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. In US patent application No. 2004/0260191 there is disclosed exercise glasses where the information is presented on one of the lenses. The lens is used as a screen and a projector is mounted on the corresponding temple arm. The information is acquired by means of a waist belt having inter alia a pulse detector, a clock, and a stopwatch. The information is transferred to the projector by wire. Keys on the belt are used for choosing what information is to be displayed.

However, the known device is bulky uncomfortable due to inter alia a bulky and heavy projector on the glasses, and the wire connection between the glasses and the waist belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide exercise glasses which alleviates all the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and which are considerably more comfortable to use.

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 comprising a frame front piece, first and second temple arms hingedly connected with the frame front piece, and first and second lenses mounted in the frame front piece. At least one of the lenses comprises an integrated transparent active display, which is arranged to display exercise data. A display control unit is arranged in at least one of the first and second temple arms. By providing an integrated display that is active, i.e. it presents the image in the glasses instead of merely passively showing a projected image as in the above-mentioned prior art, there is no need for a projector. The display control unit is very small, as recognized by the person skilled in the art, and easily integrated with one of the temple arms.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise a pulse detector, which is arranged at one of said first and second temple arms. The pulse detector is arranged to detect the pulse of a head blood vessel of a user. Thereby there is no need for a separate pulse detector but an integrated concept is achieved.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the transparent active display includes a layer of liquid crystals. This is an advantageous kind of technology since it can easily be made transparent and it is a low power alternative.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise a wireless pulse detector, arranged to be carried on the body of a user. The exercise glasses comprises a wireless communication unit mounted on one of said first and second temple arms, 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.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they further comprise a user interface arranged at one of said first and second temple arms, said user interface being arranged for operating functions of the exercise glasses. This contributes to an all inclusive solution with all functions of interest provided on the glasses.

In accordance with 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. In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the transparent active display is constituted by the whole lens. This provides a simple manufacture.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the transparent display constitutes a display layer sandwiched between layers of said lens. Thereby the display layer is protected against mechanical wear.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, each one of the lenses comprises a display, and the exercise glasses further comprises a display switch for choosing which one of the displays to be used. This provides for individual adaptation.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, the exercise glasses are sunglasses.

In accordance with an embodiment of the exercise glasses, they comprise a computer connection terminal, which is arranged at one of the temple arms. This is for connecting the exercise glasses to a computer for loading the power source, setting display configurations, etc.

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

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of another 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, first and second lenses 104, 106, and first and second temple arms 108, 110, which are hingedly connected with the frame front piece 102. The overall construction is that of ordinary glasses. Furthermore, the exercise glasses 100 comprise an integrated display 12, which is transparent in order not to degrade the visibility of the lenses 104, 106. The display 112 is integrated with the first lens 104, is active, and it is driven by a display control unit 114, arranged at the first temple arm 108. Preferably, the first temple arm 108 is made hollow, i.e. tubular, and the display control unit 114 is arranged within the cavity of the temple arm 108. Wires arranged within the first temple arm 108 and extending passed the hinge 116 to the first lens 104 via the frame front piece 102, connect the display 112 with the display control unit 114 for providing display data and drive power to the display 1 12. A user interface 118 comprising keys, or buttons, 120 is arranged at the first temple arm 108 as well, and more particularly on the outside thereof to be easily reached by the user. The user interface is connected with the display control unit 114, and enables the user to choose what information to display.

Preferably, the lens 104 as a whole constitutes the transparent display 112. Then there is a large area that can be used to display data. In one embodiment it is possible for the user to choose a fraction, such as

upper/lower half, centred, upper left quarter, and the like, of the lens where the data is to be displayed. Alternatively, the transparent display 112 is a thin film, or layer, which is sandwiched between glass or plastic front and rear layers of the lens 104. Thereby the display is protected from physical damage. As a further alternative, the transparent display 112 constitutes a surface display layer attached to the inside of a support part of the lens 104, or possibly, but less preferred, to the outside of a support part of the lens 104.

Additionally, the exercise glasses comprise a pulse detector 122, which is arranged at the second temple arm 110. More particularly, the very detecting portion of the pulse detector 122 is arranged on the inside of the second temple arm 110 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 114, by means of wires extending via the frame front piece 102, in order to enable presentation of pulse data on the display 112.

Furthermore, the exercise glasses 100 comprises a power source 124 arranged at a portion of the frame front piece 102 between the lenses 104, 106, that is the portion which is arranged to rest on the nose, and connected with power consumers of the exercise glasses 100, i.e. the pulse detector 122, and the display control unit 114. Preferably the power source is a rechargeable battery.

The exercise glasses 100 furthermore comprise a computer terminal 126, which is arranged at the second temple arm 110, at the inside thereof. The computer terminal is arranged to be used for connecting the exercise glasses 100 to a computer by means of a computer cable, such as a USB cable or the like. Thereby, the user is able to operate on the display control unit 114 via his/her computer, in order to configure display images, what data is to be displayed, where on the display different data is to be displayed, etc. Additionally, the power source 124 is 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 114 from the computer.

According to a second embodiment of the exercise glasses 200, as shown in Fig. 2, each one of the lenses 204, 206 arranged in the frame front piece 202 comprises a display 212, 213. A display switch 226, provided by the user interface 218 arranged at the first temple arm 208, is arranged for enabling the user to choose which one of the displays to be used. Thereby individual differences, such as what is most comfortable for a particular user, or eye illnesses or defects, can be considered.

According to a third embodiment of the exercise glasses 300, shown in Fig. 3, they include a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 330, which is separate and which is carried on the body of the user, for example at a waist belt or a wrist belt 328. The GPS unit 330 has a wireless transmitter 332, for transmitting GPS data to the display control unit 314, and a corresponding receiver 334 is arranged at the first temple arm 308 of the exercise glasses 300. The receiver 334 is connected with the display control unit 314. For instance, the wireless technology is blue tooth or any other suitable wireless technology.

In addition to the separate GPS unit 330, this embodiment also has a separate pulse detector 336, which can be provided on the same belt 328 as the GPS unit 332 or at a separate carrier, and which is arranged to transmit pulse data wirelessly to the display control unit 334.

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.