US-20260126707-A1 - IMAGING SYSTEM FOR PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR

US20260126707A1US 20260126707 A1US20260126707 A1US 20260126707A1US-20260126707-A1

Abstract

An imaging system for protective eyewear that includes an image capture device configured for removable coupling to and from a frame of the protective eyewear and a control module configured to power the image capture device and configured for removable coupling to and from a strap of the protective eyewear. The image capture device includes a connecting portion that extends into the frame to removably couple the image capture device to the frame. The control module is spaced apart from the image capture device when the image capture device and the control module are coupled to the protective eyewear.

Inventors

Nicholas D. Woodman
Joshua Todd Druker
Huy Phuong Nguyen
Bessy Wen-Han Liang

Assignees

GOPRO, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20250325

Claims (20)

1 . An imaging system for protective eyewear, the imaging system comprising: an image capture device configured for removable coupling to and from a frame of the protective eyewear, wherein the image capture device includes a connecting portion that extends into the frame to removably couple the image capture device to the frame; and a control module configured to power the image capture device and for removable coupling to and from a strap of the protective eyewear, wherein the control module is spaced apart from the image capture device when the image capture device and the control module are coupled to the protective eyewear.
2 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the image capture device includes: a lens assembly located at least partially within a body of the image capture device; one or more microphones; one or more speakers; and a light configured to illuminate an area external to the image capture device.
3 . The imaging system of claim 2 , wherein the protective eyewear includes: a lens secured within the frame, wherein the lens assembly is configured to extend outward from the protective eyewear beyond an entirety of an exterior surface of the lens.
4 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the strap is coupled to the frame and configured to secure the protective eyewear to a head of a user.
5 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the control module includes a user interface to control operation of the image capture device.
6 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the control module includes one or more clip portions that are configured to secure the control module to the strap, and wherein a position of the control module along the strap is adjustable via the clip portions.
7 . The imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the control module includes a housing, and wherein the one or more clip portions are formed with the housing.
8 . The imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the housing defines a cavity therein that is accessible via an openable access panel of the housing, and wherein a power module is disposed in the cavity of the housing and configured to power the image capture device.
9 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the control module includes one or more contacts that are configured to electrically connect an accessory to the control module.
10 . The imaging system of claim 9 , wherein the accessory is at least one of a cellular network module, a power module, or a peer-to-peer communication module.
11 . The imaging system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more contacts are configured to electrically and mechanically connect the accessory to the control module.
12 . The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is configured to rotatably couple the image capture device to the frame such that the image capture device is configured to rotate with respect to the frame when the image capture device is coupled to the frame.
13 . The imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the connecting portion includes one or more teeth that are configured to mesh with teeth of the frame and establish geared rotation of the image capture device with respect to the frame.
14 . The imaging system of claim 13 , wherein the frame defines a receiving portion therein, and the teeth of the frame are disposed within the receiving portion such that, when the connecting portion is inserted into the receiving portion, the teeth of the receiving portion mesh with the teeth of the connecting portion.
15 . An imaging system for protective eyewear, the imaging system comprising: an image capture device configured for removable coupling to and from a frame of the protective eyewear; a control module configured to power the image capture device via wiring connecting the control module to the image capture device; and a strap configured for removable coupling to and from the frame of the protective eyewear, wherein the control module is removably coupled to the strap and spaced apart from the image capture device when the image capture device is coupled to the frame of the protective eyewear.
16 . The imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the wiring is routed through an interior channel defined by the strap and located between the image capture device and the control module.
17 . The imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the strap is configured to be removably coupled to the frame of the protective eyewear and interchangeable with arms that are configured to be removably coupled to the frame.
18 . The imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the strap is configured to removably couple to one or more quick-release mechanisms of the frame of the protective eyewear.
19 . The imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the strap is configured to secure the protective eyewear to a head of a user, wherein the image capture device is configured for positioning near a left side or right side of the head of the user, and wherein the control module is configured for positioning near a back of the head of the user.
20 . The imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the protective eyewear is a pair of safety glasses or sunglasses.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/569,972, filed Mar. 26, 2024, U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/675,307, filed Jul. 25, 2024, U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/688,474, filed Aug. 29, 2024, U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/716,008, filed Nov. 4, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/771,225, filed Mar. 13, 2025, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to an imaging system, and more particularly, to an imaging system adapted for use with protective eyewear. BACKGROUND Imaging devices capture images and videos using one or more lenses that gather light to be focused onto an image sensor. Ease of use and convenience of mounting or carrying imaging devices is important to users that record both day-to-day and high-intensity activities. By way of example, users may require mounting or carrying imaging devices during high-intensity activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and biking. Smaller devices with simpler interfaces may attract a wider number of users. However, providing extensive processing, storage, and/or other capabilities to smaller imaging devices may be difficult with tight packaging constraints and limited interface options. An imaging device that is easy to mount in a variety of ways, which is small and unobtrusive, and that includes an easy-to-use interface may beneficially improve a user's experience with the imaging device, especially during high-intensity activities. SUMMARY In one implementation, an imaging system for protective eyewear is disclosed. The imaging system for protective eyewear includes an image capture device configured for removable coupling to and from an exterior of the protective eyewear and a battery configured to power the image capture device and configured for removable coupling to and from the protective eyewear. The battery is spaced apart from the image capture device when the image capture device and the battery are coupled to the protective eyewear. In certain implementations, the image capture device and the battery may be interchangeable such that the image capture device and the battery are configured to removably couple to the exterior of the protective eyewear at one or more of the same locations. In certain implementations, the imaging system may include an attachment bracket configured to removably couple the image capture device to the protective eyewear and extend along an exterior surface of the protective eyewear between a first side of the protective eyewear and a second side of the protective eyewear that opposes the first side. The attachment bracket may include a first side portion that is configured to abut the first side of the protective eyewear and a second side portion that is configured to abut the second side of the protective eyewear. The first side portion and the second side portion of the attachment bracket may each include a magnetic portion such that the image capture device may be magnetically coupled to the first side portion and the battery may be magnetically coupled to the second side portion, or vice versa. The first side portion and the second side portion of the attachment bracket may be electrically connected via wiring extending through the attachment bracket between the first side portion and the second side portion. Additionally, the image capture device may be powered by the battery via the wiring when the image capture device and the battery are magnetically coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion, respectively. Moreover, the image capture device and the battery may be interchangeable such that the image capture device and the battery may be configured to be coupled to both the first side portion and the second side portion of the attachment bracket. In certain implementations, the imaging system may include a lens assembly located at least partially within a body of the image capture device, one or more microphones, one or more speakers, and a light configured to illuminate an area external to the image capture device. The protective eyewear may include a frame and a lens secured within the frame, whereby the lens assembly may be configured to extend outward from the protective eyewear beyond an entirety of an exterior surface of the lens. In certain implementations, the imaging system may include an indicator light coupled to the protective eyewear and configured to indicate a status of the image capture device. The indicator light may be positioned within an interior portion of the protective eyewear such that the indicator light may be viewable by a user wearing the protective eyewear. The indicator light may be electrically connected to the image capture device, the battery, or both. In certain implementations, the protective eyewear may include a strap coupled to a frame to secure the protective eyewear to a head of a user. The battery may be coupl