U.S. patent application number 14/037267 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-19 for synchronized exercise buddy headphones.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Steven Friedlander, Sabrina Tai-Chen Yeh, David Andrew Young.
Application Number | 20150081067 14/037267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51228977 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150081067 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yeh; Sabrina Tai-Chen ; et
al. |
March 19, 2015 |
SYNCHRONIZED EXERCISE BUDDY HEADPHONES
Abstract
A headphone device is positioned close to a buddy headphone to
establish a pairing to share transmission information between the
headphones automatically. When one of the headphones starts playing
music, using the transmission information the music is sent to the
other headphone, which plays the music so that both headphone
wearers listen to the same music simultaneously with each other.
Also, each headphone may include a microphone and the users of the
headphones can communicate with each other using the microphones in
a walkie-talkie fashion, which is facilitated by the transmission
information from the pairing.
Inventors: |
Yeh; Sabrina Tai-Chen;
(Laguna Beach, CA) ; Friedlander; Steven; (San
Diego, CA) ; Young; David Andrew; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SONY CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
51228977 |
Appl. No.: |
14/037267 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61878835 |
Sep 17, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 19/19 20130101;
H04W 4/80 20180201; A61B 5/021 20130101; G06F 3/165 20130101; A61B
5/1176 20130101; A61B 5/7415 20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101; A61B
5/14542 20130101; G06F 3/017 20130101; G06Q 10/0639 20130101; H04B
5/0025 20130101; G01C 21/20 20130101; G16H 50/20 20180101; H04M
2250/04 20130101; A61B 5/1172 20130101; G16H 50/30 20180101; A61B
5/1123 20130101; G08B 25/016 20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; A61B
5/02055 20130101; A61B 5/11 20130101; H04L 63/0853 20130101; H04M
2250/12 20130101; G16H 20/30 20180101; A61B 5/02438 20130101; A61B
5/4815 20130101; G16H 40/63 20180101; H04M 1/7253 20130101; H04M
2250/02 20130101; G01C 21/00 20130101; G09B 19/0038 20130101; G16H
40/67 20180101; A63B 71/06 20130101; G10L 15/00 20130101; A61B
5/14532 20130101; G06F 16/60 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/94 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/16 20060101
G06F003/16; H04B 5/00 20060101 H04B005/00 |
Claims
1. A device comprising: at least one computer readable storage
medium bearing instructions executable by a processor; at least one
processor configured for accessing the computer readable storage
medium to execute the instructions to configure the processor for:
pairing, using near field communication (NFC) facilitated by at
least one NFC element communicating with the processor, with a
buddy device to establish an information-sharing NFC pairing; and
using information from the NFC pairing, providing music information
using a wireless transceiver to the buddy device.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is a
Bluetooth transceiver.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor when executing the
instructions is configured for: playing audible exercise
information in at least one speaker of the device, the audible
exercise information not being sent to the buddy device.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the processor when executing the
instructions is configured for receiving information on which the
audible exercise information is based from a biometric sensor
engaged with a user of the device.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor when executing the
instructions is configured for: receiving information from a
microphone associated with the device; and using information from
the NFC pairing, providing the information from the microphone to
the buddy device.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the audible information is
provided to the buddy device using Bluetooth.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the NFC element is not a
Bluetooth transceiver.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor when executing the
instructions is configured for providing the music information to
the buddy device responsive to a user selecting a play element
communicating with the processor.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a first device and
the music information provided to the buddy device is a first music
piece being played on a speaker of the first device, such that the
first device and buddy device play the same music piece.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a first device and
the music information provided to the buddy device includes a tempo
of a first music piece being played on a speaker of the first
device, such that the first device and buddy device play different
music pieces from each other but at the tempo provided by the first
device to the buddy device.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor when executing the
instructions is configured for using information from the NFC
pairing to receive music information using the wireless transceiver
from the buddy device.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor when executing the
instructions is configured for: using information from the NFC
pairing, receiving audible information from the buddy device input
at a microphone associated with the buddy device.
13. Method comprising: juxtaposing a first headphone with a buddy
headphone to establish a pairing, the pairing causing a sharing of
information between the headphones automatically; using the
information, executing at least one of the following: (a)
automatically sending music played on the first headphone to the
buddy headphone for playing thereon such that both headphones play
the same music simultaneously with each other; (b) automatically
sending tempo information associated with music played on the first
headphone to the buddy headphone such that both headphones play the
different music but at the same tempo.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pairing is established
using near field communication (NFC) and the sending is executed
using a wireless transmission protocol that is different from the
NFC.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: communicating user
voice information input at a microphone associated with the first
headphone to the buddy headphone using the information from the
pairing.
16. A kit of parts comprising: a first headphone including a
microphone, at least one speaker, at least one near field
communication (NFC) element, and at least one wireless transceiver
different from the NFC element, the first headphone being
configured for engagement with a person's head such that the at
least one speaker is juxtaposed with an ear of the person to enable
the person to listen to music played by the speaker; and at least a
second headphone including a microphone, at least one speaker, at
least one near field communication (NFC) element, and at least one
wireless transceiver different from the NFC element, the second
headphone being configured for engagement with a person's head such
that the at least one speaker of the second headphone is juxtaposed
with an ear of the person to enable the person to listen to music
played by the speaker of the second headphone.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the first headphone includes at
least one computer readable storage medium bearing instructions
executable by a processor, the processor of the first headphone
being configured for accessing the computer readable storage medium
to execute the instructions to configure the processor of the first
headphone for: pairing, using the NFC element, with the second
headphone to establish an information-sharing NFC pairing; and
using information from the NFC pairing, providing music information
using the wireless transceiver to the second headphone.
18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the processor of the first
headphone when executing the instructions is configured for:
playing audible exercise information in the least one speaker of
the first headphone, the audible exercise information not being
sent to the second headphone.
19. The kit of claim 17, wherein the processor of the first
headphone when executing the instructions is configured for:
receiving information from the microphone of the first headphone;
and using information from the NFC pairing, providing the
information from the microphone of the first headphone to the
second headphone.
20. The kit of claim 17, wherein the processor of the first
headphone when executing the instructions is configured for
providing the music information to the second headphone responsive
to a user selecting a play element communicating with the processor
of the first headphone.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/878,835, filed Sep. 17, 2013.
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present application relates generally to digital
ecosystems that are configured for use when engaging in physical
activity and/or fitness exercises.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Society is becoming increasingly health-conscious. A wide
variety of exercise and workouts are now offered to encourage
people to stay fit through exercise. As understood herein, while
stationary exercise equipment often comes equipped with data
displays for the information of the exerciser, the information is
not tailored to the individual and is frequently repetitive and
monotonous. As further understood herein, people enjoy listening to
music as workout aids but the music typically is whatever is
broadcast within a gymnasium or provided on a recording device the
user may wear, again being potentially monotonous and unchanging in
pattern.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Present principles understand that in addition to the above,
a user may wish to tie his or her performance and/or workout music
to an exercise buddy's listening experience. A device includes at
least one computer readable storage medium bearing instructions
executable by a processor and at least one processor configured for
accessing the computer readable storage medium to execute the
instructions. Upon execution of the instructions, the processor is
configured for pairing with a buddy device to establish an
information-sharing near field communication (NFC) pairing, using
NFC facilitated by at least one NFC element communicating with the
processor. The processor is also configured for using information
from the NFC pairing and is configured for providing music
information using a wireless transceiver to the buddy device.
[0005] The wireless transceiver can be a Bluetooth transceiver and
may be used to provide music information to the buddy device. Upon
execution of the instructions stored on the storage medium, the
processor may be configured for playing audible exercise
information in at least one speaker of the device. The audible
exercise information may not be sent to the buddy device. The
audible exercise information that may be based from a biometric
sensor engaged with a user of the device can be received by the
processor when executing the instructions and being configured in
such a manner.
[0006] The instructions on the storage medium may also configure
the processor to receive information from a microphone associated
with the device. The processor can also use information from the
NFC pairing and provide the information from the microphone to the
buddy device. The audible information may be provided to the buddy
device using Bluetooth.
Alternatively, the NFC element may not be a Bluetooth
transceiver.
[0007] The processor, when executing the instructions, may be
configured for providing music information to the buddy device in
response to a user selecting a play element that can be in
communication with the processor. The device may be a first device
and the music information provided to the buddy device may be a
first music piece being played on a speaker of the first device,
such that the first device and buddy device play the same music
piece. Furthermore, the music information that may be provided to
the buddy device by the first device can include a tempo of a first
music piece being played on a speaker of the first device. Using
the tempo information, both the first device and buddy device can
play different music pieces from each other but at the tempo
provided by the first device.
[0008] The instructions may otherwise configure the processor to
use information from the NFC pairing to receive music information
using the wireless transceiver from the buddy device and/or to
receive audible information from the buddy device input at a
microphone associated with the buddy device.
[0009] In another aspect, a method includes juxtaposing a first
headphone with a buddy headphone to establish a pairing, which
causes a sharing of information between the headphones
automatically. Use of the shared information allows for execution
of automatically sending music played on the first headphone to the
buddy headphone for playing thereon such that both headphones play
the same music simultaneously with each other. Use of the shared
information also or otherwise allows for execution of automatically
sending tempo information associated with music played on the first
headphone to the buddy headphone such that both headphones play the
different music but at the same tempo.
[0010] In another aspect, a kit of parts includes a first headphone
that includes a microphone, at least one speaker, at least one near
field communication (NFC) element, and at least one wireless
transceiver different from the NFC element. The first headphone is
configured for engagement with a person's head such that the at
least one speaker is juxtaposed with an ear of the person to enable
the person to listen to music played by the speaker. Furthermore,
at least a second headphone includes a microphone, at least one
speaker, at least one near field communication (NFC) element, and
at least one wireless transceiver different from the NFC element.
The second headphone is configured for engagement with a person's
head such that the at least one speaker of the second headphone is
juxtaposed with an ear of the person to enable the person to listen
to music played by the speaker of the second headphone.
[0011] The details of the present invention, both as to its
structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system including an
example CE device in accordance with present principles;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example system including a
specific example CE device embodied as a music player in accordance
with present principles; and
[0014] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate logic that can be executed by various
processors shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] This disclosure relates generally to consumer electronics
(CE) device based user information. With respect to any computer
systems discussed herein, a system herein may include server and
client components, connected over a network such that data may be
exchanged between the client and server components. The client
components may include one or more computing devices including
portable televisions (e.g. smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs),
portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other
mobile devices including smart phones and additional examples
discussed below. These client devices may employ, as non-limiting
examples, operating systems from Apple, Google, or Microsoft. A
Unix operating system may be used. These operating systems can
execute one or more browsers such as a browser made by Microsoft or
Google or Mozilla or other browser program that can access web
applications hosted by the Internet servers over a network such as
the Internet, a local intranet, or a virtual private network.
[0016] As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented
steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be
implemented in software, firmware or hardware; hence, illustrative
components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are set forth in
terms of their functionality.
[0017] A processor may be any conventional general purpose single-
or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various
lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and
registers and shift registers. Moreover, any logical blocks,
modules, and circuits described herein can be implemented or
performed, in addition to a general purpose processor, in or by a
digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device such as an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor
logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof
designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor can
be implemented by a controller or state machine or a combination of
computing devices.
[0018] Any software modules described by way of flow charts and/or
user interfaces herein can include various sub-routines,
procedures, etc. It is to be understood that logic divulged as
being executed by a module can be redistributed to other software
modules and/or combined together in a single module and/or made
available in a shareable library.
[0019] Logic when implemented in software, can be written in an
appropriate language such as but not limited to C# or C++, and can
be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable storage
medium such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory
(ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical
disk storage such as digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk
storage or other magnetic storage devices including removable thumb
drives, etc. A connection may establish a computer-readable medium.
Such connections can include, as examples, hard-wired cables
including fiber optics and coaxial wires and digital subscriber
line (DSL) and twisted pair wires. Such connections may include
wireless communication connections including infrared and
radio.
[0020] In an example, a processor can access information over its
input lines from data storage, such as the computer readable
storage medium, and/or the processor accesses information
wirelessly from an Internet server by activating a wireless
transceiver to send and receive data. Data typically is converted
from analog signals to digital and then to binary by circuitry
between the antenna and the registers of the processor when being
received and from binary to digital to analog when being
transmitted. The processor then processes the data through its
shift registers to output calculated data on output lines, for
presentation of the calculated data on the CE device.
[0021] Components included in one embodiment can be used in other
embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the
various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures
may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other
embodiments.
[0022] "A system having at least one of A, B, and C" (likewise "a
system having at least one of A, B, or C" and "a system having at
least one of A, B, C") includes systems that have A alone, B alone,
C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
and/or A, B, and C together, etc.
[0023] Before describing FIG. 1, it is to be understood that the CE
devices and software described herein are understood to be usable
in the context of a digital ecosystem. Thus, as understood herein,
a computer ecosystem, or digital ecosystem, may be an adaptive and
distributed socio-technical system that is characterized by its
sustainability, self-organization, and scalability. Inspired by
environmental ecosystems, which consist of biotic and abiotic
components that interact through nutrient cycles and energy flows,
complete computer ecosystems consist of hardware, software, and
services that in some cases may be provided by one company, such as
Sony Electronics. The goal of each computer ecosystem is to provide
consumers with everything that may be desired, at least in part
services and/or software that may be exchanged via the Internet.
Moreover, interconnectedness and sharing among elements of an
ecosystem, such as applications within a computing cloud, provides
consumers with increased capability to organize and access data and
presents itself as the future characteristic of efficient
integrative ecosystems.
[0024] Two general types of computer ecosystems exist: vertical and
horizontal computer ecosystems. In the vertical approach, virtually
all aspects of the ecosystem are associated with the same company
(e.g. produced by the same manufacturer), and are specifically
designed to seamlessly interact with one another. Horizontal
ecosystems, one the other hand, integrate aspects such as hardware
and software that are created by differing entities into one
unified ecosystem. The horizontal approach allows for greater
variety of input from consumers and manufactures, increasing the
capacity for novel innovations and adaptations to changing demands.
But regardless, it is to be understood that some digital
ecosystems, including those referenced herein, may embody
characteristics of both the horizontal and vertical ecosystems
described above.
[0025] Accordingly, it is to be further understood that these
ecosystems may be used while engaged in physical activity to e.g.
provide inspiration, goal fulfillment and/or achievement, automated
coaching/training, health and exercise analysis, convenient access
to data, group sharing (e.g. of fitness data), and increased
accuracy of health monitoring, all while doing so in a stylish and
entertaining manner. Further still, the devices disclosed herein
are understood to be capable of making diagnostic determinations
based on data from various sensors (such as those described below
in reference to FIG. 1) for use while exercising, for exercise
monitoring (e.g. in real time), and/or for sharing of data with
friends (e.g. using a social networking service) even when not all
people have the same types and combinations of sensors on their
respective CE devices.
[0026] Thus, it is to be understood that the CE devices described
herein may allow for easy and simplified user interaction with the
device so as to not be unduly bothersome or encumbering e.g.
before, during, and after an exercise.
[0027] Now specifically referring to FIG. 1, an example system 10
is shown, which may include one or more of the example devices
mentioned above and described further below to enhance fitness
experiences in accordance with present principles. The first of the
example devices included in the system 10 is an example consumer
electronics (CE) device 12 that may be waterproof (e.g., for use
while swimming). The CE device 12 may be, e.g., a computerized
Internet enabled ("smart") telephone, a tablet computer, a notebook
computer, a wearable computerized device such as e.g. computerized
Internet-enabled watch, a computerized Internet-enabled bracelet,
other computerized Internet-enabled fitness devices, a computerized
Internet-enabled music player, computerized Internet-enabled head
phones, a computerized Internet-enabled implantable device such as
an implantable skin device, etc., and even e.g. a computerized
Internet-enabled television (TV). Regardless, it is to be
understood that the CE device 12 is configured to undertake present
principles (e.g. communicate with other CE devices to undertake
present principles, execute the logic described herein, and perform
any other functions and/or operations described herein).
[0028] Accordingly, to undertake such principles the CE device 12
can include some or all of the components shown in FIG. 1. For
example, the CE device 12 can include one or more touch-enabled
displays 14, one or more speakers 16 for outputting audio in
accordance with present principles, and at least one additional
input device 18 such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g.
entering audible commands to the CE device 12 to control the CE
device 12. The example CE device 12 may also include one or more
network interfaces 20 for communication over at least one network
22 such as the Internet, an WAN, an LAN, etc. under control of one
or more processors 24. It is to be understood that the processor 24
controls the CE device 12 to undertake present principles,
including the other elements of the CE device 12 described herein
such as e.g. controlling the display 14 to present images thereon
and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network
interface 20 may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or
other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony
transceiver, WiFi transceiver, etc.
[0029] In addition to the foregoing, the CE device 12 may also
include one or more input ports 26 such as, e.g., a USB port to
physically connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE
device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the CE
device 12 for presentation of audio from the CE device 12 to a user
through the headphones. The CE device 12 may further include one or
more tangible computer readable storage medium 28 such as
disk-based or solid state storage, it being understood that the
computer readable storage medium 28 may not be a carrier wave. Also
in some embodiments, the CE device 12 can include a position or
location receiver such as but not limited to a GPS receiver and/or
altimeter 30 that is configured to e.g. receive geographic position
information from at least one satellite and provide the information
to the processor 24 and/or determine an altitude at which the CE
device 12 is disposed in conjunction with the processor 24.
However, it is to be understood that that another suitable position
receiver other than a GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used in
accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location
of the CE device 12 in e.g. all three dimensions.
[0030] Continuing the description of the CE device 12, in some
embodiments the CE device 12 may include one or more scameras 32
that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such
as a webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the CE device 12 and
controllable by the processor 24 to gather pictures/images and/or
video in accordance with present principles (e.g. to share aspects
of a physical activity such as hiking with social networking
friends). Also included on the CE device 12 may be a Bluetooth
transceiver 34 and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element 36
for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC
technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio
frequency identification (RFID) element.
[0031] Further still, the CE device 12 may include one or more
motion sensors 37 (e.g., an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer,
magnetic sensor, infrared (IR) motion sensors such as passive IR
sensors, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a
gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command), etc.) providing
input to the processor 24. The CE device 12 may include still other
sensors such as e.g. one or more climate sensors 38 (e.g.
barometers, humidity sensors, wind sensors, light sensors,
temperature sensors, etc.) and/or one or more biometric sensors 40
(e.g. heart rate sensors and/or heart monitors, calorie counters,
blood pressure sensors, perspiration sensors, odor and/or scent
detectors, fingerprint sensors, facial recognition sensors, iris
and/or retina detectors, DNA sensors, oxygen sensors (e.g. blood
oxygen sensors and/or VO2 max sensors), glucose and/or blood sugar
sensors, sleep sensors (e.g. a sleep tracker), pedometers and/or
speed sensors, body temperature sensors, nutrient and metabolic
rate sensors, voice sensors, lung input/output and other
cardiovascular sensors, etc.) also providing input to the processor
24. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that in some
embodiments the CE device 12 may also include a kinetic energy
harvester 42 to e.g. charge a battery (not shown) powering the CE
device 12.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 1, in addition to the CE device 12,
the system 10 may include one or more other CE device types such
as, but not limited to, a computerized Internet-enabled bracelet
44, computerized Internet-enabled headphones and/or ear buds 46,
computerized Internet-enabled clothing 48, a computerized
Internet-enabled exercise machine 50 (e.g. a treadmill, exercise
bike, elliptical machine, etc.), etc. Also shown is a computerized
Internet-enabled gymnasium entry kiosk 52 permitting authorized
entry to a gymnasium housing the exercise machine 50. It is to be
understood that other CE devices included in the system 10
including those described in this paragraph may respectively
include some or all of the various components described above in
reference to the CE device 12 such but not limited to e.g. the
biometric sensors and motion sensors described above, as well as
the position receivers, cameras, input devices, and speakers also
described above.
[0033] Thus, for instance, the headphones/ear buds 46 may include a
heart rate sensor configured to sense a person's heart rate when a
person is wearing the head phones, the clothing 48 may include
sensors such as perspiration sensors, climate sensors, and heart
sensors for measuring the intensity of a person's workout, and the
exercise machine 50 may include a camera mounted on a portion
thereof for gathering facial images of a user so that the machine
50 may thereby determine whether a particular facial expression is
indicative of a user struggling to keep the pace set by the
exercise machine 50 and/or an NFC element to e.g. pair the machine
50 with the CE device 12 and hence access a database of preset
workout routines, and the kiosk 52 may include an NFC element
permitting entry to a person authenticated as being authorized for
entry based on input received from a complimentary NFC element
(such as e.g. the NFC element 36 on the device 12). Also note that
all of the devices described in reference to FIG. 1, including a
server 54 to be described shortly, may communicate with each other
over the network 22 using a respective network interface included
thereon, and may each also include a computer readable storage
medium that may not be a carrier wave for storing logic and/or
software code in accordance with present principles.
[0034] Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server
54, it includes at least one processor 56, at least one tangible
computer readable storage medium 58 that may not be a carrier wave
such as disk-based or solid state storage, and at least one network
interface 60 that, under control of the processor 56, allows for
communication with the other CE devices of FIG. 1 over the network
22, and indeed may facilitate communication therebetween in
accordance with present principles. Note that the network interface
60 may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, WiFi
transceiver, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a
wireless telephony transceiver.
[0035] Accordingly, in some embodiments the server 54 may be an
Internet server, may facilitate fitness coordination and/or data
exchange between CE device devices in accordance with present
principles, and may include and perform "cloud" functions such that
the CE devices of the system 10 may access a "cloud" environment
via the server 54 in example embodiments to e.g. stream music to
listen to while exercising and/or pair two or more devices (e.g. to
"throw" music from one device to another).
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a specific CE device embodied as a headphone 70
which as shown implements a music player processor 72 accessing
executable instructions on a computer readable storage medium 74 to
output music on left and right speakers 76, 78. It is to be
understood that the music player processor 72 may be distanced from
the physical headphone shown and may communicate with it wired or
wirelessly. Such a combination still is referred to herein as a
"headphone". The processor 72 may also access music and other
communication using a network interface 80 such as a WiFi
transceiver or wireless telephony transceiver. The processor may
exchange information with other devices through a near field
communication (NFC) element 82 and a wireless transceiver 84 such
as a Bluetooth transceiver.
[0037] Thus, the headphone 70 in FIG. 2 typically includes left and
right speakers 76, 78 that may be embodied as ear buds or ear pads
configured for engaging respective left and right ears of a person,
with a connector 86 such as a curved head band or even a flaccid
wire connecting the speakers.
[0038] Additionally, a microphone 88 which may be mounted on a stem
90 of the body of the headphone may be provided and may be
electrically connected to the processor 72 to input user voice
signals to the processor 72. Furthermore, one or more biometric
sensors 92 may provide input to the processor 72 by wired or
wireless link 94 and indicative of the heart rate or stride rate or
perspiration rate or other biometric measure of the person wearing
the headphones 70. The sensors 92 thus may include pulse sensors,
stride sensors, perspiration sensors, etc.
[0039] A second headphone 96 with left and right speakers 98, 100
may be worn by a second person. It is to be understood that the
second headphone 96 may be substantially identical to the headphone
70 in construction and operation and so details of its construction
are omitted for brevity.
[0040] In some implementations a trainer console 102 may be
provided such as at a training track and may include one or more
processors 104 accessing executable instructions on a computer
readable storage medium 106 to output audible information on at
least one speaker 108. The processor 106 may also access network
information using a network interface 110 such as a WiFi
transceiver or wireless telephony transceiver. The processor may
exchange information with other devices through a near field
communication (NFC) element 112 and a wireless transceiver 114 such
as a Bluetooth transceiver. Additionally, a microphone 116 may be
provided and may be electrically connected to the processor 104 to
input user voice signals to the trainer console 102. Information
from other devices such as the headphones 70, 96 and biometric
sensors 92 received over, e.g., Bluetooth may be presented on a
visual display 118.
[0041] Now referring to FIG. 3, logic that can be executed by
various processors in FIG. 2 begins with the first headphone 70
being positioned close to the second headphone 96 to establish NFC
pairing at block 120. The headphones 70, 96 may automatically
exchange communication information, e.g. Bluetooth parameters over
NFC 82 to affect Bluetooth pairing, at block 122. Logic may proceed
one of two ways with the first beginning with the user selecting
"play" on the first headphone 70 and the processor 72 sending music
currently playing on first headphone 70 to the second headphone 96
via Bluetooth 94 at block 124. Music can subsequently be played on
second headphone 96 at block 126. Biometric information, e.g. pulse
rate, stride rate, etc. may be received from the biometric sensor
92 at the first headphone 70 at block 128 and audibly played on
first headphone 70 but not the second headphone 96 at block
130.
[0042] The second route, outlined with the dashed lines in FIG. 3,
in which logic may flow following block 122 begins with block 132
when the user of the first headphone 70 can select "play" and the
processor 72 may access the metadata of the music currently playing
to find the tempo of the music and then send the tempo data to the
second headphone 96. The second headphone 96 then can play music
different from that of the first headphone 70 but at the same tempo
as the music from the first headphone 70 at block 134, thereby
slowing down or speeding up the music. Logic of this second route
then returns to block 128 and merges with logic of the first route
to receive biometric information from the sensor 92 at first
headphone 70 and then to audibly play that information on first
headphone 70 but not second headphone 96 at block 130.
[0043] The logic illustrated in FIG. 4 begins at block 136 with the
reception of the first user voice at the microphone 88 of the first
headphone 70. That voice data may then be sent to the second
headphone 96 via Bluetooth 94 at block 138 and subsequently played
on the second headphone 96 over the music currently playing on the
second headphone 96 at block 140. As an alternative to the voice
data from the microphone 88 on the first headphone 70 being played
over the music currently playing on the second headphone 96, block
142, outlined by dashed lines, illustrates that the voice data may
be played on the second headphone 96 while the music currently
playing on the second headphone 96 is suppressed or lowered.
[0044] Now referring to the logic of FIG. 5, an NFC pairing may be
established between the headphone NFC element 82 and the trainer
console NFC element 112 at block 144. Using that NFC pairing,
Bluetooth information may be exchanged at block 146, thereby
establishing a Bluetooth pairing between the headphone Bluetooth
transceiver 94 and trainer console Bluetooth 114. Biometric
information obtained by the sensor 92 on headphone 70 may be sent
to the trainer console 102 for presentation on the display 118 via
Bluetooth pairing communication at block 148. Trainer command input
into the console 102 at block 150 can be sent via Bluetooth pairing
communication and played on headphone 70. The same logic described
in this FIG. 5 may apply to the second headphone 96.
[0045] With no particular reference to any figure, it is to be
understood that present principles may apply to CE devices in
communication with each other such that e.g. a group communicating
with each other using the CE devices may include one CE device
designated as the "leader" and hence is associated with a group
leader. The group leader's CE device may provide information to the
other CE devices of the group so that multiple people in the group
may follow the leader's instructions, information, etc. but each
person may still be presented with their own personalized
statistics and notifications over their own CE device while e.g.
nonetheless hearing the leader/instructor's voice and shared
music.
[0046] Also without reference to any particular figure, it is to be
understood that although present principles have been described in
reference to exercising, present principles may apply to other
instances where e.g. groups of CE devices are in communication with
each other such as group communication on a guided museum tour, or
any other tour/group experience where communication in accordance
with present principles may be used and/or leveraged e.g. by a
group leader.
[0047] While the particular SYNCHRONIZED EXERCISE BUDDY HEADPHONES
is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood
that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present
invention is limited only by the claims.
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