Integrated sensors for tracking performance metrics

• US 20080076972A1
• Filed: 03/27/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kalayjian, Nicholas R., Novotney, Donald J., Fadell, Anthony, Dorogusker, Jesse Lee
• Application Number:
  US11/729,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20080076972A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/202 glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

Electronic devices and accessories having integrated sensors for tracking a user'"'"'s performance metrics are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention can include a headset having integrated physiological sensors. The present invention also can include a sling having one or more integrated physiological sensors. The sling can secure a portable electronic device to a user'"'"'s body or clothing. The present invention also can include a portable media device having one or more integrated physiological sensors. In one embodiment, an electronic device of the present invention can accept data from multiple sensors, including one or more sensors that track a user'"'"'s movements. The electronic device can be configured to condition data from physiological sensors using data indicative of the user'"'"'s movements.

Claims

1. A media system comprising:

a headset having at least a first earbud, wherein the first earbud has a housing;

a speaker disposed in the first earbud;

an acoustic aperture for delivering sound waves from the speaker to an external environment, wherein the acoustic aperture is disposed through the housing of the first earbud; and

at least a first physiological sensor for tracking at least a first physiological metric, wherein the first physiological sensor is integrated with the headset.

2. The media system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication module disposed in the headset to facilitate communication of data from the first physiological sensor.

3. The media system of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication module comprises a Bluetooth antenna.

4. The media system of claim 1, wherein the first physiological sensor comprises an optical sensor system.

5. The media system of claim 1, wherein the first physiological sensor comprises one or more electrical contacts.

6. The media system of claim 1, wherein data generated by the first physiological sensor provides information related to at least two physiological metrics.

7. The media system of claim 1, further comprising a portable media player having memory for storing data from the first physiological sensor and for storing entertainment media files.

8. The media system of claim 7, wherein the portable media player further comprises a media output for transmitting output signals from at least one of the entertainment media files.

9. The media system of claim 8, wherein the media output is configured to accept data generated by the first physiological sensor.

10. The media system of claim 8, wherein the media output is configured to transmit signals wirelessly.

11. An accessory for a portable media device, the accessory comprising:

an enclosure within which the portable media device can be disposed;

a strap attached to the enclosure for securing the enclosure to a user'"'"'s body;

at least a first physiological sensor for tracking at least a first physiological metric, wherein the first physiological sensor is integrated with the enclosure or the strap; and

a communication module for transmitting signals from the first physiological sensor to the portable media device.

12. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the communication module comprises a connector.

13. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the communication module comprises a wireless communication module.

14. The accessory of claim of claim 11, wherein the first physiological sensor is exposed to the external environment.

15. The accessory of claim of claim 11, wherein a light transmissive material shields the first physiological sensor from the external environment.

16. The media system of claim 11, wherein the optical sensor system comprises a photodetector.

17. The media system of claim 16, wherein the optical sensor system comprises a light source.

18. The media system of claim 11, wherein the first physiological sensor comprises one or more electrical contacts.

19. A portable media system comprising:

a portable media device;

memory for storing media files and physiological sensor data, wherein the memory is disposed within the portable media device and wherein the physiological sensor data represents at least a first physiological metric;

a media output disposed within the portable media device for transmitting output signals from at least one of the media files; and

at least a first physiological sensor for generating the physiological sensor data, wherein the first physiological sensor is integrated with the portable media device.

20. The portable media system of claim 19, further comprising a controller, wherein the media output comprises a display and the controller is configured to instruct the display to show entertainment graphics from media files stored in the memory.

21. The portable media system of claim 20, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the display to show graphics related to the first physiological metric simultaneously with the entertainment graphics.

22. The portable media system of claim 19, further comprising a controller, wherein the media output comprises an audio output connector and the controller is configured to output audio signals from at least one of the media files through the audio output connector.

23. The portable media system of claim 19, further comprising a headset having a speaker, a media input, and at least a second physiological sensor for generating physiological sensor data, wherein the media input of the headset is configured to be compatible with the media output of the portable media device and the media input is configured to transmit data from the second physiological sensor.

24. The portable media system of claim 23, wherein the media output of the portable media device comprises a first wireless communication module and the media input of the headset comprises a second wireless communication module, wherein data generated by the first physiological sensor is transmitted from the headset to the portable media player via the first and second wireless communication modules.

25. A method for a media device to provide entertainment to a user and track the user'"'"'s performance metrics simultaneously, the method comprising:

generating audio signals from entertainment media files stored in memory;

communicating the audio signals to an electronic accessory via a communications channel; and

accepting data generated by a physiological sensor disposed in the electronic accessory via the communications channel.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

accepting data generated by a movement sensor; and

conditioning data generated by the physiological sensor using data generated by the movement sensor.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

storing data generated by the physiological sensor;

accepting data generated by a movement sensor; and

storing data generated by the movement sensor.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

generating graphic signals from entertainment media files stored in memory; and

communicating the graphic signals to a display.

29. A method for an electronic accessory to provide entertainment to a user and track the user'"'"'s performance metrics simultaneously, the method comprising:

receiving audio signals from a media device via a communications channel;

driving a speaker using the audio signals;

using a physiological sensor in the electronic accessory to generate physiological data; and

transmitting the physiological data from the electronic accessory via the communications channel.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the communications channel is a wireless communications channel.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein using a physiological sensor in the electronic accessory to generate physiological data comprises using an optical sensor system to generate physiological data.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein using a physiological sensor in the electronic accessory to generate physiological data comprises using a physiological sensor in the electronic accessory to generate physiological data that provides information related to at least two physiological metrics.