Electronic eyewear with hands-free operation

Abstract

A wearable audio interface includes a support for positioning the plurality of speakers juxtaposed to and spaced from the ears of a wearer. The audio device can include wireless networking electronics so as to allow the device to interact with other wireless network devices.

1 . An interactive audio device comprising: 
 a support configured to be supported on a head of a human;    a least one audio output device configured to output sound audible to a wearer of the audio device; and    means for allowing a wearer of the audio device to browse an aural menu.    
     
     
         2 . An audio device as in  claim 1 , wherein the aural menu comprises a plurality of stored humanoid voice sounds corresponding to functions supported by a source device which sends audio signals to the audio output device.  
     
     
         3 . An interactive audio device comprising: 
 a support configured to be supported on a head of a human;    at least one audio output device supported by the support and configured to output sound audible to a wearer of the audio device;    at least one input device supported by the support and configured to accept inputs from a wearer of the audio device; and    an interface device supported by the support, the interface device being configured to transmit aural menu options to the audio output device and to allow a user select a menu option through actuation of the input device.    
     
     
         4 . An audio device as in  claim 3 , wherein the aural menu options comprise a plurality of stored humanoid voice sounds corresponding to functions supported by a source device which sends audio signals to the audio output device.  
     
     
         5 . An audio device as in  claim 3 , wherein input device is a microphone.  
     
     
         6 . An audio device as in  claim 3 , wherein input device is a button.  
     
     
         7 . An audio device as in  claim 3 , wherein the interface device is configured to transmit first signals corresponding to outputs of the input device to a second audio device, to receive second signals from the second audio device corresponding to aural menu options, and to transmit third signals to the audio output device corresponding to the second signals.  
     
     
         8 . A method of browsing through a menu comprising the steps of: 
 wearing a wireless audio interface carried by an eyeglass frame, the eyeglass frame comprising at least a first speaker, a first input device, and a short range transceiver for communicating with a source device which is electronically paired with the transceiver;    actuating the first input device;    transmitting a first signal from the transceiver to the source device, the first signal corresponding to the actuation of the first input device;    receiving a second signal from the source device in response to the first signal;    transmitting a third signal corresponding to the second signal, from the transceiver to the first speaker, the third signal corresponding to a first aural menu option.    
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 8 , further comprising transmitting a fourth signal from the transceiver to the source device, the fourth signal corresponding to a further actuation of the first input device, receiving a fifth signal from the source device in response to the fourth signal, and transmitting a sixth signal corresponding to the fifth signal, from the transceiver to the first speaker, the sixth signal corresponding to a second aural menu option.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the source device is a cellular telephone.  
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the source device is a personal computer.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the source device is a laptop computer.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the source device is a palmtop computer.