PTO/AIA/15 (03-13)
`Approvedfor use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`informati
`i
`ays a valid OMB control number
`spond to a collection of information unlessit displ
`
`UTILITY
`
`
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`8.
`
`————
`
`
`
` itj|I
`
`4. [v] Specification )|44. [] 37 CFR 3.73(c) Statement[Total Pages 51 Powerof Attorney
`
`
`
`
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`
`
`
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`
`[eomcwoname|
`
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1,53(b))
`
`
`Commissionerfor Patents
`
`
`P.O, Box 1450
`
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PAPERS
`1.[_] Fee Transmittal Form
`(PTO/SB/17 or equivalent)
`
`
`10. C] AssignmentPapers
`2, [| Applicant asserts small entity status.
`
`
`(cover sheet & document(s)
`See 37 CFR 1.27
`Nameof Assignee
`3. [] Applicant certifies micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29,
`
`Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/15Aor B or equivalent.
`
`
`
`
`
`Both the claims and abstract must start on a new page.
`(whenthereis an assignee)
`
`
`(See MPEP § 608,01(a)for information on the preferred arrangement)
`12, [| English Translation Document
`
`
`
`5,[¥|Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113) [Total Sheets 21 ] lif applicable)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6. Inventor’s Oath or Declaration ]|}13.[Total Pages Information Disclosure Statement
`(including substitute statements under 37 CFR 1.64 and assignments
`(PTO/SB/08 or PTO-1449)
`
`
`
`
`serving as an oath or declaration under 37 CFR 1.63(e))[] Copiesofcitations attached
`a. [| Newly executed (original or copy)
`14, | Preliminary Amendment
`b.[- | Acopyfromaprior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`
`15. [| Return Receipt Postcard
`
`
`
`
`7, Application Data Sheet=* See note below. (MPEP § 503) (Should be specifically itemized)
`
`See 37 CFR 1.76 (PTO/AIA/14 or equivalent)
`16, C] Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`
`
`CD-ROM or CD-R
`(ifforeign priority is claimed)
`in duplicate, large table, or Computer Program (Appendix)
`17 [| Nonpublication Request
`
`
`
`
`[| Landscape Table on CD
`Under 35 U.S.C, 122(b)(2)(B){i}. Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35
`9, Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`or equivalent,
`
`(if applicable, items a. —c. are required)
`18. E] Other:
`
`
`
`a. [| Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`
`
`b. {| Specification SequenceListing on:
`
`
`i, [| CD-ROM orCD-R (2 copies); or
`
`
`ii[ | Paper
`
`
`c [| Statementsverifying identity of above copies
`
`
`*Note:
`(1) Benefit claims under 37 CFR 1.78 andforeign priority claims under 1.55 must be included in an Application Data Sheet (ADS).
`
`
`(2) For applicationsfiled under 35 U.S.C, 114, the application must contain an ADS specifying the applicant if the applicantis an
`
`
`assignee, person to whom the inventoris underan obligation to assign, or person who ctherwise showssufficient proprietary
`
`interest in the matter. See 37 CFR 1.46(b).
`
`
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`
`
`
`The address associated with Customer Number: 20792
` Name
`
`
`
`Address
`cy [state| zipcode
`
`
`country|= Telephone|mail|
`
`
`.
`‘
`eo
`ae
`Signature
`Yi 2 SophZL
`February 19, 2014
`
`
`
`
`
`Name
`Registration No.
`:
`wr
`
`(print/type)|Needham J. Boddie,II (attorney/Agent)|40,019
`
`
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information is required to obtain orretain a benefit by the public which isto file (and by the USPTO
`to process) an application, Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14, This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO, Timewill vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on
`the amountof time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducingthis burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S, Patent and
`Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450, DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMSTO THIS ADDRESS. SEND
`TO: Commissionerfor Patents, P.O, Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`ifyou need assistance in completing theform, call 1-800-PTO-9199 and select option 2,
`
`OR [| Correspondence address below
`
`0001
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1002
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1002
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`0001
`
`

`

`COUP tet Lice bop
`Approved for use through 01/34/2014, OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no personsare required to respond to a collection of information unlessit contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`
`
`Title of Invention
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`
`
`The application data sheetis part of the provisional or nonprovisionalapplication for whichit is being submitted. The following form contains the
`bibliographic data arrangedin a format specified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as outlined in 37 CFR 1.76.
`This document may be completed electronically and submitted to the Office in electronic format using the Electronic Filing System (EFS) orthe
`
`document may be printed and included in a paper filed application.
`
`
`
`Secrecy Order 37 CFR 5.2
`
`
`Og Portionsorall of the application associated with this Application Data Sheet mayfall under a Secrecy Order pursuantto
`
`37 CFR 5.2 (Paper filers only. Applications that fall under Secrecy Order may notbefiled electronically.)
`
`
`Inventor Information:
`
` Inventor
`Legal Name
`
`1
`
`__ Remove
`
`aR
`
`Mailing Addressof Inventor:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`_Remove |
`
`Addressof Inventor:
`
`3701 Ramsey Creek Drive
`
`Address 1
`
`Address 2
`
`City
`
`Knightdale
`
`Postal Code
`
`3
`Inventor
`Legal Name
`
`State/Province
`
`NC
`
`
`
`
`
`_ Remove |
`.
`love
`|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`() Active US Military Service
`esidenceInformation (Select One) @) US Residency © NonUSResidency
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Inventor
`2
`
`
`Legal Name
`
`
`
`|Prefix Given Name Family Name|SuffixMiddle Name
`
`
`
`() Active US Military Service
`(©) NonUSResidency
`(@) US Residency
`ResidenceInformation (Select One)
`
`City|Knightdale State/Province Country of Residence
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Mailing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(©) NonUSResidency
`
`(©) Active US Military Service
`
`aR
`
`esidenceInformation (Select One)
`
`(@) US Residency
`
`Cee Wink on 44
`
`0002
`
`0002
`
`

`

`PUIit (lento)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014, OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no personsare required to respond to a collection of information unlessit contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`. Attorney Docket Number|9653-7TSCT2.
`
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`
`Raleigh
`State/Province
`Country of Residencd
`
`
`
` Title of Invention
`
`add
`
`Mailing Address of Inventor:
`
`All
`Inventors Must Be Listed - Additional
`Inventor Information blocks may be
`generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`
`
`[-] An Addressis being provided for the correspondenceInformationof this application.
`
`Customer Number
`
`20792
`
`Email Address
`
`CorrespondenceInformation:
`
`Enter either Customer Number or complete the Correspondence Information section below.
`For further information see 37 CFR 1.33(a).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` “Aad Eval
`Application Information:
`
`;
`:
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING
`Title of the Invention
`PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`Attorney Docket Number|9653-7TScT2, Small Entity Status Claimed
`Application Type
`Nonprovisional
`
`[]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Total Number of Drawing Sheets(if any) | Suggested Figure for Publication(if any)
`
`
`
`Filing By Reference:
`
`
`
`
`Only complete this section whenfiling an application by reference under 35 U.S.C. 111(c) and 37 CFR 1.57(a). Do not complete this sectionif
`
`application papersincluding a specification and any drawingsare beingfiled. Any domestic benefit or foreign priority information must be
`providedin the appropriate section(s) below (i.e, “Domestic Benefit/National Stage Information” and “Foreign Priority Information’).
`
`
` For the purposesof a filing date under 37 CFR 1.53(b), the description and any drawingsof the present application are replaced bythis
`referenceto the previouslyfiled application, subject to conditions and requirementsof 37 CFR 1.57(a).
`
`
`
`
`Intellectual Property Authority or Country
`Application numberof the previously
`Filing date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`filed application
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Subject Matter
`
`Utility
`
`i
`
`
`
`
`Publication Information:
`[_] Request Early Publication (Fee required at time of Request 37 CFR 1.219)
`Request Not to Publish. | hereby requestthat the attached application not be published under
`35 U.S.C. 122(b) and certify that the invention disclosedin the attached application has not and will not be the
`subject of an applicationfiled in another country, or under a multilateral international agreement, that requires
`
`publication at eighteen months after filing.
`COO Wink 19 44
`
`
`
`
`0003
`
`0003
`
`

`

`DIMIt Le 1)
`Approvedfor use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no personsare required to respond to a collection of information unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`Title of Invention
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Representative Information:
`
`Representative information should be provided for all practitioners having a power of attorney in the application. Providing
`this information in the Application Data Sheet does not constitute a powerof attorneyin the application (see 37 CFR 1.32).
`Either enter Customer Number or complete the Representative Name section below. If both sections are completed the customer
`Numberwill be used for the Representative Information during processing.
`
`
`
`20792
`
`
`
`
`
`Please Select One: © US Patent Practitioner|C) Limited Recognition (37 CFR 11.9)(@) Customer Number
`
`Customer Number
`
`Domestic Benefit/National Stage Information:
`
`This section allowsfor the applicantto either claim benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), 120, 121, or 365(c) or indicate National Stage
`entry from a PCTapplication. Providing this information in the application data sheet constitutes the specific reference required
`
`by 35 U.S.C. 119(e) or 120, and 37 CFR 1.78.
`Whenreferring to the currentapplication, please leave the application numberblank.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Prior Application Status
`Application Number
`
`Prior Application Status
`Application Number
`
`Continuation of
`
`Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`2010-01-21
`
`Continuity Type
`
`Prior Application Number}
`
`Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`"Remove
`Prior Application Status
`Application Number Prior Application Number|—Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`12691388
`61208574
`2009-02-25
`Prior Application Status
`Remove.
`Application Number
`Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`
`
`Prior Application Status|Expired Remove.
`
`
`
`Application Number Prior Application Number|Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`12691388
`61274191
`2009-08-14
`
`
`
`Additional Domestic Benefit/National Stage Data may be generated within this form
`by selecting the Add button.
`
`
`
`Foreign Priority Information:
`
`EEC Wink 99 44
`
`0004
`
`
`
`
`0004
`
`

`

`TORUS It (Lento)
`Approvedfor use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no personsare required to respond to a collection of information unlessit contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`Title of Invention
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Add button.
`
`This section allowsfor the applicant to claim priority to a foreign application. Providing this information in the application data sheet
`constitutes the claim for priority as required by 35 U.S.C. 119(b) and 37 CFR 1.55(d). Whenpriority is claimed to a foreign application
`thatis eligible for retrieval under the priority document exchange program (PDX)! the information will be used by the Office to
`automatically attempt retrieval pursuant to 37 CFR 1.55(h)(1) and (2). Under the PDX program, applicant bears the ultimate
`responsibility for ensuring that a copy ofthe foreign application is received by the Office from the participating foreign intellectual
`property office, or a certified copyof the foreign priority applicationis filed, within the time period specified in 37 CFR 1.55(g)(1).
`
`Application Number
`
`Country!
`
`Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`Access Code(if applicable)
`
`Additional Foreign Priority Data may be generated within this form by selecting the
`
`Statement under 37 CFR 1.55 or 1.78 for AIA (First Inventor to File) Transition
`Applications
`
`
`
`This application (1) claimspriority to or the benefit of an application filed before March 16, 2013 and (2) also
`contains, or contained at any time, a claim to a claimed invention that has an effectivefiling date on or after March
`
`
`[-] 16, 2013.
`
`
`NOTE:Byproviding this statement under 37 CFR 1.55 or 1.78, this application, withafiling date on orafter March
`
`
`16, 2013, will be examined underthe first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`
`Authorization to Permit Access:
`
`Authorization to Permit Accessto the Instant Application by the Participating Offices
`
`Ree WAinb 2944
`
`0005
`
`0005
`
`

`

`TOU4 (bono)
`Approvedfor use through 01/31/2014, OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respondto a collection of information unlessit contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Title of Invention
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`In accordance with 37 CFR 1.14(h)(3), access will be provided to a copyof the instant patent application with respect
`to: 1) the instant patent application-as-filed; 2) any foreign application to which the instant patent application
`claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) if a copy of the foreign application that satisfies the certified copy requirement of
`37 CFR 1.55 has beenfiled in the instant patent application; and 3) any U.S. application-as-filed from which benefit is
`soughtin the instant patent application.
`
`
`
`
`
`\f checked, the undersigned hereby grants the USPTO authority to provide the European Patent Office (EPO),
`the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the KoreanIntellectual Property Office (KIPO), the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO),
`
`and anyotherintellectual property offices in which a foreign application claiming priority to the instant patent application
`is filed access to the instant patent application, See 37 CFR 1.14(c) and (h). This box should not be checkedif the applicant
`does not wish the EPO, JPO, KIPO, WIPO, or otherintellectual property office in which a foreign application claiming priority
`
`to the instant patent applicationis filed to have accessto the instant patent application.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In accordance with 37 GFR 1.14(c), access may be providedto information concerning the dateof filing this Authorization.
`
`Applicant Information:
`
`
`
`
`Providing assignmentinformation in this section does not substitute for compliance with any requirementof part 3 of Title 37 of CFR
`to have an assignment recorded by the Office.
`
`1
`Applicant
`If the applicantis the inventor(or the remaining joint inventoror inventors under 37 CFR 1.45), this section should not be completed.
`The information to be provided in this section is the name and address ofthe legal representative whois the applicant under 37 CFR
`1.43; or the name and address ofthe assignee, person to whomtheinventoris under an obligation to assign the invention, or person
`who otherwise showssufficient proprietary interest in the matter whois the applicant under 37 CFR 1,46.If the applicant is an
`applicant under 37 CFR 1.46 (assignee, person to whomtheinventoris obligated to assign, or person who otherwise showssufficient
`proprietary interest) together with one or more joint inventors, then the joint inventor or inventors who are also the applicant should be
`identified in this section.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(@) Assignee ©_Joint Inventor© Legal Representative under 35 U.S.C. 117
`
`
`
`© Person who showssufficient proprietary interest
`©) Person to whomtheinventoris obligated to assign.
`If applicant is the legal representative, indicate the authority to file the patent application, the inventoris:
`
`Nameof the Deceased or Legally Incapacitated Inventor :
`
`If the Applicant is an Organization check here.
`Organization Name
`Valencell, Inc.
`
`xX
`
`Mailing Address Information For Applicant:
`
`Address1
`
`2800-154 Sumner Blvd.
`
`Address 2
`NC
`State/Province
`Raleigh
`City
`
`Country|US Postal Code 27616
`
`Phone Number
`Fax Number
`
`ROO Wink 29 44
`
`0006
`
`0006
`
`

`

`TOLIt V2)
`Approvedfor use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respondto a collection of information unlessit contains a valid OMB control number,
`
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`
`
`
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`Title of Invention
`
`
`
`Additional Applicant Data may be generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`
`
`Assignee Information including Non-Applicant Assignee Information:
`
`Providing assignmentinformationin this section does not subsitute for compliance with any requirement of part 3 of Title 37 of CFR to
`have an assignment recorded by the Office.
`
`Complete this section if assignee information, including non-applicant assignee information, is desired to be included on the patent
`application publication . An assignee-applicantidentified in the "Applicant Information" section will appear on the patent application
`publication as an applicant. For an assignee-applicant, completethis section onlyif identification as an assigneeis also desired on the
`patent application publication.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Prefix FamilyName|NameMiddle Name [sure
`
`
`
`If the Assignee or Non-Applicant Assignee is an Organization check here.
`
`
`
`LE]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Mailing Address Information For Assignee including Non-Applicant Assignee:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Signature:
`
`
`NOTE: This form must be signed in accordance with 37 CFR 1.33. See 37 CFR 1.4 for signature requirements and
`
`certifications.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Address 1
`
`Address 2
`
`Email Address
`
`Additional Assignee or Non-Applicant Assignee Data may be generatedwithin this form by
`selecting the Add button.
`
`Additional Signature may be generatedwithin this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`ERC Wiah 9944
`
`0007
`
`0007
`
`

`

`PUMA It LES bop
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unlessit contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`Title of Invention
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.76. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which
`is to file (and by the USPTOto process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This
`collection is estimated to take 23 minutes to complete, including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application data
`sheet form to the USPTO. Timewill vary depending uponthe individual case. Any comments on the amountof time you require to
`complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR
`COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`
`
`
`Ee Winh 199 44
`
`0008
`
`0008
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
`
`
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS
`CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation application of pending U.S. Patent
`Application Serial No. 12/691 ,388, filed January 21, 2010, which claims the benefit
`of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,567filed
`02/25/2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,574 filed 02/25/2009,
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/212,444filed 4/13/2009, and U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application No. 61/274,191 filed 8/14/2009, the disclosures of
`which are incorporated herein by referenceasif set forth in their entireties.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The presentinvention relates generally to headsets and, more
`particularly, to headset earbuds.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`There is growing market demand for personal health and
`environmental monitors, for example, for gauging overall health and metabolism
`during exercise, athletic training, dieting, daily life activities, sickness, and
`physical therapy. However,traditional health monitors and environmental
`monitors may be bulky, rigid, and uncomfortable — generally not suitable for use
`during daily physical activity. There is also growing interest in generating and
`comparing health and environmental exposure statistics of the general public
`and particular demographic groups. For example, collective statistics may enable
`the healthcare industry and medical community to direct healthcare resources to
`where they are most highly valued. However, methods of collecting these
`statistics may be expensive and laborious, often utilizing human-based
`recording/analysis steps at multiple sites.
`1
`
`0009
`
`0009
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
`
`As such, improved waysof collecting, storing and analyzing
`
`physiological information are needed. In addition, improved ways of seamlessly
`extracting physiological information from a person during everydaylife activities,
`especially during high activity levels, may be important for enhancingfitness
`training and healthcarequality, promoting and facilitating prevention, and
`
`reducing healthcare costs.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`SUMMARY
`It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce
`a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being further described
`belowin the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key
`
`features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the
`
`scope of the invention.
`According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
`headset configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an
`earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be
`positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud
`housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical
`detector. The cover includeslight transmissive material that is in optical
`
`communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a
`light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject
`wearing the headset at one or more predetermined locations andto collectlight
`external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical
`
`
`
`25
`
`detector. The optical emitter, via the light-guiding cover, directs optical energy
`towards a particular region of ear and the optical detector detects secondary
`optical energy emanating from the ear region. In some embodiments, the optical
`detector may include an opticalfilter configured to pass secondary optical energy
`at selective wavelengths. In some embodiments, the light transmissive material
`of the cover may be configured, for example via the use of cladding and/orlight
`reflective material, such that the cover serves as a light guide that is coupled in
`parallel to the optical emitter and detector. In some embodiments, the light
`transmissive material of the cover may be configured, for example via the use of
`cladding and/orlight reflective material, such that the cover serves asalight
`guide that is coupled perpendicularto the optical emitter and detector.
`2
`
`30
`
`0010
`
`0010
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
`
`In some embodiments, the headset may include various electronic
`
`components secured to the base. For example, the headset mayinclude one or
`more environmental sensors configured to detect and/or measure environmental
`
`conditions in a vicinity of the headset. The headset mayincludea signal
`processor configured to receive and processsignals producedby the optical
`detector. For example, in some embodiments, a signal processor may be
`configured to extract secondary optical energy and removeoptical noise or
`environmental noise. The headset mayinclude a signal processor configured to
`receive and process signals produced by the one or more environmental
`sensors. In addition, the headset mayinclude a transmitter configured to transmit
`
`signals processed by the signal processor to a remote devicein real time.
`Headsets according to embodiments of the present invention mayutilize, for
`example, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or other wireless transmitters.
`In some embodiments, a housing is secured to and overlies the
`
`base so as to enclose and protect the speaker, optical emitter and optical
`
`detector, as well as other electronic components securedto the base (e.g.,
`
`sensors, processor,transmitter etc.).
`
`The earbud housing is in acoustical communication with the
`speakerand hasat least one aperture through which sound from the speaker
`can pass. Thelight-guiding cover surrounding the earbud housing also includes
`at least one aperture through which sound from the speaker can pass. The cover
`may be formed from a soft, resilient material, such as silicone which deforms
`when inserted within an ear canal of a subject. In some embodiments, the cover
`
`includes an alignment memberthatfacilitates alignment of the earbud housing
`
`within an ear canal of a subject.
`Light directed into the ear of a subject from a light emitter and the
`subsequentcollection oflight at a light detector, according to embodiments of
`the present invention, maybe utilized for detecting and/or measuring, among
`other things, body temperature, skin temperature, blood gas levels, muscle
`tension, heart rate, blood flow, cardiopulmonary functions, etc.
`
`In some embodiments of the present invention, the light-guiding
`
`cover may include a lensthat is in optical communication with the optical emitter
`and/or optical detector. The lens maybe configured to focus light emitted by the
`optical emitter and/or to focus collected light toward the optical detector. In some
`3
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`0011
`
`
`
`0011
`
`

`

`|
`
`|
`
`!
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
`
`embcdiments, multiple lenses may be incorporated into a light-guiding cover.
`
`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover mayincludea light
`
`diffusion region in optical communication with the light transmissive material that
`
`diffuses light emitted by the optical detector.
`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover mayinclude a
`
`luminescence-generating region, such as a phosphor-containing region, thatis in
`
`optical communication with the light transmissive material. The luminescence-
`generating region may be embedded within the light-guiding cover and/or ona
`surface of the light-guiding cover. The luminescence-generating region is
`configured to receive light emitted by the optical emitter and convert at least a
`
`10
`
`portion of the received light to light having a different wavelength from that of the
`
`receivedlight.
`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover includes one or more
`grooves formed therein. Each grooveis configured to direct external light to the
`
`optical detector.
`
`In some embodiments, the light transmissive material of the light-
`
`guiding coveris configured to direct light from the optical emitter to a plurality of
`
`locations at an outer surface of the coverfor delivery into an ear canal of a
`
`subject.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`In some embodiments, the light transmissive material of the light-
`guiding coveris a translucent material or includes translucent material in
`selected locations.
`
`In some embodiments, a light reflective material is on at least a
`portion of one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the light-guiding cover.
`According to some embodiments of the present invention, a light-
`
`guiding earbud for a headset includeslight transmissive material that is in optical
`
`communication with an optical emitter and optical detector associated with the
`
`headset. Thelight transmissive material is configured to deliver light from the
`optical emitter into the ear canal of a subject at one or more predetermined
`locations andto collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the
`
`collected light to the optical detector. In some embodiments, the light emitter and
`
`light detector may be integral with the earbud. For example, in some
`
`embodiments, a flexible optical emitter is incorporated within the earbud andis in
`
`optical communication with the light transmissive material.
`4
`
`0012
`
`0012
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
`
`In some embodiments, an earbud includes at least one lens in
`
`optical communication with the light transmissive material. Each lens may be
`configured to focus light from the optical emitter onto one or more predetermined
`locations in the ear of a subject and/or to focus collected externallight onto the
`optical detector
`
`In some embodiments of the present invention, an earbud may
`include luminescent material. Luminescentlight is generated from optical
`excitation of the luminescent material by an optical emitter.
`In some embodiments of the present invention, an earbud may
`integrate a sensor module containing a plurality of sensor elements for
`measuring physiological information and at least one noise source for measuring
`noise information. A "noise source", as used herein, refers to a sensor, such as
`
`10
`
`an optical sensor, inertial sensor, electrically conductive sensor, capacitive
`sensor, inductive sensor, etc., and derives it name from the fact that it is a
`
`15
`
`source ofinputto a filter, such as an adaptivefilter described below.
`
`The physiological sensors of the sensor module may generate a
`signal that includes physiological information plus noise information. The noise
`may be removed by combining the physiological information and noise
`information from the sensor module with noise information from the noise source
`
`20
`
`of the sensor module via an electronic filtering method, such as a signal
`
`25
`
`processing technique. Specific examples of such signal processing techniques
`include FIR (Finite Impulse Response), IIR (Infinite Impulse Response),
`informatics, machine learning, and adaptivefilter methods. The output of the
`adaptive filter may be a physiological signal that is wholly or partially free of
`noise. In some embodiments, motion-related noise from a subject activity such
`as running may be removed from the physiological plus noise signal generated
`by a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor for measuring blood constituent levels
`or blood flow properties, such as blood oxygenlevel, VOz, or heart rate.
`In some embodiments of the present invention, the noise source
`
`30
`
`input of an adaptive filter may include a “blocked channel” of optical energy, an
`inertial sensor, or environmental energy. In some embodiments, the
`
`environmental energy may be unwanted ambientoptical noise.
`
`In some embodiments of the present invention, a
`
`processor/multiplexor processes physiological signals and noise signals into a
`5
`
`0013
`
`:
`i
`
`!
`|
`
`
`
`0013
`
`

`

`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
`
`data string. This data string may contain information relating to physiological
`
`information and motion-related information. The processing method mayinclude
`
`signal processing techniques such as pre-adaptive signal conditioning, adaptive
`
`filtering, and parameter extraction.
`
`In some embodiments, an earbud includes one or more sensor
`
`modules that includes one or more sensors for sensing physiological information
`and environmental information, such as noise, for example. As such, the earbud
`may function as a physiological