computing system, a camera, a sensor, and a finger-operable touch pad. The on-board computing system is shown to be positioned on the extending side-arm as #118 below.
Lastly, Google notes that adaptor arms (as noted in patent point #278 illustrated in FIG. 11 above) of any configuration or of various specific configurations can be provided with other related components and/or data (such as blueprints or computer-readable CAD data) in the form of a hardware developer kit ("HDK").
Such an HDK will be able to provide manufacturers or users supplies and information to help them adapt their own glasses frames to properly work with a module and adaptor arm according to the general principles of the invention.
In an example application, a manufacturer can purchase an HDK including an adaptor arm and use the information provided therein to design a glasses frame that can then assemble with the adaptor arm for sale in a unit that can then be purchased by a user for self-assembly and use.
Google's patent application which was published last week by USPTO and originally filed in Q1 2013. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
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