Apparatus for measuring biological information and earphone having the same

Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring biological information and an earphone having the same for contacting with a uniform pressure a user body part using an elastic member. The apparatus includes a first housing; a second housing foldably connected with the first housing; a third housing foldably connected with the second housing and provided with a sensor for measuring the biological information; a plurality of joint parts for connecting the housings to be folded or unfolded to each other; one or more locking parts for restraining or releasing the housings to be folded or unfolded to each other; and the elastic member for applying the same pressure to make the sensor contact with the user's body by enabling the respective housings to be folded or unfolded using a stress-strain.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to an application entitled “Apparatus for Measuring Biological Information and Earphone Having the Same” filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Dec. 15, 2008 and assigned Ser. No. 10-2008-0127461, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring biological information and an earphone incorporating the apparatus having a sensor for measuring biological information by contact with a portion of a user's body.

2. Description of the Related Art

Measurement of biological information obtained from blood streams of a human body, such as a pulse rate, a number of heartbeats or the like, is performed using a variety of conventional devices of a variety of shapes or sizes, often miniaturized in a portable size or incorporated into other products.

For example, a measuring apparatus is provided in which a pulse sensor is installed within a wristwatch. When a user touches the pulse sensor using an inner surface of his/her fingertip, the pulse sensor optically detects a pulse count, and the pulse rate is displayed of the wristwatch.

The conventional apparatus for measuring the biological information as described above will typically use an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor designed to measure the pulse rate by detecting signals using a multi-polar electrode. Further, a photo sensor has been disclosed to measure the biological information that irradiates light onto a skin surface of the user's body via a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and detects reflected light, observing scattering of light within the user's body via a Photo Diode (PD).

WO/2005/034742, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, is an example of a conventional apparatus for measuring the biological information. When this apparatus is used as a sensor for measuring the pulse rate using a transmission-type photo sensor applied to an earlobe, the sensor is adapted to compress the earlobe using pincers, that typically include two arms, a pivot and a spring.

However, the conventional ECG sensor needs to employ an electrode made from a conductive material or a special pad on which a high viscosity material, such as a gel, is applied. In addition, in order to perform a test while the user is exercising, the conventional ECG sensor must be installed on the user's body in a location, such as the chest, where muscles move. Further, it is difficult to obtain the number of heartbeats due to the disturbance of the ECG signals by the electromyogram (EGM) signal.

Special clothing, such as a bio-shirt, has been developed for use when tests are performed during exercise. However, use of such special clothing is inconvenient.

In order to solve the drawbacks described above, studies have been published for miniaturizing measuring devices for collecting biological information. As a result, an apparatus which can be mounted on an earphone using the structure of the user's ear has been developed.

When the apparatus for measuring the biological information is installed on the earphone, the apparatus adopts a measuring method to check the biological information with a transmission-type sensor positioned in an earflap of the user. However, such apparatus has drawbacks in that a significant amount of noise is generated by relative movement of the earphone against the user's skull. However, this relative movement is difficult to prevent due to the physical proximity of the earlobe to the skull and the weight of the earphone.

To solve the problems caused by the relative movement due to the weight of the earphone as described above, a lightweight chip of a sensor part is separated from the apparatus when the apparatus is in use. However, such construction is inconvenient in that the user must additionally care for the lightweight chip. A method to mount the chip in the earlobe of the user has also been proposed, but is structurally complicated due to its construction using a heavy earphone and an additional chip, making transport of the apparatus inconvenient.

As another way of solving the above drawbacks, an apparatus is provided in which the sensor part is completely inserted in the user's ear. Such apparatus, however, has disadvantages in that the user cannot listen to music because the apparatus interferes with an earphone function.

The above-described pincer-type apparatus is inconvenient to use since the spring force will vary depending on thickness and length of a user's earlobe, and further it is very difficult to obtain exact measurements.

Moreover, more space is needed due to the configuration of the pincer-type, and there is a practical inconvenience for the user because opening operations of the pincers for inserting the sensor part are totally contradicted with operations for inserting the earphone, when the apparatus is incorporated with the earphone.

Hence, there is a need for an apparatus capable that accurately measures exact biological information by elimination of the pressure difference caused by thickness and length variations in user earlobes, allowing the sensor to contact the earlobe with uniform pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of conventional devices, and the present invention provides an apparatus for measuring biological information and an earphone having the same which can reduce a signal deviation of the biological information due to the difference in the thickness and length of the user's body part and obtain a signal in its optimal state. In the present invention, a sensor apparatus is provided that contacts the user's body part with a uniform pressure for measuring biological information.

The present invention provides an earphone including an apparatus for measuring biological information. The present invention is constructed from a reduced number of components, thereby facilitating lower cost manufacture, and can be installed within a small space.

Further, the present invention provides an apparatus for measuring biological information and an earphone having the same which allows a product to be conveniently operated by providing a locking part to restrain or release folding or unfolding operations of a housing with a sensor for measuring the biological information using an elastic member.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for measuring biological information, including a first housing; a second housing foldably connected with the first housing; a third housing foldably connected with the second housing and provided with a sensor for measuring the biological information; a plurality of joint parts provided between the respective housings for connecting the housings to be folded or unfolded to each other; one or more locking parts provided between the respective housings for restraining or releasing the housings to be folded or unfolded to each other; and an elastic member provided within the respective housings and joint parts, which applies a same pressure to make the sensor contact with the user's body by enabling the respective housings to be folded or unfolded using a stress-strain which tends to return to its initial state when the locking part is restrained or released.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same elements will be designated by the same reference numerals although they are shown in different drawings. Further, various specific definitions found in the following description, such as specific values of packet identifications, contents of displayed information to provide a general understanding of the present invention. Further, in the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 7, an apparatus10for measuring biological information includes first, second and third housings,20,30and40, a plurality of joint parts50, a locking part (FIGS. 1,6and7), and an elastic member70(FIG. 3).

The first housing20is connected with one end of the second housing30so that the second housing30can be folded or unfolded against the first housing20. The second housing30is connected with one end of the third housing40such that the third housing40can be folded or unfolded against the second housing30. The third housing40is connected with the other end of the second housing30and provided with a Light Emitting Diode (LED)2aof a sensor2(FIGS. 5(b)-5(d)) for measuring the biological information, when in contact with an earlobe of the user.

The joint parts50are provided between the first, second and third housings,20,30and40, which allow the first, second and third housings,20,30and40to be foldably or unfoldably connected therewith, respectively. The locking part60is disposed between the first, second and third housings,20,30and40, to restrain or release the first, second and third housings,20,30and40in a folded state. The elastic member70is provided within the respective first, second and third housings,20,30and40, and the joint parts50, to apply a uniform pressure bringing the LED2ainto contact with the user's earlobe3, and enable the respective housings20,30and40to unfolded when the locking part60is released.

The apparatus10is applied to an earphone1as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, and is applicable to a variety of other small electronic devices, such as an information transmission device, a multimedia device or the like which can be in contact with the user's body portion.

Referring toFIG. 2(a), the first housing20is installed in a mounting groove1aformed in the earphone1, which makes it possible for the user to listen to music as well as measure the number of his/her heartbeats.

As shown inFIG. 1, the joint parts50include first and second joint parts,51and52, respectively. The first joint part51is provided between the respective ends of the first and second housings,20and30, connecting the first housing20with the second housing30and enabling the second housing30to fold and unfold against the first housing20. The second joint part52is provided between the respective ends of the second and third housings,30and40, connecting the second housing30with the third housing40and enabling the folding and unfolding. The first and second joint parts51and52have smaller thickness than the respective housings20,30and40, facilitate folding and unfolding.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4(a) through4(c), the elastic member70is designed to receive a constant force, and to be deformed up to about 8% of the strain.

As shown inFIGS. 1,6, and7, locking part60includes first and second locking parts61and62, respectively. The first locking part61is provided between opposite facing sides of the first and second housings,20and30, to restrain the first housing20to the second housing30. When the user presses first and second pressing members,61aand61b, which are exposed outside of the first housing20, the second housing30unfolds from the first housing20.

The second locking part62is provided between opposite facing sides of the second and third housings,30and40, to restrain the third housing40to the second housing30. The second and third housings,30and40, are retained by the first locking part61.

Referring toFIGS. 6(a) to6(d), the first locking part61includes the first and second pressing members61aand61b, a hook part61c, and a pair of wire latch parts61d. The first and second pressing members61aand61bare exposed outside of the first housing20and are designed to expand or shrink the pair of wire latch parts61dby pressing down the first and second pressing members61aand61b. The hook part61cis provided on one side of the second housing30to hook on one of the wire latch parts61dand to release therefrom upon rotation of the second housing30. One of the wire latch parts61dis disposed at a location corresponding to the hook part61c, and between the first and second pressing members61aand61b. A central portion of the wire latch parts61dexpands or shrinks in the opposite directions to hook or release the hook part61cwhen the first and second pressing members61aand61bare pressed by the user. The hook part61cis formed with a guide ramp601for helping one of the wire latch parts61dsmoothly engage the hook part61cwhen the latter is brought into contact with the former.

The wire latch parts61dare formed in a semi-sphere shape from a soft material to allow easy expansion or shrinking when pressed.

FIGS. 7(a) to7(c) show first and second engaging members62aand62bof the second locking part62. The first engaging member62ais provided on one side of the second housing30to hook the second engaging member62b. The second engaging member62bis provided at a location corresponding to the first engaging member62aon one side of the third housing40. The second engaging member62bcomes in contact with an outer protrusion Al of the earphone1and is engaged with the latter or released therefrom to fold or unfold the second and third housings30and40when the second and third housings30and40are rotated by the elastic member70. One end of the first engaging member62ais in the form of the semi-sphere in order to easily disengage from a ridge602formed on one end of the second engaging member62b. The ridge602hooked on and released from the first engaging member62a.

Referring now toFIGS. 3,4(a),4(b), and4(c), the elastic member70is composed of first, second and third elastic parts71,72and73and a plurality of elastic joints74. The first elastic part71is provided in the first housing20and can be folded to or unfolded from the second elastic part72. The second elastic part72is provided in the second housing30for applying a stress strain which can return itself to its initial state, to fold to or unfolded from the first elastic part71along with the second housing30. Further, the third elastic part73is provided in the third housing40for providing a stress strain which can return itself to its initial state, to fold or unfold from the second elastic part72along with the third housing40.

A plurality of elastic joints74are provided in the joint parts50, between the first, second and third elastic parts71,72and73, to connect the first, second and third elastic parts71,72and73, and to apply a stress strain to return the first, second and third elastic parts71,72and73to their initial states. The elastic joint74has a smaller thickness than those of the elastic parts71,72and73to provide a stress strain for returning the latter to their initial states.

The first housing20is formed with an engaging groove21to receive the first locking part61.

Operations of the apparatus for measuring the biological information and the earphone having the same in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIGS. 1 through 7.

As shown inFIGS. 1,2(a),2(b) and2(c), the inventive apparatus10is provided with the sensor2for measuring the biological information. The sensor2is preferably a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor or a transmission-type sensor, which is used to obtain the number of heartbeats, typically during a user's exercise state, measuring an amount of exercise, and checking/removing the stress of the user. The sensor2for measuring the biological information includes LED2aand a Photo Diode (PD)2b(FIGS. 5(b)-5(c)).

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 7, the apparatus10for measuring the biological information includes the first, second and third housings,20,30and40, a plurality of joint parts50, a locking part60, and the elastic member70. The joint parts50are composed of first and second joint parts51and52, respectively. The first joint part51is provided between the first and second housings20and30, while the second joint part52is provided between the second and third housings30and40.

The elastic member70is provided within the respective housings20,30and40and the joint parts50. Here, the elastic member70includes the first elastic part71provided in the first housing20, the second elastic part72provided in the second housing30, the third elastic part73provided in the third40, and a plurality of elastic joints74provided in the first and second joint parts51and52.

It can be noted that the LED2aof the sensor2for measuring the biological information is provided at the third housing40, while the PD2bis disposed on the earphone1positioned at an opposite side of the user's earlobe3, as shown inFIGS. 5(b)-5(c).

The first locking part61is disposed in the engaging groove21formed in the first housing20, while the second locking part62is provided between the second and third housings30and40. In this state, as shown inFIG. 2(a), the first housing20of the apparatus10is installed in the mounting groove1aformed in the earphone1. Then, the user puts the earphone1having the inventive apparatus10for measuring the biological information into his/her ear, as shown inFIGS. 2(b) and2(c).

It should be noted here that the earphone1is in close contact with the earlobe3of the user, and the PD2binstalled within the earphone1also makes contact with the earlobe3. When the user presses both the first and second pressing members61aand61bof the first locking part61, the central portion of a pair of wire latch parts61ddisposed between the first and second pressing members61aand61bexpands in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the hook part61cprovided at one side of the second housing30is released from a pair of wire latch parts61. At the same time, the second and third housings30and40are released from their restraint state by the first housing20, rotating against the first housing20to be unfolded.

The second and third elastic parts72and73received within the second and third housings30and40, then respectively rotate the second and third housings30and40, using the stress strain to return the second and third housings30and40to their initial states.

Referring toFIGS. 5(c) and5(d), the elastic joint74provided between the second and third elastic parts72and73and the first and second elastic parts71and72shows its stress strain with inclination to be returned to its initial state.

As shown inFIGS. 7(a) to7(c), the second and third housings30and40rotate around the plurality of joint parts50to unfold, and then the third housing40comes in contact with the protrusion A1formed outside of the earphone1. At this moment, both the first engaging member62aformed on the second housing30and the second engaging member62bformed on the third housing40disengage from each other, allowing the third housing40to rotate and unfold from the second housing30. Here, the third housing40is rotated and unfolded by the second joint part52. In addition, the third elastic part73of the elastic member70rotates the third housing40using its stress strain with inclination to return to its initial state.

Referring toFIG. 5(d), the light emitting diode2aof the sensor2for measuring the biological information provided in the third housing40makes contact with the user's earlobe3to provide a uniform pressure. The LED2ais provided at the opposite position from the PD2b, at opposite sides of the user's earlobe3. The third housing40brings the LED2ainto contact with the user's earlobe3with a uniform pressure, regardless of the difference in thickness and length of the earlobe3, which makes it possible to reduce the signal deviation of the user's biological information and pick up an exact signal in an optimal status.

Meanwhile, the first and second joint parts51and52have a smaller thickness than those of the respective housings20,30and40. Similarly, the elastic joint74is formed in a smaller thickness than those of the first, second and third elastic parts71,72and73.

When the elastic joint74is manufactured with a cross-sectional thickness, for example 0.5 mm×0.5 mm, the LED2aof the third housing40will contact with the user's earlobe3with a force of 0.5 N. Here, the thickness of the elastic joint74is not limited to 0.5 mm, but may be less or more than 0.5 mm.

The cross-sectional thickness of the respective elastic parts71,72and73and the elastic joint74are preferably set more than 2.0 mm×0.5 mm, to increase their inertia values of the second moment.

With different thicknesses for the respective elastic parts71,72and73and the elastic joint74, the inertia value of the second moment due to rotation when the second and third housings30and40are folded or unfolded can be increased, thereby improving the folding or unfolding operation of the second and third housings30and40.

The disengaging operation of the inventive apparatus10for measuring the biological information is now described. Referring toFIGS. 1 through 7a,7band7c, the earphone1is first withdrawn from the user's ear. The third housing40is folded onto the second housing30, and the second engaging member62bof the third housing40is hooked and secured to the first engaging member62aof the second housing30, whereby the third housing40is restrained to the second housing30.

In the above folded state, as shown inFIGS. 6(a) to6(c), the second and third housings30and40are folded to each other, and the hook part61cof the second housing30is engaged and secured to a pair of wire latch parts61dof the first housing20. Since the hook part61cis provided with the guide ramp601, the hook part61cis smoothly guided along the latter and secured to the wire latch parts61dwhen it is coupled with the wire latch parts61d.

The second and third housings30and40are restrained together to the first housing20in the folded state. At this moment, both the second and third elastic parts72and73and the elastic joint74are folded together with the second and third housings30and40, and further restrained in the folded state.

The embodiments of the apparatus for measuring biological information and the earphone having the same set forth hereinabove have been presented for illustrative purposes only and, therefore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims.