Sports monitoring system for headphones, earbuds and/or headsets

• US 8,655,004 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Prest, Christopher, Hoellwarth, Quin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sefer, A.
• Application Number:
  US12/196,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20090097689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,007 Days
• Field of Search: 381/380
• 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 configured to be positioned within a user'"'"'s ear;

a monitoring system located in substantially close proximity to the audio output device, the monitoring system including;

an activity sensor housed in the audio output device and configured to detect head motion data; and

a biometric sensor housed in the audio output device and configured to monitor biometric data pertaining to the user,

wherein said monitoring system is configured for;

receiving the head motion data from the activity sensor;

determining whether the head motion data matches a predetermined head gesture;

identifying a first action associated with the matching predetermined head gesture;

receiving biometric data from the biometric sensor;

determining whether the biometric data matches a predetermined physical characteristic;

identifying a second action associated with the matching physical characteristic; and

performing the first identified action or the second identified action on a portable electronic device in communication with the hearing device.

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

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

4. 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.

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

6. A hearing device as recited in claim 1,

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

7. A hearing device as recited in claim 6, wherein the electronic device is a mobile device having media playback capability.

8. A hearing device as recited in claim 7, wherein said hearing device is responsive to movement of the user'"'"'s head to invoke commands for the mobile device.

9. A hearing device as recited in claim 7, wherein said hearing device is responsive to a predetermined movement of the user'"'"'s head to invoke commands for the media playback device.

10. A hearing device as recited in claim 7, wherein said hearing device is a wearable hearing device.

11. A hearing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the electronic device is configured to supply audio signals associated with the user'"'"'s biometric data or movement data obtained from the monitoring system.

12. A hearing device as recited in claim 9, wherein the predetermined movement is a gesture using the user'"'"'s head.

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

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

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

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

an upper portion;

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

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

an activity sensor coupled to the upper portion, the activity sensor including;

at least one accelerometer configured to monitor user activity, wherein the at least one accelerometer is configured to detect user movements or gestures; and

at least one biometric sensor configured to monitor biometric data pertaining to the user,

wherein the earbud is configured for;

receiving the head motion data from the activity sensor;

determining whether the head motion data matches a predetermined head gesture;

identifying a first action associated with the matching predetermined head gesture;

receiving biometric data from the biometric sensor;

determining whether the biometric data matches a predetermined physical characteristic;

identifying a second action associated with the matching physical characteristic; and

performing the first identified action or the second identified action on a portable electronic device in communication with the hearing device.

17. An earbud as recited in claim 16, wherein said activity sensor is removable from said earbud.

18. An earbud as recited in claim 16, wherein the activity sensor is housed within the upper portion.

19. A method for controlling a portable electronic device through one or more head gestures, said method comprising:

receiving head motion data from an activity sensor housed within a hearing device positioned proximate to an ear of the user, the head motion data pertaining to 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;

identifying a first action associated with the matching predetermined head gesture;

receiving biometric data from a biometric sensor housed within the hearing device positioned proximate to an ear of the user;

determining whether the biometric data matches any of a plurality of predetermined physical characteristics;

identifying a second action associated with the matching physical characteristics; and

performing the first identified action or the second identified action on the portable electronic device.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said portable electronic device is a mobile device having media playback capability.