Ear-mounted device

Abstract

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

1 . A load bearing ear unit, comprising an anchor for stable attachment in an ear, and a member extending from the anchor, wherein said anchor comprises a rotational stabiliser, thereby stabilizing said member. 
     
     
         2 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing unit forming an attachment connecting said member to said anchor. 
     
     
         3 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 1 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is adapted to stabilize said member in the sagittal plane. 
     
     
         4 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 1 , wherein said anchor comprises an arm adapted as a decremental curve corresponding to the antihelix of the ear, wherein said decremental curve falls along an inner part of the antihelix and is partly positioned under the antitragus. 
     
     
         5 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 4 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is an end that extends into a cavity formed between the antihelix and root of helix. 
     
     
         6 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 3 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is a protrusion having an end adapted to engage with an end surface of fossa triangularis. 
     
     
         7 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 3 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is a protrusion adapted to abut intertragic notch. 
     
     
         8 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 1 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is adapted to stabilize said member in the transverse plane. 
     
     
         9 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 8 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is an extra member abutting a part of pinna. 
     
     
         10 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 8 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is a tragus support adapted to abut incisura anterior. 
     
     
         11 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 8 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is a sulcus support adapted to abut sulcus auriculae posterior. 
     
     
         12 . The load bearing ear unit of  claim 8 , wherein said rotational stabiliser is a temple support adapted to abut temple. 
     
     
         13 . An ear-mounted optical device, comprising: i) a load bearing ear unit, and ii) one of the group including flash light, display unit, VR device, IrDA-device, photo diode, and camera, wherein said load-bearing ear unit comprises an anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a member extending from the anchor, and wherein said anchor comprises a rotational stabiliser thereby stabilizing said member. 
     
     
         14 . The load bearing unit of  claim 1 , wherein said member further comprises a connector for mechanical connectivity. 
     
     
         15 . The load bearing unit of  claim 14 , wherein said connector is rotatably adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The load bearing unit of  claim 14 , wherein said connector is a magnet. 
     
     
         17 . The load bearing unit of  claim 1 , wherein said member further comprises a connector for power connectivity. 
     
     
         18 . The load bearing unit of  claim 1 , wherein said member further comprises a connector for data connectivity. 
     
     
         19 . The load bearing unit of  claim 17 , wherein said connector is one of the group including an audio jack, an audio jack socket, a USB socket, and a USB plug. 
     
     
         20 . An ear-mounted EEG device, comprising a first anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a first member extending forward from the anchor, wherein the first anchor further comprises a first EEG electrode, and wherein the first member further comprises a temple support adapted to be a second EEG electrode. 
     
     
         21 . An ear-mounted EEG device of  claim 20 , further comprising a second anchor and extended therefrom a second member, wherein said second anchor comprises a third EEG electrode. 
     
     
         22 . An ear-mounted EEG device of  claim 21 , wherein said second member comprises a second temple support adapted to be a fourth EEG electrode. 
     
     
         23 . An ear-mounted EEG device of  claim 22 , further comprising a nose support, adapted to connect the first and second members. 
     
     
         24 . An ear-mounted device comprising a load bearing ear unit and a sensor, wherein said load bearing ear unit comprises an anchor for stable attachment in an ear and a member extending from said anchor, and wherein said anchor further comprises a sensor adapted to detect signals when said ear-mounted device is worn by a user, from a part of the user's ear. 
     
     
         25 . A ear-mounted device of  claim 24 , wherein said member further comprises a second sensor adapted to detect signals when said ear-mounted device is worn by a user, from a part of the user's head.