Earbuds That Change Music Beat to Match Your Running Pace
This patent describes earbuds with built-in motion sensors that detect a user's walking or running speed and automatically adjust the beat or rhythm of music playing from a connected device to match that pace.
Original patent title: “Magnetic earphones holder”
This patent describes earbuds with built-in motion sensors that detect a user's walking or running speed and automatically adjust the beat or rhythm of music playing from a connected device to match that pace. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a system where small motion sensors, called accelerometers, are placed inside earbuds or earphones. These sensors detect how fast a user is moving, like when they are running or walking, as described in the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →. Based on this detected pace, the earbuds send a signal to a connected electronic device, such as a smartphone. The electronic device then uses this signal to change the beat or rhythm of the audio it is playing, either speeding it up or slowing it down to match the user's current pace. For example, if a runner speeds up, the music's beat would also increase to keep them motivated.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover systems that adjust audio based on biometric data like heart rate or breathing, as the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more → specifies pace detected by accelerometers.
- Does not cover earbuds that only track a user's pace without also adjusting the audio's beat or rhythm.
- Does not cover adjusting aspects of audio other than its beat or rhythm, such as volume or genre.
- Does not cover pace detection systems that use sensors located elsewhere on the body, like a smartwatch or a chest strap, rather than within earbuds or earphones.
- Does not cover systems where the audio adjustment happens entirely within the earbud without sending a signal to a separate, remotely connected electronic device.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the direct, real-time feedback loop: using accelerometers in earbuds to sense a user's moving pace and then automatically adjusting the beat or rhythm of the playing audio to match that pace.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Fitness tracking apps that integrate with music services
Smart earbuds with built-in activity tracking
Personalized running coaches that adapt to user performance
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology aims to make exercise more engaging by synchronizing music with a user's physical activity. By automatically adjusting music to match a runner's pace, it could help maintain motivation and improve workout consistency. This approach could enhance the user experience for fitness enthusiasts and integrate more deeply with personal training programs.
Filed
May 1, 2023
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung, which produce smart earbuds and integrate fitness tracking into their ecosystems, are actively developing technologies that enhance user experience during exercise. Fitness-focused brands such as Garmin and Bose also explore ways to make audio devices more intelligent and responsive to physical activity.
Market impact
This type of technology contributes to the growing market for personalized fitness experiences and smart wearables. It could lead to more sophisticated integrations between audio playback devices and fitness tracking applications, potentially making workouts more immersive. While not creating an entirely new market, it enhances existing product categories like smart earbuds and fitness apps by offering a more dynamic and responsive audio experience.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a system where small motion sensors, called accelerometers, are placed inside earbuds or earphones. These sensors detect how fast a user is moving, like when they are running or walking, as described in the abstract. Based on this detected pace, the earbuds send a signal to a connected electronic device, such as a smartphone. The electronic device then uses this signal to change the beat or rhythm of the audio it is playing, either speeding it up or slowing it down to match the user's current pace. For example, if a runner speeds up, the music's beat would also increase to keep them motivated.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the direct, real-time feedback loop: using accelerometers in earbuds to sense a user's moving pace and then automatically adjusting the beat or rhythm of the playing audio to match that pace.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover systems that adjust audio based on biometric data like heart rate or breathing, as the abstract specifies pace detected by accelerometers.
- Does not cover earbuds that only track a user's pace without also adjusting the audio's beat or rhythm.
- Does not cover adjusting aspects of audio other than its beat or rhythm, such as volume or genre.
- Does not cover pace detection systems that use sensors located elsewhere on the body, like a smartwatch or a chest strap, rather than within earbuds or earphones.
- Does not cover systems where the audio adjustment happens entirely within the earbud without sending a signal to a separate, remotely connected electronic device.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 16.6 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Earbuds That Change Music Beat to Match Your Running Pace (U.S. Patent No. 12,739,554). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12739554/magnetic-earphones-holder
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Earbuds That Change Music Beat to Match Your Running Pace cover?
This patent describes earbuds with built-in motion sensors that detect a user's walking or running speed and automatically adjust the beat or rhythm of music playing from a connected device to match that pace.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology aims to make exercise more engaging by synchronizing music with a user's physical activity. By automatically adjusting music to match a runner's pace, it could help maintain motivation and improve workout consistency. This approach could enhance the user experience for fitness enthusiasts and integrate more deeply with personal training programs.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover systems that adjust audio based on biometric data like heart rate or breathing, as the abstract specifies pace detected by accelerometers.
Patent monitoring