Collecting biologically-relevant information using an earpiece

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for obtaining biological information associated with a user, comprising receiving electrical signals via a first electrode on an ear tip of an earpiece inserted in an ear of the user, receiving electrical signals via a second electrode on an external portion of the earpiece, and deriving an electrocardiogram (ECG) based on the signals received via the first electrode and the second electrode. Aspects also provide a method for determining a pulse travel time (PTT) associated with a user, comprising obtaining a proximal signal using an earpiece inserted in of the user, obtaining a distal signal using the earpiece, and deriving the PTT based on the obtained proximal signal and the obtained distal signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for obtaining biological information associated with a user, comprising:
 receiving electrical signals via a first electrode on an ear tip of an earpiece inserted in an ear of the user;   receiving electrical signals via a second electrode on an external portion of the earpiece; and   deriving an electrocardiogram (ECG) based on the electrical signals received via the first electrode and the second electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a difference in potential between the electrical signals receive via the first electrode and the electrical signals received via the second electrode, and   wherein the ECG is derived based on the determined difference in potential.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a blood pressure associated with the user based on the derived ECG.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the electrical signals received via the first electrode are obtained from the ear of the user, and   wherein the electrical signals received via the second electrode are obtained from another location of the user having a different potential than the ear.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 contacting a finger of the left hand of the user on the second electrode to obtain the electrical signals via the second electrode.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ear tip comprises flexible, umbrella shaped ear tip. 
     
     
         7 . A method for determining a pulse travel time (PTT) associated with a user, comprising:
 obtaining a proximal signal using an earpiece inserted in an ear of the user;   obtaining a distal signal using the earpiece; and   deriving the PTT based on the obtained proximal signal and the obtained distal signal.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the proximal signal comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) pulse signal, and   wherein the distal signal comprises one of a phonocardiogram (PCG) signal obtained via a microphone located on the earpiece or a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal obtained via an optical sensor on the earpiece.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the proximal signal comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) pulse signal, and   wherein the distal signal comprises a ballistocardiogram (BCG) signal obtained via an accelerometer on the earpiece.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the proximal signal comprises a ballistocardiogram (BCG) signal obtained via an accelerometer on the earpiece, and   wherein the distal signal comprises one of a phonocardiogram (PCG) signal obtained via a microphone located on the earpiece or a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal obtained via an optical sensor on the earpiece.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein deriving the PTT comprises:
 computing a delay between the proximal and distal signals.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining a blood pressure of the user based on the computed delay.   
     
     
         13 . An earpiece comprising:
 a flexible, conductive ear tip, configured to receive electrical signals from a user of the earpiece; and   a housing coupled with the conductive ear tip, wherein the housing is configured to transfer the electrical signals from the conductive tip to external electronic hardware.   
     
     
         14 . The earpiece of  claim 13 , wherein the conductive ear tip comprises at least one of an ear tip coated with conductive coating or an ear tip fabricated with conductive rubber. 
     
     
         15 . The earpiece of  claim 13 , wherein the conductive ear tip comprises two or more sections, each section having its own electrical contact for collecting electrical signals from the user. 
     
     
         16 . The earpiece of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a biosensor placed on the earpiece, wherein the biosensor is configured to monitor at least one of sweat composition of pH associated with the user.   
     
     
         17 . The earpiece of  claim 16 , wherein the conductive ear tip is configured to transfer signals from the biosensor to the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The earpiece of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a multi-conductive electrode for monitoring GS Skin Response (GSR) of the user.   
     
     
         19 . The earpiece of  claim 13 , wherein the electrical signals collected by the conductive tip are used to produce at least one of an electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), or electrooculogram (EOG), associated with the user. 
     
     
         20 . The earpiece of  claim 13 , wherein the conductive ear tip comprises an umbrella shaped ear tip and is configured to create a seal with an ear canal of the user. 
     
     
         21 . The earpiece of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a shaft region between the umbrella shaped tip and the housing; and   an electrical wire for transmitting the electrical signals from the shaft region to the housing, the electrical wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled with the shaft region and the second end is coupled with the housing.   
     
     
         22 . The earpiece of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the conductive ear tip comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode extending into an ear canal of the user and the second electrode located on a surface of the tip external to the ear canal when the tip is positioned in the ear canal, wherein the first electrode and second electrode comprise a sensor for collecting biologically relevant information associated with the user.   
     
     
         23 . The earpiece of  claim 22 , wherein the first electrode is coated with a silver-based conductive coating and comprises a negative electrode and the second electrode comprises an isolated conductive coated section of one of the tip or the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The earpiece of  claim 22 , wherein the second electrode comprises:
 a portion of the housing covered with copper foil   
     
     
         25 . The earpiece of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 at least one of a microphone, accelerometer, or optical sensor placed on the earpiece configured to collect biologically relevant information associated with the user.