Prior art

Analysis of Prior Art for US Patent 11,971,612

Washington D.C. - A detailed analysis of the prior art cited against US Patent 11,971,612, titled "Eyewear docking station and electronic module," reveals several key patents that could potentially anticipate its claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The patent, assigned to E Vision Smart Optics Inc., describes a system where an eyewear frame includes a docking station for removably attaching electronic modules, allowing for a variety of functions to be added to the eyewear.

The core of the invention, as detailed in the claims, revolves around an eyewear system comprising a frame with a docking station and an electronic connector with a first set of preconfigured application connection points. An application module, containing an electronic device, has a corresponding second set of connection points. This modular approach allows for functions like audio playback, video recording, and health monitoring to be integrated with the eyewear.

An examination of the cited prior art provides context to the novelty and non-obviousness of these claims. Below is a breakdown of the most relevant references and their potential impact.

Key Prior Art and Potential Anticipation of Claims:

1. US Patent 8,210,681 B2: "Eyeglasses with a Docking System for an Electronic Device"

• Full Citation: US Patent 8,210,681 B2
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: July 3, 2012; Filing Date: August 18, 2008.
• Brief Description: This patent, assigned to the same entity as the '612 patent (though an earlier iteration of the company), discloses a spectacle frame with a docking station for an electronic device. It describes a mechanical and electrical interface on the temple of the eyeglasses for connecting a module. The docking system is designed to secure and power an electronic device.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference appears to be highly relevant and could anticipate the foundational claims of US 11,971,612, particularly Claim 1, which describes the basic combination of an eyewear frame with a docking station and an application module. The '681 patent teaches the core concept of a modular electronic system integrated into eyewear. The breadth of its disclosure around the docking mechanism and electrical connection could be argued to read on the "preconfigured application connection points" recited in the '612 patent.

2. US Patent 7,905,599 B2: "Modular Eyewear"

• Full Citation: US Patent 7,905,599 B2
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: March 15, 2011; Filing Date: October 20, 2006.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a modular eyewear system where various components, including electronic modules, can be interchangeably attached to a base frame. The focus is on the customizability and interchangeability of both functional and aesthetic elements of the glasses.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: The '599 patent could be seen to anticipate the broader concept of modularity in eyewear as described in several of the independent and dependent claims of the '612 patent. Specifically, it discloses the attachment of electronic modules to a frame, which aligns with the system described in Claim 1 and Claim 15 of US 11,971,612. The key distinction would lie in the specific nature of the "preconfigured application connection points" and whether the '599 patent's connection mechanism is sufficiently similar.

3. US Patent Application Publication US 2009/0231551 A1: "Eyeglass-Mounted Communication Device"

• Full Citation: US 2009/0231551 A1
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: September 17, 2009; Filing Date: March 14, 2008.
• Brief Description: This application describes a communication device that can be removably mounted to a pair of eyeglasses. It details a mounting mechanism and an electrical interface for providing power and data to the communication module.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This prior art reference is particularly relevant to claims that specify the function of the electronic module. For instance, dependent claims that recite a communication device or wireless communication capabilities could be anticipated by the '551 application. The disclosure of a specific type of electronic module and its attachment to eyewear challenges the novelty of combining such functionalities with a docking station.

4. US Patent 8,092,008 B2: "Eyewear System with Detachable Electronic Modules"

• Full Citation: US Patent 8,092,008 B2
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: January 10, 2012; Filing Date: February 26, 2009.
• Brief Description: This patent details an eyewear system that includes detachable electronic modules. The invention describes a rail or other mounting system on the temple arms of the glasses to which modules can be affixed. The patent also discusses the electrical connections necessary to power these modules.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: Similar to the '681 patent, the '008 patent discloses a system of detachable electronic modules on eyewear, which could anticipate the general concept of Claim 1 and Claim 15. The specifics of the "docking station" and "preconfigured application connection points" in the '612 patent would need to be carefully compared to the mounting and connection systems described in the '008 patent to determine the extent of the overlap. The description of a "rail" system for mounting in the '008 patent may be a key point of differentiation or similarity.

In conclusion, while US Patent 11,971,612 claims a specific configuration of a modular eyewear system, the cited prior art, particularly from the same assignee, indicates that the foundational concepts of a docking station and interchangeable electronic modules on eyeglasses were known in the art prior to the earliest priority date of the '612 patent. The patentability of the claims will likely hinge on the novelty and non-obviousness of the specific implementation of the "electronic connector" and the "preconfigured application connection points" as distinct from these earlier disclosures.