Ear-mounted device

Abstract

Ear-mounted apparatus are provided for secure and comfortable load bearing in support of optical, biosensor, and mobile communication functionalities. In particular, a load-bearing ear unit is provided which includes an anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a member extending from the anchor. The member has therein a rotational stabiliser adapted to provide stability in relevant planes for secure ear mounting. Also provided is an ear-mounted optical device, comprising the load-bearing ear unit and one of a camera, a light source, a virtual reality device, a IrDA-device, and a photo diode. Further provided is an ear-mounted wearable device, comprising the load-bearing ear unit and one or more biosensors. A particular such wearable device is an ear-mounted EAG device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The present disclosure relates in general to ear-mounted devices. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to apparatus for removable ear attachment to optical devices, head-mounted or head-sensing devices. More specifically, a load-bearing ear unit for secure and comfortable attachment of a forward extending member is provided. Also provided in various embodiments are ear-mounted camera, flash lights, Virtual Reality (VR) device, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) device, and Electroencephalography (EEG) device incorporated therein the load-bearing ear unit of this disclosure.[0002]Various forward extending head mounted devices are well known, such as glasses and head attached flash lights.[0003]Many solutions use an ear hook attachment wherein a member is placed between the pinna of the ear and the skull, preferably with a downward extending hook anterior to the ear. This is the typical case for glasses. References should also be made to U.S. Pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]In accordance of this disclosure, there is provided, in another embodiment, an ear-mounted optical device that comprises a load bearing ear unit. The load-bearing ear unit comprises an anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a member extending forward from the anchor, wherein the anchor comprises a rotational stabiliser thereby stabilizing the member.

Problems solved by technology

However ear hook solutions suffer from several problems such as instability due to rotational momentum caused by the relatively long arm.

Also a counterbalance will not improve matter regarding the stability in following head movement.

Moreover an ear hook device will interfere with use of traditional glasses.

Stabilisation using the nose will also interfere with use of glasses and can also be uncomfortable particularly for heavier devices such as glasses, VR-equipment and the like.

However to provide stability the headband has to be relatively tight and thus less comfortable.

Such a positioning is also far from unobtrusive.

The positioning for devices such as light sources are also problematic since the illumination is close to co-axial with the eyes of the wearer since illumination strongly reduces shadowing effects and contours resulting in flat images or “whiteout”.

The presence of a counterbalance also increases weight and discomfort.

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