Improvements in or relating to earpieces

An apparatus for detecting ear structure movements or changes, or changes in pressure in an ear-canal of a user, in order to control or affect a function of an associated device, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a sensor apparatus that is configured to be worn by said user to be located in or adjacent the ear-canal of said user, the sensor apparatus including at least one sensor being located and configured to detect and capture sensor data relating to middle ear, ear-drum complex, ear-drum margin, and/or other ear structure movements or changes of characteristics, or changes in pressure in the ear-canal of said user;
• and
• a processor for processing and analysing the sensor data from the sensor apparatus, wherein the processor is configured to analyze sensor data concerning:
• (i) eye movement or directional auditory attention or focus data, by analysing data relating to a degree, speed, size of movement or change, or duration of movement of the middle-ear, ear-drum complex, ear-drum margin, and/or associated ear structures, or changes of pressure in the ear-canal;
• and/or
• (ii) voluntary control data, by analysing data relating to a degree, speed, size of movement or change, or duration of movement of the middle-ear, ear-drum complex, ear-drum margin, and/or associated ear structures, or changes of pressure in the ear-canal;
• such that, through identification of change(s) or difference(s) in the sensor data, the apparatus is capable of controlling or affecting the function of the associated device.

A method for detecting ear structure movements or changes, or changes in pressure in an ear-canal of a user, in order to control or affect a function of an associated device, wherein the method comprises:

• detecting and capturing sensor data from a sensor apparatus worn by the user located in or adjacent an ear-canal of the user, the sensor apparatus including at least one sensor being located and configured to detect and capture sensor data relating to middle ear, ear-drum complex, ear-drum margin, and/or other ear structure movements or changes of characteristics, or changes in pressure in the ear-canal of said user;
• processing and analysing the sensor data concerning:
• (i) eye movement or directional auditory attention or focus data, by analysing data relating to a degree, speed, size of movement or change, or duration of movement of the middle-ear, ear-drum complex, ear-drum margin, and/or associated ear structures, or changes of pressure in the ear-canal;
• and/or
• (ii) voluntary control data, by analysing data relating to a degree, speed, size of movement or change, or duration of movement of the middle-ear, ear-drum complex, ear-drum margin, and/or associated ear structures, or changes of pressure in the ear-canal;
• and
• utilising identified change(s) or difference(s) in the sensor data to control or affect the function of the associated device.