Ringed-shaped biometric earpiece
Inventors
LeBoeuf, Steven Francis • Stephenson, Shawn M. • Perry, MacIntosh E.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11950039-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A wearable device includes a ring-shaped housing having a central opening and defining an annular interior volume. The housing is configured to be worn within an ear of a subject such that the subjects ear canal is exposed by the central opening. At least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector are supported within the housing. The housing includes at least one window through which light can be delivered from the at least one optical emitter to the ear, and through which light from the ear can be delivered to the at least one optical detector.
Core Innovation
A ring-shaped wearable housing is configured to be worn within an ear of a subject such that an ear canal of the ear is exposed by a central opening. The housing defines an annular interior volume and includes optical emitter(s) and optical detector(s) within the housing, and light is delivered from the optical emitter(s) to the ear through at least one window while light from the ear is delivered to the optical detector(s) through the at least one window.
The optical emitter and optical detector arrangement supports optical delivery and detection through housing windows, including transparent portions and openings, and can further include separate emitter/window windows and detector/window windows. Optical crosstalk barriers and optical isolation barriers are provided to separate light delivery and detection paths, including between different emitter-detector pairs, and light guiding materials and optical isolation features route light to the window to enable non-line-of-sight optical communication.
Mechanical and integrated system features include conformable resilient outer and optional rigid inner annular covers, removably secured replacement covers for fit adjustment, and clocking features to prevent rotation. Flex circuits carry optics, and the device can include a speaker and a microphone via sound apertures, with a processor controlling the optical emitters and processing detector signals, wireless communication, rechargeable power, and optional sensor inputs.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim set includes two independent claims, each defining a wearable ring-shaped ear device with specific structural and functional components. The inventive features are centered on an optical emitter/detector arrangement delivered through housing windows to an exposed ear canal, and a ring-shaped ear device architecture including speaker, microphone, wireless communication, and an internal power source.
Ring-shaped ear housing exposing ear canal via central opening and annular interior volume
A wearable device having a ring-shaped housing with a central opening defining an annular interior volume, configured to be worn within an ear so the ear canal is exposed by the central opening.
Optical emitter and optical detector with light delivered and received through housing window(s)
The housing includes at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector within the housing, and the housing comprises at least one window through which light can be delivered from the at least one optical emitter to the ear and through which light from the ear can be delivered to the at least one optical detector.
Speaker in ring-shaped ear housing with inner annular surface apertures plus microphone and wireless communication
A wearable device having a speaker within the housing, where the housing comprises one or more apertures defined along an inner annular surface of the ring-shaped housing through which sound from the speaker can pass, and a microphone within the housing.
Wireless communication unit and power source electrically connected to speaker, microphone, and wireless unit
A wearable device includes a wireless communication unit within the housing configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic communications device, and a power source within the housing electrically connected to the speaker, the microphone, and the wireless communication unit.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is a ring-shaped wearable ear device that exposes the ear canal via a central opening, with optical emitters and detectors communicating through housing window(s) in one claim, and with speaker, microphone, wireless communication, and an internal power source in the other claim.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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