IT202000032465A1 - WEARABLE DEVICE TO MAKE AN AUDIO COMMUNICATION THROUGH BONE CONDUCTION AND TO DETECT VITAL SIGNS, AND RELATED SYSTEM AND METHOD - Google Patents

Description

Description of the Industrial Invention entitled:

?WEARABLE DEVICE TO MAKE AN AUDIO COMMUNICATION THROUGH BONE CONDUCTION AND TO DETECT VITAL SIGNS, AND RELATED SYSTEM AND METHOD?

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a wearable device for carrying out an audio communication via bone conduction and for detecting vital signals, and related system and method.

Pi? in particular, the vital signals detected by the wearable device are capable of being processed to provide an electrocardiogram of the individual wearing the device itself.

? known from US patent US 9,706,037 B2 to produce a wearable device which allows a user to carry out an audio communication via bone conduction.

The wearable device of the aforementioned US patent comprises a transducer capable of generating a vibration from an audio signal received at its input via an audio communication system, for example a cellular telephone.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a user of a wearable device 1, in particular a bracelet, places one of his fingers 4 near the of one of its ears 5 so that the vibration 7 is conducted by the wearable device 1 directly to the inner ear of ear 5, avoiding involving the external auditory apparatus of ear 5, in particular the eardrum .

Am I otherwise? known in the art wearable devices, in particular smartwatches, which in association with an app that can be installed on a smartphone allow the tracing of an individual's electrocardiogram. An example of such smartwatches ? the Apple Watch.

As illustrated on the Apple website at https://support.apple.com/enus/HT204666, the Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5 or Series 6 devices have electrodes, embedded in the crown and on the back of the watch, which are capable of measuring the electrical signals of the heart in combination with the related app. When the user places his finger on the crown of the watch, a closed circuit is created between the heart and the arms and electrical signals in the heart are detected.

The bottoms of smartwatches are therefore increasingly? crowded with sensors. Furthermore, the crown of the watch must also be made in such a way as to be able to form an electrode.

There? contrasts with the needs of the market which requires ever less bulky wearable devices in terms of size and wearability.

In addition, to correctly detect the vital signs of the individual wearing the wearable device, ? It is necessary that the epidermal contact points between the device and the individual are as minimally invasive as possible, in order to maintain high levels of comfort, design and ergonomics of the device and at the same time ensure correct reading of the vital signs themselves.

Is there also a need? to respect the limited space available to the designer to insert additional sensors combined with additional functions that will certainly be implemented in the near future.

Purpose of the present invention? therefore that of indicating a wearable device for making an audio communication via bone conduction and for detecting vital signs, and related system and method, in which the arrangement of the related components makes it possible to reduce the overall dimensions of the device itself. A further object of the present invention ? to indicate a wearable device for carrying out an audio communication through bone conduction and for detecting vital signs, and related system and method, which allow to optimize the distribution of the related components in order to allow for the possible future addition of further sensors and related functionalities ? on the device itself.

A further object of the present invention ? that of indicating a wearable device for carrying out audio communication via bone conduction and for detecting vital signs, and related system and method, which are minimally invasive and which therefore allow high levels of comfort and ergonomics and at the same time ensure correct reading of the signals vital.

In summary, the present invention provides that the wearable device comprises at least one transducer which generates a vibration, said transducer being surrounded by a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material, so as to constitute a first electrode.

? It is known that, in order to obtain vital signals suitable for tracing an electrocardiogram, two electrodes are sufficient (see, for example, the article by Hsin-Yen Hsieh et al. entitled ?Two-electrode-pair electrocardiogram with no common ground between two pairs?, https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5016939).

A second traditional electrode pu? then be applied to the skin of the user, for example a hand on which it is not? worn the device according to the invention, or on another part of the body, or can? however be in a position that is easily accessible to the user who must be able to touch the second electrode with a part of the body other than where the first electrode acts, for example on a hand that is not wearing the device.

However, if three electrodes are to be used to obtain the electrocardiogram, the wearable device according to the invention can comprising a second electrode made in the traditional way. Alternatively, the second electrode can? be made with a second transducer which generates a vibration, said second transducer also being surrounded by a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. As a further alternative, the second electrode can? be made with a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. A third electrode can be applied to the user?s skin, such as a hand on which it is not worn the device according to the invention, or on another part of the body, or may? however be in a position that is easily accessible to the user who must be able to touch the third electrode with a part of the body other than where the first electrode acts, for example on a hand that is not wearing the device. The layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material surrounding the transducer can be made as an integrated component with the relative transducer or be drowned in the material of which ? constituted the wearable device.

If two or more are used? transducers surrounded by a region of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material, the quality? of audio communication is increased.

The sound-absorbing material also ensures better sound quality. of audio communication as it allows to eliminate mechanical vibrations and increase the directionality? of microphones. Furthermore, it allows to reduce the high dispersion (leakage) of the sound outside due to the need to to increase the volume of the audio communication, and consequently the? intensity? of the vibration leaving the transducer, due to the absorption of the signal by the skin and underlying fatty tissues.

The transducers are strategically and closely spaced on the wearable and are significantly smaller in size.

The positioning of the transducers respects the ergonomics of the bone structure on which the device is placed. worn.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the wearable device for making an audio communication via bone conduction and for detecting vital signs of an individual comprises: means, in particular a unit? communication devices, adapted to receive an audio signal as input; a unit? controller, in particular a microprocessor; a unit? audio I/O able to convert an audio signal into an electrical signal and vice versa; a transducer disposed on an internal surface of said device and adapted to generate a vibration corresponding to the input audio signal, wherein the transducer ? surrounded by a layer of electrically conductive and sound-absorbing material and constitutes a first electrode able to detect a first vital signal of the individual.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the inner surface of the wearable device comprises at least one second electrode suitable for detecting a second vital signal of the individual.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the second electrode comprises a second transducer surrounded by a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the second electrode comprises at least one region of the inner surface of the wearable device comprising a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material emerges at least partially in a region of the inner surface and with respect to it.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the layer of conductive and sound absorbing material comprises one of the following materials: conductive rubber; conductive fabric; conductive foam; conductive sponge. In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material can be made in the shape of a closed container which houses the transducer inside.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material is drowned in the structure of the material of which? formed the internal surface of the device itself.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the transducer comprises a coil equipped with a magnetic element, and in which a first conducting element departs from said transducer capable of carrying an audio communication signal, a second conducting element capable of being connected to the ground of said transducer and a third conductive element connected to the layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the unit? The audio I/O comprises a microphone to receive an audio signal from the outside and a speaker to deliver an audio signal to the outside.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the device comprises a unit? supply, especially a battery.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the device comprises a flexible printed circuit comprising at least the unit? control, the? unit? of communication and the unit? of power.

In a further embodiment of the wearable device, the device comprises longitudinal coupling means adapted to allow an individual to wear the device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the wearable device is one of the following items: strap; cuff; bracelet; bracelet; ring; collar; necklace; circlet; earmuffs; head band; headphones; helmet; helmet; item of clothing; t-shirts; military jacket; sport jacket; suit; sweater; jacket; chest strap; trousers; glove; glasses; pacifier; mouthguard; or the wearable device? electrically connectable to a repositionable remote electrode.

In a further embodiment of the invention, ? provides a system comprising a wearable device and an external device, wherein the wearable device is able to transmit to the external device an audio signal and signals processed by the unit? monitoring and representative of an individual's vital signs according to a predetermined communication method, said communication method comprising: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; a global positioning system; cellular communication; code division multiple access; a universal mobile telecommunications system; wireless broadband; a global system for mobile communications; wireless communication, including near-field communication; a wired communication method; a high definition multimedia interface; a standard interface; a fixed telephone network.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the external device comprises a mobile device, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a server or further wearable devices, the external device being equipped with a display for displaying an electrocardiogram of an individual.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, ? provided a method for effecting audio communication via bone conduction and for detecting vital signs of an individual via a wearable device comprising the steps of: receiving an audio signal as input via communication means of the device, in particular a unit; of communication; convert an audio signal into an electrical signal and vice versa through a unit? device audio I/O; generate a vibration corresponding to the input audio signal through a transducer arranged on an internal surface of the device, the transducer being controlled through a unit? device control, in which ? provided for surrounding said transducer by a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material so as to form a first electrode able to detect a first vital signal of the individual.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, ? provided for providing the inner surface of the wearable device with at least a second electrode able to detect a second vital signal of the individual.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, ? it is envisaged to make the second electrode by making a second transducer surrounded by a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the second electrode is made in at least one region of the inner surface of the wearable device comprising a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, ? provided for making said layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material so that a region thereof emerges at least partially with respect to the internal surface.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the layer of conductive and sound absorbing material ? made of one of the following materials: conductive rubber; conductive fabric; conductive foam; conductive sponge.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material ? made in the shape of a closed container which houses the transducer inside. In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material ? made in such a way as to be drowned in the structure of the material of which ? formed said inner surface, in particular by welding, clamping or gluing.

Further advantageous characteristics of the present invention are the subject of the attached claims.

These characteristics and further advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description of an embodiment thereof shown in the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a wearable device of the prior art which exploits bone conduction to carry out an audio communication;

- Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a wearable device according to the present invention respectively in the unworn position and in the worn position;

- Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of components of a first embodiment of the wearable device of Figures 2 and 3;

- Figures 4a and 4b illustrate two different electrode placement configurations on the wearable device of Figures 2 and 3 ;

- Figure 5 illustrates a placement of the electrodes in the configuration corresponding to Figure 4b, when the wearable device 10 ? associated with a user's wrist;

Figure 6a illustrates a sectional view of a transducer of the device of Figures 2 and 3, said transducer being surrounded by a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material;

- Figure 6b illustrates an embodiment of the device of Figures 2 and 3 comprising two transducers;

Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method used to make an audio communication via bone conduction and detect vital signs according to the present invention;

- Figures 8a-8h and 9a-9h illustrate articles made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, a wearable device 10 according to the invention is shown, in particular a bracelet, in the unworn position (Figure 2) and in the worn position (Figure 3).

The wearable device 10, or wearable, comprises an external surface 13 and an internal surface 14 which ? suitable to be in contact with the skin of an individual wearing the wearable device 10.

The wearable device 10 can? be worn or removed from the skin of the relevant user by coupling means well known in the field of jewelery and watchmaking. For example, wearable device 10 can? include longitudinal coupling means 15, 17 respectively on one side and on the other of the wearable device 10 which are then coupled to each other. Alternatively or additionally, such coupling means may comprise magnets or magnetic materials.

The wearable device 10 can? be made of a material such as metal, fabric, leather, rubber, synthetic fiber, wood, ceramic, or plastic. Furthermore, it can include layers of a plurality? of said materials to obtain a multilayer structure.

How will I come? illustrated more in detail below, the wearable device 10 comprises at least one transducer 29,31 suitably arranged on the inner surface 14 of the wearable device and able to generate a vibration corresponding to an audio input signal to the wearable device 10. With reference to Figure 4 , a block diagram of components of the wearable device 10 is shown.

The wearable device 10 comprises a unit? control 21, a unit? of communication 23, a unit? of power 25, a unit? of audio I/O (Input/Output) 27, at least one transducer 29, 31 and a memory 33.

The unit of control 21, in particular a microprocessor, pu? recognize information about the respective components disposed within the wearable device 10 and can perform the general check on the respective components according to the recognized information.

The unit of communication 23 ? adapted to receive a first signal 26, typically representative of a voice signal in the form of digital data packets, from an external device (not shown) by means of a predetermined communication method and to supply to the unit? of control 21 a second signal 22 after having decoded and reconstructed it.

The unit of communication 23 ? also apt to receive a signal received by the unit? of I/O 27 and transmit it to the external device after it has been encoded and packaged.

The external device can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet PC, server or other wearable device, equipped with a display.

The predetermined communication method can? include: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; a global positioning system, such as GPS; cellular-type communication, including the long-term evolution of LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), 5G or 6G; code division multiple access, such as CDMA or broadband CDMA (WDCMA); a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS); wireless broadband; a global system for mobile communications, for example (GSM); wireless communication, including near-field communication (NFC).

The wearable device 10 can? also receive the first signal 26 by a wired communication method, including a universal serial bus (USB); a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI); a standard interface, for example RS-232; a fixed telephone network. Consequently, the unit? of communication 23 pu? include at least one of a cellular module, a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, a GPS module, an NFC module, and a radio frequency (RF) module.

The unit power supply 25 pu? manage the power supply of the wearable device 10 under the supervision of the unit? control 21.

The unit power supply 25 pu? include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) or battery.

The unit power supply 25 pu? receive power using a wireless charging method, energy harvesting techniques, or a wired charging method. The wireless charging method can? be an MRI method, a method based on magnetic induction or electromagnetic waves.

Also, the battery can store or generate electricity? and can supply energy to the wearable device 10.

The battery can be a rechargeable battery or a solar battery.

The unit 27 audio I/O ? able to convert the second signal 22 received by the unit? of communication 23 in an electrical signal. Alternatively, the unit? of audio I/O 27 pu? convert an electrical signal into a sound that can? be supplied externally.

In other words, the unit? of audio I/O 27 pu? convert sound and electrical signal bidirectionally.

The unit of audio I / O 27 pu? include a microphone to receive an audio signal from the outside and a speaker to deliver an audio signal to the outside. Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, the unit? Audio I/O 27 is shown as a single module. However, the microphone for receiving sound from the outside and the loudspeaker for delivering sound to the outside can be arranged independently of each other in the wearable device 10.

The unit control 21, the? unit? of communication 23 and the unit? power supplies 25 can be incorporated into a flexible printed circuit 50 (see Figure 6b) of the wearable device 10.

Therefore, when the wearable device 10 is observed from the outside, the unit? of audio I / O 27 pu? be visible, while the unit? control 21, the? unit? of communication 23 and the unit? of power 25 are not.

The unit Audio I/O 27 can? be exposed to the inner surface 14 of the wearable device to deliver sound to the outside or to receive sound from the outside but can? also be positioned inside the flexible printed circuit 50. The unit? of memory 33 can? store data received or generated by the unit? control 21 or other components.

The unit of memory 33 can? be a memory integrated in the unit? control. Pi? in detail, the unit? of memory 33 can? include at least one of: a volatile memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM); a static RAM (SRAM) or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM); a non-volatile memory, such as a one-time programmable read-only memory (OTPROM); a programmable ROM (PROM); an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM); an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM); a disguised ROM; a flash ROM; a NAND flash memory; a NOR flash memory.

The unit of memory 33 can? be an external memory. Pi? in detail, the unit? of memory 33 can? also include a unit? flash, for example a unit? compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (micro-SD), mini secure digital (mini-SD), eXtreme digital (xD), a memory stick and/or similar. In this case, the unit? of memory 33 can? be connected to the wearable device 10 via various interfaces.

L?At least one transducer 29.31 ? able to receive a third signal 24 from the unit? of control 21 and to generate a vibration corresponding thereto.

The unit control unit 21 comprises an audio amplifier, preferably of the multi-channel type, which is adapted to amplify the second signal 22 received from the external device and to generate the third signal 24 which is supplied as input to the at least one transducer 29,31.

The user can place your finger on his ear, especially on the cartilage, and pu? hear the sound corresponding to the first signal 26 received from outside corresponding to the third signal 24.

In this first embodiment, at least one transducer 29,31 ? positioned on the inner surface 14 of the wearable device 10 in various possible configurations, examples of which are illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b.

The Applicant of the present patent application ? capable of incorporating 10 transducers 29,31 in the wearable device which have a volume approximately 7 times smaller than the transducers of the prior art.

There? it also allows you to create wearable devices 10 more? compact and aesthetically more? pleasant and advantageously adaptable to different bone conformations in terms of wrist size and bone structure.

The device 10 according to the present invention can also be worn continuously why? its weight? uniformly distributed along the bone structure involved, for example the wrist, and therefore does not cause discomfort to the user.

Figure 5a illustrates the position of the at least one transducer 29,31 when the wearable device 10 ? associated with a user's wrist, in the configuration corresponding to Figure 4a.

With reference to Figure 6a, a transducer 29 is shown surrounded by a layer 32 of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material.

The layer 32 emerges at least partially in a region 32a with respect to the internal surface 14 of the wearable device 10.

The conductive and sound absorbing material can for example be made of one of the following materials: conductive rubber; conductive fabric; conductive foam; conductive sponge.

Layer 32 of electrically conductive and sound deadening material can be made in the shape of a closed container which houses the transducer 29 inside it, and therefore be made as an integrated component, or else be embedded in the structure of the material of which it is formed the inner surface 14 of the wearable device 10, for example by welding, clamping or gluing.

The transducer 29 comprises a coil 40 with a magnetic element, preferably centrally located. A first conductive element 42 which carries the audio signal and a second conductive element 44 connected to ground depart from the transducer 29. A third conductive element 56 ? connected to layer 32 of conductive and sound absorbing material and carries a vital signal of the individual.

In particular, the first, second and third conductive elements 42,44,56 are conductive wires.

Since at least two electrodes are required to draw an EKG, a traditional second electrode can be applied to the user?s skin, such as a hand on which it is not worn the device according to the invention, or on another part of the body, or can? however be in a position that is easily accessible to the user who must be able to touch the second electrode with a part of the body other than where the first electrode acts, for example on a hand that is not wearing the device.

If instead three electrodes are to be used to obtain the electrocardiogram, the wearable device 10 can comprising a second electrode made in the traditional way. Alternatively, the second electrode can? be made with a second transducer 31 which generates a vibration, said second transducer 31 also being surrounded by a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. As a further alternative, the second electrode can? be made with a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. A third electrode pu? be applied to the user?s skin, such as a hand on which it is not worn the device according to the invention, or on another part of the body, or can? however be in a position that is easily accessible to the user who must be able to touch the second electrode with a part of the body other than where the first electrode acts, for example with a hand that is not wearing the device. The vital signals carried by the third conductive element 56 and by the at least one second electrode are carried to the unit? control 21 what ? designed to process them in a way per s? known and to transmit appropriate instructions to the external device so that? the electrocardiogram of the individual wearing the device is represented on the display of the latter 10.

In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more regions 45,46 of the internal surface 14 of the device 10 comprise a transducer 31 made like the transducer 29 indicated in Figure 6a.

With reference to Figure 6b, which corresponds to the embodiment of Figure 4a, an example of embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which there are two transducers 29,31 which transmit a respective vibration to a bone structure 53, for example a wrist, of the user wearing the device 10.

In the case of a single transducer, as in the example of Figure 4b, will it be? what will it carry? the communication audio signal.

In the event that there are two or more? transducers 29,31, as in the embodiment of Figures 4a and 6b, are surrounded by a respective layer 32,32? of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. Regions 32, 32? they are electrically isolated and constitute two electrodes.

In the event that there are two or more? transducers 29.31, the unit? control 21 ? able to select the transducer 29,31 among those present on the device 10 which guarantees the best transmission via bone conduction. This selection is made by the unit? of control 21 by measuring the signals coming out of the transducer and selecting the one with the greatest intensity.

Referring to Figure 7 , a flowchart 100 of a method of making audio communication by bone conduction and detecting vital signs by means of a wearable device 10 according to the present invention is illustrated.

By way of example , the case is described in which the wearable device 10 ? worn on a user's wrist and connected to a smartphone as an external device via wireless communication.

At step 102, wearable device 10 can? receive a first signal 26 from an external smartphone through a? unit? of communication 23 by means of a predetermined communication method, i.e. a transmission of the wireless type.

At step 104, the unit? of control 21 amplifies the first signal 22 received by the unit? of communication 23 and generates a third signal 24.

At step 106, the at least one transducer 29,31 receives the third signal 24 and generates a corresponding vibration which is transferred to the user?s wrist. Consequently, the user can? place the finger on the ear, especially on the cartilage, and can? feel the sound transferred through vibration.

At step 108, which takes place simultaneously with steps 102-106, the vital signals of the individual wearing the device 10 are detected through the vital signal which departs from at least one transducer 29,31 and from the second electrode which can be applied to another part of the body or made on the device itself as previously described.

At step 110, the unit? control unit 21 processes the vital signals received in order to provide instructions to an external device to trace an electrocardiogram of the individual wearing the device 10 on a display of the latter.

The present invention ? further directed to a system comprising a wearable device 10 as previously described and an external device which transmits to the wearable device 10 an audio signal and vital signals via one of the predetermined communication methods described above.

From the description given, the advantages of the device, system and method according to the present invention are therefore clear.

The wearable device according to the present invention advantageously allows to carry out an audio communication via bone conduction and to detect vital signals, providing an arrangement of the relative components of reduced bulk.

Furthermore, the wearable device according to the present invention ? advantageously minimally invasive and allows to obtain high levels of comfort, ergonomics and correct reading of vital signs.

There are numerous possible variants to the wearable device for making audio communication via bone conduction, and to a related system and method, described as an example, without departing from the principles of novelty. inherent in the inventive idea, cos? how ? it is clear that in its practical implementation the forms of the illustrated details may be different, and they may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

For example, although the description focuses on a wrist wearable device such as a strap (Fig. 8e and Fig.8f), a cuff (Fig. 8h), a bracelet or a bracelet, it can also be applied to other articles wherein the wearable device surrounds, at least partially, a bony structure of an individual.

The wearable device 10 can? therefore be used on other parts of the body including bony structures such as for example a ring (Fig. 8a); a collar or necklace; a headband (Fig. 8d), an earmuff, a head band (Fig. 9h), a headset, a helmet (Fig. 8b and Fig.8c), a helmet; an item of clothing, such as a t-shirt, a military jacket (Fig. 9a), a sports jacket (Fig. 9b), overalls (Fig. 9e and Fig.9g), a shirt, a vest, a chest strap , a pant, a glove (Fig. 9c); a goggle (Fig. 9d); a pacifier (Fig.8g); a mouthguard (Fig. 9f). So, ? easily understandable that the present invention is not limited to a wearable device for making audio communication via bone conduction, and a related system and method, described as an example, but ? subject to various modifications, improvements, replacements of parts and equivalent elements without for? move away from the idea of the invention, so? how ? better specified in the following claims.

Claims (24)

1. Wearable device (10) for performing an audio communication via bone conduction and for detecting vital signs of an individual comprising: - means, in particular a unit? communication devices (23), suitable for receiving an audio signal (26) at the input; - a unit? controller (21), in particular a microprocessor; - a unit? audio I/O (27) able to convert an audio signal into an electrical signal and vice versa; - a transducer (29) arranged on an internal surface (13) of said device and able to generate a vibration corresponding to said audio input signal (26), characterized in that said transducer (29) ? surrounded by a layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material and constitutes a first electrode able to detect a first vital signal of said individual. 2. Wearable device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said inner surface (13) of said wearable device (10) comprises at least one second electrode adapted to detect a second vital signal of said individual. The wearable device (10) according to claim 2, wherein said second electrode comprises a second transducer (31) surrounded by a layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. The wearable device (10) according to claim 2, wherein said second electrode comprises at least one region (45,46) of said inner surface (13) of said wearable device (10) comprising a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. 5. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material emerges at least partially in a region (32a) of said inner surface (14) and with respect to it. 6. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said layer (32) of conductive and sound absorbing material comprises one of the following materials: conductive rubber; conductive fabric; conductive foam; conductive sponge. 7. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein the layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material can be made in the form of a closed container which houses said transducer (29) inside it. 8. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material? drowned in the structure of the material of which? constituted by said inner surface (14). 9. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said transducer (29) comprises a coil (40) equipped with a magnetic element, and wherein a first conducting element (42) departs from said transducer (29) capable of carrying an audio communication signal, a second conductive element (44) able to be connected to the mass of said transducer (29) and a third conductive element (56) connected to said layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. 10. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the previous claims, in which said unit? audio I/O (27) comprises a microphone adapted to receive an audio signal from the outside and a loudspeaker to supply an audio signal to the outside. 11. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said device (10) comprises a unit? supply (25), in particular a battery. The wearable device (10) according to claim 11, wherein said device (10) comprises a flexible printed circuit (50) comprising at least said unit? control (21), said unit? of communication (23) and said unit? power supply (25). 13. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said device (10) comprises longitudinal coupling means (15,17) able to allow an individual to wear said device (10). 14. Wearable device (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said wearable device (10) is one of the following items: strap; cuff; bracelet; bracelet; ring; collar; necklace; circlet; earmuffs; head band; headphones; helmet; helmet; item of clothing; t-shirts; military jacket; sport jacket; suit; sweater; jacket; chest strap; trousers; glove; glasses; pacifier; mouthguard; or said wearable device (10) ? electrically connectable to a repositionable remote electrode. 15. System comprising a wearable device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14 and an external device, said wearable device (10) being capable of transmitting to said external device an audio signal and signals processed by said unit? controllers (21) and representative of an individual's vital signs according to a predetermined communication method, said communication method comprising: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; a global positioning system; cellular communication; code division multiple access; a universal mobile telecommunications system; wireless broadband; a global system for mobile communications; wireless communication, including near-field communication; a wired communication method; a high definition multimedia interface; a standard interface; a fixed telephone network. The system according to claim 15, wherein said external device comprises a mobile device, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a server or further wearable devices, said external device being equipped with a display for displaying an electrocardiogram of said individual. 17. A method of making audio communication via bone conduction and detecting vital signs of an individual via a wearable device (10) comprising the steps of: - receiving an audio signal (26) as input via communication means (23) of said device (10), in particular a unit? of communication (23); - convert an audio signal into an electrical signal and vice versa through a unit? audio I/O (27) of said device (10), - generating a vibration corresponding to said input audio signal (26) via a transducer (29) arranged on an internal surface (13) of said device (10), said transducer (29) being controlled via a unit? control (21) of said device (10), characterized by the fact that provided for surrounding said transducer (29) by a layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material so as to constitute a first electrode able to detect a first vital signal of said individual. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein ? provided for providing said inner surface (13) of said wearable device (10) with at least a second electrode able to detect a second vital signal of said individual. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein ? provided for making said second electrode by making a second transducer (31) surrounded by a layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. 20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said second electrode is made in at least one region (45,46) of said inner surface (13) of said wearable device (10) comprising a layer of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material. 21. Method according to one of claims 17 to 20, wherein ? provided for making said layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material so that a region thereof (32a) emerges at least partially with respect to said internal surface (14). 22. Method according to one of claims 17 to 21, wherein said layer (32) of conductive and sound absorbing material ? made of one of the following materials: conductive rubber; conductive fabric; conductive foam; conductive sponge. 23. Method according to one of claims 17 to 22, wherein said layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material ? made in the shape of a closed container which houses said transducer (29) inside it. 24. Method according to one of claims 17 to 23, wherein said layer (32) of electrically conductive and sound absorbing material ? made so as to be drowned in the structure of the material of which? formed said inner surface (14), in particular by welding, clamping or gluing.