Apple Patents Smart Earbuds to Track Steps and Detect Head Gestures

[Guest]

A new Apple patent describes a set of smart earbuds that can function as a fitness tracker. The earpieces may also be able to detect head gestures, according to the recently published application.

Apple Patents Smart Earbuds to Track Steps and Detect Head Gestures : Read more

 

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In other words, Apple is attempting to patent sensor packages integrated in a separate package from the phone or tablet.There already is prior art for that with health researchers integrating sensor packages in mouth guards, helmets and other sports gear to help coaches keep track of potential injuries. The first time I remember hearing about this was around five years ago but I bet there is prior art even older than that.

 

[kentlowt]

There is also another product exactly like this. They will end up needing to license from them unless their methods of extracting and using this data are very different from the other. Here is a link to an existing product http/www.valencell.com/products

 

[heero yuy]

There is also another product exactly like this. They will end up needing to license from them unless their methods of extracting and using this data are very different from the other. Here is a link to an existing product no]http/www.valencell.com/products

no it would be valencell that would have to pay apple moneyits how it usually ends up going...

 

[daltwisney]

The price of Apple earbuds is already high. Might need earbud insurance!

 

[fyend]

Patenting things they neither came up with nor have made a prototype for. Yeah the patent system isn't broken...

 

[kentlowt]

There is also another product exactly like this. They will end up needing to license from them unless their methods of extracting and using this data are very different from the other. Here is a link to an existing product no]http/www.valencell.com/products

no it would be valencell that would have to pay apple moneyits how it usually ends up going...

I don't think so Valencell already holds the patents (11 of them with some more pending) so it will have to work differently or they will be forced to license or buy the company.

 

[lp231]

Imagine going to the Apple store and you see everyone doing crazy head gestures.

 

[zblade]

Looks like they have taken a thing or two from The Dash earphones. Which I am backing up and getting a pair. https/www.kickstarter.com/projects/hellobragi/the-dash-wireless-smart-in-ear-headphones

 

[zblade]

Looks like they have taken a thing or two from The Dash earphones. Which I am backing up and getting a pair. https/www.kickstarter.com/projects/hellobragi/the-dash-wireless-smart-in-ear-headphones

 

[okibrian]

There is also another product exactly like this. They will end up needing to license from them unless their methods of extracting and using this data are very different from the other. Here is a link to an existing product Valencell's]http/www.valencell.com/products

Valencell's product measures heart rateApple's product measures heart rate, how many steps you've taken, your perspiration and other types of physical data.

 

[davewolfgang]

There is also another product exactly like this. They will end up needing to license from them unless their methods of extracting and using this data are very different from the other. Here is a link to an existing product no]http/www.valencell.com/products

no it would be valencell that would have to pay apple moneyits how it usually ends up going...

I don't think so Valencell already holds the patents (11 of them with some more pending) so it will have to work differently or they will be forced to license or buy the company.

It doesn't matter if anyone else holds ANY Patents on it - if it EXISTED before - iCrapple (nor anyone but the ORIGINAL creator) should be able to patent it. If the original creator didn't patent it, then anyone can use it.

 

[davewolfgang]

Sigh.....**shouldn't be able to patent it.

 

[therealduckofdeath]

Patenting things they neither came up with nor have made a prototype for. Yeah the patent system isn't broken...

Well, that's USA for you. It's the richest who "invents" everything, not the smartest.

 

[Patent_guy]

Guys.... It is irrelevant what this article says... the actual monopoly is set forth in the claims of the granted patent, which in this case is "for controlling a portable electronic device through one or more head gestures". So it is not about measuring heart beat or what not, but about controlling the Iphone through head gestures. The patent is already granted, with a priority date of 2007. If you have any relevant prior art, you should speak up, if not... well...

 

[kentlowt]

Guys.... It is irrelevant what this article says... the actual monopoly is set forth in the claims of the granted patent, which in this case is "for controlling a portable electronic device through one or more head gestures". So it is not about measuring heart beat or what not, but about controlling the Iphone through head gestures. The patent is already granted, with a priority date of 2007. If you have any relevant prior art, you should speak up, if not... well...

Well then the article needs to be rewritten because it say measuring heartbeat...Someones gotta be wrong somewhere here...

 

[g-unit1111]

Sigh, more "smart" crap. They might as well just wire these apps into our brains.