WO2012161639A1

WO2012161639A1 - Exercise glasses

Info

Publication number: WO2012161639A1
Application number: PCT/SE2012/050491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan LÖVGREN; Fan WEI
Original assignee: Is International
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2012-05-09
Publication date: 2012-11-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to exercise glasses comprising an active display being a near eye display arranged in front of an outer side of the eye glass lens. The glasses are arranged for, by means of the near eye display, monitoring of exercise data. The exercise glasses (100) comprise a frame front piece (102) into which at least one eye glass lens (101) is mounted, first and second temple arms (108, 110) hingedly connected with the frame front piece,the active display (130) for displaying exercise data, and a control unit arranged (104) for retrieving exercise data from a detector unit and for controlling the active display.

Description

EXERCISE GLASSES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise glasses, which are provided with a capability of displaying information related to a current exercise. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During exercise it is of interest to continuously follow up how the exercise progresses. Therefore devices for generating information of interest by measuring pulse, time lapsed, etc. have been developed. The information has to be readily obtainable for the person who is exercising.

Exercise glasses for monitoring exercise data are known. In US patent

No. US 6,431 ,405 B1 there is disclosed a pair of eyeglasses comprising a heart rate monitor including a sensor which in use is in contact with the bridge of the user^'s nose. The exercise glasses further comprises a microprocessor for processing the heart rate signal received by the sensor. The processed heart rate signal is thereafter presented on a digital display arranged at the frame or the stem of the exercise glasses. The image of the optical display is further conducted to an eyepiece lens which is mounted on a fibre optic (or optionally a fibre optic bundle). On the opposing distal end of the fibre, a display lens is attached. The display lens is further adjustably disposed within the field of view of the user, such that the information presented on the digital display is presented to the user.

However, the presentation of the information of the known device is complicated and expensive due to inter alia low ruggedness of the fibre optics part, which is in need for a rugged optic connector in a small space to provide a long-lived device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative solution to the known exercise glasses which at least alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

This object is achieved by exercise glasses according to the present invention as defined in claim 1 .

Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided exercise glasses for monitoring of exercise data, the exercise glasses comprising a frame front piece into which at least one eye glass lens is mounted, first and second temple arms connected with the frame front piece, an active display for displaying exercise data, and a control unit arranged for retrieving exercise data from a detector unit and for controlling the active display. The active display is a near eye display arranged in front of an outer side of the eye glass lens, which is advantageous since it is improves the robustness of the glasses and provides an engrossing exercise experience for the user due to its ability to provide a high resolution display image, e.g. when utilizing a liquid crystal on silicone display system, LCOS display system. The control unit is very small, as recognized by the person skilled in the art, and easily integrated with one of the temple arms.

The near eye display may be of reflective, transmissive or emissive type of display system, and is in the application exemplified with a liquid crystal on silicone display system. The exercise glasses may be sunglasses.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the near eye display is arranged on an adjustable connection unit, such that its position is adjustable with reference to the lens.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the adjustable connection unit is one of a pivotal arm, and a bendable arm.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the at least one eye glass lens is exchangeable, which is advantageous because it allows the user to in a convenient way change the shape, color, and optical performance of the eye glass lens. As an example, in the day time a tinted eye glass lens is selected such that the exercise glasses perform as sunglasses, while at night time a clear non-colored eye glass lens is selected. According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the

detector unit is arranged on the exercise glasses. Thereby there is no need for a separate pulse detector but an integrated concept is achieved.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the exercise data is retrieved from a pulse detector comprising a heart beat sensor.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the control unit and the detector unit is arranged for wireless communication.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise the detector unit, which is arranged at one of the first and second temple arms or on the frame front piece, wherein the detector unit is arranged to detect the pulse of a blood vessel of the head of a user.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the detector unit comprises a sensor arranged to be carried on the body of a user.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise a user interface arranged at one of the first and second temple arms or the front frame piece. The user interface is connected to the control unit, such that the user is allowed to operate functions of the exercise glasses. This contributes to an all inclusive solution with all functions of interest provided on the glasses.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the exercise data comprises at least one data type chosen from a group of data types comprising pulse, lapsed time, clock time, and speed.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise a Global Positioning System receiver connected to the control unit.

The exercise glasses may further advantageously comprise a power source arranged at a portion of the frame front piece and connected with power consumers of the exercise glasses.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise a communication terminal, which is arranged at one of the temple arms or at the front frame piece. This is for connecting the exercise glasses to an external device, like a computer for loading the power source, setting display configurations, etc.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise a wireless communication unit arranged at one of the first and second temple arms and connected with the display control unit, which communication unit is arranged to wirelessly communicate with the wireless pulse detector. A separate pulse detector is advantageous if there is a problem of detecting a pulse signal on the head. The wireless communication avoids risks of a wire getting stuck or tangled.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise glasses according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a near eye display system according to an embodiment of the exercise glasses;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the exercise glasses according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the exercise glasses according to the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the exercise glasses according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fig. 1 , according to a first embodiment of the exercise glasses 100, they comprise a frame front piece 102 into which an eye glass lens 101 , which here is one integrated eye glass lens covering both eyes of a user, is mounted. Optionally two eye glass lenses, one for the respective user eye, are mounted in the frame front piece (not shown). The exercise glasses 100 further comprise first and second temple arms 108, 1 10, which are connected with the frame front piece 102. The first and second temple arms may optionally be hingedly connected to the frame front piece. The overall construction is that of ordinary glasses. Furthermore, the exercise glasses 100 comprise an active display 130 for displaying exercise data, which here is mechanically attached to an outer side of the frame front piece 102 and further arranged such that the display is placed in an upper portion of the field of view of a user wearing the glasses 100, i.e. in front of an outer side of the eye glass lens 101 . The active display 130 is further electrically connected to a control unit 104 which is arranged in the first temple arm 108.

The control unit 104 is communicating with a detector unit which detects and transmits exercise data to the control unit 104. The active display 130 is driven by the control unit 104.

Preferably, the first temple arm 108 is made hollow, i.e. tubular, and the control unit 104 is arranged within the cavity of the temple arm 108. Wires arranged within the first temple arm 108 and extending passed the hinge 1 16 to the lens 101 via the frame front piece 102, connect the active display 130 with the display control unit 104 for providing exercise data and driving power to the active display 130.

To continue, with reference to Fig. 1 , the glasses 100 comprise a user interface 1 18 comprising keys, or buttons, 120 arranged at the first (or alternatively second) temple arm 108, and more particularly on the outside thereof to be easily reached by the user. The user interface 1 18 is connected with the control unit 104, and enables the user to choose what information to display on the active display 130.

In a preferred embodiment 300 of the exercise glasses which is illustrated in Fig. 3, functionality keys of the user interface 1 18 for allowing the user to control what data is displayed on the active display 330 are arranged on an upper side of a selected temple arm 108, while a main power switch 121 is arranged on the lower side of the selected temple arm. Thereby, in an intuitive manner the user can handle the functionality keys without

unintentionally turning the device off.

To continue with reference to Fig. 1 , additionally, the exercise glasses comprise a pulse detector 122, which here is arranged at the second temple arm 1 10. More particularly, the very detecting portion of the pulse detector 122 is arranged on the inside of the second temple arm 1 10 (or optionally the first temple arm 108) in such a position that it abuts the head of the user when the exercise glasses 100 are worn. The pulse detector 122 is connected with the display control unit 104, by means of wires extending via the frame front piece 102, in order to enable presentation of pulse data on the display 130. It should be understood that other positions of the pulse detector are applicable.

Furthermore, the exercise glasses 100 comprise a power source 124 arranged at a portion of the frame front piece 102, and preferably at a sub portion 1 12 that is the portion which is arranged to rest on the nose. The power source is connected with power consumers of the exercise glasses 100, i.e. the pulse detector 122, and the display control unit 104. Preferably the power source is a rechargeable battery.

The exercise glasses 100 furthermore optionally comprise at least one communication terminal, which may be arranged at the second temple arm 1 10, at the inside thereof, or optionally at the first temple arm 108 or even at the frame front piece 102. A communication terminal 126 can be arranged to be used for connecting the exercise glasses 100 to an external device, e.g. a cell phone, a computer, etc., by means of a communication cable, such as a USB cable or the like, or optionally by means of a wireless connection. That is, as an example, when arranging a communication terminal for

communication with a computer, the user is able to operate on the display control unit 104 via his/her computer, in order to configure display images, what data is to be displayed, where on the display 103 different data is to be displayed, etc. Additionally, the power source 124 may be loaded from the computer when the exercise glasses are connected to it. It is also possible to update the software of the display control unit 104 from the computer.

In an embodiment of the exercise glasses, one communication terminal 126 is arranged for communication with an l-phone or other cell phone, by means of e.g. a Bluetooth connection. Thereby, applications of the cell phone can be utilized by the phone or vice versa, e.g. an GPS-application of the cell phone may be utilized to feed GPS-data to an application in the exercise glasses, text messages of the cell phone can be displayed on the near eye display, music tracks/videos can be received from the cell phone, in which case data regarding the music or the video can be displayed on the near-eye- display etc.. Similarly, exercise data collected by the control unit in the exercise glasses can be communicated to applications in the cell phone.

Further, data from the exercise glasses and the cell phone may be loaded to a web-based platform to be analyzed.

In a preferred embodiment of the exercise glasses, the at least one eye glass lens is exchangeable. That is, referring now to Fig. 1 , the eye glass lens 101 is releasably attached to the nose portion 1 12 of the front piece 102 and/or to the front piece 102. The user may then exchange the eye glass lens, e.g. change from a sunglass eye glass lens which is suitable during daytime, to a completely clear eye glass lens to wear while exercising at night time.

In an exemplifying embodiment of the present invention, the near eye display is a Liquid-Crystal-on-Silicone, LCOS, display system 200 comprising optical means 230 for near eye use. A LCOS display system 200 is

schematically illustrated in Fig. 2, and typically comprises three main portions: an illumination portion 210, polarization optics 220, and imaging optics 230. The illumination portion 210 includes a light source 21 1 , which here is a RGB- LED (Red Green Blue light emitting diode) light source, a colour management kernel (not shown), a light mixer 212, and a Fresnel lens 213. Light from the illumination portion 210 enters into the polarization optics 220, and via a pre polarizer 221 it hits a polarizing beam splitter 222, from which polarized light is reflected in a reflective LCOS display 250. The reflected light passes the beam splitter 222 and exits the polarization optics 230 via an analyzer 223. A projection lens 230 comprising the optical means for near eye use finally alters the received image before it reaches the eye 50 of a user. The LCOS display system 200 further comprises an electronic LCOS driver board (not shown).

A LCOS display 250 is typically a silicon substrate onto which a pixel matrix and corresponding electronics to drive the display is arranged utilizing CMOS-transistor technology. The silicon substrate is further provided with a reflector layer on top of the pixel matrix. A layer of liquid crystals is

sandwiched between the reflector layer and a top glass substrate. The glass substrate is on the side facing the liquid crystal layer coated with an indium ten oxide, ITO, layer and an alignment layer to align the liquid crystals. Under control of an electric field created at individual pixels in response to control signals associated with exercise data from the control device, the liquid crystal layer at each pixel position alters the polarization of the light reflected in the display, and is thereby able to in a controlled manner, in corporation with the polarization optics, optically display exercise data. The silicone substrate may include the pixel matrix, colour filters for providing RGB (Red, Green, Blue) subgroups of pixels for allowing displaying a colour image, scanner circuitry for controlling pixels, memory circuits and more. It should be mentioned that although LCOS technology is shown herein, any suitable near eye display is applicable for the present invention.

To continue, the optical means for near eye use 230, i.e. the means for projecting the image of the LCOS display 250 to the user, is preferably arranged such that for a distance of about 20 mm from the users eye and the optical means output lens, the image formation distance of the virtual image as perceived by the user is within the range of 1 - 2 m. The optical means typically comprises a concave-convex optics lens.

In an embodiment of the exercise glasses 300, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the attachment of the near eye display 330 in one of the temple arms, is done by means of an adjustable connection unit 301 such that the position of the display area of the near eye display 330 is adjustable. Optionally the near eye display 330 is attached to the front frame piece 102. The adjustable

connection unit 301 is here arranged such that the arm 331 of a housing holding the display is pivotally attached to the temple arm 108. This allows the user to in a convenient manner choose a vertical position of the display 330 in front of the eye which does not block the field of view needed to comfortably see e.g. the running track in front of the user. The user can choose a position, such as at the upper, centre or lower half of the lens, where the display 330 is to be positioned.

The adjustable connection unit is in alternative embodiments arranged to be adjustable also in depth and/or horizontally. According an embodiment, the connection unit comprises a bendable arm which allows for adjustment of the position of the display in more than one dimension as above. With a bendable arm, the position can be adjusted vertically, horizontally and in depth. By adjusting the distance between the display and the eye, an optimized perceived sharpness for the individual user of the displayed data may be obtained. Further, the bendable arm is preferably hollow to contain the wiring for transmitting driving and control signals to the display.

According to an embodiment of the exercise glasses 400, shown in Fig. 4, they include a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 430, which may be arranged in the exercise glasses, or be separate as in Fig. 4 in which it is arranged on a waist belt or a wrist belt 428, arranged to be carried on the body of the user. The GPS unit 430 has a wireless transmitter 432, for transmitting GPS data to a control unit 414 of the exercise glasses, and a corresponding receiver 434 is arranged at the first temple arm 408 of the exercise glasses 400. The receiver 434 is connected with the control unit 414. For instance, the wireless technology is blue tooth or any other suitable wireless technology.

In addition to the separate GPS unit 430, this embodiment also has a separate pulse detector 436, which can be provided on the same belt 428 as the GPS unit 432 or at a separate carrier, and which is arranged to transmit pulse data wirelessly to the control unit 414.

Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the exercise glasses of the present invention. In principle the functionalities of the exercise glasses are governed by a collection unit 600 and a displaying unit 500. The collection unit 600 comprises a sensor for registering exercise data of the body of the user, e.g. a heart beat sensor 630. The collection unit 600 further comprises integrated circuitry comprising processing means, like a central processing unit, CPU, 610 and a memory unit 61 1 , which receives and processes signals associated with the registered heart beats from the heart beat sensor 630 thereby providing exercise data. The collection unit further comprises a transmission unit 621 , arranged for communication with the control unit 104. The transmission unit 621 may be electrical wires or alternatively circuitry for wireless transmission of the exercise data. The displaying unit 500 comprises the control unit 104, which typically comprises means for processing data, driving CPU 510, and a digital signal processing, DSP, unit 520 which is connected to a USB interface 522, for computer connection, a Low-Drop-Out, LDO, circuit, battery, and testing switch 523, a button interface 518, a memory unit 524, e.g. an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, E2PROM, and to a receiving unit 521 corresponding to the transmission unit 621 of the collection unit 600. The displaying unit 500 is typically arranged for receiving and processing the exercise data, button definition, menu handling, charge management etc. The DSP 520 outputs a signal comprising exercise data related data which is decoded by the CPU 510 which processes the signal to drive the near eye display 530, e.g. a LCOS screen display, to display the exercise data.

Further, as previously described with reference to Fig. 2, magnifying optics is arranged for imaging the displayed exercise data to allow the user eye to perceive an image as focused at 1 - 2 m distance.

Preferably, the display control unit further comprises, or is connected with, a stopwatch for time measurements, and an ordinary clock for providing the current clock time. When the user is going to exercise he/she puts on the exercise glasses, with or without separate units, and chooses display function with the user interface, or chooses a preset configuration, such as preset from a computer or at a previous exercise occasion. The user can operate the stopwatch, the pulse detector, etc. and choose to display corresponding data. The display can present a single or multiple data. For example, the clock may be displayed simultaneously with the pulse data or the lapsed time, etc. When using the double display embodiment, the user can choose to use one or both of the displays, in order to compose a desired display mode.

Above, embodiments of the exercise glasses according to the present invention as defined in the appended claims have been described. These should be seen as merely non-limiting examples. As understood by a skilled person, many modifications and alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. For example the display can be based on another suitable technology. It is to be noted, that for the purposes of this application, and in particular with regard to the appended claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, that the word "a" or "an", does not exclude a plurality, which per se will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Exercise glasses (100) for monitoring of exercise data, said exercise glasses comprising

a frame front piece (102) into which at least one eye glass lens (101 ) is mounted,

first and second temple arms (108, 1 10) connected with said frame front piece,

an active display (130) for displaying exercise data; and a control unit arranged (104) for retrieving exercise data from a detector unit and for controlling said active display;

c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

said active display being a near eye display arranged in front of an outer side of said eye glass lens.

Exercise glasses (300) according to claim 1 , wherein said near eye display (330) is arranged on an adjustable connection unit (331 ), such that its position is adjustable with reference to the lens.

Exercise glasses according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said adjustable connection unit is one of a pivotal arm, and a bendable arm.

Exercise glasses (100, 300) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one eye glass lens (101 ) is exchangeable.

5. Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, wherein said

detector unit is arranged on said exercise glasses.

6. Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, wherein said

exercise data is retrieved from a pulse detector comprising a heart beat sensor.

7. Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, wherein said control unit and said detector unit is arranged for wireless

communication.

Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, further comprising said detector unit, which is arranged at one of said first and second temple arms (108, 1 10) or on the frame front piece (102), wherein the detector unit is arranged to detect the pulse of a blood vessel of the head of a user.

Exercise glasses according to any of claims 1 - 7, wherein said detector unit comprises a sensor (436), arranged to be carried on the body of a user.

10. Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, further comprising a user interface (128) arranged at one of said first and second temple arms (108, 1 10) or said front frame piece 102, and which is connected to said control unit (104), said user interface being arranged for the user to operate functions of the exercise glasses.

1 1 . Exercise glasses according any preceding claim, wherein

said exercise data comprises at least one data type chosen from a group of data types comprising pulse, lapsed time, clock time, and speed.

12. Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, further comprising a Global Positioning System receiver (432) connected to said control unit.

13. Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one communication terminal (126) for communication with an external device, which is arranged at one of the temple arms (108, 1 10) or at the front frame piece (102).

14. Exercise glasses according to any preceding claim, further comprising a wireless communication unit (434) arranged at one of said first and second temple arms (408, 410) and connected with the display control unit (414), which communication unit is arranged to wirelessly communicate with the wireless pulse detector (436).