Sports Monitoring System for Headphones, Earbuds and/or Headsets

• US 20090097689A1
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Prest, Christopher, Hoellwarth, Quin C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,655,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/380
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083

Abstract

A monitoring system that can be placed proximate to the head or ear of a user is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the monitoring system can be used with headphones, earbuds or headsets. The monitoring system can, for example, be used to monitor user activity, such as during exercise or sporting activities. The positioning of the monitoring system can also facilitate sensing of other user characteristics (e.g., biometric data), such as temperature, perspiration and heart rate. The monitoring system can also be used to control a an electronic device. In one embodiment, the monitoring system facilitates user control of the electronic device using head gestures.

Claims

1. A hearing device, comprising:

an audio output device; and

a monitoring system configured to monitor user activity.

2. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring system comprises at least one accelerometer.

3. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said audio output device comprises a speaker.

4. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said hearing device is an earbud, a headset or headphones.

5. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said hearing device further comprises:

a cord coupled to said audio output device, and

wherein said monitoring system is attached to said cord.

6. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring system is further configured to monitor one or more of temperature, perspiration or heart rate pertaining to the user.

7. A hearing device as recited in claim 1,

wherein said hearing device is coupled to an electronic device that provides audio signal that are supplied to said audio output device.

8. A hearing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic device is a mobile device having media playback capability.

9. A hearing device as recited in claim 8, wherein said hearing device is responsive to movement of the user'"'"'s head to invoke commands for the mobile device.

10. A hearing device as recited in claim 8, wherein said hearing device is responsive to a predetermined movement of the user'"'"'s head to invoke commands for the media playback device.

11. A hearing device as recited in claim 10, wherein the predetermined movement is a gesture using the user'"'"'s head.

12. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring system is positioned proximate to an ear of the user.

13. A hearing device as recited in claim 8, wherein said hearing device is a wearable hearing device.

14. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring system is internal to said audio output device.

15. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring system is integral to said audio output device.

16. A hearing device as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitoring system is removably attached to said audio output device.

17. An earbud for use by a user to receive audio sound, said earbud comprising:

an ear interface portion configured to be placed within or proximate to the ear of the user;

a speaker configured to produce audible sound that is provided to the ear of the user via said ear interface portion; and

an activity sensor configured to monitor user activity.

18. An earbud as recited in claim 17, wherein said monitoring system includes at least one accelerometer.

19. An earbud as recited in claim 17, wherein said activity sensor is removable from said earbud.

20. A method for controlling an electronic device though one or more head gestures, said method comprising:

receiving head motion data pertaining a head motion of a user of the electronic device;

determining whether the head motion data matches any of a plurality of predetermined head gestures; and

identifying an action associated with the matching predetermined head gesture.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein said method further comprises:

performing the identified action on the electronic device.