Patent 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.

Full 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&#39;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. 
         [0000]    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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6