Get Down with Your Music and Up With Your Gym Game
Patent #10264339 aims to give ear device and hearing aid wearers “the feel of the sound similar to music being played at a night club, a concert, or when being played by a loud stereo,” and “wirelessly communicate with an additional device.” This could improve your dancing and your social life, but why stop there?
Apple wants to use its ear buds to tone you up (patent 10277973), by having your buds gather and analyze sensor orientation data. As envisioned, the ear buds then use the results to coach you with audible instructions while you’re exercising and offer additional periodic evaluation, guidance and performance reports. This could work since AirPods seem to be essential gear for most gym rats, bikers and hikers these days. If you’re already wearing the gear, why not have it slave away full time for your own good?
The Ear: A Convenient Full-Service, Full-Time Platform
Apple’s patent knows why everyone in the gym, on bikes or on the trail is wearing ear buds:
“ear buds can provide enhanced freedom of movement [by]…play[ing] audio content for a user of an electronic device such as a cellular telephone or computer without cumbersome cables.”
Figure 1. Patent 10251603 view 1.
Figure 2. Patent 10251603 view 2.
G-Medical Innovations Holdings Ltd. (patent 10251603) gets it and plans to use ear space as a convenient place and shape for stashing all sorts of sensors and a robust control system.
In an odd reversal of the old “walks like a duck” routine, G-Medical’s device (Figures 1 and 2) walks and talks like a hearing aid but isn’t one. Referencing Figs 1 & 2, here’s G-Medical’s take on what we have always thought of as an ear hook and casing, as well as alternative uses for basic electronic parts:
The unit includes a shaped anchor 102 for holding the unit near to an ear of a wearer of the system (also referred to as the “client”), without the client having to hold it. The shaped anchor may be part of the casing, or otherwise be connected to it. The shape of the shaped anchor may be similar to that use in hearing aids, which connect the hearing aid to the ear of the client for use in most daily activities without falling off. … The system …may optionally include …a battery…optionally, the system …may include a microphone and/or a speaker…[which ] can sense ambient sounds.
What does this device do if it’s not a hearing aid? A bunch, as envisioned in the patent, the device may include:
- a temperature sensor adapted to sense a body temperature from a depression between a lower jawbone and skull;
- a control system, comprising a processor and a memory, configured and operable to control operation of said ear device, collect signals received from at least one sensor,
- process said signals to provide medically significant results (by) correlating physiological data and environmental data (e.g., monitoring sleep tests),
- enable vocal communication with the client in case needed,
- a …GPS…to locate the client if lost,
- an ECG device,
- an oxygen sensor (#140 in figures) may be inserted into an ear [or] fitted to the earlobe (if the device includes an earlobe attachment),
- an earlobe attachment …used to help measure heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs.
- at least one electrode operationally coupled to said ear device, said at least one electrode configured to deliver electrical pulses from a power source in said ear device to a skin patch operationally coupled to said at least one electrode. 1
Or, Why Not Just Keep It Simple
Perhaps the above patent is over thinking things? Who knows the purpose of that stimulating electrode? Why not make it a hearing aid as long as they were at it?
No doubt there are good reasons that are above Hearing Economics pay grade, so let’s revert to what we know — ear wax. Consider and feel comfortable with design patent D846025, (see feature image above) for which the patent title says it all: “Writing instrument cap with ear pick.”
The April 2019 List
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
Method and apparatus for treatment of focal dystonia |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Voice activity detection for communication headset |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Sound processing based on a confidence measure |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Sound reproduction device including auditory scenario simulation |
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V (Munich, DE) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Intelligent conversation control in wearable audio systems |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Dual-use bilateral microphone array |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Hearing assistant device for informing about state of wearer |
Em-Tech Co. Ltd (Busan, KR) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Noise characterization and attenuation using linear predictive coding |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Removable attachment of a passive transcutaneous bone conduction device with limited skin deformation |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
4/02/2019 |
|
|
Systems and methods for vital signs monitoring with ear piece |
G-Medical Innovations Holdings Ltd. (KY) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Customizable ear insert |
Logitech Canada Inc. (Mississauga, CA) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Distributed processing of electrophysiological signals |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Audio data buffering |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Predicting acoustic features for geographic locations |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Voice synthesis device, voice synthesis method, bone conduction helmet and hearing aid |
Boe Technology Group Co. Ltd. (Beijing, CN) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Hearing device incorporating conformal folded antenna |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Earbud insertion sensing method with infrared technology |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Headset with ear support |
Zound Industries International AB (Stockholm, SE) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Managing telephony and entertainment audio in a vehicle audio platform |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid using wireless test modes as diagnostic tool |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Own voice body conducted noise management |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Method for detecting tonal signals, a method for operating a hearing device based on detecting tonal signals and a hearing device with a feedback canceller using a tonal signal detector |
Sonova AG (Staefa, CH) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Method of operating a hearing system, and hearing system |
Sivantos Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Modular connection assembly for a hearing assistance device |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4./09/2019 |
|
|
Hearing assistance system, system signal processing unit and method for generating an enhanced electric audio signal |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid wireless antenna molded into the device shell |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4./09/2019 |
|
|
Hearing device comprising switched capacitor DC-DC converter with low electromagnetic emission |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Fitter defined user controlled adaptation tool for a hearing assistance device |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4./09/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid with antenna for reception and transmission of electromagnetic signals |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Open fit canal hearing device |
Anova Hearing Labs Inc. (Springfield |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
In-ear sport headphone |
Shenzhen Tomtop Technology Co. Ltd. (Shenzhen, CN) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid |
Applicant: Zheug, Weifeng (Shenzhen, CN) |
4/09/2019 |
|
|
Method of testing hearing and a hearing test system |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Real-time continuous stress monitoring using wearable devices |
International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
In-ear noise dosimetry system |
Red Tail Hawk Corporation (Philadelphia, PA) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Radio frequency transmitter circuits that provide power to an implant device |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Enhancement of noisy speech based on statistical speech and noise models |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid battery packaging |
Energizer Brands LLC. (St. Louis, MO) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Wearable vibration device |
Applicant: Schwartz, David Todd (Livingston, NJ) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Dynamic on ear headset detection |
Cirrus Logic Inc. (Austin, TX) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Wearable audio accessories for computing devices |
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Redmond, WA) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
User-specified occluding in-ear listening devices |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid and method for dynamically adjusting recovery time in wide dynamic range compression |
Acer Incorporated (New Taipei, TW) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Method for selecting transmission direction in a binaural hearing aid |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid having an adaptive classifier |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Cochlear hearing device with cable antenna |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing device configured to be placed in the ear canal of a user |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing instrument comprising switched capacitor DC-DC converter |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Canal hearing devices and batteries for use with same |
Sonova AG (Staefa, CH) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid comprising a locking mechanism |
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Ball and socket connection with an acoustic seal and mounting interface for a hearing assistance device |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Ear model, artificial head, and measurement system and measurement method using the ear model and artificial head |
Kyocera Corporation (Kyoto, JP) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Wearable wireless communication device and communication group setting method using the same |
Applicant: Park, Saug-Rae (Seoul, KR) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Writing instrument cap with ear pick |
Application: Chun, Jung Byung (Douglaston, NY) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid processor
|
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
4/16/2019 |
|
|
Implant heat protection |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
4/23/2019 |
|
|
Audio processing device and a method for estimating a signal-to-noise-ratio of a sound signal |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/23/2019 |
|
|
Outcome tracking in sensory prostheses |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
4/23/2019 |
|
|
Hearing device with improved initialisation of digital feedback suppression circuitry |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
4/23/2019 |
|
|
Configurable hearing device for use with an assistive listening system |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
4/23/2019 |
|
|
Implantable fluid delivery apparatus and implantable electrode |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
4/23/2019 |
|
|
Ear plugs for hearing protection |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
4/23/2019 |
|
|
Earpiece |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Wireless ear bud system with pose detection |
Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Adaptive level estimator, a hearing device, a method and a binaural hearing system |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Method for operating a binaural hearing aid system and a binaural hearing aid system |
Sivantos Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Audio accessory for auditory prosthesis system that includes body-worn sound processor apparatus |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Middle ear implant sensor |
The Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Bone conduction hearing aid device and bone conduction speaker |
Winbond Electronics Corp. Taichung, TW) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid with a flexible carrier antenna and related method |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
4/30/2019 |
|
|
Systems and methods for license-enabled signal processing |
Sonova AG (Staefa, CH) |
4/30/2019 |
Holly Hosford-Dunn, PhD, owned and operated a dispensing audiology practice in Tucson and was active in management of HearingHealthMatters.org through 2017. She holds BA degrees in Communication Sciences, Psychology and Economics; MA in Communication Disorders; PhD in Hearing Sciences. Following post-doctoral work at Max Planck Institute (Munich, DE) and Eaton-Peabody Auditory Physiology Lab (Boston), she joined the Stanford medical school faculty as director of audiology. She has authored/edited numerous text books, chapters, journals, and articles and taught Marketing and Practice Management in a variety of academic settings. She continues to consult and write on topics related to hearing health care vis-à-vis consumer demands, professional training, technological advancement, capital investment, industry consolidation, regulatory control, product and service distribution, and strategic pricing.
