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`UTILITY
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`PATENT APPLICATION
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`TRANSMITTAL
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`PTO/AIA/15 (O3-13)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. OMB O651—0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`uired to res and to a collection of information unless it disla s a valid OMB control number
`9653-7TscT2
`Steven Francis LeBoeuf
`Methods and Apparatus for Generating Data Strings...
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`(onlyfar new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
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`App|_|cAT|oN ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents. DRE
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`Commissioner for Patents
`P-Q 3°)‘ 145°
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
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`1' D F“ T"""‘"‘"ta' ,F°'"‘
`(PTO/SB/17 or equivalent)
`2. El Applicant asserts small entity status.
`gee 37 CFR 1,27
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`
`3. D Applicant certifies micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29.
`Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/15A or B or equivalent.
`4.‘ Specification
`(Total Pages 51
`Both the claims and abstract must start on a new page.
`(See MPEP § 608.01(a)/or information on the preferred arrangement)
`Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`[Total Sheets fl____}
`5.
`6. Inventor's Oath or Declaration
`[Total Pages
`]
`(including substitute statements under 37 CFR 1.64 and assignments
`serving as an oath or declaration under 37 CFR 1.63(e))
`a. D Newly executed (original or copy)
`b.|::] A copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`Application Data Sheet
`* See note below.
`See 37 CFR 1'76 (PTO/NA/14 °' equivalent)
`CD-ROM or CD-R
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`7.
`
`8.
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`in duplicate, large table, or Computer Program (Appendix)
`D Landscape Table on CD
`9. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if applicable, items a. — c. are required)
`a. (1 Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`b. D Specification Sequence Listing on:
`i. D CD~ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`ii.|::] Paper
`c. E] Statements verifying identity of above copies
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`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PAPERS
`10' l:I A55Ig"me"‘ Papers
`(cover sheet & document(s))
`Name of Assignee
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`
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`Power of Attorney
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`13.
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`11. E] 37 CFR 3.73(c) Statement
`(when there is an assignee)
`12' B English Translation Document
`llfapplicable)
`information Disclosure Statement
`(PTO/SB/O8 or PTO-1449)
`[1 Copies of citations attached
`14' E‘ Preliminary Amendment
`15' D Return Receipt Postcard
`(MPEP § 503) (Should be specifically itemized)
`16. El Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`I/fforeign priority is claimed)
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`17_ Cl Nonpublicafion Request
`Under 35 u.s.c. 122(b)(2)(B)(i). Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35
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`*Note:
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`(1) Benefit claims under 37 CFR 1.78 and foreign priority claims under 1.55 must be included in an Application Data Sheet (ADS).
`(2) For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111, the application must contain an ADS specifying the applicant if the applicant is an
`assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary
`interest in the matter. See 37 CFR 1.46(b).
`19. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`OR E] Correspondence address below
`
`
`
`
`
`The address associated with Customer Number: 20792
`Name
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`Address
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`city — state— zipcode
`Country— Telephone_
`February 19, 2014
`97 ; Znélsfi"
`Signature
`40,519
`Needham J. Boddie, ll
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to 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. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on
`the amount of 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, US. 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.
`Ifyou need assistance in completing theform, call 1-800-PTO-9199 and select option 2.
`
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`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
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`Apple Inc.
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`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
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`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 unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`—
`-
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`
`Arrerrev eeeker Number
`Aeerreerrerr Number —
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`The application data sheet is part of the provisional or nonprovisional application for which it is being submitted. The following form contains the
`bibliographic data arranged in 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) or the
`document may be printed and included in a paper filed application.
`
`
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`Title of Invention
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`
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`Secrecy Order 37 CFR 5.2
`
`
`D Portions or all of the application associated with this Application Data Sheet may fall under a Secrecy Order pursuant to
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`37 CFR 5.2 (Paper filers only. Applications that fall under Secrecy Order may not be filed electronically.)
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`Inventor information:
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`1
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`Inventor
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`Legal Name
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`Prefix Middle Name
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`Family Name
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`Residence Information (Select One) ® US Residency 0 Non Us Residency Q Active US Military Service
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`T Remover
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`StateIProvince
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`Mailing Address of inventor:
`
`Address 1
`
`824 Historian Street
`
`Address 2
`City
`Postal Code
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`
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`Inventor
`2
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`Raleigh
`
`Legal Name
`
`
`
`
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`Middle Name
`
`Given Name
`Family Name
`Berkley
`Jesse
`-
`Tucker
`Non US Residency 0 Active US Military Service
`Residence Information (Select One) @ US Residency
`eerrrrrrv emeerrrerree
`City
`Knightdaie
`StateIProvince
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`Mailing
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`Address of inventor:
`
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`3701 Ramsey Creek Drive
`
`Address 1
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`Address 2
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`City
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`Postal Code
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`
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`3
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`State/P rovince
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`NC
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`
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`Knightdale
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`US
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` Inventor
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`Legal Name
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`
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`Residence Information (Select One) @ US Residency Q Non US Residency Q Active US Military Service
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`Prefix Given Name
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`Michael
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`Middle Name
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`Edward
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`Family Name
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`Suffix
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`l'I\JII'\II'\Il‘9\Il.'l\![
`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 unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`.
`-
`Aeemev Deere Number
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`_
`_
`Aeeieeeen Number —
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`
`Title of Invention
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`StateIProvince
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`Country of Residence
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`Mailing Address of Inventor:
`Aeereee 1
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`All
`Inventors Must Be Listed — Additional
`Inventor Information blocks may be
`generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`5‘ 9Adde
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`Correspondence Information:
`
`
`
`[:1 An Address is being provided for the correspondence Information of this application.
`
`Enter either Customer Number or complete the Correspondence Information section below.
`For further information see 37 CFR 1.33(a).
`
`
`
`
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`Customer Number
`20792
`
`Email Address
`
` Remove Email
`
`Application Information:
`.
`.
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING
`-“"9 °f the '"V°"t'°"
`PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`Attorney DocketNumber Small Entity Status Claimed
`APP"°e“°" We
`Subieet Matter
`Total Number of Drawing Sheets (if any) _ Suggested Figure for Publication (if any) -
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`Filing By Reference:
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`1:)
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`Only complete this section when filing an application by reference under 35 U.SIC. l11(c) and 37 CFR1.57(a). Do not complete this section if
`application papers including a specification and any drawings are being filed. Any domestic benefit or foreign priority information must be
`provided in the appropriate section(s) below (i.e., ”Domestic Benefit/National Stage |nformation” and ”Foreign Priority |nformation”).
`
`
` For the purposes of a filing date under 37 CFR1.53(b), the description and any drawings of the present application are replaced by this
`reference to the previously filed application, subject to conditions and requirements of 37 CFR l.57(a).
`
`
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`Application number of the previously
`filed application
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`Filing date (YYYY-MM-DD)
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`Publication Information:
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`
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`Intellectual Property Authority or Country
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`[:1 Request Early Publication (Fee required at time of Request 37 CFR 1.219)
`
`Request NOT to Publish. I hereby request that the attached application not be published under
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`35 U.S.C. 122(b) and certify that the invention disclosed in the attached application has not and will not be the
`subject of an application filed in another country, or under a multilateral international agreement, that requires
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`publication at eighteen months after filing.
`ccc \/tlnl-\ o '1 44
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`0003
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`0003
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`I'I\JIf‘\ll‘\II"f \|L'l\))
`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 unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`
`
`Title of Invention
`
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`
`
`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 power of attorney in 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
`Number will be used for the Representative Information during processing.
`
`20792
`
`Please Select One:
`
`@ Customer Number
`
`0 US Patent Practitioner Q Limited Recognition (37 CFR 11.9)
`
`Customer Number
`
`Domestic Benefit/National Stage Information:
`This section allows for the applicant to either claim benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), 120,121, or 365(c) or indicate National Stage
`entry from a PCT application. 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.
`When referring to the current application, please leave the application number blank.
`
`Prior Application Status
`
`Application Number
`
`
`
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`Pending
`
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`
`
`2010-01-21
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`
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`Confinuitvrvpe
`Continuation of
`Expired
`Prior Application Status
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`Continuity Type
`Prior Application Number
`Claims benefit of provisional
`Expired
`
`Continuitvrvpe
`Claims benefit of provisional
`Expired
`
`Continuity Type
`Claims benefit of provisional
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`Prior Application Number
`61212444
`
`Application Number
`12691388
`
`Prior Application Status
`
`Application Number
`
`12691388
`
`Prior Application Status
`
`Application Number
`12691388
`
`
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`
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`
`
`2009-02-25
`9 -Refmoive =
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`2009-02-25
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`Filing Date (YYYY—MM-DD)
`
`2009-08-14
`
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`Prior Application Status
`
`Expired
`
`Application Number
`
`Continuity Type
`
`Prior Application Number
`
`Additional Domestic Benefit/National Stage Data may be generated within this form
`by selecting the Add button.
`
`Foreign Priority Information:
`
`r:i:c \ItInk o n 4 4
`
`0004
`
`0004
`
`
`
`f'l\JlI'\II'\Il‘1\I(.'l\.)[
`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 unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`
`—
`-
`Attetttev Deeket Number
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`_
`,
`Aeetteettett Number —
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Title of Invention
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This section allows for 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 1.5.5(d). When priority is claimed to a foreign application
`that is 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 of the foreign application is received by the Office from the participating foreign intellectual
`property office, or a certified copy of the foreign priority application is filed, within the time period specified in 37 CFR 1.55(g)(1).
`
`Application Number
`
`Countryi
`
`Filing Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`Access Code (if applicable)
`
`Add button.
`
`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) claims priority 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 effective filing date on or after March
`
`[] 16, 2013.
`
`
`NOTE: By providing this statement under 37 CFR 1.55 or 1.78, this application, with a filing date on or after March
`
`16, 2013, will be examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`
`
`Authorization to Permit Access:
`
`Authorization to Permit Access to the Instant Application by the Participating Offices
`
`r:r:e \A’I\|*\ 0 vs 44
`
`0005
`
`0005
`
`
`
`l’lLIlI'\II‘\II"1\lL'I\)/
`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 unless it 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
`
`
`
`
`If checked, the undersigned hereby grants the USPTO authority to provide the European Patent Office (EPO),
`the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO),
`and any other intellectual 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 checked if the applicant
`does not wish the EPO. JPO, KIPO, WIPO, or other intellectual property office in which a foreign application claiming priority
`to the instant patent application is filed to have access to the instant patent application.
`
`In accordance with 37 CFR 1.14(h)(3), access will be provided to a copy of the instant patent application with respect
`to: 1) the instant patent application-as-filed; 2) any foreign application to which the instant patent application
`claims priority 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 been filed in the instant patent application; and 3) any U.S. application-as-filed from which benefit is
`sought in the instant patent application.
`
`
`
`In accordance with 37 CFR 1.14(c), access may be provided to information concerning the date 0 ffiling this Authorization.
`
`
`
`Applicant Information:
`
`
`
`Providing assignment information in this section does not substitute for compliance with any requirement of part 3 of Title 37 of CFR
`to have an assignment recorded by the Office.
`
`Applicant
`1
`If the applicant is the inventor (or the remaining joint inventor or 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 of the legal representative who is the applicant under 37 CFR
`1.43; or the name and address of the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person
`who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter who is the applicant under 37 CFR 1.46. If the applicant is an
`applicant under 37 CFR 1.46 (assignee, person to whom the inventor is obligated to assign, or person who otherwise shows sufficient
`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.
`_
`0
`
`
`E 2. (Q :5 33
`
`C‘)
`
`O Legal Representative under 35 U.S.C. 117
`
`0 Joint Inventor
`
`O Person to whom the inventor is obligated to assign.
`
`Q Person who shows sufficient proprietary interest
`
`If applicant is the legal representative, indicate the authority to file the patent application, the inventor is:
`
`Name of the Deceased or Legally incapacitated Inventor:
`
` If the Applicant is an Organization check here.
`
`Organization Name
`
`Valence", ma
`
`Mailing Address Information For Applicant:
`
`'
`
`2800-154 Sumner Blvd.
`
`Raleigh
`
`Address 1
`
`Address 2
`
`City
`
`Country’
`
`US
`
`Phone Number
`
`EEC: \I\Ir\k n '1 44
`
`StateIProvince
`
`NC
`
`Postal Code
`
`27616
`
`Fax Number
`
`0005
`
`0006
`
`
`
`I’ I\.lII’\II'\I I‘? \|L"IvJ}
`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 unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`.
`-
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`
`
`
`Ar>P'i<=ati°n Number —
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`Title of Invention
`
`
`
`
`
` i l
`
`
`
`Emai'/W688
`
`
`
`Additional Applicant Data may be generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`Assignee Information including Non-Applicant Assignee Information:
`
`Complete this section if assignee information, including non-applicant assignee information, is desired to be Included on the patent
`application publication . An assignee-applicant identified in the "Applicant |nformation" section will appear on the patent application
`publication as an applicant. For an assignee-applicant, complete this section only if identification as an assignee is also desired on the
`patent application publication.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`D
`
`Suffix
`
`Providing assignment information in 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.
`
`
`
`
`If the Assignee or Non-Applicant Assignee is an Organization check here.
`IFamily Name
`Prefix
`Middle Name
`
`
`
`
`Mailing Address Information For Assignee including Non-Applicant Assignee:
`
`
`
`Address 1
`Address2
`City
`5*-'='*e'P'°vi"°e —
`_ P°sta'C°de
`F’“°"eN“mbei —_
`
`
`
`
`
`Email Address
`
`Additional Assignee or Non-Applicant Assignee Data may be generated within this form by
`selecting the Add button.
`
`Signature:
`
`NOTE: This form must be signed in accordance with 37 CFR 1.33. See 37 CFR 1.4 for signature requirements and
`certifications.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`First Name
`
`Needham J.
`
`Boddie,|l
`
`Registration Number
`
`40519
`
`
`
`Additional Signature may be generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`r:r:e \ItInk 0 n 44
`
`0007
`
`0007
`
`
`
`
`
`l‘l\JII‘1|I‘\I I‘? \lL"l\)[
`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 unless it contains a valid OMB control number.
`.
`-
`Atterrtev Deeret Number
`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
`_
`_
`Aeet-eetrert Number —
`
`
`
`
`Title of Invention
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND
`MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
`
`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 USPTO to 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. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on the amount of time you require to
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DATA STRINGS
`CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOTION-RELATED INFORMATION
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`RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`This application is a continuation application of pending U.S. Patent
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`Application Serial No. 12/691,388, filed January 21, 2010, which claims the benefit
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`of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,567 filed
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`02/25/2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,574 filed 02/25/2009,
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`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/212,444 filed 4/13/2009, and U.S.
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`Provisional Patent Application No. 61/274,191 filed 8/14/2009, the disclosures of
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`which are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entireties.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention relates generally to headsets and, more
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`particularly, to headset earbuds.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`There is growing market demand for personal health and
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`environmental monitors, for example, for gauging overall health and metabolism
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`during exercise, athletic training, dieting, daily life activities, sickness, and
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`physical therapy. However, traditional health monitors and environmental
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`monitors may be bulky, rigid, and uncomfortable — generally not suitable for use
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`during daily physical activity. There is also growing interest in generating and
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`comparing health and environmental exposure statistics of the general public
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`and particular demographic groups. For example, collective statistics may enable
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`the healthcare industry and medical community to direct healthcare resources to
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`where they are most highly valued. However, methods of collecting these
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`statistics may be expensive and laborious, often utilizing human-based
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`recording/analysis steps at multiple sites.
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`As such, improved ways of collecting, storing and analyzing
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`physiological information are needed. In addition, improved ways of seamlessly
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`extracting physiological information from a person during everyday life activities,
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`especially during high activity levels, may be important for enhancing fitness
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`training and hea|thcare_qua|ity, promoting and facilitating prevention, and
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`reducing healthcare costs.
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`SUMMARY
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`It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce
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`a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being further described
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`below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key
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`features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the
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`scope of the invention.
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`According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
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`headset configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an
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`earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be
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`positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud
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`housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical
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`detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical
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`communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a
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`light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject
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`wearing the headset at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light
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`external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical
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`detector. The optical emitter, via the |ight—guiding cover, directs optical energy
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`towards a particular region of ear and the optical detector detects secondary
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`optical energy emanating from the ear region. In some embodiments, the optical
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`detector may include an optical filter configured to pass secondary optical energy
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`at selective wavelengths. In some embodiments, the light transmissive material
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`of the cover may be configured, for example via the use of cladding and/or light
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`reflective material, such that the cover serves as a light guide that is coupled in
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`parallel to the optical emitter and detector. In some embodiments, the light
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`transmissive material of the cover may be configured, for example via the use of
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`cladding and/or light reflective material, such that the cover serves as a light
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`guide that is coupled perpendicular to the optical emitter and detector.
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`In some embodiments, the headset may include various electronic
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`components secured to the base. For example, the headset may include one or
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`more environmental sensors configured to detect and/or measure environmental
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`conditions in a vicinity of the headset. The headset may include a signal
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`processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical
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`detector. For example, in some embodiments, a signal processor may be
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`configured to extract secondary optical energy and remove optical noise or
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`environmental noise. The headset may include a signal processor configured to
`receive and process signals produced by the one or more environmental
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`sensors. In addition, the headset may include a transmitter configured to transmit
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`signals processed by the signal processor to a remote device in real time.
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`Headsets according to embodiments ofthe present invention may utilize, for
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`example, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or other wireless transmitters.
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`In some embodiments, a housing is secured to and overlies the
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`base so as to enclose and protect the speaker, optical emitter and optical
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`detector, as well as other electronic components secured to the base (e.g.,
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`sensors, processor, transmitter etc.).
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`The earbud housing is in acoustical communication with the
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`speaker and has at least one aperture through which sound from the speaker
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`can pass. The light-guiding cover surrounding the earbud housing also includes
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`at least one aperture through which sound from the speaker can pass. The cover
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`may be formed from a soft, resilient material, such as silicone which deforms
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`when inserted within an ear canal of a subject. In some embodiments, the cover
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`includes an alignment member that facilitates alignment of the earbud housing
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`within an ear canal of a subject.
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`Light directed into the ear of a subject from a light emitter and the
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`subsequent collection of light at a light detector, according to embodiments of
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`the present invention, may be utilized for detecting and/or measuring, among
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`other things, body temperature, skin temperature, blood gas levels, muscle
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`tension, heart rate, blood flow, cardiopulmonary functions, etc.
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`In some embodiments of the present invention, the light-guiding
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`cover may include a lens that is in optical communication with the optical emitter
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`and/or optical detector. The lens may be configured to focus light emitted by the
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`optical emitter and/or to focus collected light toward the optical detector. In some
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`embodiments, multiple lenses may be incorporated into a light-guiding cover.
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`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover may include a light
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`diffusion region in optical communication with the light transmissive material that
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`diffuses light emitted by the optical detector.
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`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover may include a
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`luminescence-generating region, such as a phosphor—containing region, that is in
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`optical communication with the light transmissive material. The luminescence-
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`generating region may be embedded within the light-guiding cover and/or on a
`surface of the light~guiding cover. The luminescence-generating region is
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`configured to receive light emitted by the optical emitter and convert at least a
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`portion of the received light to light having a different wavelength from that of the
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`received light.
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`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover includes one or more
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`grooves formed therein. Each groove is configured to direct external light to the
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`optical detector.
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`In some embodiments, the light transmissive material of the light-
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`guiding cover is configured to direct light from the optical emitter to a plurality of
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`locations at an outer surface of the cover for delivery into an ear canal of a
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`subject.
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`In some embodiments, the light transmissive material of the light-
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`guiding cover is a translucent material or includes translucent material in
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`selected locations.
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`In some embodiments, a light reflective material is on at least a
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`portion of one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the light-guiding cover.
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`According to some embodiments of the present invention, a light-
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`guiding earbud for a headset includes light transmissive material that is in optical
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`communication with an optical emitter and optical detector associated with the
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`headset. The light transmissive material is configured to deliver light from the
`optical emitter into the ear canal of a subject at one or more predetermined
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`locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the
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`collected light to the optical detector. In some embodiments, the light emitter and
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`light detector may be integral with the earbud. For example, in some
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`embodiments, a flexible optical emitter is incorporated within the earbud and is in
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`optical communication with the light transmissive material.
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`In some embodiments, an earbud includes at least one lens in
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`optical communication with the light transmissive material. Each lens may be
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`configured to focus light from the optical emitter onto one or more predetermined
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`locations -in the ear of a subject and/or to focus collected external light onto the
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`optical detector
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`In some embodiments of the present invention, an earbud may
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`include luminescent material. Luminescent light is generated from optical
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`excitation of the luminescent material by an optical emitter.
`In some embodiments of the present invention, an earbud may
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`integrate a sensor module containing a plurality of sensor elements for
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`measuring physiological information and at least one noise source for measuring
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`noise information. A "noise source", as used herein, refers to a sensor, such as
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`an optical sensor, inertial sensor, electrically conductive sensor, capacitive
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`sensor, inductive sensor, etc., and derives it name from the fact that it is a
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`source of input to a filter, such as an adaptive filter described below.
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`The physiological sensors of the sensor module may generate a
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`signal that includes physiological information plus noise information. The noise
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`may be removed by combining the physiological information and noise
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`information from the sensor module with noise information from the noise source
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`of the sensor module via an electronic filtering method, such as a signal
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`processing technique. Specific examples of such signal processing techniques
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`include FIR (Finite impulse Response), IIR (Infinite Impulse Response),
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`informatics, machine learning, and adaptive filter methods. The output of the
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`adaptive filter may be a physiological signal that is wholly or partially free of
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`noise. In some embodiments, motion-related noise from a subject activity such
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`as running may be removed from the physiological plus noise signal generated
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`by a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor for measuring blood constituent levels
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`or blood flow properties, such as blood oxygen level, VO2, or heart rate.
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`In some embodiments of the present invention, the noise source
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`input of an adaptive filt