Monitoring a user of a head-wearable electronic device

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for monitoring a user of a head-wearable electronic device with multiple light-sensing assemblies.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method for monitoring a user with a system that comprises a structure operative to be worn by a head of the user, a sensor assembly comprising a first subassembly coupled to the structure adjacent a first head portion of the head of the user when the structure is worn by the head of the user and a second subassembly coupled to the structure adjacent a second head portion of the head of the user that is different than the first head portion when the structure is worn by the head of the user, and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the method comprising:
 transmitting light from the sensor assembly towards the head of the user when the structure is worn by the head of the user;   in response to the transmitting, detecting first light from the first head portion with the first subassembly when the structure is worn by the head of the user;   in response to the transmitting, detecting second light from the second head portion with the second subassembly when the structure is worn by the head of the user; and   identifying a gesture of the user with the processor based on both the detected first light and the detected second light.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the detecting the first light is concurrent with the detecting the second light. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the transmitting the light comprises transmitting at least a first portion of the light towards the first head portion; and   the detected first light comprises at least a portion of the transmitted first portion of the light.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the transmitting the light further comprises transmitting a second portion of the light towards the second head portion; and   the detected second light comprises at least a portion of the transmitted second portion of the light.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the detecting the first light is concurrent with the detecting the second light. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the identified gesture comprises one of the following:
 chewing;   blinking;   winking;   smiling;   frowning;   grimacing;   gasping;   mouth opening;   mouth closing;   removing the structure from the head of the user;   adorning the head of the user with the structure;   humming;   vocalization gesture; or   eyebrow raising.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising determining a biometric characteristic of the user with the processor based on both the detected first light and the detected second light, wherein the determined biometric characteristic comprises one of the following:
 a heart rate; or   a heart rate variability.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising automatically recording with the system at least one image of the user's environment based on at least one of the identified gesture or the determined biometric characteristic. 
     
     
         39 . A method for monitoring a user with a system that comprises a structure operative to be worn by a head of the user, a sensor assembly comprising a first subassembly coupled to the structure adjacent a first head portion of the head of the user when the structure is worn by the head of the user and a second subassembly coupled to the structure adjacent a second head portion of the head of the user that is different than the first head portion when the structure is worn by the head of the user, and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the method comprising:
 transmitting light of a first wavelength from the sensor assembly towards the head of the user when the structure is worn by the head of the user;   in response to the transmitting light of the first wavelength, detecting first light of the first wavelength from the first head portion with the first subassembly when the structure is worn by the head of the user;   in response to the transmitting light of the first wavelength, detecting second light of the first wavelength from the second head portion with the second subassembly when the structure is worn by the head of the user;   transmitting light of a second wavelength that is different than the first wavelength from the sensor assembly towards the head of the user when the structure is worn by the head of the user;   in response to the transmitting light of the second wavelength, detecting first light of the second wavelength from the first head portion with the first subassembly when the structure is worn by the head of the user;   in response to the transmitting light of the second wavelength, detecting second light of the second wavelength from the second head portion with the second subassembly when the structure is worn by the head of the user; and   identifying a characteristic of the user with the processor based on each one of the following:
 the detected first light of the first wavelength; 
 the detected second light of the first wavelength; 
 the detected first light of the second wavelength; and 
 the detected second light of the second wavelength. 
   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the identified characteristic of the user comprises at least one of the following:
 a gesture of the user;   a biometric characteristic of the user;   an emotion of the user;   a thought of the user; or   a brain function of the user.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the identified characteristic of the user comprises one of the following:
 chewing;   blinking;   winking;   smiling;   frowning;   grimacing;   gasping;   mouth opening;   mouth closing;   removing the structure from the head of the user;   adorning the head of the user with the structure;   humming;   vocalization gesture; or   eyebrow raising.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the identified characteristic of the user comprises one of the following:
 a heart rate; or   a heart rate variability.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the identified characteristic of the user comprises an emotion of the user. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the identified characteristic of the user comprises a thought of the user. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising using the identified characteristic of the user to diagnose at least one of the following:
 epilepsy of the user;   a sleep disorder of the user;   encephalopathy of the user;   a tumor of the user; or   a stroke of the user.   
     
     
         46 . A method for monitoring a user with a system that comprises a structure operative to be worn by a user, a sensor assembly comprising a first subassembly coupled to the structure adjacent a first user portion of the user when the structure is worn by the user and a second subassembly coupled to the structure adjacent a second user portion of the user that is different than the first user portion when the structure is worn by the user, and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the method comprising:
 transmitting light from the sensor assembly towards the user when the structure is worn by the user;   in response to the transmitting, detecting first light from the first user portion with the first subassembly when the structure is worn by the user;   in response to the transmitting, detecting second light from the second user portion with the second subassembly when the structure is worn by the user;   generating sensor mode data with the processor based on both the detected first light and the detected second light; and   communicating the generated sensor mode data to a managed element for controlling the managed element in one of the following ways:   to capture at least one image of the user's environment;   to adjust a light sampling frequency of the sensor assembly;   to adjust gameplay of a video game presented to the user; or   to stimulate the user.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the communicating comprises communicating the generated sensor mode data to the managed element for controlling the managed element to capture at least one image of the user's environment. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the communicating comprises communicating the generated sensor mode data to the managed element for controlling the managed element to adjust a light sampling frequency of the sensor assembly. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the communicating comprises communicating the generated sensor mode data to the managed element for controlling the managed element to adjust gameplay of a video game presented to the user. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the communicating comprises communicating the generated sensor mode data to the managed element for controlling the managed element to stimulate the user.