EAR-MOUNTED DEVICE

• US 20160100676A1
• Filed: 03/23/2015
• Published: 04/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Freebit
• Original Assignee: Freebit
• Inventors: SANDANGER, Vidar
• Application Number:
  US14/666,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20160100676A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0533 Cameras, e.g. reflex, digital, video camera
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0541 Eyeglasses or spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping

Abstract

Ear-mounted apparatus are provided for secure and comfortable load bearing in support of optical, biosensor, and mobile communication functionalities. In particular, a load-bearing ear unit is provided which includes an anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a member extending from the anchor. The member has therein a rotational stabiliser adapted to provide stability in relevant planes for secure ear mounting. Also provided is an ear-mounted optical device, comprising the load-bearing ear unit and one of a camera, a light source, a virtual reality device, a IrDA-device, and a photo diode. Further provided is an ear-mounted wearable device, comprising the load-bearing ear unit and one or more biosensors. A particular such wearable device is an ear-mounted EAG device.

Claims

1. A load bearing ear unit, comprising an anchor for stable attachment in an ear, and a member extending from the anchor, wherein said anchor comprises a rotational stabiliser, thereby stabilizing said member.

2. The load bearing ear unit of claim 1, further comprising a housing unit forming an attachment connecting said member to said anchor.

3. The load bearing ear unit of claim 1, wherein said rotational stabiliser is adapted to stabilize said member in the sagittal plane.

4. The load bearing ear unit of claim 1, wherein said anchor comprises an arm adapted as a decremental curve corresponding to the antihelix of the ear, wherein said decremental curve falls along an inner part of the antihelix and is partly positioned under the antitragus.

5. The load bearing ear unit of claim 4, wherein said rotational stabiliser is an end that extends into a cavity formed between the antihelix and root of helix.

6. The load bearing ear unit of claim 3, wherein said rotational stabiliser is a protrusion having an end adapted to engage with an end surface of fossa triangularis.

7. The load bearing ear unit of claim 3, wherein said rotational stabiliser is a protrusion adapted to abut intertragic notch.

8. The load bearing ear unit of claim 1, wherein said rotational stabiliser is adapted to stabilize said member in the transverse plane.

9. The load bearing ear unit of claim 8, wherein said rotational stabiliser is an extra member abutting a part of pinna.

10. The load bearing ear unit of claim 8, wherein said rotational stabiliser is a tragus support adapted to abut incisura anterior.

11. The load bearing ear unit of claim 8, wherein said rotational stabiliser is a sulcus support adapted to abut sulcus auriculae posterior.

12. The load bearing ear unit of claim 8, wherein said rotational stabiliser is a temple support adapted to abut temple.

14. The load bearing unit of claim 1, wherein said member further comprises a connector for mechanical connectivity.

15. The load bearing unit of claim 14, wherein said connector is rotatably adjustable.

16. The load bearing unit of claim 14, wherein said connector is a magnet.

17. The load bearing unit of claim 1, wherein said member further comprises a connector for power connectivity.

18. The load bearing unit of claim 1, wherein said member further comprises a connector for data connectivity.

19. The load bearing unit of claim 17, wherein said connector is one of the group including an audio jack, an audio jack socket, a USB socket, and a USB plug.

13. An ear-mounted optical device, comprising:

i) a load bearing ear unit, and ii) one of the group including flash light, display unit, VR device, IrDA-device, photo diode, and camera, wherein said load-bearing ear unit comprises an anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a member extending from the anchor, and wherein said anchor comprises a rotational stabiliser thereby stabilizing said member.

20. An ear-mounted EEG device, comprising a first anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a first member extending forward from the anchor, wherein the first anchor further comprises a first EEG electrode, and wherein the first member further comprises a temple support adapted to be a second EEG electrode.

21. An ear-mounted EEG device of claim 20, further comprising a second anchor and extended therefrom a second member, wherein said second anchor comprises a third EEG electrode.

22. An ear-mounted EEG device of claim 21, wherein said second member comprises a second temple support adapted to be a fourth EEG electrode.

23. An ear-mounted EEG device of claim 22, further comprising a nose support, adapted to connect the first and second members.

24. An ear-mounted device comprising a load bearing ear unit and a sensor, wherein said load bearing ear unit comprises an anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a member extending from said anchor, and wherein said anchor further comprises a sensor adapted to detect signals when said ear-mounted device is worn by a user, from a part of the user'"'"'s ear.

25. A ear-mounted device of claim 24, wherein said member further comprises a second sensor adapted to detect signals when said ear-mounted device is worn by a user, from a part of the user'"'"'s head.