Apple inventions again point to work on health-tracking AirPods

Posted:
in General Discussion edited December 2019
A trio of Apple patent applications published on Thursday detail the inner workings of a wireless earbud system packed with sensors for taking biometric readings, suggesting the company is developing an advanced set of AirPods.


Source: USPTO


Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, each of Apple's patents (1, 2, 3) are titled "Earbuds with biometric sensing" and contain common language describing a wireless earbud device configured with at least one biometric sensor.

Illustrations accompanying patent text point to a device akin to a large hearing aid, somewhat similar to products currently manufactured by third party vendors. That said, the drawings are merely illustrative, meaning the disclosed technology might be applied to any number of aesthetic designs.

All three inventions detail a device much like AirPods, complete with beamforming microphone array, battery, and proximity and orientation sensors. Indeed, the patents are nearly identical, with Apple using the same verbiage for background, summary and detailed description sections. The claims, however, vary from patent to patent, each outlining a specific biometric function that might make its way into a future AirPods-style device.

For example, some embodiments integrate a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor -- technology already deployed in Apple Watch -- at one end of an earbud. PPGs are commonly used to monitor a user's heart rate by shining a light onto abutting skin and measuring variations in reflectivity, which can then be used to characterize blood flow.




Though conventional earbud design does not lend itself to PPG measurements, Apple proposes positioning the sensor toward the speaker opening to make contact with with the tragus of the ear. A fleshy prominence located in front of the ear canal, the tragus is an ideal location for blood measurements.

Like Apple Watch, an earbud-based PPG sensor would be comprised of two light emitters configured to output light at different frequencies, and two light detectors. To ensure a solid seal, Apple suggests a pliable retaining member be positioned on the opposite end of the PPG sensor to engage the concha of the ear, or the depression opposite the ear canal.

Claims in a second document mention the incorporation of a VO2 sensor, GSR (galvanic skin response) sensor, an electrocardiogram (EKG) sensor, an impedance cardiography (ICG) sensor and a temperature sensor. VO2 sensors measure blood oxygen levels, while EKG and ICG sensors detect electrical activity of the heart. GCR sensors are often comprised of electrodes used to measure stress levels. Apple notes embedded thermometers can take measurements from both the user and ambient air.




The various sensors would work in concert with one another to perform any number of tasks. For example, orientation and proximity sensors might be tapped to determine which ear an earbud is currently located (Apple's patents call for a symmetric housing so the device is interchangeable in either ear). Those same sensors might also be used to fine tune PPG sensor input.

The third of Apple's biometric earbud patents details a beamforming microphone array and supporting circuitry. With AirPods, Apple uses a voice accelerometer to trigger a dual-microphone beamforming system that helps reduce background noise when the device is in transmit mode. Today's IP details similar technology, but utilizes three microphones arranged in a triangular configuration.

Whether Apple intends to integrate advanced biometric sensors into its AirPods product remains unknown, but the device line already comes with a bevy of complex circuitry. In addition to the aforementioned microphone array, AirPods pack in accelerometers for tap controls and infrared proximity sensors for user detection.




AirPods were introduced to buyers in December as Apple's first wireless headphone product. The device, which quickly sold out and remains in limited supply, is expected to undergo a revamp at some point in the future, though an exact refresh timeline is unknown.

Technically, AirPods represent Apple's second wearable platform, but the device might not benefit from the same development cycle as major products like iPhone and iPad. Currently, the headphones are marketed as an accessory to iPhone, and as such don't rate their own category on Apple's website.

Considering contemporary market shifts toward wearable products, Apple could one day soon put emphasis on building out its wireless headphone line. For now, however, it appears the company is content with a less aggressive refresh cycle, perhaps akin to the prolonged two to three year pattern seen with Apple TV. Interestingly, Apple TV was also considered an accessory when it first launched, initially advertised under the "iPod" section of Apple's website.

Apple's biometric earbud patents were filed for in September 2016. Phillip Qian is credited as a primary inventor on all three and is joined by Edward Siahaan and Jason J. LeBlanc joining on two of today's filings. Other inventors include Esge B. Andersen, Erik L. Wang, Christopher J. Stringer, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Daniel Max Strongwater and Scott C. Grinker.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 13
    NY1822NY1822 Posts: 621member
    More great stuff for Apple in the pipeline...the non-innovators...
    Guy on CNBC just said Apple will never be a monopoly bc of phones like Google Pixel and bc everything is stored in the cloud so it's easy to switch...
    GeorgeBMacStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 13
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    NY1822 said:
    More great stuff for Apple in the pipeline...the non-innovators...
    Guy on CNBC just said Apple will never be a monopoly bc of phones like Google Pixel and bc everything is stored in the cloud so it's easy to switch...
    The guy on CNBC may well be right -- but that doesn't mean that Apple has to stop there...   Yes, it has great stuff in the pipeline...
  • Reply 3 of 13
    oberpongooberpongo Posts: 182member
    This is the future. Your personal 24/7 Med lab in your ear. They should not forget to make them noise canceling as well. Would like to stop carrying around Bose quiet comforts and apple AirPods. 
  • Reply 4 of 13
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,821member
    While we don't know what will come of it, this is why I always shake my head at the people who claim Apple is sitting around doing nothing all day. Like they're just surfing the web and eating kale salads. These naysayers seem to forget the #1 rumored complaint of employees is the excessive working hours. So they're doing nothing...for 60 hours a week. Wuuut?!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 13
    qwweraqwwera Posts: 281member
    This is exciting stuff.
    This is where Apple needs to push its stockpile of cash into. Biosensors and medical is going to be a goldmine that is going to explode for Apple. And especially so because it dovetails so well with their gadgets and their reputation with quality and privacy. Apple more than any other company is the best positioned to take this category and dominate it. 
    This is the long term product/services than are not at the mercy of today's current product cycle whims that freak Wall St. Investors and keep Apple in play for manipulation and gossip.
    edited March 2017 lostkiwiapple jockeywatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 13
    "Are you kidding? Do you even know anyone that has one." They look like the replaceable end of an electric toothbrush...hanging out of your ears. Why not double down on that (even after dropping a billion picking up a way more fashionable headphone company) and in-waist billions more adding sensors to them?

    All of this is given in fun/sport.  None of this could possibly affect the stock price --at least until well after the iPhoneX product-cycle (when people will really begin to listen to stock analysts as they complain about "misses" like AirPods, AppleWatches and A/R rather than executing better in more lucrative new markets like Cognitive, Cloud and IoT, though Apple could still buy IBM or ORACLE to have even more breathing room to find the next iPod).

    brucemc
  • Reply 7 of 13
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    qwwera said:
    This is exciting stuff.
    This is where Apple needs to push its stockpile of cash into. Biosensors and medical is going to be a goldmine that is going to explode for Apple. And especially so because it dovetails so well with their gadgets and their reputation with quality and privacy. Apple more than any other company is the best positioned to take this category and dominate it. 
    This is the long term product/services than are not at the mercy of today's current product cycle whims that freak Wall St. Investors and keep Apple in play for manipulation and gossip.
    Yes, there is tremendous potential in that arena -- both for profit as well as to improve the human condition.

    But, the medical community is a VERY closed and tightknit community.   When you enter their world, you play by their rules or you get out -- and the medical community is not impressed AT ALL by "consumer grade" equipment no matter how good it is because, well, it's not medical grade and made by a medical manufacturer.

    I think Apple does truly have a lot to add to this area.   A huge amount to add.   But I think it's going to be a very slow pace.

    Added:   A good example are hearing aids.   They cost several thousand dollars each.   But, a "sound enhancer" that does the same thing can be had for a couple hundred.   And, speaking of which:  wouldn't that be a great extension of the AirPods - to let them do "enhance sound"?
    edited March 2017 watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 13
    brucemcbrucemc Posts: 1,541member
    "Are you kidding? Do you even know anyone that has one." They look like the replaceable end of an electric toothbrush...hanging out of your ears. Why not double down on that (even after dropping a billion picking up a way more fashionable headphone company) and in-waist billions more adding sensors to them?

    All of this is given in fun/sport.  None of this could possibly affect the stock price --at least until well after the iPhoneX product-cycle (when people will really begin to listen to stock analysts as they complain about "misses" like AirPods, AppleWatches and A/R rather than executing better in more lucrative new markets like Cognitive, Cloud and IoT, though Apple could still buy IBM or ORACLE to have even more breathing room to find the next iPod).

    You are simply pure genius!  
  • Reply 9 of 13
    I have wondered from their launch if current AirPods would be able to record body temperature. No signs of an app yet, so I guess it's a no.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 13
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    qwwera said:
    This is exciting stuff.
    This is where Apple needs to push its stockpile of cash into. Biosensors and medical is going to be a goldmine that is going to explode for Apple. And especially so because it dovetails so well with their gadgets and their reputation with quality and privacy. Apple more than any other company is the best positioned to take this category and dominate it. 
    This is the long term product/services than are not at the mercy of today's current product cycle whims that freak Wall St. Investors and keep Apple in play for manipulation and gossip.
    Yes, there is tremendous potential in that arena -- both for profit as well as to improve the human condition.

    But, the medical community is a VERY closed and tightknit community.   When you enter their world, you play by their rules or you get out -- and the medical community is not impressed AT ALL by "consumer grade" equipment no matter how good it is because, well, it's not medical grade and made by a medical manufacturer.

    I think Apple does truly have a lot to add to this area.   A huge amount to add.   But I think it's going to be a very slow pace.

    Added:   A good example are hearing aids.   They cost several thousand dollars each.   But, a "sound enhancer" that does the same thing can be had for a couple hundred.   And, speaking of which:  wouldn't that be a great extension of the AirPods - to let them do "enhance sound"?
    Well, Apple could just buy a dozens of those makers with their lunch money :-).
    From my own experience in hospitals and with two doctors in the family, those medical equipment makers sure have something to learn from Apple in the usability department (and sometimes even the reliability department). Those equipment are not as solid in the software/hardware dept as most of those companies claim; I think they're mostly protecting their own turf with this snobism.

    If Apple really took interest in that, they'd all suffer and they know it.

    A lot of things that used to be very specialized equipment can now be done with a lot cheaper than before in most fields.
    The medical field has just not gotten the full attention of those tech companies yet.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 13
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    foggyhill said:
    qwwera said:
    This is exciting stuff.
    This is where Apple needs to push its stockpile of cash into. Biosensors and medical is going to be a goldmine that is going to explode for Apple. And especially so because it dovetails so well with their gadgets and their reputation with quality and privacy. Apple more than any other company is the best positioned to take this category and dominate it. 
    This is the long term product/services than are not at the mercy of today's current product cycle whims that freak Wall St. Investors and keep Apple in play for manipulation and gossip.
    Yes, there is tremendous potential in that arena -- both for profit as well as to improve the human condition.

    But, the medical community is a VERY closed and tightknit community.   When you enter their world, you play by their rules or you get out -- and the medical community is not impressed AT ALL by "consumer grade" equipment no matter how good it is because, well, it's not medical grade and made by a medical manufacturer.

    I think Apple does truly have a lot to add to this area.   A huge amount to add.   But I think it's going to be a very slow pace.

    Added:   A good example are hearing aids.   They cost several thousand dollars each.   But, a "sound enhancer" that does the same thing can be had for a couple hundred.   And, speaking of which:  wouldn't that be a great extension of the AirPods - to let them do "enhance sound"?
    Well, Apple could just buy a dozens of those makers with their lunch money :-).
    From my own experience in hospitals and with two doctors in the family, those medical equipment makers sure have something to learn from Apple in the usability department (and sometimes even the reliability department). Those equipment are not as solid in the software/hardware dept as most of those companies claim; I think they're mostly protecting their own turf with this snobism.

    If Apple really took interest in that, they'd all suffer and they know it.

    A lot of things that used to be very specialized equipment can now be done with a lot cheaper than before in most fields.
    The medical field has just not gotten the full attention of those tech companies yet.
    I agree with everything you said....  Particularly that:   "they're mostly protecting their own turf".   It's not like our healthcare industry is much concerned about people's health -- it's all about their financial health and all the players are in on the game.  They have a beautiful thing going on and they would not welcome any "1984" revolution into their closed little world (although it certainly does need it!).
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 13
    I always thought when the Apple Watch came out, it would be great if the device could figure out when someone has gone into cardiac arrest or something medically wrong has happened.   Maybe even alert 911 that there could be an issue. But what if it triggered a 911 call erroneously.   I think we could get there someday. And Apple will be the leader in this effort.  Regarding the airpod, I wear hearing aids and for me to purchase airpods with the health benefit capability,  it would have to have this additional feature. Then I would absolutely consider it. 
  • Reply 13 of 13
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    benemac said:
    I always thought when the Apple Watch came out, it would be great if the device could figure out when someone has gone into cardiac arrest or something medically wrong has happened.   Maybe even alert 911 that there could be an issue. But what if it triggered a 911 call erroneously.   I think we could get there someday. And Apple will be the leader in this effort.  Regarding the airpod, I wear hearing aids and for me to purchase airpods with the health benefit capability,  it would have to have this additional feature. Then I would absolutely consider it. 
    My father has an hearing aid and it is outrageous how little value for money these things are. They are ripe for a total ass kicking from the like of apple
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