I||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`
`US00892394l B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`LeBoeuf et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(45; Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,923,941 B2
`*Dec. 30, 2014
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
`GENERATING DATA OUTPUT (TONTALVING
`l’IIYSI()LO{}ICAI. AND M()'l‘I()N—RI4ZI.A'I‘ED
`INF()RMATl()l\'
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`Applicant: Valencell, Inc.. Raleigh. NC (US)
`
`Inventors: Steven Francis Le-Boeuf. Raleigh. NC
`(US): Jesse Berkley Tncker. Kniglitdale.
`NC (US): Michael Edward Aumer.
`Raleigh. NC.‘ (us)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`5.0862 29 A
`
`2! I992 Rosenthal ct a].
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`(Continued)
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
`I "‘ )
`
`Assignoc:
`Notice:
`
`Valencell, Inc.. Raleigli, NC (US)
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. ]54(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimor.
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`Appl. No; l4t'l84,39t':
`Filed:
`Feb. 19, 2014
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 201410171755./-\l
`
`Jun. 19. 2014
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`(Iontinuation of application No. l2f69l,388_. filed on
`Jan. 21. 2010. now Pat. No. 8.700.111.
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`Provisional application No. 613208.567. filed on Feb.
`25. 2009. provisional application No. 6li'208.57-:1.
`filed on Feb. 25. 2009. provisional application No.
`6lr‘2l2.=t-44.
`filed on Apr. 13, 2009, provisional
`application No. 6]f274.l9l. filed on Aug. 14. 2009.
`Int. Cl.
`A6IB 5/00
`HIMR H10
`
`{2006.0l)
`(2005.01)
`
`(52)
`
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC
`
`(Continued)
`
`A613 5/4812 (20l3.0] )_: A613 5/00
`(2013.01): A6IB 5./68I5 (2013.01):
`
`(53)
`
`(Continued)
`Field of Classification Search
`600810
`USPC
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(Co11t inued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Notification o1"l'ransmilta] ofihe International Search Report and the
`Written Opinion ol’ the international Searching Authority. or the
`Declaration corresponding to International Application No. PCT-"
`US20l3.-‘0702'J"l:_ Date of Mailing:
`lieb. 26. 2014;
`lntcmatioaal
`Search Report; Written Opinion of the International Searching
`Authority. 13 pages.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Pr.I'nmr_r E.\'a.winer — Rodney Fuller
`(74) .=l!torne_1'. Agent. or Firm—Myers Bigel Sibley 8'.
`Sajovec
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method of generating a data string containing physiological
`and motion-nelated information includes sensing physical
`activity of a subject via at least one motion sensor attached to
`the subject. sensing physiological information from the sub-
`ject via at least one photoplethysmograpliy (PPG) sensor
`attached to the subject. and processing signals from the at
`least one motion sensor and signals front the at least one PPG
`sensor into a serial data string of physiological infornialion
`and niotion-related inforn1ation.A plurality ofstibject physi-
`ological parameters can be extracted from the physiological
`information. and a plurality of subject physical activity
`parameters can be extracted from the motion-related infor-
`mation. The serial data string is parsed out such that an appli-
`cation—spcciIic interface can utilixe the physiological inl'or-
`mation and niotion—related inforniation tor an application that
`generates statistical relationships between subject physi-
`ological parameters and subject physical activity parameters
`in the physioiogical information and motion-related in1‘on'na-
`tion.
`
`21 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`0001
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1001
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1001
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`0001
`
`

`
`US 8,923,941 B2
`Pagc2
`
`en
`
`(52)
`
`MIR $0205
`A613 5” 1'
`A613 5/1455
`A618 5/04 76
`
`(200601)
`(2095-01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`<2wn
`"-5- CL
`(‘PC .......... .. A613 5./6838 (2013.01): H041? I/I091
`(2013.01):/161B 52132055 (201301 ): /1613
`5/6803 (2013.01): H04R 1/105 (2013.01);
`A613 5/ms (2013.01); A613 5/1455
`(201101 )_: A618 5/721 (2013.01);/1618
`5/0082(2013.01}:A61B 5/19059(2013.01):
`A613 5/0475 (201301 ); A613 5/14551
`(2013.01): A613 5/165 (2013.01): A613
`5"4343 ‘2m3~°”‘’‘6‘'3 W366 (201-10”‘
`A613 5/9013(3013-01);A61B 5/0934
`(2013.01): A61B 5/11 (2013.01);/161B 5./7214
`QMimhAMBflW1Qm1mkAflBflW5
`(2013.01): A615’ 5/418 (2013.01); A613
`2560/0242 2013.01
`1
`1
`600.3310
`
`USPC
`
`::3::::::I:::1-
`21:23:;
`3-91-22: 32
`6.-"2003 Uchid.-1 .21 al.
`'
`200320109030 A1
`2.-2004 Kimball
`2004.-0034293 A1
`3.12004 Schulzel 111.
`200420034291 A1
`11.-"2004 Bae el al_
`200420223202 A1
`9333:
`323210221:
`9.200% 1=‘f:c1::°n
`§005'«'0209510 A
`1022915 Bang
`200520223399 A1
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`2003,-D”-H62 Al
`-J,._.-2008 Bag E1 3L
`2009.-'0030350 A1
`1.-"2009 Yangetal.
`200920054252 A1
`2.-"2009
`J1J11naIag;1¢111ae1211.
`[$13333 §{1I:"»1$e~'=f_u«1|«
`1112009 1Joi:c1;gc.1.41<é: el al.
`2.12010 Shallis e1 :11.
`812010 .-\bduI-1-Ia_fiz at al.
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`2010.-0168531 A1
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`gfifigfiggti
`2m.,f,.0n.‘9ml Al
`2'.
`20120192093 A1
`2013,-0131519 A1
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`3
`OFHLR PUBUCMIONS
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`loaded Feb. 26. 2010; EC.‘ 2008 1-'i'1'ria.njcrT-'“; 2 pages.
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`0002
`
`0002
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 30, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 or 21
`
`US 8,923,941 B2
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`Dec. 30, 2014
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`US 3,923,941 B2
`
`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
`GENERATING DATA OUTPUT CONTAINING
`PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOTION-RELATED
`INFORMATION
`
`RI iI..ATI El ) APPI .lCATIONS
`
`Tl1is application is a continuation application of US.
`patent application Ser. No. 12i'69l.?-88. filed Jan. 21. 2010.
`now U.S. Pat. No. 8_.'?00,l 1 l, which claims the benefit of and
`priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 6l.’208.
`56? filed Feb. 25, 2009. U.S. Provisional Patent Application
`No. 612908.574 liled I"-‘eh. 25, 2009. U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 611212.444 filed Apr. I3. 2009. and U
`Provisional Patent Application No. 61!’274,1 91 filedAug. 14,
`2009. the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
`reference as if set forth in their entireties.
`
`10
`
`1*" IE1 D OF THE INV'F.N'I‘l0N
`
`The present invention relates generally to physiological
`monitoring and. more particularly, to physiological n1onitor-
`ing apparatus.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE [N\('EN'I'lON
`
`There is growing market demand for personal health and
`environniental monitors. for example, for gauging overall
`health and metabolism during exercise, athletic training. diet-
`ing. daily Iite activities. sickness. and physical therapy. How-
`ever. traditional health monitors and environmental monitors
`may be bulky, rigid. and uncomfortable—generally not suit-
`able for use during daily physical activity. There is also grow-
`ing interest in generating and comparing health and environ-
`mental exposure statistics o [the general public and particular
`demographic groups. For example. collective statistics may
`enable the healthcare industry and medical community to
`direct healthcare resources to where they are most highly
`valued. However, methods of collecting these statistics may
`be expensive and laborious. olien utili:r.ing human-based
`recordiiigfaiialysis steps at multiple sites.
`As such. improved ways ofcollecting, storing and analyz-
`ing physiological
`infonnation are needed.
`In addition.
`improved ways of seamlessly extracting physiological infor-
`mation from a person during everyday life activities. espe-
`cially during high activity levels. may be important for
`enhancing fitness training and healthcare quality. promoting
`and facilitating prevention. and reducing healthcare costs.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to
`introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the
`concepts being further described below in the Detailed
`Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key
`features or essential features of this disclosure. nor is it
`intended to limit the scope of the invention.
`According to some embodiments of the present invention,
`a headset configured to be attached to the ear of a person
`incltides a base. an earhud housing extending outwardly from
`the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a
`subject. and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base
`includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector.
`The cover includes light transmissive material that is in opti-
`cal communication with the optical emitter and the optical
`detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the
`optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the
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`headset at one or more predetermined locations and to collect
`light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected
`light to the optical detector. The optical emitter. via the light-
`guiding cover. directs optical energy towards a particular
`region ofear and the optical detector detects secondary opti-
`cal energy emanating from the ear region. In some embodi-
`ments. the optical detector may include an optical filter con-
`figured to pass secondary optical energy at
`selective
`wavelengths. In some embodiments. the light transmissive
`material of the cover may be configured. for example via the
`use of cladding andfor light refiective material. stich that the
`cover serves as a light guide that is coupled in parallel to the
`optical emitter and detector. In some embodiments. the light
`transmissive material of the cover may be configured, for
`example via the use of cladding andfor light refiective mate-
`rial. such that the cover serves as a light guide that is coupled
`perpendicular to the optical emitter and detector.
`In some embodiments. the headset may include various
`electronic components secured to the base. For example. the
`headset may include one or more environmental sensors con-
`figured to detect andfor measure environmental conditions in
`a vicinity of the headset. The headset may include a signal
`processor configured to receive and process signals produced
`by the optical detector. For example, in some embodiments. a
`signal processor may be configured to extract secondary opti-
`cal energy and remove optical noise or environmental noise.
`The headset may include a signal processor configured to
`receive and process signals produced by the one or more
`enviromnental 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. I-leadscts
`according to embodiments of the present invention may uti-
`lire. for example. Bltietootliifti. Wi-F i. ZigBee. or other wire-
`less transmitters.
`In some embodiments, a housing is secured to and overlies
`the base so as to enclose and protect the speaker. optical
`emitter and optical detector. as well as other electronic com-
`ponents secured to the base [e.g.. sensors. processor. trans-
`mitter etc.).
`The earbud housing is in acoustical communication with
`the speaker and has at least one aperture through which sound
`from the speaker can pass. The ligl1t—guiding cover surround-
`ing the earbud housing also includes at least one aperture
`through which sound from the speaker can pass. The cover
`may be formed from a soil. resilient material, such as silicone
`which deforms when inserted within an ear canal ofa subject.
`In some embodiments. the cover includes an alignment mem-
`ber that facilitates alignment of the earhud housing within an
`ear canal ofa subject.
`Light directed into the ear of a subject from a light emitter
`and the subsequent collection of light at a light detector,
`according to embodiments of the present invention, may be
`utilized for detecting andfor measuring, among other things.
`body temperature. skin temperature. blood gas levels. muscle
`tension. heart rate, blood flow. cardiopulmonary functions.
`etc.
`
`In some embodiments of the present invention, the light-
`guiding cover may include a lens that is in optical communi-
`cation with thc optical emitter andfor optical detector. The
`lens may be configured to focus light emitted by the optical
`emitter andfor to focus collected light toward the optical
`detector.
`In some embodiments. multiple lenses may be
`incorporated into a light-guiding cover.
`In some embodiments, the light—guidir1g cover may include
`a light diffusion region in optical conuuunication with the
`light transmissive material that difiitses light emitted by the
`optical detector.
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`111 some e1nbodi1nents_. the I ight-guiding cover may include
`a luminescence-generating region. such as a phospl1or-con-
`taining region, that is in optical communication with the light
`transmissive material. The luminescence-generating region
`may be embedded within the light-guiding cover andfor on a
`surface of the light-guiding cover. The luminescence-gencb
`ating region is configured to receive light emitted by the
`optical emitter and convert at least a portion of the received
`light to light having a dillerent wavelength from that of the
`received light.
`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover includes
`one or more grooves formed therein. Each groove is config-
`tired to direct external light to the optical detector.
`I.l1 some embodiments, the light transmissive material of
`the light—guiding cover is configured to direct light fro111 the
`optical emitter to a plurality oflocations at an outer surface of
`the cover for delivery into an ear canal ofa subject.
`In some embodiments. the light transmissive material of
`the light-guiding cover is a translucent material or includes
`translucent material in selected locations.
`In some embodiments, a light reflective material is on at
`least a portion of one or both ofthe inner and outer surfaces of
`the light-guiding cover.
`According to some embodiments of the present invention.
`a light-guiding earbud for a headset includes light transmis-
`sive material that is in optical communication with an optical
`emitter and optical detector associated with the headset. The
`light transmissive material is configured to deliver light from
`the optical emitter into the ear canal ofa subject at one ormore
`predetermined locations and to collect light external to the
`earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical
`detector. In some embodirnents. the light emitter and light
`detector may be integral with the earbud. For example, in
`some embodiments. a tlexible optical emitter is incorporated
`within the earbud and is in optical communication with the
`light transmissive material.
`In some embodiments. an earbud includes at least one lens
`in optical communication with the light transmissive mate-
`rial. Each lens may be configured to focus light from the
`optical emitter onto one or more predetermined locations in
`the ear of a subject andfor to focus collected external light
`onto the optical detector.
`In some embodiments of the present invention. an earbud
`may include luminescent material. Luminescent light is gen-
`erated from optical excitation of the luminescent material by
`an optical emitter.
`In some embodiments of the present invention. an earbud
`may integrate a sensor module containing a plurality o fsensor
`elements for measuring physiological information and at
`least one noise source for measuring noise infonnation. A
`“noise source". as used herein. refers to a sensor. such as an
`optical sensor, inertial sensor. electrically conductive sensor.
`capacitive sensor, inductive sensor, etc.. and derives it name
`from the fact that it is a source of input to a filter. such as an
`adaptive filter described below.
`The physiological sensors of the sensor module may geri-
`erate a signal that includes physiological information plus
`noise information. The noise may be removed by combining
`the physiological information and noise infomiation from the
`sensor module with noise information from the noise source
`
`ofthe sensor module via an electronic filtering method. such
`as a signal processing technique. Specific examples of such
`signal processing techniques include FIR (Finite hnpulse
`Response).
`IIR (Infinite Impulse Response),
`informatics,
`machine learning. and adaptive filter methods. The output of
`the adaptive filter may be a physiological signal that is wholly
`or partially free of noise. in some embodiments. n1otion-
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`related noise from a subject activity such as rumting may be
`removed from the physiological plus noise signal generated
`by a photoplethysmography (PPG] sensor for measuring
`blood constituent levels or blood flow properties. such as
`blood oxygen level. V03. or heart rate.
`In some embodiments of the present invention, the noise
`source input of an adaptive filter may include a “blocked
`channel" ofoptical energy. an inertial sensor. or environmen-
`tal energy. In some embodiments. the environmental energy
`may be unwanted ambient optical noise.
`In some embodiments ofthe present invention, a processors’
`multiplexor processes physiological signals and noise signals
`into a data string. This data string may contain information
`relating to physiological
`infonnation and motion—related
`information. The processing method may include signal pro-
`cessing techniques such as pre-adaptive signal conditioning,
`adaptive filtering, and parameter extraction.
`In some embodiments, an earbud includes one or more
`sensor modules that includes one or more sensors for sensing
`physiological
`information and environmental inforrnation.
`such as noise. for example. As such. the earbud may function
`as a physiological monitor as well as an environmental moni-
`tor. In some e1nbodin1ents_. the earbud may include a micro-
`processor that is in electrical communication with the sensor
`module(s). For example, a microprocessorincorporated into
`an earbud may be configured to execute an adaptive filter
`algorithm to remove noise from at least one signal generated
`by a sensor module in the earbud. A microprocessor may also
`be configured to process information from the one or more
`sensors to generate a digital output string. wherein the digital
`output string includes a plurality of physiological and
`motion-related information.
`
`Physiological sensors that may be incorporated into head-
`sets andfor earbuds. according to some embodiments of the
`present invention, may be configured to detect and!or mea-
`sure one or more of the following types of physiological
`information: heart rate. pulse rate. breathing rate. blood flow.
`V02.
`\«"O,max. heartbeat
`signatures. cardio-pulmonary
`health. organ health. metabolism. electnolyte type andfor con-
`centration. physical activity. caloric intake. caloric metabo-
`lism. blood metabolite levels or ratios. blood pH level. physi-
`cal andfor psychological stress levels andfor stress level
`indicators. drug dosage andlor dosimetry, physiological drug
`reactions. drug chemistry. biochemistry. position andfor bal-
`ance, body strain. neurological functionjng. brain activity.
`brain waves. blood pressure. cranial pressure, hydration level.
`auscultatory information. auscultatory signals associated
`with pregnancy. physiological response to infection. skirt and}
`or core body temperature. eye muscle tnovemeut. blood vol-
`ume_. inhaled andfor exhaled breath volume, physical exer-
`tion. exhaled breath physical and.r’or chemical composition,
`the presence andfor identity andfor concentration of viruses
`andfor bacteria. foreign matter in the body. internal toxins.
`heavy metals in the body. anxiety. fertility. ovulation. sex
`hormones. psychological mood. sleep patterns, hunger andfor
`thirst. hormone type andfor concentration. cholesterol. lipids.
`blood panel, bone density, organ andfor body weight, reflex
`response. sexual arousal. mental andfor physical alertness.
`sleepiness. auscultatory information, response to external
`stimuli. swallowing volume. swallowing rate. sickness. voice
`characteristics. voice tone. voice pitch. voice volume. vital
`signs. head tilt. allergic reactions.
`inflammation response.
`auto-immune response. mutagenic response, DNA, proteins.
`protein levels in the blood. water content of the blood, phero-
`mones. internal body sounds. digestive system functioning,
`cellular regeneration response. healing response. stem cell
`regeneration response. etc.
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`Environmental sensors that may be incorporated into head-
`sets andfor earbuds, according to some embodiments of the
`present invention. may be configured to detect andfor mea-
`sure one or more of tlie following types of envirotnnental
`inlorrnation: climate. humidity. temperature. pressure. baro-
`t11etric pressure. soot density. airborne particle density. air-
`borne paniele size. airbome particle shape. airborne particle
`identity. volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). hydrocarbons.
`polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). carcinogens. tox-
`ins. electromagnetic energy. optical
`radiation. X-rays.
`gamma rays. microwave radiation. terahertz radiation. ultra-
`violet radiation,
`infrared radiation.
`radio waves. atomic
`energy alpha particles. atomic energy beta—particles. gravity.
`light
`intensity.
`light
`frequency.
`light
`flicker.
`light phase.
`ovione. carbon monoxide. carbon dioxide. nitrous oxide, stll-
`tides. airborne pollution. foreign material in tlie air. viruses.
`bacteria. signatures from chemical weapons. wind. air turbu-
`lence. sound andfor acoustical energy. ultrasonic energy.
`noise pollution. human voices, animal sounds. diseases
`expelled from others_. exhaled breath andtor breath constitu-
`ents of others. toxins from others. pheromones from others.
`industrial audfor transportation sounds. allergens. animal
`hair. pollen. exhaust from engines. vapors andfor fumes. fuel.
`signatures formineral deposits andfor oil deposits. snow, rain.
`thennal energy. hot surfaces. hot gases. solar energy, hail. ice.
`vibrations. traffic, the number of people in a vicinity of the
`person. coughing andfor sneezing sounds from people in the
`vicinity of the person.
`loudness andfor pitch from those
`speaking in the vicinity of the person.
`According to some embodiments of the present invention.
`earbuds for headsets may include a chipset having at least one
`sensor element. noise source element. signal processor. input!
`output line_. digital control. and power regulator.
`I.ig_ht-guiding earbuds according to the various embodi-
`ments of tl1e present invention may be utilized with mono
`headsets (i.e.. headsets having one earbud) as well as stereo
`headsets (i.e.. headsets having two earbuds).Additional1y. the
`light-guiding region ofcarbuds. according to etnbodiments of
`the present invention. may be integrated not only into an
`earbud cover and earbud housing, but also into each or all
`components of an earbud. Moreover. light—guiding earbuds
`according to the various embodiments of the present inven-
`tion may be utilized with hearing aids, body jewelry, or any
`other attachment that cam be placed nearthe head region. such
`as eye glasses or shades, a headband. a cap. helmet. visor, or
`the like.
`According to some embodiments of the present invention.
`a monitoring device includes a circular band capable of encir-
`cling a finger ofa subject. and a base having an optical emitter
`and an optical detector attached to the circular band. The
`circular band includes liglu transmissive material in optical
`comnuuiication with the optical emitter and optical detector
`that is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to
`one or more portions ofthe finger of the subject and to collect
`light from one or more portions ofthe finger of the subject and
`deliver the collected light to the optical detector. In some
`embodiments. the circular band includes first and second
`concentric body portions.
`In some embodiments. the circular band includes a lens
`
`region in optical cotttnutnication with the optical emitter that
`focuses light emitted by the optical emitter andfor that col-
`lects light reliected from a finger. In some embodiments the
`circular band includes a pliosphor-containing region in opti-
`cal con‘n'nun.ication with t.l1e light
`trattsmissive material.
`wherein the phosphor-containing region receives light emit-
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`ted by the optical emitter and converts at least a port ion ofthe
`received light to light having a different wavelength from the
`received light.
`In some embodiments. the light transmissive material of
`the circular hand has an outer surface and an inner surface.
`and a cladding material. such as light reflective material, is on
`(or near) at least a portion ofone or both of the itmer and outer
`surfaces.
`In some embodiments. the base includes one or more ofthe
`following: a signal processor configured to receive and pro-
`cess signals produced by the optical detector. a transrnitter
`configured to transmit signals processed by the signal proces-
`sor to a remote device.
`According to some embodiments of the present invention,
`a monitoring device configured to be attached to the body of
`a subject includes a base having an optical emitter and an
`optical detector. and light transmissive material attached to
`the base. The light transmissive material is in optical commu-
`nication with the optical emitter and optical detector and is
`configured to deliver light front the optical emitter to one or
`more portions of the body of the subject and to collect light
`fro111 one or more portions of the body of the subject and
`deliver the collected light to the optical detector. The light
`transmissive material may include adhesive material in one or
`more locations that is configured to adhesively secure the
`device to the body of the subject.
`In some embodiments. an outer body portion is attached to
`the base and to the light transmissive material. The outer body
`portion may include adhesive material in one or tnore loca-
`tions that is configured to adhesively secure the device to the
`body of the subject.
`transmissive material
`the light
`In some embodiments.
`includes a lens region that is in optical communication with
`the optical emitter and that focuses light emitted by the optical
`emitter aridfor that collects light reflected from a linger. Ill
`S0l'l'le embodiments. the light transmissive material includes a
`phosphor-containing region that receives light emitted by the
`optical emitter and converts at least a portion of the received
`light to light having a different wavelength from the received
`light. In some embodiments. the light transmissive material
`has an outer surface and an inner surface, and a light reflective
`material is disposed on or near at ioast a portion ofone or both
`ofthe inner and outer surfaces.
`In some embodiments. the base includes one or more ofthe
`following: a signal processor configured to receive and pro-
`cess signals produced by the optical detector. a transmitter
`configured to transmit signals processed by the signal proces-
`sor to a remote device.
`
`It is noted that aspects of the invention described with
`respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different
`embodiment although not specifically described relative
`thereto. That is. all embodiments andfor features of any
`embodiment can be combined in any way andfor combina-
`tion. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally
`filed claim or file any new claim accordingly. including the
`right to be able to amend any originally liled claim to depend
`from andfor incorporate any feature of any other claim
`although not originally claimed in that marmer. These and
`other objects andfor aspects of the present invention are
`explained in detail below.
`
`BRIEF Dl‘3SCRIPTIOl'\l OF THE [)RAWIl\lGS
`
`The accompanying drawings. which form a part of the
`specification. illustrate various embodiments of the present
`invention. The drawings and description together serve to
`fully explain embodiments of the present invention.
`
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`FIG. I is an exploded perspective view ofa headset with a
`light-guiding earbud. according to some embodiments of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stereo headset incorporat-
`ing light-guiding earbuds. according to some embodime