Headphones measuring heart-rate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9339198-B2
Application number	US-201214356396-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2012
Priority date	Nov 11, 2011
Publication date	May 17, 2016
Grant date	May 17, 2016

Abstract

The invention relates to headphones and a method for listening to music or some other audio signal, which headphones comprise at least one sound source such as a an earphone to be placed in the vicinity of the ear, for producing sound, and a galvanic conductor for feeding an electrical signal from a signal source, such as a music player or similar, to the sound source. In accordance with the invention at least one sound source is equipped with means for measuring heart rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. Headphones for listening to music or some other audio signal, which comprise
at least one sound source configured to be placed in the vicinity of the ear, for producing sound, and
a galvanic conductor for feeding an electrical signal from a signal source to the sound source, said sound source being equipped with means for measuring heart-rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly, and
means for starting heart-rate measurememt once an audio signal fed to the headphones is detected.

2. Headphones according to claim 1 , wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented using infrared technology.

3. Headphones according to claim 1 , wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented from the outer auditory canal using infrared technology.

4. Headphones according to claim 1 , wherein power supply to the measurement and transmission means is implemented using a dry-cell battery or rechargeable battery.

5. Method in headphones, comprising the steps of:
feeding a signal from a signal source to a sound source, with the aid of galvanic conductors,
equipping the sound source with means for measuring heart-rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly, and
starting heart-rate measurememt once an audio signal fed to the headphones is detected.

6. Method according to claim 5 , wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented using infrared technology.

7. Method according to claim 5 , wherein the heart-rate measurement is implemented from the outer auditory canal using infrared technology.

8. Method according to claim 5 , wherein power supply to the measurement and transmission means is implemented using a dry-cell battery or rechargeable battery.

Assignees

• Suunto Oy

Inventors

• Lindman Erik

Classifications

• A61B5/002

  Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building (A61B5/0017 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B5/024 Primary

  Measuring pulse rate or heart rate · CPC title

• A61B5/02433 Primary

  for infrared radiation · CPC title

• A61B5/6803

  Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles · CPC title

• H04R1/1091

  Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083 · CPC title