DE102014109007A1 - Multifunction headphone system for sports activities - Google Patents

Abstract

A multifunction headphone system for sports activities is described, comprising: a first device adapted to be worn in one user's ear and having a first data communication unit and a first speaker, and a second device adapted to be worn in the other user's ear is arranged and has a second data communication unit and a second loudspeaker, wherein at least one of the first and second devices comprises a sensor unit and a data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is configured to generate power data based on measured data acquired by the sensor unit, wherein the first device further comprises a Signal processing unit, which is adapted to generate a binaural audio signal based on the performance data, the binaural audio signal having a first signal part for output by the first speaker and a n second signal part for output by the second loudspeaker, and wherein the first data communication unit is arranged for transmitting the second signal part of the binaural audio signal to the second data communication unit. A method is further described.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of multimedia devices having functionality for acquiring, evaluating and outputting data relating to athletic activities or medical rehabilitation measures, in particular the field of portable systems suitable for acquiring, evaluating and outputting such data in connection with practicing sports activities are.

background

There are a variety of different systems that allow users to perform athletic activities to record and analyze a variety of performance-related and otherwise interesting information, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, speed, duration and many other data, both while exercising as well as after practicing sports activity.

Some of these systems, in the absence of a display device, provide the user with information about the aforementioned information by outputting various audio signals, such as sounds or voice signals, intended to quantify the information. However, this form of output is associated with considerable limitations. Thus, for example, only information about one piece of information at a time can be given. There is also a lack of a simple and intuitive way to provide information about the relation between a current value and a preset threshold.

The present invention has for its object to provide a headphone system for sporting activities, which can give information about performance-related information in a simple and intuitive easily detectable manner.

Summary

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a multi-function headphone system for sports activities is described. The described system comprises: (a) a first device adapted to be worn in an ear of a user and having a first data communication unit and a first speaker, and (b) a second device adapted to be worn in the user's other ear and at least one of the first and second devices comprises a sensor unit and a data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is configured to generate performance data based on measurement data acquired by the sensor unit, (d) wherein the first device further comprises a signal processing unit configured to generate a binaural audio signal based on the performance data, the binaural audio signal comprising a first signal portion for output by the first speaker and a second signal portion for output by the second one loudspeaker, and (e) wherein the first data communication unit is arranged to transmit the second signal part of the binaural audio signal to the second data communication unit.

The system described consists of two devices, each adapted to be carried in an ear (left and right) and having a loudspeaker and a data communication unit. The first and second devices may communicate with each other via the respective data communication units, in particular, they may both transmit data to the other device and receive data from the other device. At least one of the two devices has a sensor unit and a data processing unit, the latter being set up to generate performance data based on measurement data acquired by the sensor unit. The first (or second) device further comprises a signal processing unit configured to generate a binaural audio signal based on the performance data. The binaural audio signal consists of a first signal part, which is provided for output by the first loudspeaker, and a second signal part, which is provided for output by the second loudspeaker. The first data communication unit is set up to transmit the second signal part of the binaural audio signal to the second data communication unit, so that the second signal part can be output by the second loudspeaker. By synchronized output of the first signal part in one ear and the second signal part in the other ear, the user can perceive the binaural audio signal and thereby obtain information that is relevant for the exercise of a sporting activity.

In this document, "binaural audio signal" refers in particular to an audio signal that produces a spatial sound impression with accurate directional location when outputting in the two ears of a user. In other words, the user of a single component, such as a pulsed tone signal, may be a binaural Assign audio signal to a specific position in three-dimensional space.

In this document, "sensor unit" more particularly means a unit having one or more individual sensors arranged to generate one or more electrical signals (measurement data) based on electrical signals from each individual sensor.

In this document, "performance data" means, in particular, data that has values relating to athletic activities. Such values include, in particular, values that are descriptive of the athletic activity, such as a length of a run, driven or swum route, or a height difference, and values that are descriptive of the user, such as speed, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, or heart rate ,

The data processing unit is set up to receive and process the measurement data from the sensor unit, preferably as digital signals, in order to generate performance data by calculation.

The signal processing unit is configured to generate a binaural audio signal based on performance data such that a user hears one or more specific values of the performance data, changes in one or more specific values of the performance data, and / or a relation between one or more when listening to the binaural audio signal specific values of the performance data and corresponding reference values, in particular threshold values. In particular, the binaural audio signal allows information on multiple values to be heard simultaneously at different spatial locations.

The data processing unit and the signal processing unit may be implemented as individual processing units (hardware) or they may be implemented as functional units on one or more processors (software).

Each device has a housing in which the respective entire device is integrated. Each housing is designed to be worn in the ear of a user. In this case, each housing is shaped so that the respective device in a typical (left or right) ear fits well and can be held, even during sports activities. Each housing preferably has an opening that is configured and positioned so that the (first or second) speaker can deliver sound into the auditory canal of the user.

In summary, the system allows a user to be informed of values of performance data via a binaural audio output while exercising a sports activity, with the individual values of the performance data being based on measurement data acquired by the sensor unit during the athletic activity.

Thus, the system provides a variety of functionalities without the need for additional devices or external sensors, and in particular, enables output of performance-related information in a simple and intuitive manner. The devices of the system are very compact, discreet and comfortable to wear in the ear.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the binaural audio signal generated by the signal processing unit has a signal component indicative of a value of the performance data.

In this document, "signal component" refers in particular to a component of the binaural audio signal which the user can distinguish from other components of the audio signal or can uniquely identify. In particular, the user can assign a spatial position to the signal component, that is, he can recognize a direction from which the signal component is reproduced.

The signal component may in particular comprise pre-stored speech elements or a sound signal.

For example, the signal component may consist of a name of the value followed by the current value of the value, such as "speed" followed by "23 kilometers per hour", "speed" followed by "5 minutes and 17 seconds per kilometer" or "heart rate" followed by "155 beats per minute".

Alternatively, the signal component may consist of a name of the value followed by a pulsed tone signal, wherein the pulse rate and / or pitch of the pulsed tone signal depends on the value of the performance data. In this case, the user can recognize changes in the value by changing the pulse rate and / or pitch of the sound signal.

Still alternatively, the signal component may consist only of a pulsed tone signal, such as that described above.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the signal processing unit further configured to generate the binaural audio signal such that a spatial location of the signal component is dependent upon the value of the performance data.

In other words, the spatial position of the signal component is shifted as the corresponding value changes. This can be done, for example, by shifting the signal component forward or upward as the value increases, and shifting it backwards or downwards as the value decreases.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the spatial position of the signal component relative to a plane is dependent on a difference between the value of the performance data and a predetermined reference value.

In particular, the plane may be a vertical plane through the user's body or a horizontal plane through the user's head (at the level of the ears). As long as the signal component is reproduced in one of these planes, that is, directly on the left or right side of the user or at the level of the user's ears, then the value is equal to or close to the predetermined reference value.

For example, if the value exceeds the predetermined reference value or threshold, the position of the signal component is shifted forward or upward, the amount of the shift depending on the difference between the power value and the reference value. Similarly, the position of the signal component may be shifted down or back if the value falls below the (or other) reference value or threshold. Illustratively, this could be implemented so that a pulsed tone signal is heard at the level of the ears with respect to the heart rate of the user, as long as the heart rate is within a predetermined range, such as 130-140 beats per minute, is shifted upwards, when the heart rate exceeds the maximum value of the predetermined range, that is, 140 beats per minute, and is shifted downward when the heart rate falls below the minimum value of the predetermined range, that is, 130 beats per minute.

Thus, the user can easily and intuitively recognize whether the value deviates from the predetermined reference value and, if so, act accordingly to approximate the value to the predetermined reference value.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the binaural audio signal generated by the signal processing unit has a further signal component that is indicative of another value of the performance data, and the signal processing unit is further configured to generate the binaural audio signal such that one spatial position of the other Signal component is different from the spatial position of the signal component.

When the binaural audio signal has a plurality of signal components, it can reproduce values related to various performance data at various predetermined locations in the three-dimensional space around the head of the user. For example, a first pulsed tone or speech signal may be rendered at a top left position and a second pulsed tone or speech signal at a front lower position with respect to a second power value. The playback of the individual signal component may take place simultaneously or with a time delay.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the signal processing unit is set up to modify prestored audio data as a function of at least one value of the performance data.

In particular, modifying the prestored audio data may be to reduce or increase a volume, a playback speed and / or a pitch of the prestored audio data in dependence on the at least one value of the performance data. In other words, the signal processing unit may, for example, increase the volume, playback speed and / or pitch of the prestored audio data when the heartbeat rate exceeds an upper threshold and reduce when the heartbeat rate falls below a lower threshold.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first data communication unit and the second data communication unit are wireless data communication units configured to communicate with each other.

The data communication units may in particular be Bluetooth units with which wireless data communication between the two devices can be performed to transmit measurement data, performance data and audio signals from one device to the other device and vice versa.

At least one of the wireless data communication units may also be for wireless data communication with an external device may be configured, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, etc. The data communication unit may optionally have an infrared unit that allows data transmission with modulated infrared light.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit has a physiological sensor unit.

In this document, "physiological sensor unit" refers in particular to a sensor unit which is set up to generate one or more electrical signals as a function of one or more physiological values of a user.

The physiological sensor unit may in particular have a pulse oximetry sensor, that is to say a sensor for the non-invasive determination of the arterial oxygen saturation via the measurement of the light absorption. This may include two differently colored light sources, in particular light emitting diodes, and a photosensor and is preferably mounted in the housing of the device such that the light sources can illuminate a portion of the skin surface in the user's ear and the photosensor can detect corresponding reflections from the skin surface, if the device is mounted in the user's ear. The pulse oximetry sensor may be mounted in particular in the region of a surface of the housing such that the pulse oximetry sensor is in close contact with the skin surface in the ear when the device is worn in the ear, in particular the skin surface in the region behind the tragus. (Tragus is the small cartilage mass on the auricle called, which rests just before the auditory canal (Porus acusticus externus)). For example, by driving the light sources and processing the signal output by the photosensor, the data processing unit may generate, among others, the following performance data: an arterial oxygen saturation value, a respiratory rate value, a cardiovascular flux value, a cardiac output, a blood pressure value, and a blood glucose value.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit has a motion sensor unit.

In this document, "motion sensor unit" means, in particular, a sensor unit adapted to generate one or more electrical signals in response to movement of the sensor unit, in particular electrical signals which depend on acceleration, tilt or displacement of the sensor unit relative to one or more predetermined directions ,

The motion sensor unit may in particular comprise an accelerometer or an acceleration sensor which is set up to detect acceleration and / or acceleration changes in at least one predetermined direction relative to the housing of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the accelerometer is a 3D accelerometer that can detect accelerations along three mutually perpendicular directions and output three corresponding electrical signals.

By processing the signals from the motion sensor unit, for example by means of pattern recognition, the data processing unit can, for example, generate the following and further performance data: a step number value, a distance value and a speed value.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, both devices comprise a motion sensor unit.

By processing motion data acquired in the area of both ears of the user, increased precision of the performance data can be achieved.

The data processing unit may in particular be set up to receive and process both the measurement data from the motion sensor unit (movement data) and the measurement data from the physiological sensor unit (physiological data), preferably as digital signals, in order to generate performance data by calculation. Here, some values of the performance data alone based on the movement data, other values of the performance data based solely on the physiological data, and still other values of the performance data may be calculated based on both the movement data and the physiological data.

In summary, the system allows a user to be informed of multiple values of performance data via a binaural audio output while exercising a sport activity, the individual values of the performance data being based on movement data and / or physiological data obtained from the motion sensor unit during the athletic activity and / or or the physiological sensor unit, and displayed by signal components sounding at various spatial positions around the user's head.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the housing of each device has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion for insertion into an ear canal and the second portion are adapted for attachment in an auricle, wherein a shape and / or size of the second portion is adaptable.

The first portion is substantially conical and shaped to fit within an outer portion of the ear canal. The speaker is preferably mounted within the first section to deliver sound directly into the ear canal.

The second section is shaped so that it can be inserted and held in the concha of the ear of a typical ear. The shape and / or size of the second portion may be adjusted, for example, by adding self-adhesive material on a portion of the surface of the second portion.

The entire housing may in particular be made of plastic. The openings for speakers, sensors, etc. may be sealed watertight, so that the device can also be used while swimming.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices further comprises a capacitive sensor unit disposed on a surface of the housing such that it can be touched by a user when the device is mounted in the user's ear.

In particular, the capacitive sensor unit may be mounted on a surface of the housing facing outward when the device is mounted in the ear.

The capacitive sensor unit is designed to detect touches, in particular tapping or stroking touches, which are made, for example, with a finger by the user.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices furthermore has a microphone, in particular a bone conduction microphone, which is set up for detecting user speech, in particular voice commands spoken by the user.

In particular, the use of a bone conduction microphone allows user speech to be detected without being (or only slightly) affected by ambient noise.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices further comprises an electroencephalography sensor unit (brainwave measurement) adapted to detect an electrical signal on a skin surface of a user.

By pattern recognition, predetermined brain activities can be detected by the user from the detected electrical signal, in particular personally exciting thoughts.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices further comprises a control unit integrated in the housing and further for controlling the device in response to touches detected by the capacitive sensor unit and / or in response to user speech is detected by the microphone, and / or in response to an electrical signal detected by the electroencephalography sensor unit.

Thus, for example, the user may control the functionality of the device by touching the capacitive sensor unit, by uttering voice commands, and / or by predetermined thoughts.

In particular, a single short touch (knock) on the capacitive sensor unit may trigger a first control signal, two consecutive short touches may trigger a second control signal, etc. Further, swipe up, down, forward, and back, respectively, may trigger predetermined control signals.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices further comprises a contact sensor for detecting whether the device is mounted in the ear.

In particular, the contact sensor may be capacitive and mounted on a portion of the surface of the housing that contacts the skin surface when worn in the ear. For example, if the contact sensor has not registered contact with a skin surface for a while, the device may be switched in a standby mode or turned off completely.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices further comprises a memory for storing the performance data generated by the data processing unit.

By saving the performance data, these can later be read from memory and processed externally. Furthermore, in the course of a sporting activity, the stored performance data can be accessed for example, to calculate averages or make comparisons with previous activities.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices further comprises a near-field communication unit (NFC unit).

The NFC unit enables storage and / or readout of various data in or from the device, for example identification data of the user or GPS data indicating the last position of the device. For example, such GPS data can be regularly transmitted from a smartphone.

In general, one of the two devices of the system preferably functions as a primary device (master) in the system, in the sense that this device transmits control and data signals to the second (secondary) device, in particular sensor signals detected by the secondary device transmitted to the primary device, are taken into account in the generation of control and data signals in the primary device.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices of the system has a bone conduction microphone and both devices have a microphone that is set up to detect ambient sound.

The Bone Conduction Microphone is particularly adapted for detecting voice commands that are spoken by the user to control the system. In this case, the ambient noise detected by the external microphones can be used for noise reduction in order to improve the recognition of the voice commands. The recognition of the voice commands as well as the processing for noise reduction are preferably carried out in a corresponding signal processing unit which is integrated in the primary device of the system.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one of the devices of the system has a detection unit which is set up to detect predetermined movement patterns which are produced by stroking a body surface of a user.

In particular, the detection unit is adapted to receive and process a signal from the bone conduction microphone in the primary device and signals from the outwardly directed microphones of the two devices. In particular, the processing includes an analysis of the timing of the pitch (frequency) and volume for each of the three signals. This processing of the sound signals propagated respectively through and around the body of the user enables recognition of predetermined movement patterns, in particular the detection of a direction of stroking the body surface of the user. Such recognition is based on the fact that the pitch and volume of the signal detected by one of the microphones increases in the course of the movement as the movement is toward the microphone and decreases as the movement away from the microphone occurs. An analysis of the signal from the bone conduction microphone thus allows detection of whether the movement is directed up or down. Similarly, analysis of the signals from the two outbound microphones allows detection of whether the movement is to the left or to the right. By further analysis of all three signals and oblique movements can be detected.

In other words, the recognition unit can recognize when the user, for example, a finger from left to right or from top to bottom over his cheek. Chest or his stomach pulls.

The recognition of such movement patterns or contact patterns can be used advantageously for controlling the devices or the system. More specifically, each detectable motion pattern may be associated with a predetermined control command. For example, moving upwards may increase the playback volume, and moving upwards may reduce the playback volume.

The system may be used as a headset in conjunction with a mobile communication device, in particular a mobile phone, smartphone or tablet.

Use as a headset, inter alia, allows the various control functionalities of the system to control the mobile communication device to be employed, and that data, such as GPS data or voice commands from a navigation application running on the mobile communication device, is communicated to the system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is described. The method described comprises the following steps: (a) acquisition of measurement data by means of a sensor unit, (b) production of performance data based on the measurement data by means of a data processing unit, wherein the sensor unit and the data processing unit in a first device, which is to be worn in an ear a user is set up and a first data communication unit and a first speaker, or in a second device, which is adapted to carry in the other ear of the user and having a second data communication unit and a second speaker are included, (c) generating a binaural audio signal based on the performance data means a signal processing unit included in the first device, the binaural audio signal having a first signal part for output by the first loudspeaker and a second signal part for output by the second loudspeaker, and (d) transmitting the second signal part of the binaural audio signal to the second data communication unit by means of the first data communication unit.

The method described is essentially based on the same insight as the above-described system according to the first aspect and the embodiments thereof, namely, that measurement data such as movement data and / or physiological data are acquired and processed in at least one of two stand-alone devices binaural audio signal in response to generated performance data to generate and output.

The invention can be implemented both by means of a computer program, i. H. a software, as well as by means of one or more special electrical circuits, d. H. in hardware or in any hybrid form, d. H. using software components and hardware components.

It should be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described with method claims and other embodiments of the invention with apparatus claims. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this application that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features belonging to a type of subject matter, any combination of features that may result in different types of features is also possible Subject matters belong.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary description of a preferred embodiment.

Brief description of the drawings

1 shows a block diagram of one of the two devices of a system according to an embodiment.

2A shows a first view of a device according to an embodiment.

2 B shows a second view of a device according to an embodiment.

2C shows a third view of a device according to an embodiment.

3 shows a system according to an embodiment.

Detailed description

1 shows a block diagram of one of the two devices of a system according to an embodiment. The device is integrated in a housing which is adapted for carrying in the ear and below in connection with the 2A . 2 B and 2C is described in more detail, and has a data processing unit 1 a signal processing unit 2 , a speaker 3 , an accelerometer 4 and a pulse oximeter or a pulsoximetry sensor 5 on.

The data processing unit 1 gets data from the accelerometer 4 and the pulse oximeter 5 and processes them to generate performance data such as a step count, distance, speed, arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, cardiovascular flow, cardiac output, blood pressure, blood glucose value, and so forth. The performance data is sent to the signal processing unit 2 transmitted and used by this to generate an audio signal passing through the loudspeaker 3 is spent in the ear of the user. The audio signal is generated so that the user can hear information about at least one value of the performance data when listening to the corresponding sound. This can be done by outputting language elements (for example prestored numbers and words) or pulsed audio signals, by manipulating music or otherwise.

The device further comprises a central control unit or control 9 and a memory 11 on. The control 9 is with the data processing unit 1 , the signal processing unit 2 , and the memory 11 connected and arranged to control these units and receive or read information from these units. The control 9 For example, controls which of the data processing unit 1 generated performance data, the signal processing unit 2 when generating the audio signal should take into account, for example, whether the audio signal just information about heart rate, speed or something else should give. The controller can also do the Signal processing unit 2 so control that in memory 11 stored music or the like (for example, an audiobook) is played regardless of the performance data.

The control unit 9 is also with a first microphone 7 , a second microphone 14 a touch-sensor unit 6 , an EEG unit - (electroencephalography unit) 8th a contact sensor unit 10 , a Bluetooth unit 12 and an NFC unit (near field communication unit) 13 connected. These units are also integrated in the housing and generally allow the user to control the functionality of the device and that the device can communicate with an external device such as a similar device, a smartphone or a computer.

The first microphone 7 is a bone conduction microphone that is mounted in the case so that it can detect sound passing through the skull bone, for example when speaking. A function of the first microphone 7 is to detect user speech, for example voice commands for controlling the device or the user speech when the device is used as a headset in connection with an external device.

The second microphone 14 is mounted in the housing so that it can detect ambient sound in particular. By processing the signals from both the first microphone 7 as well as the second microphone 14 For example, disturbing ambient sounds can be filtered by the user's speech, which improves the use as a headset as well as the recognition quality of voice commands. Another application of the two microphone signals is the detection of acoustic gestures, that is the detection of certain moving or stroking touches of the body surface. More specifically, an acoustic gesture may be, for example, that the user makes a quick stroking motion over his or her skin or clothing in a particular direction (vertical, horizontal, etc.) with a finger, the finger moving the skin or clothing throughout the movement touched. Such stroking movements create sound and analysis of those from the microphones 7 and 14 recorded signals can be detected direction and speed and other characteristics of the gesture and converted into control signals.

The touch sensor unit 6 has a plate with a plurality of capacitive sensors and is mounted on a part of the surface of the housing so that the user can touch it with the finger when the device is worn in the ear. In other words, the touch sensor unit is located 6 on a surface of the case pointing away from the ear canal. By swiping and / or tapping your finger on the touch-sensor unit 6 , the user can control the device. For example, the control unit 9 a stroking move up with a volume boost and a stroking move down with a volume reduction link and the signal processing unit 2 drive accordingly. Similarly, the control unit may, for example, a one-time knock on the touch-sensor unit 6 associate with a function change and a twice repeated knock with a selection of a function.

The EEG unit 8th has a plurality of electrodes mounted on the surface of the housing such that measurements of electrical potentials on the skin surface in the ear can be made. These measurements are analyzed by the control unit and compared with pre-stored measurements to recognize certain thoughts of the user and to use them as control commands. For example, intense thinking about one's favorite food may trigger an announcement of calories burned to date.

The contact sensor unit 10 has a capacitive sensor mounted in the surface area of the housing so as to contact the skin surface of the user when worn in the ear. Thus, the controller 9 recognize whether the device is used or not and generate accordingly different control signals. For example, power-consuming features may be turned off a few minutes after the device is removed from the ear.

The Bluetooth unit 12 is used for wireless communication with other devices (for example, a device worn in the other ear) or external devices (mobile phone, PC, etc.). When communicating with a device in the user's other ear, sensor signals from both sides may be taken into account to achieve improved precision in the performance data. Furthermore, the generated audio signal can be processed stereophonically or binaurally. In such systems, the one device functions as a primary device or master in the sense that it receives and processes data from both devices and defines the respective audio signals to be output.

Communication with an external device may take place during use of the device, that is during the exercise of a physical activity. In this case, data such as music or GPS data may be transmitted from the device to the device and used or stored there. At the same time, data, such as acquired sensor data or calculated performance data transmitted from the device to the device. This also allows use of the device as a headset in conjunction with communication applications.

Communication with the external device may also occur when the device is not being used in the ear, for example, to configure the various controls described above to set thresholds (eg, heart rate, respiratory rate, distance, time or speed, etc.) or performance data for external processing. This is done appropriately by means of a special application or app.

The NFC unit 13 allows communication with a near field communication capable device, such as a smartphone, when brought close to the device. In this case, configuration data can be transmitted from the smartphone to the device or data stored in the device, such as contact information for the user, can be read out. This information can be useful if the device is found lost or in connection with an accident.

The 2A . 2 B and 2C show different views of a device 20 according to an embodiment, in particular the shape of the housing, in which all the units of the device 20 are integrated.

The 2A shows a view of a device 20 having a housing. The housing is made of plastic, such as silicone, and basically has a first section 21 and a second section 22 on. The first paragraph 21 is for insertion into a user's ear canal and the second section 22 is made for attachment in the auricle of the user. Here is the first section 21 essentially conical to fit well in the outer part of the ear canal. In the end of the first section 21 is an elastic collar 24 provided when carrying the device 20 in the ear as a seal works, so that the device 20 blocked the auditory canal of the user. The second section 22 is shaped so that it can be used in Concha the pinna of a typical ear and held there.

The housing further has a surface 23 on, which is remote from the ear canal and thus accessible by the user, for example, with a finger. The surface 23 In particular, has a capacitive sensor unit for detecting control commands from the user, for example, when the user with his finger on the surface 23 Knocks or over the surface 23 in a certain direction. Near the surface 23 the housing has a closable opening 25 through which a plug (not shown) can be coupled to a socket to the battery of the device 20 charge or data with the device 20 exchange.

The housing further has an opening 26 mounted at a location in the surface of the housing when carrying the device 20 In the ear, the skin, especially in the area behind the tragus, closely contacted. The opening 26 may include a pulse oximetry sensor having two differently colored light sources, in particular light-emitting diodes, and a photosensor. In this case, the opening is 26 mounted in the housing so that the light sources can illuminate an area of the skin surface in the user's ear and the photosensor can detect corresponding reflections from the skin surface. The opening 26 may alternatively contain a bone conduction microphone. In a system with two devices, one for the left ear and one for the right ear, one device may include the pulse oximetry sensor and the other device may include the bone conduction microphone.

The 2 B shows a further view of the device 20 , where the surface 23 can be seen in the foreground. The surface 23 has a slit or slot-shaped opening 27 on, the sound coming from the outside to a microphone (not shown). The device 20 also has a sleeve or sleeve 28 on, which is part of the surface 23 encloses and serves to adjust the size of the device to the ear of a user. The cuff 28 is made of soft plastic and detachable from the housing. Thus, the user can use different sleeves 28 try different sizes and choose the one that provides the best fit.

The 2C shows yet another view of the device 20 In comparison with the view in FIG 2 B rotated by 180 °. As well as the collar 24 as well as the end of the first section, which projects deepest in the ear canal, have openings 29 through which the sound generated by a speaker integrated in the device can be output.

The openings 25 . 26 . 27 and 29 are all sealed waterproof, so that the device 20 can also be used when swimming or raining.

3 shows a system according to an embodiment. The system has a first one contraption 20R and a second device 20L on. The first device 20R is adapted for wearing in the right ear and the second device is adapted for wearing in the left ear. Every device 20R and 20L essentially correspond to the device described above 20 but the first device points 20R a bone conduction microphone 7 in her mouth 26 on, wherein the second device 20L a pulse oximetry sensor 5 in her mouth 26 having.

The first device 20R works as a primary device or master in the sense that it has data from both devices 20R . 20L receives and processes and defines the respective output audio signals. The two devices 20R and 20L communicate with each other via their respective Bluetooth unit 12 (please refer 1 ) and thus can exchange sensor data, performance data, audio data, control data, etc. In operation, the secondary device sends 20L in particular pulse oximeter data and motion sensor data or performance data derived from pulse oximeter data and / or motion sensor data to the primary device 20R , The data processing unit 1 the first device 20R generates performance data based on that of the second device 20L obtained data and recorded by its own sensor unit measurement data. The performance data is provided by the signal processing unit 2 the first device used to generate a binaural audio signal.

The binaural audio signal consists of a first (right) signal part passing through the loudspeaker 3 the first device 20R and a second (left) signal part transmitted via the Bluetooth connection to the second device and from their speakers 3 is issued. By synchronized output of the first signal part in the right ear and the second signal part in the left ear, the user can perceive the binaural audio signal and thereby obtain information that is relevant for the exercise of a sporting activity. In particular, when listening to the binaural audio signal, the user may recognize one or more specific values of the performance data, changes in one or more specific values of the performance data, and / or a relation between one or more specific values of the performance data and corresponding reference values, particularly thresholds , In particular, the binaural audio signal allows information about multiple values to be heard simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously) at different spatial locations.

The generated binaural audio signal includes a signal component, such as a pulsed tone signal or a sequence of prestored speech elements, that is indicative of a value of the performance data. This signal component is heard by the user at a particular spatial location. This spatial position can be moved or changed as the corresponding value of the performance data changes. This can be done, for example, by shifting the signal component forward or upward as the value increases, and shifting it backwards or downwards as the value decreases. In particular, the displacement of the position may be relative to a vertical plane extending through the body of the user or a horizontal plane extending through the head (at the level of the ears) of the user. As long as the signal component is reproduced in one of these levels, that is, directly on the left or right side of the user or at the level of the user's ears, then the value is equal to or close to a predetermined reference value. For example, if the value exceeds the predetermined reference value or threshold, the position of the signal component is shifted forward or upward, the amount of the shift depending on the difference between the power value and the reference value. Similarly, the position of the signal component may be shifted down or back if the value falls below the (or other) reference value or threshold.

Thus, the user can easily and intuitively recognize whether the value deviates from the predetermined reference value and, if so, act accordingly to approximate the value to the predetermined reference value.

The generated binaural audio signal may include other signal components that are indicative of other values of the performance data. In this case, the binaural audio signal is generated so that a spatial position of each signal component is different from the spatial position of the other signal components. Thus, values relating to various performance data can be reproduced at various predetermined locations in three-dimensional space around the user's head. For example, a first pulsed tone signal or speech signal may be reproduced with respect to the heartbeat frequency at a position upper left and a second pulsed tone signal or speech signal with respect to a velocity at a position forward lower. Playback of the individual signal component may occur simultaneously or slightly time-delayed to facilitate user perception.

Claims (11)

Multifunction headphone system for sports activities, comprising the system: a first device adapted to be worn in an ear of a user and having a first data communication unit and a first speaker, and a second device adapted to be carried in the other ear of the user and having a second data communication unit and a second speaker, wherein at least one of the first and second devices comprises a sensor unit and a data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is configured to generate performance data based on measurement data acquired by the sensor unit, wherein the first device further comprises a signal processing unit configured to generate a binaural audio signal based on the performance data, the binaural audio signal comprising a first signal part for output by the first speaker and a second signal part for output by the second loudspeaker, and wherein the first data communication unit is arranged to transmit the second signal part of the binaural audio signal to the second data communication unit. The system of the preceding claim, wherein the binaural audio signal generated by the signal processing unit has a signal component indicative of a value of the performance data. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit is further configured to generate the binaural audio signal such that a spatial position of the signal component is dependent on the value of the performance data. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the spatial position of the signal component relative to a plane is dependent on a difference between the value of the power data and a predetermined reference value. The system of claim 2, wherein the binaural audio signal generated by the signal processing unit has another signal component indicative of another value of the performance data, and wherein the signal processing unit is further configured to generate the binaural audio signal such that a spatial position of the further signal component is different from the spatial position of the signal component. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to modify prestored audio data in response to at least one value of the performance data. The system of one of the preceding claims, wherein the first data communication unit and the second data communication unit are wireless data communication units configured to communicate with each other. The system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit comprises a physiological sensor unit. The system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit comprises a motion sensor unit. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein both devices comprise a motion sensor unit. Method comprising: Acquisition of measurement data by means of a sensor unit, Generating performance data based on the measurement data by means of a data processing unit, wherein the sensor unit and the data processing unit in a first device, which is adapted to be worn in an ear of a user and having a first data communication unit and a first speaker, or in a second device, which is adapted to be worn in the other ear of the user and a second Data communication unit and a second speaker, are included, Generating a binaural audio signal based on the performance data by means of a signal processing unit included in the first device, the binaural audio signal comprising a first signal part for output by the first loudspeaker and a second signal part for output by the second loudspeaker, and Transmitting the second signal part of the binaural audio signal to the second data communication unit by means of the first data communication unit.

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