EXHIBIT 2116
`EXHIBIT 2116
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`IPR2017—00321
`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`VALENCELL, INC.
`EXHIBIT 2116 — PAGE 1
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`IPR2017-00321
`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`VALENCELL, INC.
`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 1
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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
`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
`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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`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`VALENCELL, INC.
`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 2
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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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
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`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
`signals processed by the signal processor to a remote device in real time.
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`Headsets according to embodiments of the 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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`25 within an ear canal of a subject.
`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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`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 4
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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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(cid:173)
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`generating region may be embedded within the light-guiding cover and/or on a
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`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(cid:173)
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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(cid:173)
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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(cid:173)
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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
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`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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`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`VALENCELL, INC.
`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 5
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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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
`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.
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`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
`or blood flow properties, such as blood oxygen level, VO2 , or heart rate.
`In some embodiments of the present invention, the noise source
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`input of an adaptive filter may include a "blocked channel" of optical energy, an
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`inertial sensor, or environmental energy. In some embodiments, the
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`environmental energy may be unwanted ambient optical noise.
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`In some embodiments of the present invention, a
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`processor/multiplexor processes physiological signals and noise signals into a
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`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 6
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`data string. This data string may contain information relating to physiological
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`information ·and motion-related information. The processing method may include
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`signal processing techniques such as pre-adaptive signal conditioning, adaptive
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`filtering, and parameter extraction.
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`In some embodiments, an earbud includes one or more sensor
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`modules that includes one or more sensors for sensing physiological information
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`and environmental information, such as noise, for example. As such, the earbud
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`may function as a physiological monitor as well as an environmental monitor. In
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`some embodiments, the earbud may include a microprocessor that is in
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`electrical communication with the sensor module(s). For example, a
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`microprocessor incorporated into an earbud may be configured to execute an
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`adaptive filter algorithm to remove noise from at least one signal generated by a
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`sensor module in the earbud. A microprocessor may also be configured to
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`process information from the one or more sensors to generate a digital output
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`string, wherein the digital output string includes a plurality of physiological and
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`motion-related information.
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`Physiological sensors that may be incorporated into headsets
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`and/or earbuds, according to some embodiments of the present invention, may
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`be configured to detect and/or measure one or more of the following types of
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`physiological information: heart rate, pulse rate, breathing rate, blood flow, V02,
`V02max, heartbeat signatures, cardio-pulmonary health, organ health,
`metabolism, electrolyte type and/or concentration, physical activity, caloric
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`intake, caloric metabolism, blood metabolite levels or ratios, blood pH level,
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`physical and/or psychological stress levels and/or stress level indicators, drug
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`dosage and/or dosimetry, physiological drug reactions, drug chemistry,
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`biochemistry, position and/or balance, body strain, neurological functioning, brain
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`activity, brain waves, blood pressure, cranial pressure, hydration level,
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`auscultatory information, auscultatory signals associated with pregnancy,
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`physiological response to infection, skin and/or core body temperature, eye
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`30 muscle movement, blood volume, inhaled and/or exhaled breath volume,
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`physical exertion, exhaled breath physical and/or chemical composition, the
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`presence and/or identity and/or concentration of viruses and/or bacteria, foreign
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`matter in the body, internal toxins, heavy metals in the body, anxiety, fertility,
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`ovulation, sex hormones, psychological mood, sleep patterns, hunger and/or
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`IPR2017-00321
`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`VALENCELL, INC.
`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 7
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`regulator.
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`Light-guiding earbuds according to the various embodiments of the
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`present invention may be utilized with mono headsets (i.e., headsets having one
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`earbud) as well as stereo headsets (i.e., headsets having two earbuds).
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`Additionally, the light-guiding region of earbuds, according to embodiments of
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`the present invention, may be integrated not only into an earbud cover and
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`earbud housing, but also into each or all components of an earbud. Moreover,
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`light-guiding earbuds according to the various embodiments of the present
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`invention may be utilized with hearing aids, body jewelry, or any other
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`attachment that can be placed near the head region, such as eye glasses or
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`shades, a headband, a cap, helmet, visor, or the like.
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`According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
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`monitoring device includes a circular band capable of encircling a finger of a
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`subject, and a base having an optical emitter and an optical detector attached to
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`the circular band. The circular band includes light transmissive material in optical
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`communication with the optical emitter and optical detector that is configured to
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`deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more portions of the finger of the
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`subject and to collect light from one or more portions of the finger of the subject
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`and deliver the collected light to the optical detector. In some embodiments, the
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`circular band includes first and second concentric body portions.
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`In some embodiments, the circular band includes a lens region in
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`optical communication with the optical emitter that focuses light emitted by the
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`optical emitter and/or that collects light reflected from a finger. In some
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`embodiments the circular band includes a phosphor-containing region in optical
`communication with the light transmissive material, wherein the phosphor(cid:173)
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`containing region receives light emitted by the optical emitter and converts at
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`least a portion of the received light to light having a different wavelength from the
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`received light.
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`In some embodiments, the light transmissive material of the
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`circular band has an outer surface and an inner surface, and a cladding material,
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`such as light reflective material, is on (or near) at least a portion of one or both of
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`the inner and outer surfaces.
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`In some embodiments, the base includes one or more of the
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`following: a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced
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`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 9
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`by the optical detector, a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by
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`the signal processor to a remote device.
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`According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
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`monitoring device configured to be attached to the body of a subject includes a
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`base having an optical emitter and an optical detector, and light transmissive
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`material attached to the base. The light transmissive material is in optical
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`communication with the optical emitter and optical detector and is configured to
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`deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more portions of the body of the
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`subject and to collect light from one or more portions of the body of the subject
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`and deliver the collected light to the optical detector. The light transmissive
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`material may include adhesive material in one or more locations that is
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`configured to adhesively secure the device to the body of the subject.
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`In some embodiments, an outer body portion is attached to the
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`base and to the light transmissive material. The outer body portion may include
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`adhesive material in one or more locations that is configured to adhesively
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`secure the device to the body of the subject.
`In some embodiments, the light transmissive material includes a
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`lens region that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and that
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`focuses light emitted by the optical emitter and/or that collects light reflected from
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`a finger. In some embodiments, the light transmissive material includes a
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`phosphor-containing region that receives light emitted by the optical emitter and
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`converts at least a portion of the received light to light having a different
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`wavelength from the received light. In some embodiments, the light transmissive
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`material has an outer surface and an inner surface, and a light reflective material
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`is disposed on or near at least a portion of one or both of the inner and outer
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`surfaces.
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`In some embodiments, the base includes one or more of the
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`following: a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced
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`by the optical detector, a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by
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`the signal processor to a remote device.
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`It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to
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`one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not
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`specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features
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`of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant
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`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 10
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim
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`accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to
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`depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not
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`originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the
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`present invention are explained in detail below.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification,
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`illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. The drawings and
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`description together serve to fully explain embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a headset with a light(cid:173)
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`guiding earbud, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a stereo headset incorporating light(cid:173)
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`guiding earbuds, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 3 is a side section view of a light-guiding earbud for a headset,
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`according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Figs. 4A-4D are side section views of light-guiding earbuds for a
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`headset, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 5 is a side section view of a light-guiding earbud for a headset,
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`according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 6 is a side section view of a light-guiding earbud for a headset,
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`according to some embodiments of the present invention ..
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`Fig. 7 A is a side section view of a light-guiding earbud for a
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`headset, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 7B is a perspective view of a flexible optical emitter utilized in
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`the earbud of Fig. 7 A, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
`Fig. 8A is a side section view of a light-guiding earbud for a
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`headset, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the earbud of Fig. 8A taken
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`along lines 8B-8B.
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`Fig. 8C is a side section view of a light-guiding earbud for a
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`headset, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 8D is a side section view of a light-guiding earbud for a
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`headset, according to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 19 illustrates the optical interaction between the sensor
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`module of Figs. 12A-12B and the skin of a subject.
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`Fig. 20 illustrates a chipset for use in a headset, according to some
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`embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 21 illustrates a chipset for use in a stereo headset, according
`to some embodiments of the present invention.
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`Fig. 22A is a top plan view of a monitoring device configured to be
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`attached to finger of a subject, according to some embodiments of the present
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`invention.
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`Fig. 22B is a cross-sectional view of the monitoring device of Fig.
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`22A taken along lines 22B-22B.
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`Fig. 23 is a side view of a monitoring device configured to be
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`attached to the body of a subject, according to some embodiments of the
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`present invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter
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`with reference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of the
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`invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many
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`different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
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`forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures,
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`certain layers, components or features may be exaggerated for clarity, and
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`broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise.
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`In addition, the sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order
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`presented in the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise.
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`Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can be associated
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`with another embodiment or figure although not specifically described or shown
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`as such.
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`It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to
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`as being "on" another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature
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`or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In
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`contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another
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`feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will
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`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 13
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being
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`"connected", "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element, it can be
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`directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or
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`intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or
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`element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly attached" or
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`"directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening
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`features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one
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`embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to
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`other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that
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`references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature
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`may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
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`The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
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`particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.
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`As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the
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`plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
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`further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in
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`this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations,
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`elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of
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`one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
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`groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
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`combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
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`Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower'1, "over",
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`"upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one
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`element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated
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`in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended
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`to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition
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`to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is
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`inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features
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`would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the
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`exemplary term "under" can encompass both an orientation of over and under.
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`The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other
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`orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
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`accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upwardly", "downwardly", "vertical", "horizontal"
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`and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless
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`VALENCELL, INC.
`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 14
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`The term "monitoring" refers to the act of measuring, quantifying,
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`qualifying, estimating, sensing, calculating, interpolating, extrapolating, inferring,
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`deducing, or any combination of these actions. More generally, "monitoring"
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`refers to a way of getting information via one or more sensing elements. For
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`example, "blood health monitoring" includes monitoring blood gas levels, blood
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`hydration, and metabolite/electrolyte levels.
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`The term "physiological" refers to matter or energy of or from the
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`body of a creature (e.g., humans, animals, etc.). In embodiments of the present
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`invention, the term "physiological" is intended to be used broadly, covering both
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`physical and psychological matter and energy of or from the body of a creature.
`However, in some cases, the term "psychological" is called-out separately to
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`emphasize aspects of physiology that are more closely tied to conscious or
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`subconscious brain activity rather than the activity of other organs, tissues, or
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`cells.
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`The term "body" refers to the body of a subject (human or animal)
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`that may wear a headset incorporating one or more light-guiding earbuds,
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`according to embodiments of the present invention.
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`In the following figures, various headsets and light-guiding earbuds
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`for use with headsets will be illustrated and described for attachment to the ear
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`of the human body. However, it is to be understood that embodiments of the
`present invention are not limited to those worn by humans.
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`The ear is an ideal location for wearable health and environmental
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`monitors. The ear is a relatively immobile platform that does not obstruct a
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`person's movement orvision. Headsets located at an ear have, for example,
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`access to the inner-ear canal and tympanic membrane (for measuring core body
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`temperature), muscle tissue (for monitoring muscle tension), the pinna and
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`earlobe (for monitoring blood gas levels), the region behind the ear (for
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`measuring skin temperature and galvanic skin response), and the internal carotid
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`artery (for measuring cardiopulmonary functioning), etc. The ear is also at or
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`near the point of exposure to: environmental breathable toxicants of interest
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`(volatile organic compounds, pollution, etc.; noise pollution experienced by the
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`ear; and lighting conditions for the eye. Furthermore, as the ear canal is naturally
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`designed for transmitting acoustical energy, the ear provides a good location for
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`monitoring internal sounds, such as heartbeat, breathing rate, and mouth motion.
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`IPR2017-00321
`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`VALENCELL, INC.
`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 16
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`Wireless, Bluetooth®-enabled, and/or other personal
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`communication headsets may be configured to incorporate physiological and/or
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`environmental sensors, according to some embodiments of the present
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`invention. As a specific example, Bluetooth® headsets are typically lightweight,
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`unobtrusive devices that have become widely accepted socially. Moreover,
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`Bluetooth® headsets are cost effective, easy to use, and are often worn by users
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`for most of their waking hours while attending or waiting for cell phone calls.
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`Bluetooth® headsets configured according to embodiments of the present
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`invention are advantageous because they provide a function for the user beyond
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`health monitoring, such as personal communication and multimedia applications,
`thereby encouraging user compliance. Exemplary physiological and
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`environmental sensors that may be incorporated into a Bluetooth® or other type
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`of headsets include, but are not limited to accelerometers, auscultatory sensors,
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`pressure sensors, humidity sensors, color sensors, light intensity sensors,
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`pressure sensors, etc.
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`Headsets, both mono (single earbud) and stereo (dual earbuds),
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`incorporating low-profile sensors and other electronics, according to
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`embodiments of the present invention, offer a platform for performing near-real(cid:173)
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`time personal health and environmental monitoring in wearable, socially
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`20
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`acceptable devices. The capability to unobtrusively monitor an individual's
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`physiology and/or environment, combined with improved user compliance, is
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`expected to have significant impact on future planned health and environmental
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`exposure studies. This is especially true for those that seek to link environmental
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`stressors with personal stress level indicators. The large scale commercial
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`availability of this low-cost device can enable cost-effective large scale studies.
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`The combination of monitored data with user location via GPS data can make
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`on-going geographic studies possible, including the tracking of infection over
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`large geographic areas. The commercial application of the proposed platform
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`encourages individual-driven health maintenance and promotes a healthier
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`30
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`lifestyle through proper caloric intake and exercise.
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`Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention combine
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`a personal communications headset device with one or more physiological
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`and/or environmental sensors. Other embodiments may combine physiological
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`and/or environmental sensors into a headset device.
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`CONDITIONAL MOTION TO AMEND
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`EXHIBIT 2116 - PAGE 17
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`Attorney Docket No. 9653-7TSCT2
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`Optical coupling into the blood vessels of the ear may vary
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`between individuals. As used herein, the term "coupling" refers to the interaction
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`or communication between excitation light entering a region and the region itself.
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`For example, one form of optical coupling may be the interaction between
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`5
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`excitation light generated from within a light-guiding earbud and the blood
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`vessels of the ear. In one embodiment, this interaction may involve excitation
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`light entering the ear region and scattering from a blood vessel in the ear such
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`that the intensity of scattered light is proportional to blood flow within the blood
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`vessel. Another form of optical coupling may be the interaction between
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`10
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`excitation light generated by an optical emitter within an earbud and the light(cid:173)
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`guiding region of the earbud. Thus, an earbud with integrated light-guiding
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`capabilities, wherein light can be guided to multiple and/or select regions along
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`the earbud, can assure that each individual wearing the earbud will generate an
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`optical signal related to blood flow through the blood vessels. Optical coupling of
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`light to a particular ear region of one person may not yield
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`photoplethysmographic signals for each person. Therefore, coupling light to
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`multiple regions may assure that at least one blood-vessel-rich region will be
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`interrogated for each person wearing the light-guiding earbud. Coupling multiple
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`regions of the ear to light may also be accomplished by diffusing light from a light
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`20
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`source within the earbud.
`Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to headsets
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`that communicate wirelessly. In some embodiments of the present invention,
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`headsets configured to monitor an individual's physiology and/or environment
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`may be wired to a device that stores and/or processes data. In some
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`embodiments, this informa