`U300892394l BZ
`
`[12) United States Patent
`LeBoenf et 3].
`
`(10} Patent No.:
`(451 Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,923,941 82
`*Dee. 30, 2014
`
`(54)
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
`GENERATING DATA OUTPUT CONTAINING
`PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOTION-RELATED
`INFORMATION
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5.086.229 A
`
`211992 Rosenthal ct at.
`
`8,923,941
`
`Primarj' Eanrriiner — Rodney Fuller
`(74) Attornqv. Agent. or Firm—Myers Bich Sibley 8'.
`Sajovec
`ABSTRACT
`(5'1")
`A method of generating a data string containing physiological
`and motion-related infonnation 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 photoplethystnography (PPG) sensor
`attached to the subject. and processing signals from the at
`least one motion sensor and signals. [mm the at least one PPG
`sensor into a serial data string of physiological information
`and motion-related information. A plurality of subject 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-specific interface can ntilixe the physiological infor-
`mation and motion—related information for an application that
`generates statistical relationships between subject physi-
`ological parameters and subject physical activity parameters
`in the physiological int'onnation and motion-related informa-
`tion.
`
`Applicant: Valencell, lne., Raleigh. NC (US)
`Inventors: Steven Francis LcBoenf. Raleigh. NC
`(US): Jesse Berkley Tncker. Knightdalc.
`NC (US): Michael Edward Aumcr.
`Raleigh. N(‘ (US)
`Valence“, lne.. RaleighE NC (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term oi'thjs
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(1)) by 0 days.
`
`Assigncc:
`Notice:
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis"
`claimer.
`
`App1.No.: 141184.396
`Filed:
`Feb. 19. 2014
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 20141017l755 Al
`
`Jun. 19. 20M
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Confirmation ot'apptication No. [$691,388. filed on
`Jan. 21. 2010. now Pat. No. 8.700.111.
`
`Provisional application No. 611908.567. filed on Feb.
`25. 2009. provisional application No.
`til/208.574.
`tiled on Feb. 25. 2009. provisional application No.
`61f212.444.
`filed on Apr. 13. 2009. provisional
`application No. 611974.191. filed on Aug. 14. 2009.
`Int. Ct.
`.4613 5/00
`[104R I/It)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`ILS. Ci.
`CPC
`
`(Continued)
`
`A618 5/4812 (2013.01 )1 A613 5/00
`(2013.01): A613 5/6815 (2013.01);
`
`(Continued)
`Field of Classification Search
`(1001310
`USPC
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN l’Xl'ENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2 0?? 091 A2
`7-2412-59
`
`72009
`9’1995
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATlONS
`
`Notification ot'Transmilta] ot‘the International Search Repon and the
`Written Opinion ol“ the international Searchng Authority. or the
`Declaration corresponding to International Application No. PCT"
`USZDISfO'FOZ'i't; Date of Mailing: Feb. 26. 2014:
`International
`Search Report; Written Opinion of the International Searching
`Authority; 13 pages.
`
`(Continued)
`
`21 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets
`
`Apple Inc.
`APLl 001
`
`US. Patent No.
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1001
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
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`0001
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1001
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`US 8,923,941 B2
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`Int.(.'1.
`14613510205
`A613 5/11
`A613 571455
`A313 5/0476
`A6”; 5/16
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`U s (.1
`CPC‘ .......... .. A6113 5/6838 (2013.01): H04}? [/1091
`(2013.01):A61‘B 5/02055(2013.01): A613
`5/6803 (2013.01): 11043 31051201301);
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`A613 5/1118 (2013.01). A613 5/7455
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`A613 5,3476 (2013,01 ); A613 5/1455)
`(2013.01): A313 51135901301): A613
`5/4343 (2013.01); A618 5/4866 (2013.01 1;
`A613 5/0013(2013-011;A613 5/1103“
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1p
`.11"
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`OTHLR PUBLICAUONS
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`( 1
`
`2006131]
`2006-011
`(200601)
`(2006.01)
`(200501]
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`RETEI‘HIEES CUEd
`
`U .S. PATENT DOCUNIENTS
`
`5.596.987 A
`6.078.829 A
`6.080.] 10 A
`6.358316 131
`6.371.925 Bl
`6.783.501 BE
`0.000.473 132
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`TIIDT‘ORS 32
`7209.775 32
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`11' 199'}r Chance
`632000 Uchida ct a].
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`9.12005 Accti
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`011 at :1].
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`0002
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1001
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`US 8,923,941 BZ
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`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
`GENERA'I'ING DATA OUTPUT CONTAINING
`PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MO'I‘ION-RELA'E'ED
`INFORMATION
`
`Rl il .ATI El ) APP] .lCA'I'lONS
`
`This application is a continuation application of US.
`patettt application Ser. No. 121691.388. filed Jan. 2i. 2010.
`now U.S. Pat. No. 8.700,] 1 l . which claims the benefit of and
`priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61f208.
`56? filed Feb. 25. 2009. U.S. Provisional Patent Application
`No. fillZOSfi'M tiled Feb. 25. 2009. [1.5. vaisional Patent
`Application No. 6]/2l2.444 filed Apr. [3. 2009. and US.
`Provisional Patent Application No. MEET-4.191 filedAug. 14.
`2009. tlte disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
`reference as if set forth in their entireties.
`
`1"IEI .13 OF THE lNVEN'I‘lON
`
`-'
`
`The present invention relates generally to physiological
`monitoring and. more particularly. to physiological monitor-
`ing apparatus.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`0024
`
`2
`headset at one orntore 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 ol'ear 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 and/or light reflective material. such that the
`cover serves as a light guide that is coupled in parallel to the
`optical emitter and detector. In some embodiments. the light
`transmissive material of the cover may be configured. for
`example via the use of cladding and/or light reflective mate—
`rial. such that the cover serves as a light guide that is coupled
`perpendicular to the optical emitter and detector.
`In some etnbodiments. the headset may include various
`electronic components secured to the base. For example. the
`lteadSel may include one or more envirotunental sensors con-
`figured to detect and/or measure environmental conditions in
`a vicinity of the headset. The headset may include a signal
`processor configured to receive and process signals producth
`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 head set may include a
`transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by the
`signal processor to a remote device in real time. l-leadsets
`according to embodiments of the present invention may uti-
`lize. For example. Bluetoothifié. Wi-Fi. 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 light-guiding cover surroundw
`ing the earbud housing also includes at least one apertttre
`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 witltinan ear canal ofa subject.
`In some embodiments. thecover includes an al ignmeut mem-
`ber that facilitates alignment of the earbud housingwithin an
`ear canal ofa subject.
`Light directed into the ear ofa 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 andlor measuring. among other things.
`body temperature. skin temperature. blood gas levels. muscle
`tension. heart rate. blood flow. cardiopulmonary functions.
`etc.
`
`'lltere is growing market demand for personal health and
`envirotunental monitors. for example. for gauging overall
`healthand metabolism during exercise. athletic training. diet—
`ing. daily life activities. sickness. and physical therapy. How-
`ever. traditional health monitors and environmental monitors
`may be bulky. rigid. and tutcoml'ortable—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 0 {the general public and particular
`demographic groups. For example. collective statistics tnay
`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. otten utilizing human-based
`recording/analysis steps at multiple sites.
`As such. improved ways ofcollecting. storing and analyz-
`ing physiological
`information 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 ltcaltlteare 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
`includes a base. an earbud housing extending outwardly from
`the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a
`subject. and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base
`includes a speaker. an optical emitter. and an optical detector.
`The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optis
`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
`
`In some embodiments of the present invention. the light—
`guidiug cover may include a lens that is in optical communi—
`cation with the optical emitter andJ‘or 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 lighteguiding cover may include
`a light diffusion region in optical communication with the
`light transmissive material that diffuses light emitted by the
`optical detector.
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`0024
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`3
`ll] sonte embodiments, the I ight—guiding cover may include
`a ltuninescence-generating region. sttch as a phosphor-con-
`taining region, that is in optical communication with the light
`transmissive material. Tlte luminescence-generating region
`may be embedded within the light-guiding cover and/'or on a
`surface of the light-guiding cover. The luminescence-gener-
`ating region is cottfigured to receive light emitted by the
`optical emitter and convert at least a portion of the received
`light to light having a different wavelength from that of the
`received ligltt.
`In some embodiments, the light-guiding cover includes
`one or more grooves formed therein. Each groove is config-
`ured to direct external light to the optical detector.
`in some embodiments. the light transmissive material of
`the light—guiding cover is configured to direct light from the
`optical emitter to a plttrality oflocations at art outer surface of
`the cover for delivery into an ear canal of a subject.
`In sortie 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 botlt 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 rcanalofa subjectat one ormore
`predetermined locations and to collect light external to the
`earbttd housing and deliver the collected light to the optical
`detector. In some etnbodirnents. the light emitter and light
`detector may be integral with the earbttd. For example. itt
`some embodiments. a flexible 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 foctts light from the
`optical emitter onto one or more predetermined locations it]
`the ear of a subject andJor to focus collected external light
`onto the optical detector.
`in some embodintents of the present invention. an carbud
`may include luminescent material. Luminescent light is gen-
`erated from optical excitation of the luminescent material by
`an optical emitter.
`In sottte embodiments of the present invention. an carbud
`ntay integrate a sensor module containing a plurality o l'settsor
`elements for measuring physiological
`information and at
`least one noise source for measuring noise information. A _
`“noise source". as used herein. refers to a sensor. such as 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 filler described below.
`The physiological sensors of the sensor module may gett—
`erate a signal that includes physiological information plus
`noise information. The noise may be removed by combining
`the physiological information and noise information from the
`sensor module with noise information from the noise source
`
`0025
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`ofthe sensor module via an electronic filtering method. such
`as a signal processing technique. Specific examples of such
`signal processing techniques include FIR (Finite Impulse
`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. motion-
`
`US 8,923,941 82
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`4
`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 ofthe present invenlion. 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, aprocessorf
`multipiexor process as physiological signals and noise signals
`into a data string. This data string may contain infonnation
`relating to physiological
`information and motion-related
`information. The processing method may inclttde signal pro-
`cessing techniques such as tire-adaptive signal conditioning.
`adaptive filtering, and parameter extraction.
`In some embodiments, an earbud inclttdes one or more
`sensor modules that includes one or more sensors for sensing
`' physiological
`information and environmental information.
`such as noise. for example. As such. the earbud may function
`as a physiological monitor as well as an environmental moniA
`tor. in some embodiments, the carbud may include a micro-
`processor that is in electrical communication with the sensor
`module(s). For example, a microprocessor incorporated into
`at] earbud may be configured to execute an adaptive filter
`algorithm to remove noise from at least one signal generated
`by a sensor modttle in the earbud. A microprocessor may also
`be configured to process information frotn 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 andfcr mea—
`sure one or tttore of the following types of physiological
`information: heart rate. pulse rate. breathing rate. blood flow.
`V02. V'Ozmax. heartbeat
`signatures. cardiopulmonary
`health. organ health. ntctabolism. electrolyte type andfor con—
`centration. physical activity. calorie intake. caloric metabo-
`lism. blood metabolite levels or ratios. blood pH level. physi—
`cal andJor psychological stress levels and/or stress level
`indicators. drug dosage andfor dosimetry, physiological drug
`reactions. drug chemistry. biochemistry. position andfor bal-
`ance, body strain. neurological functioning. brain activity.
`brain waves. blood pressure. cranial pressure, hydration level.
`auscultatory information. auscultatory signals associated
`witlt pregnancy. physiological response to infection. skin and!
`or core body temperature. eye muscle movement. blood vol~
`unte. inhaled andfor exhaled breath volume, physical exers
`tion. exhaled breath physical and/or chemical composition,
`the presence and/or identity andjor 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 pattents, htutger andfor
`thirst. hormone type andJ‘or concentration. cholesterol. lipids.
`blood panel, bone density. organ andfor body weight, reflex
`response. sexual arousal. mental andJor physical alenness.
`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, pheros
`mottes. internal body sounds. digestive system functioning.
`cellular regeneration response. healing response. stem cell
`regeneration response. etc.
`
`0025
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`5
`Environmental sensors that may beincorporated into head-
`sets andJor 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 envirotuuental
`information: climate. humidity. temperature. pressure. baro-
`metric pressure. soot density. airborne particle density. air-
`borne panicie size. airborne 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 radiatiorr.
`infrared radiation. radio waves. atomic
`energy alpha particles. atomic allergy betaiparticles. gravity.
`light
`intensity.
`light
`frequency.
`light
`flicker.
`light phase.
`omne. carbon monoxide. carbon dioxide. nitrous oxide. sul-
`fides. airborne pollution. foreign material in the air. viruses.
`bacteria. signatures li‘om chemical weapons. wind. air turbu-
`lence. sound and/or acoustical energy. ultrasonic energy.
`noise pollution. human voices, animal sounds, discaSL‘s
`expelled from others. exhaled breath andlor 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 and/or oil deposits. snow. rain.
`thermal energy. hot surfaces. hot gases. solar energy, hail. ice.
`vibrations. traffic, the number of people in a vicinity of the
`person. coughing and/0r sneezing sounds from people in the
`vicinity of the person.
`loudness and/or 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 clement. signal processor. input!
`output line. digital control. and power regulator.
`Light-guiding carbuds according to the Various embodi-
`ments of the present invention may he utilimd with mono
`headsets (i.c.. headsets having one carbud) as well as stereo
`headsets (i .e.. headsets having two carbuds), Additionally. the
`light guiding region ot‘earbuds. according to embodiments 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 invert-
`tion may be utilized with hearing aids. body jewelry. or any
`other attachment that can 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 encin _
`cling a finger ol'a subject. and a base having an optical emitter
`and an optical detector attached to the circular band. The
`circular band includes light transmissive material in optical
`communication with the optical emitter and optical detector
`that is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to ..
`one or more portions of the finger of the subject and to collect
`light from one or more portions of the 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 communication with the optical emitter that
`focuses light emitted by the optical emitter andfor that col-
`lects light reflected from a finger. In some embodiments the
`circular band includes a phosphor-containing region in opti—
`cal communication with the light
`transmissive material.
`wherein the phosphor-containing region receives light emit-
`
`The accompanying drawings. which form a pan of the
`specification. illustrate various embodiments of the present
`invention. The drawings and description together serve to
`fully explain embodiments of the present invention.
`
`US 8,923,941 82
`
`6
`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 band has an outer surfacs 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 inner and outer
`surfaces.
`In some embodiments. the base includes one or more ol'the
`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.
`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 COItLt'nll-
`nicat ion with the optical emitter and optical detector and is
`' configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or
`more portions of the body of the subject and to collect light
`from 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 adhesiver 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 more 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 andr'or that collects light reflected from a finger. In
`sortie 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 solne embodiments. the light transmissive material
`has an outer surface and an innersurlace. and a light reflective
`[material is disposed on or near at least a portion ofonc or both
`ofthe inner and outer surfaces.
`In sortie embodiments. the base includes one or more oi'the
`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 andi’or features of any
`embodiment can be combined in any way andfor combina-
`tion. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally
`tiled claim or file any new claim accordingly. including the
`right to be able to amend any originally tiled claim to depend
`from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim
`although not originally claimed in that manner. These and
`other objects and/or aSpects of the present invention arc
`explained in detail below.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`0026
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1001
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`US 8,923,941 82
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`8
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart ofoperatioris for extracting physi-
`ological information from headset sensor signals. according
`to some embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 1"! is a block diagram that illustrates sensor signals
`being processed into a digital data string including activity
`data and physiological data. according to some embodiments
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 18 illustrates a digital data string. according to some
`embodiments oftlie present invention.
`FIG. 19 illustrates the optical interaction between the