Jaw movement tracking system and method

Abstract

Known jaw motion tracking systems generally allow limited tracking of jaw motion, for example, they may only be able to track jaw motion in two dimensions or track muscle activation without specifying the direction of movement, and therefore may not be able to fully track complex jaw motions. The reduced tracking capabilities of known devices reduce the ability to distinguish different jaw movements based on the tracked movements. There is a need for a jaw motion tracking system that allows tracking of jaw motion to distinguish different jaw movements. The present invention relates to a jaw motion tracking system. The present invention further relates to a method of using the jaw motion tracking system.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a jaw movement tracking system.The present invention further relates to a method of using a jaw movement tracking system. [Background technology]

[0002] The jaw is attached to the human skull via the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), one of the most complex joints in the human body. Unlike hinge joints such as the elbow, which are limited to two-dimensional motion, the TMJ allows the jaw to rotate and glide over the surface of the skull, enabling complex jaw movements.

[0003] Jaw movement tracking can be used in a variety of applications. For example, jaw movement tracking can be used to: - Detect teeth grinding; - Determine sleep stages; - Detect signals of sleep-disordered breathing such as apnea or hypopnea; - Monitor feeding behavior; - Detect signals of temporomandibular joint disorders; - Detect user's sleeping position for sleep tracking, positional sleep apnea treatment, etc; - Hands-free control of the device via jaw gesture detection; - Providing biometric authentication via silent voice recognition; and - Detect other behaviors that involve jaw movement, such as smoking.

[0004] Known jaw motion tracking systems generally provide limited tracking of jaw motion, e.g., they may only track jaw motion in two dimensions or track muscle activity without specifying a direction of motion, and therefore may not be able to fully track complex jaw motions. The reduced tracking capabilities of known devices reduce the ability to distinguish different jaw movements based on the tracked movements. A need exists for a jaw motion tracking system that provides jaw motion tracking to distinguish between different jaw movements. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved jaw movement tracking system.It is a further object of the present invention to provide a jaw movement tracking system that is capable of distinguishing between different jaw movements, such as for example being able to distinguish between bruxism and eating behavior, or between sleep stages and smoking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a jaw movement tracking system according to claim 1.

[0007] The jaw movement tracking system may, for example, include a first in-ear device that is placed in the user's left or right ear to measure movement of a first TMJ on the user's left or right. The use of an in-ear device has an advantage over other devices in that the in-ear device is less intrusive, less noticeable to an observer, and may be worn day or night without causing discomfort.

[0008] The first in-ear device comprises a first in-ear portion configured to be placed in a first ear canal, for example, a left ear canal of a user, with the first in-ear portion being the left in-ear portion, and the first in-ear portion comprises a first distal portion made of a shape-conforming material that conforms to the shape of the first ear canal when the first in-ear portion is placed in the first ear canal. The shape of a person's first ear canal depends on the position of the jaw due to the ear canal being adjacent to the TMJ such that the jaw and / or TMJ presses against the ear canal. By making the first distal portion from a shape-conforming material, the first distal portion can adapt its shape to the shape of the first ear canal. Thus, the shape of the first distal portion when placed in the first ear canal is indicative of the person's jaw position and jaw movement. For example, the first in-ear device comprises an earphone constructed and configured to be placed in the wearer's ear canal and have a distal portion located further in the ear canal than the proximal portion. The proximal section is designed to fit snugly in the ear and minimize movement, while the distal section is made from a conformable material that conforms to the ear canal when the earphone is placed in the ear, changing shape in response to deformations in the ear canal that occur during various activities involving the TMJ.

[0009] The first in-ear device further comprises a first magnet. For example, the first magnet is provided in a first distal portion adjacent to a first temporomandibular joint, e.g., TMJ, adjacent to the first ear canal when the first in-ear portion is placed in the first ear canal. Thus, in this example, the first magnet is provided on a shape-conforming material of the first distal portion. This allows the position of the magnet relative to another portion, e.g., the proximal portion, to be dependent on the shape of the ear canal, i.e., on the jaw movement and position, when the in-ear device is placed in the first ear canal. The first magnet may be embodied as a single magnet, an array of magnets, an electromagnet, a strip of magnets, or a piece of material with magnetic properties. The first magnet may be any object that generates a magnetic field detectable by the first magnetic sensor, such as a ferromagnetic material, an electromagnet, a suitably dense metal, etc.

[0010] The first in-ear device further comprises a first magnetic sensor for measuring the movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor by detecting a change in magnetic flux density caused by the movement of the first magnet. For example, if the first magnet is provided at the distal portion, when the first magnet moves under the influence of a change in the shape of the first ear canal, the relative position of the first magnet to the magnetic sensor changes. This allows the first magnetic sensor to detect a change in the magnetic field generated by the magnet. The change in the magnetic field indicates the relative position of the first magnet to the first magnetic sensor, as well as the movement and position of the jaw.

[0011] This allows the first magnetic sensor to measure signals indicative of jaw position and jaw movement. For example, the magnetic sensor may measure magnetic flux density changes along the X, Y and Z directions, and the magnetic sensor and / or processor may be configured to monitor a subset of these directions, e.g., only the X and Y directions.

[0012] The in-ear device allows for either the first magnet or the first magnetic sensor to be provided in the distal portion, e.g., adjacent to the temporomandibular joint when the first in-ear portion is placed in the first ear canal, and the other of the first magnet and the first magnetic sensor is provided in the proximal portion or support, e.g., such that under movement of the first TMJ, either the first magnet or the first magnetic sensor is displaced, resulting in a relative movement of the first magnet with respect to the first magnetic sensor.

[0013] The jaw movement tracking system further comprises a processor connected to the first magnetic sensor for receiving measured movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor. The processor may be provided within the first in-ear device, for example in an external portion of the ear, or the processor may be provided separately from the first in-ear device, for example implemented in a portable device such as a wristwatch.

[0014] The processor is configured as follows: - determining a first jaw movement based on the measured movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor, e.g., the first jaw movement is determined based on a model relating magnet movement to jaw movement, e.g., an empirical model; - determining one or more first characteristics of the first jaw movement, e.g., determining a speed of the first jaw movement, a direction of the first jaw movement, an amplitude of the first jaw movement, and a frequency of the first jaw movement based on the determined first jaw movement; - comparing the determined first characteristic with one or more indicator characteristics indicative of a predetermined event to determine an occurrence of the event, e.g., the occurrence of the event is determined when the determined first characteristic has a predetermined overlap with the indicator characteristics, and outputting an event signal when the processor determines the occurrence of the event; and - Outputs an event signal when the processor determines that an event has occurred.

[0015] The processor is configured to determine a first jaw movement based on the measured movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor, and to relate the movement of the first magnet measured by the change in magnetic flux density to the jaw movement. The processor may relate the jaw movement to the measured relative movement using an empirical model, a regression model, or any other type of suitable model. As explained above, the movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor is indicative of the jaw movement because the jaw movement affects the shape of the first ear canal, which affects the position of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor.

[0016] The processor is configured to determine one or more first characteristics of the first jaw movement. For example, the processor may be configured to determine from the determined first jaw movement a speed of the first jaw movement, a direction of the first jaw movement, an amplitude of the first jaw movement, and a frequency of the first jaw movement, which may vary, for example, over time. Thus, the determined first jaw movement results in one or more first characteristics that are characteristics of the jaw movement.

[0017] The processor is further configured to compare the determined first characteristic with one or more indicator characteristics indicative of a predetermined event, e.g., teeth grinding, sleep stage, etc., to determine the occurrence of the event. For example, the occurrence of the event is determined when the determined first characteristic has a predetermined characteristic, e.g., sufficiently overlaps with the indicator characteristic. It has been found that a certain behavior of a person produces a certain characteristic of jaw movement. By comparing the determined first characteristic with one or more indicator characteristics, which may be selected depending on the event to be determined, the processor can determine the occurrence of the event. For example, the processor can be configured to determine the occurrence of a certain event by comparing the first characteristic with different sets of indicator characteristics, e.g., if each set is indicative of a different event, the processor can determine the occurrence of a certain event by examining which set of indicator characteristics overlaps most with the measured first characteristic.

[0018] The processor is further configured to output an event signal, e.g., in the form of a signal to be displayed on a display, when the processor determines an event has occurred. The event signal can include information about the event, e.g., a type of event, an intensity of the event, a duration of the event, a time when the event occurred, etc.

[0019] The object of the present invention is achieved by the jaw movement tracking system by the fact that the movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor is directly related to the movement of the TMJ. Thus, a specific movement of the TMJ can be translated into a specific movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor and measured by the first magnetic sensor. This allows for differentiation between different jaw movements, for example enabling the system to distinguish between various behaviors such as teeth grinding, eating disorders, sleep stages, etc.

[0020] In an embodiment, the in-ear device further comprises: the second in-ear device comprises: a second intra-ear portion configured to be disposed within the second ear canal, the second intra-ear portion comprising a second distal portion made from a shape-conforming material that conforms to a shape of the second ear canal when the second intra-ear portion is disposed within the second ear canal; · A second magnet; a second magnetic sensor that measures the movement of the second magnet relative to the second magnetic sensor by detecting changes in magnetic flux density caused by the movement of the second magnet; wherein the second magnet is provided in the second distal portion, e.g., the second magnet is provided adjacent to the second temporomandibular joint when the second intra-ear portion is placed in the second ear canal, or a magnetic sensor is provided in the distal portion; the processor is coupled to the second magnetic sensor to receive the second measured movement; The processor is further configured to: - determining a second jaw movement based on a second measured movement of the second magnet relative to the second magnetic sensor; - determining one or more second characteristics of the second jaw movement, e.g., determining a speed of the second jaw movement, a direction of the second jaw movement, an amplitude of the second jaw movement, and a frequency of the second jaw movement based on the second jaw movement; - comparing the determined second characteristic to one or more indicative characteristics indicative of a predetermined event to determine an occurrence of the event; and - Outputting an event signal when the processor determines that an event has occurred.

[0021] For some people, it has been found that one or the other ear canal is better suited to track jaw movements. For example, when a person is in bed and lying on their right side, the left ear canal may be better suited to track jaw movements. In another example, a person may move between lying on their right side and lying on their left side. In another example, a person's TMJs have shape changes more pronounced in one ear canal than in the other ear canal. Thus, the system can measure changes in shape of both ear canals by placing a second in-ear device in the second ear canal, so that the first jaw movement can be tracked based on the first ear canal and the second jaw movement can be tracked based on the second ear canal. Both jaw movements then result in one or more characteristics, e.g., first and second characteristics, which are compared to indicator characteristics to determine the occurrence of an event. This allows the system to better determine the occurrence of an event. The second magnet may be any object that generates a magnetic field detectable by the second magnetic sensor, such as a ferromagnetic material, an electromagnet, a suitably dense metal, etc.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the processor is further configured to: - comparing the first characteristic to the second characteristic, for example by comparing which of the determined characteristics is closer to one or more indicator characteristics; and - Determining the relative relevance of the determined characteristics.

[0023] In these embodiments, the processor is configured to determine a relative relevance of the determined characteristics, for example, via a first in-ear device placed in the left ear canal and a second in-ear device placed in the right ear canal, which may be used to determine the occurrence of an event based on a weighted comparison of the first and second characteristics and the indicator characteristic. For example, if the first characteristic is found to be more relevant than the second characteristic because the signal of the first characteristic is stronger, the occurrence of the event may be determined based only on the first characteristic.

[0024] In an embodiment, the predetermined event is one of bruxism, sleep stages, sleep disordered breathing such as apnea or hypopnea, eating, abnormal movement of the temporomandibular joint, biometric authentication via silent voice recognition, jaw movement to provide hands-free jaw gesture control for the device, and smoking. For example, the predetermined event may be one or more of the behaviors of the embodiments. For example, the jaw movement tracking system may be used to determine the identity of a person based on biometric authentication via silent voice recognition. For example, the predetermined event may be a predetermined jaw movement that correlates with a command to the device such that the execution of the jaw movement is detected as a predetermined event and a command is sent to the device.

[0025] In an embodiment, the first magnetic sensor and / or the second magnetic sensor are Hall effect sensors. In other embodiments, the first magnetic sensor and / or the second magnetic sensor may be magnetoresistance elements, Hall effect sensors, and / or multi-pole magnetic sensors. The Hall effect sensor is configured to measure a voltage output proportional to the magnetic flux density detected along the x, y, and z axes, and the voltage output is inversely proportional to the distance between the sensor and the first and / or second magnet. For example, x motion corresponds to jaw protrusion, y motion corresponds to jaw opening and closing, and z motion corresponds to lateral jaw movement. Advantageously, Hall effect sensors are generally small enough and require low enough power to be incorporated into smaller in-ear devices, making them comfortable to wear and reducing the prejudice against using such devices.

[0026] In an embodiment, the first magnetic sensor and / or the second magnetic sensor are configured to determine the relative rotational movement of the first and / or second magnets and / or the relative linear movement of the first and / or second magnets. For example, the first magnet and / or the second magnet may be elongated magnets having one axis relatively longer than the other two axes, such that a measurable change in magnetic flux occurs when the magnet is rotated relative to the first magnetic sensor or the second magnetic sensor.

[0027] In an embodiment, the tracking system further comprises a feedback device connected to the processor, the feedback device configured to provide a feedback stimulus when the feedback device receives an event signal from the processor. The processor may be provided on the feedback device. These embodiments are advantageous because the feedback device may be used to provide a biofeedback stimulus to the user when the user is performing an undesirable behavior, such as teeth grinding. This allows the user to know the behavior and to stop it. This will cause the user to learn not to perform the behavior. The feedback device may also be multiple feedback devices or a single feedback device capable of providing several different feedback stimuli. The feedback may be a strong feedback stimulus that consciously alerts the wearer, or the feedback may be a weak feedback stimulus that unconsciously or subconsciously alerts the wearer, for example a feedback stimulus that stops the event but does not wake the wearer. The feedback device may also be provided in the in-ear device, for example in the form of a speaker, a vibration motor, or an electrical stimulator.

[0028] In an embodiment, the processor is further configured to determine when the event ends, for example by determining when the first and / or second characteristic ceases to match the indicator characteristic. The processor may further determine when the event ends when the first and / or second characteristic falls below the indicator characteristic.

[0029] In a further embodiment, a feedback device is provided in the first in-ear device for providing a feedback stimulus to the first ear canal, for example for providing an audible feedback stimulus to the first ear canal.

[0030] In an embodiment, the strength, frequency, and / or type of feedback stimulation is determined by using a reinforcement learning algorithm. Different people respond differently to biofeedback stimulation. Some wearers may require stronger biofeedback stimulation, while others may require weaker feedback stimulation. By enabling reinforcement learning, e.g., continuous reinforcement learning, the algorithm can deliver and track the effect of various feedback stimulations on the characteristics of an event, for example, identifying the most appropriate timing, strength, frequency, pattern, and / or type of feedback stimulation in reducing the duration and / or intensity of the event. In this way, the feedback stimulation is individualized and variable, and adaptation to the feedback stimulation is prevented.

[0031] In an embodiment, the feedback stimulus is one or more of tactile feedback, an acoustic signal, a mechanical stimulus, and an electrical stimulus.

[0032] In embodiments, the shape-conforming material may be any suitable biocompatible material configured to support a magnet or magnetic sensor within the ear canal and conform its shape to the shape of the ear canal.

[0033] In an embodiment, the first in-ear device further comprises a support portion extending out of the ear channel, for example to support the in-ear device on the ear when the first in-ear portion is placed in the first ear channel. The second in-ear device may also comprise a support portion extending from the second ear canal. For example, the support portions of the first and second in-ear devices may be connected to form a single unit that may be worn in both ear canals.

[0034] In an embodiment, the first magnetic sensor is provided in a support portion of the first in-ear device. Similarly, the second magnetic sensor may be provided in a support portion of the second in-ear device.

[0035] The present invention further relates to a method of tracking jaw movement using the jaw movement tracking system according to the present invention.

[0036] In an embodiment of the method, the method includes: - placement of the first intra-auricular portion into the first ear canal; - measuring a first movement of a first magnet relative to a first magnetic sensor; - determining a first jaw movement based on the measured movement; - determining one or more first characteristics of the first jaw movement; - comparing the determined first characteristic to one or more indicator characteristics; - determining an occurrence of the event based on comparing the determined first characteristic to one or more indicator characteristics; and - Outputting an event signal.

[0037] In a further embodiment of the method, a jaw movement tracking system is used and the processor is further configured to: - comparing the first characteristic to the second characteristic, for example by comparing which of the determined characteristics is closer to one or more indicator characteristics; and - determining the relative relevance of the determined characteristics; The method includes: placing the first intra-ear portion in the first ear canal and the second intra-ear portion in the second ear canal; Measuring a first movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor and measuring a second movement of the second magnet relative to the second magnetic sensor; determining a first jaw movement based on the measured first movement and determining a second jaw movement based on the measured second movement; determining one or more first characteristics of the first jaw movement and determining one or more second characteristics of the second jaw movement; · Comparison of the first property with the second property; Determining the relative relevance of the determined first and second characteristics; · Determining the occurrence of an event based on the most relevant of the first and second characteristics; Event signal output.

[0038] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a jaw movement tracking system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a first in-ear device embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the first in-ear device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the in-ear portion from various angles. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a first distal portion of the first in-ear device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of an example of a first distal portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a graph illustrating the change in magnetic flux density over time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a jaw movement tracking system 1. The tracking system 1 comprises a first in-ear device 2 having a first magnet 5 and a first magnetic sensor 6 for measuring movement of the first magnet 5 relative to the first magnetic sensor 6 by detecting changes in magnetic flux density produced by relative movement. The magnetic sensor 6 is connected to a processor 7 for receiving the measured relative movement. The processor may be powered by a battery 15.

[0041] Either the first magnet 5 or the first magnetic sensor 6 may be provided on the distal portion 4, for example, the first magnet 5 or the first magnetic sensor 6 is provided adjacent to the temporomandibular joint when the first in-ear portion 3 is placed in the first ear canal. Thus, under the movement of the first TMJ, either the first magnet 5 or the first magnetic sensor 6 is displaced, causing a relative movement of the first magnet 5 with respect to the first magnetic sensor 6.

[0042] The processor 7 is configured to determine a first jaw movement, for example, the first jaw movement is determined by the first in-ear device 2 based on the movement of the magnet 5 relative to the magnetic sensor 6. For example, the first jaw movement can be determined based on a computer model, such as an empirical model or a simulation model, where the computer model relates the measured relative movement to the first jaw movement. The processor 7 is further configured to determine one or more first characteristics, for example, determined based on measurements from the first in-ear device 2. The first characteristics may be the speed, direction, amplitude, and frequency of the first jaw movement. The occurrence of the event is determined by comparing the determined first characteristic with one or more indicator characteristics indicative of a predetermined event, such as teeth grinding, eating, or TMJ disorder. For example, the occurrence of the event is determined when the determined first characteristic overlaps, for example, sufficiently overlaps, with the indicator characteristic.

[0043] When the processor 7 determines that an event has occurred, an output signal is generated which, in the case of FIG. 1, is sent to one or more feedback devices 13a,b,c which may for example be a speaker, a vibrator or a wireless communication device.

[0044] In the example of FIG. 1, a first magnet 5 is provided in the distal portion 4, while a processor 7, a first magnetic sensor 6, a battery 15 and feedback devices 13a, b, c are provided in the proximal portion 15.

[0045] 2 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a first in-ear device 2 placed in a first ear canal, the first in-ear device 2 of this embodiment comprising an in-ear portion 3 and a distal portion 4, the distal portion 4 being made of a form-fitting material.

[0046] The distal portion 4 includes either a first magnet 5 or a first magnetic sensor 6 disposed adjacent the TMJ, and the in-ear portion 3 further includes the other of the first magnet 5 and the first magnetic sensor 6 on an opposite side of the distal portion 3, such that relative movement of the magnet 5 with respect to the first magnetic sensor 6 is measurable by the first magnetic sensor 6. The first in-ear device 2 further includes a proximal portion 14 configured to support the first in-ear device within the first ear canal.

[0047] 4 shows the ear portion 3 from various sides showing the first distal portion 4 and the proximal portion 16. As mentioned above, the first magnet 5 or the first magnetic sensor 6 is provided in the first distal portion 4 made of a shape-conforming material, and the other of the first magnet 5 and the first magnetic sensor 6 is provided in the first proximal portion 16. The shape of the in-ear portion may depend on whether the first in-ear portion 3 is designed to be placed in the left or right ear canal.

[0048] 3 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a first in-ear device 3. In this embodiment, a first magnet 5 is provided in the first distal part 4 and a first magnetic sensor 6 is provided in a support part 14 that supports the in-ear device 3 in the ear canal.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of an example of a first distal portion.

[0050] 5 shows an enlarged view of the distal part 4 of the first in-ear device 2. As can be seen from this figure, the first distal part 4 may be detachable from the remainder of the first in-ear part 3, for example from the first proximal part 16. For example, this allows the first distal part 4, which is in most contact with the first ear canal, to be more easily cleaned or replaced. A first magnet 5 or a first magnetic sensor 6 is provided in the first distal part 4.

[0051] 6 , which shows a cross section of the first distal portion 4, the first distal portion 4 comprises a first magnet 5. The first magnet 5 may be embodied as a strip extending across a portion of the inner surface of the first distal portion 4, such that the first magnetic sensor 6 can measure the relative movement of the first magnet 5 due to changes in the shape of the first ear canal.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the change in magnetic flux density over time, where various events are depicted. The figure shows the change in magnetic flux density over time about a single axis, e.g. the x-axis. As can be seen from the graph, different jaw movements result in different measured magnetic flux densities, which can be related by the processor 7 to the occurrence of events. For example, a first portion 17 of the graph is associated with a relaxed jaw, a second portion 18 of the graph is associated with jaw grinding or clenching, a third portion 19 of the graph is associated with yawning, and a fourth portion 20 of the graph is associated with speaking. As can be seen, different jaw movements result in unique signals in the measured magnetic flux density. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Jaw movement tracking system 2. First In-Ear Device 3 First inner ear part 4 First Distal Part 5. First Magnet 6 First magnetic sensor 7 Processors 8 Second In-Ear Device 9 Second inner ear part 10 second distal portion 11 Second Magnet 12 Second magnetic sensor 13 Feedback Device 14 Support part 15 Battery 16 First proximal part

Claims

1. a first intra-ear portion configured to be placed in a first ear canal, the first intra-ear portion having a first distal portion made from a shape-conforming material that conforms to the shape of the first ear canal when the first intra-ear portion is placed in the first ear canal; a first magnet; a first magnetic sensor that measures relative motion of the first magnet with respect to the first magnetic sensor by detecting changes in magnetic flux density caused by the relative motion; a first in-ear device having a processor connected to the first magnetic sensor to receive the measured movement; Equipped with either the first magnet or the first magnetic sensor is provided in the first distal portion; The processor: determining a first jaw movement based on the measured relative movement of the first magnet with respect to the first magnetic sensor; determining one or more first characteristics of the first jaw movement based on the determined first jaw movement; comparing the determined first characteristic with one or more indicative characteristics indicative of a predetermined event to determine an occurrence of the event; A jaw movement tracking system that outputs an event signal when the processor determines that an event has occurred.

2. a second intra-ear portion configured to be placed in a second ear canal, the second intra-ear portion having a second distal portion made from a shape-conforming material that conforms to the shape of the second ear canal when the second intra-ear portion is placed in the second ear canal; and a second magnet; and a second magnetic sensor that measures relative motion of the second magnet with respect to the second magnetic sensor by detecting changes in magnetic flux density caused by the relative motion; and a second in-ear device having either the second magnet or the second magnetic sensor is provided in the second distal portion; the processor is coupled to the second magnetic sensor to receive a second measured relative movement; The processor: determining a second jaw movement based on a second measured movement of the second magnet relative to the second magnetic sensor; determining one or more second characteristics of the second jaw movement based on the determined second jaw movement; comparing the determined second characteristic with one or more indicative characteristics indicative of a predetermined event to determine the occurrence of the event; The jaw movement tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the processor outputs an event signal when the processor determines that an event has occurred.

3. The processor: comparing the first characteristic to the second characteristic; The jaw movement tracking system of claim 2 , further comprising: determining a relative relevance of the determined first characteristic and the determined second characteristic.

4. 2. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined event is one of teeth grinding, sleep stages, sleep breathing episodes, eating, abnormal movements of the temporomandibular joint, providing biometric authentication via silent voice recognition, jaw movement to provide hands-free jaw gesture control for a device, and smoking.

5. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor is a Hall Effect sensor.

6. 3. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor is configured to determine at least one of relative rotational and linear movement of at least one of the first magnet and the second magnet.

7. further comprising a feedback device coupled to the processor; The jaw movement tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback device is configured to provide a feedback stimulus when the feedback device receives the event signal from the processor.

8. 8. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 7, wherein the feedback device is provided in the first in-ear device for providing the feedback stimulus to the first ear canal.

9. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 7 , wherein one or more of the intensity, frequency, and type of the feedback stimulus are determined by using a reinforcement learning algorithm.

10. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 7 , wherein the feedback stimulus is one or more of tactile feedback, an acoustic signal, a mechanical stimulus, and an electrical stimulus.

11. 2. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 1, wherein the shape-conforming material is a suitable biocompatible material configured to support the magnet or magnetic sensor within the ear canal and conform its shape to the shape of the ear canal.

12. 2. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 1, wherein the first in-ear device further comprises a support portion extending from the ear canal when the first in-ear portion is positioned within the first ear canal.

13. 13. The jaw movement tracking system of claim 12, wherein the first magnetic sensor is located in the support portion of the first in-ear device.

14. A method for tracking jaw movement using a jaw movement tracking system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. placing the first intra-ear portion in the first ear canal; measuring a first movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor; determining the first jaw movement based on the measured first movement; determining one or more first characteristics of the first jaw movement; comparing the determined first characteristic to one or more of the indicator characteristics; determining an occurrence of an event based on comparing the determined first characteristic to one or more of the indicator characteristics; 15. A method for tracking jaw movement according to claim 14, further comprising outputting an event signal.

16. placing the first intra-ear portion in the first ear canal and the second intra-ear portion in the second ear canal; measuring the first movement of the first magnet relative to the first magnetic sensor and measuring the second movement of the second magnet relative to the second magnetic sensor; determining the first jaw movement based on the measured first movement, and determining the second jaw movement based on the measured second movement; determining one or more first characteristics of the first jaw movement and determining one or more second characteristics of the second jaw movement; comparing the first characteristic with the second characteristic; determining a relative relevance of the determined first characteristic and the determined second characteristic; determining an occurrence of an event based on a most relevant one of the first characteristic and the second characteristic; 15. A method for tracking jaw movement according to claim 14, using a jaw movement tracking system according to claim 3 to output the event signal.

Images