Intelligent earplug system

Abstract

A novel method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for an earplug device. The earplug device comprises an earplug, a speaker, sensors, affixing means for a cable that goes to the electronics base through the earplug, and at least one wireless transmission module that communicates with at least one electronic device.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A system comprising:
 an earphone comprising:
 an earplug, 
 a processor, 
 a wireless interface, 
 a battery, and 
 a speaker; and 
   an electronic device separate from the earphone and in communication with the earphone via the wireless interface; wherein   the processor of the earphone is configured to:
 receive notifications from the external electronic device, and 
 cause the speaker to produce sounds based on the notifications; and 
   the electronic device is configured to provide a user interface allowing a user to specify which applications executing on the electronic device shall provide notifications to the earphone.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the electronic device is further configured to provide, to the earphone, GPS information available to the electronic device, and   the processor of the earphone is configured to cause the speaker to produce sounds based on the GPS information.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the electronic device is configured to provide a user interface allowing a user to specify a set of contacts from a list of contacts known to the electronic device, such that only calls from the specified contacts result in call notifications being sent to the earphone.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the processor of the earphone and the electronic device are configured to communicate over the wireless interface at a rate lower than a rate used for transmitting data, when data is not being transmitted, to maximize battery life of the earphone. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the processor of the electronic device is further configured to determine a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a connection to the earphone, and to use the RSSI to track the location of the earphone. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 in an electronic device in communication with an earphone separate from the wireless device via a wireless interface,
 providing a user interface allowing a user to specify which applications executing on the electronic device shall provide notifications to the earphone; and 
   in the earphone, receive notifications from the external electronic device, and cause a speaker of the earphone to produce sounds based on the notifications.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 in the electronic device, providing, to the earphone, GPS information available to the electronic device, and   in the earphone, causing the speaker to produce sounds based on the GPS information.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 in the electronic device,
 providing a user interface allowing a user to specify a set of contacts from a list of contacts known to the electronic device, and 
 only sending call notifications to the earphone for calls from the specified contacts. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 in both the earphone and the electronic device, communicating over the wireless interface at a rate lower than a rate used for transmitting data, when data is not being transmitted, to maximize battery life of the earphone.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 in the electronic device, determining a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a connection to the earphone, and   using the RSSI to track the location of the earphone.