Stand-alone multifunctional earphone for sports activities

A method comprising:

• acquiring motion data by means of a motion sensor unit;
• acquiring physiological data by means of a physiological sensor unit;
• generating performance data based on the motion data and the physiological data by means of a data processing unit, the performance data comprising at least a first parameter value and a second parameter value, wherein the first parameter value includes data indicative of distance, speed, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, pace, or number of steps, and wherein the second parameter value includes data indicative of distance, speed, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, pace, or number of steps;
• generating a first audio signal based on the first parameter value at a first location in 3D space relative to a user and a second audio signal based one the second parameter value at a second location in 3D space related to the user by means of a signal processing unit;
• and
• outputting the first audio signal and the second audio signal by means of a loudspeaker,
• wherein the motion sensor unit, the physiological sensor unit, the loudspeaker, the data processing unit, and the signal processing unit are incorporated in a housing configured to be carried in an ear.

An apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to be carried in an ear,
• a motion sensor unit configured to detect motion data, wherein the motion sensor unit is comprised of at least one accelerometer;
• a physiological sensor unit configured to detect physiological data;
• a data processing unit configured to receive motion data from the motion sensor unit and physiological data from the physiological sensor unit and generate performance data based on the motion data and the physiological data, wherein the data processing unit is operatively connected to the motion sensor unit and the physiological sensor unit;
• a signal processing unit operatively connected to the data processing unit configured to generate an audio signal in a first location in 3D space relative to a user based on at least one value of the generated performance data, wherein the at least one value includes a value indicative of distance, speed, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, pace, or number of steps;
• a loudspeaker for outputting the generated audio signal;
• a first microphone arranged in the housing to detect user speech;
• a second microphone arranged in the housing to detect ambient sound;
• a memory for storing the performance data generated by the data processing unit and pre-stored audio data;
• a communication unit integrated within the housing and configured for wireless communication with an external device;
• wherein the signal processing unit is configured to modify the pre-stored audio data in dependency of the at least one value of the performance data;
• wherein the signal processing unit is configured to generate a second audio signal in a second location in 3D space relative to the user based on the modified pre-stored audio data;
• wherein the motion sensor unit, the physiological sensor unit, the loudspeaker, the data processing unit, the memory and the signal processing unit are incorporated in the housing.