Smart ring including a rotating roller key

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of wearable device as smart ring based on rotatable scroll key can control multiple electronic equipment, the smart ring includes: annular body part (110), forms the insertion area for finger insertion;Annular scroll key (120), is rotatably arranged in the outer circumferential surface of the body part (110);Sensor part, is arranged in the body part (110), for sensing and detecting the action of the scroll key (120);Controller (210), is arranged in the body part (110), according to the detection signal of the sensor part (200) generates control signal for controlling electronic equipment;And cover body part (131) (132), assembly to the body part (110) to constitute appearance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a smart ring that serves as a wearable input device, based on a 360° rotatable scroll wheel button that can control various electronic devices. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a smart ring is a wearable device focused on health and fitness management. It has built-in photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, skin temperature sensors, accelerometers, etc. on its exterior, interior, and fingers. Some smart rings also have external displays or touch sensors to perform simple input.

[0003] However, the ability of such a smart ring to freely control electronic devices like a television (TV) remote control or input device is greatly limited, and its complex structure, including display devices or multiple buttons, touch panels, etc., presents a problem.

[0004] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0015050 (Publication Date: February 12, 2016) Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a smart ring based on a 360° rotatable wheel key, which can be used to conveniently and intuitively control a variety of electronic devices.

[0007] Solution to the problem

[0008] To achieve this purpose, the smart ring according to the present invention includes: an annular body portion forming an insertion area for inserting a finger; an annular scroll wheel button rotatably disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion; a sensor portion disposed on the body portion for sensing and detecting the action of the scroll wheel button; a controller disposed on the body portion for generating a control signal for controlling an electronic device based on the detection signal from the sensor portion; and a cover portion assembled to the body portion to form an appearance.

[0009] Preferably, the body portion includes: an inner cover; and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cover and including the controller.

[0010] More preferably, the smart ring further includes: a plurality of dome keys disposed on the flexible PCB to apply signals to the controller; and a key pad corresponding to the dome keys and having a plurality of button hinges protruding on its inner circumferential surface, and disposed between the body and the scroll wheel button.

[0011] Preferably, it includes a ball bearing disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the roller button to facilitate smooth rotation of the roller button.

[0012] More preferably, the sensor unit further includes a rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation amount of the scroll wheel button. More preferably, the rotation detection unit includes: a first magnetic body disposed at the scroll wheel button; a plurality of conductive patterns formed on the flexible PCB; and a second magnetic body magnetically coupled to the first magnetic body and rotatable along the flexible PCB. The first magnetic body and the second magnetic body rotate synchronously, thereby making adjacent conductive patterns conductive according to the position of the second magnetic body to detect the rotation amount.

[0013] More preferably, the sensor unit further includes a gesture detection unit for detecting gestures.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] The smart ring according to the present invention includes an annular body forming an insertion area for inserting a finger, an annular roller button rotatably disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the body, a sensor part disposed on the body for sensing and detecting the movement of the roller button, a controller disposed on the body for generating control signals for controlling electronic devices based on the detection signals from the sensor part, and a cover part assembled to the body to form an appearance, thereby realizing a ring shape, which is convenient to wear and carry. In addition, it also has the following effect: when worn on the finger, the user can easily control various functions of the electronic device by simply rotating the roller button. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a planar configuration diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an exploded three-dimensional structural diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of line AA.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the BB line.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the button function of the scroll wheel button in a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the rotation amount detection unit of the scroll button of the smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 Figures (a) and (b) are used to illustrate examples of using a smart ring according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a smart ring according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The specific structures and functionalities described in the embodiments of this invention are merely illustrative for the purpose of illustrating embodiments based on the concept of the invention. Embodiments based on the concept of the invention can be implemented in various forms. Furthermore, they should not be construed as limiting the embodiments described in this specification, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions contained within the spirit and technical scope of this invention.

[0027] On the other hand, the terminology used in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention. Unless the context clearly implies otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions. In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" should be understood to specify the presence of a particular feature, number, step, action, constituent element, part, or combination thereof, without precluding the presence or additional possibilities of one or more other features or numbers, steps, actions, constituent elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a plan view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is an exploded three-dimensional structural diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The cross-sectional composition diagram of line AA, Figure 5 yes Figure 2A cross-sectional view of the BB line.

[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The smart ring (100) of this embodiment includes: a body part (110) forming an insertion area for inserting a finger; a ring-shaped scroll button (120) disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the body (110) in a manner that allows 360-degree rotation; and a cover part (131) (132) assembled to the body part (110) to form an appearance.

[0031] The main body (110) is annular in shape, forming an insertion area for finger insertion. It includes an inner cover (111) with a cylindrical shell shape and a flexible PCB (112) disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cover (111). The flexible PCB (112) includes a plurality of dome keys (113), a sensor unit for gesture, scroll wheel rotation sensing, etc., and a controller for controlling the electronic product by detecting signals. On the other hand, the flexible PCB (112) is provided with a battery for power supply. An embodiment of this control system will be described again with reference to the relevant drawings.

[0032] The scroll wheel button (120) is ring-shaped and rotatably disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body (110), and a plurality of protrusions (121) are provided on the outer peripheral surface.

[0033] Preferably, a button plate (140) is provided, which corresponds to the dome button (113) and has a plurality of button hinges (141) protruding on its inner circumferential surface, and is disposed between the body part (110) and the scroll wheel button (120). The dome button (113) and the button hinges (141) can be used as buttons for operating electronic devices.

[0034] The cover portions (131) and (132) are assembled to the body portion (110) to form an appearance. In this embodiment, the cover portions (131) and (132) are provided by a first cover portion (131) assembled to one side (lower side) of the body portion (110) and a second cover portion (132) assembled to the other side (upper side) of the body portion (110).

[0035] Preferably, a ball bearing (150) is provided on the inner surface of the scroll button (120) to facilitate the smooth rotation of the scroll button (120). In this embodiment, the ball bearing (150) has an included angle of 90 degrees and is disposed at 4 locations. The ball bearing (150) is placed on a rib (131a) extending from the first cover portion (131) to realize the rotation of the scroll button (120).

[0036] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Reference Figure 5 In this embodiment, the sensor unit (220) (230) includes a rotation detection unit (220) for detecting the rotation amount of the scroll wheel button and a gesture detection unit (230) for detecting gestures. The detection signals from the dome button (113) and each detection unit (230) (230) are transmitted to the controller (210). The controller (210) generates appropriate input signals for controlling the electronic device (10) based on the detected signals. In order to control the electronic device (10), the controller (210) includes a communication unit (211) for wireless communication.

[0038] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the rotation detection unit (220) and the gesture detection unit (230) can use a variety of known sensor types. For example, the rotation detection unit (220) can use known sensors such as capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, rotary encoders or Hall sensors, and the gesture detection unit (230) can be provided by accelerometers or triaxial sensors.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing only the configuration of the button function for the scroll wheel button.

[0040] Reference Figure 7 In this embodiment, a keypad (140) is disposed inside the scroll wheel button (120). Multiple button hinges (141) protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the keypad (140), and a dome button (113) corresponding to each button hinge (141) is provided on the flexible PCB (112). Therefore, when the user presses the scroll wheel button (120), the button hinge (141) at the corresponding position operates the dome button (113), and the signal is applied to the controller to execute a specific function. Furthermore, the number of button hinges (141) on the keypad (140) is pre-designed to be an appropriate number based on the controlled electronic device.

[0041] Figure 8 (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the rotation amount detection unit of the scroll button of the smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the rotation amount detection unit, and (b) is a diagram showing a portion of the flexible PCB unfolded.

[0042] Reference Figure 8In (a) and (b) of this invention, the rotation detection unit (220) can employ various known sensor types, but preferably, the rotation detection unit (220) includes: a first magnetic body (221) disposed at the scroll wheel button; a plurality of conductive patterns (114) formed on the flexible PCB (112); and a second magnetic body (222) magnetically coupled to the first magnetic body (221) and rotatable along the flexible PCB (111). The first magnetic body (221) and the second magnetic body (222) rotate synchronously, thereby making adjacent conductive patterns (114c) (114d) conductive according to the position of the second magnetic body (222) to detect the rotation amount. In order to make the two conductive patterns (114) energized to each other, the second magnetic body (222) may include a conductive coating layer on its surface. Although not shown, a separate guide member may be provided to facilitate movement along the inner circumferential surface of the flexible PCB (112).

[0043] A first magnetic body (221) is fixed to the scroll wheel button and rotates together with it. A second magnetic body (222) rotates along the inner circumferential surface of a flexible PCB (112) engraved with conductive patterns (114) and is magnetically coupled to the first magnetic body (221). On the other hand, each conductive pattern is uniquely distinguished based on its position, and the controller can identify the position (rotation value) of the scroll wheel button by determining the energized position between two conductive patterns. For example, in... Figure 8 In (b), the conductive patterns can be referred to as the first conductive pattern (114a) and the second conductive pattern (114b) from the left, and the position (rotation value) of the scroll wheel button can be identified as being located between the third conductive pattern (114c) and the fourth conductive pattern (114d).

[0044] Figure 9 Figures (a) and (b) are used to illustrate examples of using a smart ring according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] like Figure 9 As shown in (a), the user can adjust the volume or channel of an electronic device (10) such as a TV or monitor by rotating the scroll wheel button (120) of the smart ring (100), and can switch functions (volume / channel) by pressing the scroll wheel button (120).

[0046] Next, Figure 9 (b) shows an application example of the gesture function of the smart ring (100), in which the user can perform the position operation of the pointer (cursor) on the screen of the target electronic device (10) by moving his finger while wearing the smart ring (100).

[0047] Figure 10This is a perspective view of a smart ring according to another embodiment of the present invention. The smart ring (300) of this embodiment can be easily configured by arranging two or more of the scroll wheel buttons (310) (320) described in the foregoing embodiment side by side, thus providing a more flexible user interface (UI) for diverse control of target electronic devices.

[0048] The present invention described above can be used in various ways as an input device for target electronic devices. The button operation, rotation operation and gesture operation of the scroll wheel button of the smart ring exemplified in the embodiments of the present invention can be used in various combinations and are not limited to the functions described in this embodiment. Various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention, which is obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A smart ring, characterized in that, include: The ring-shaped body portion forms an insertion area for inserting fingers; A ring-shaped roller button is rotatably disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body. A sensor unit, disposed on the main body, is used to sense and detect the action of the scroll wheel button; A controller is provided in the main body and generates control signals for controlling electronic devices based on the detection signals from the sensor unit. as well as The cover portion is assembled to the body portion to form the appearance.

2. The smart ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body portion includes: Inner cover; and A flexible printed circuit board is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cover and includes the controller.

3. The smart ring according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple dome buttons are provided on the flexible printed circuit board to apply signals to the controller; and a button plate, corresponding to the dome buttons and having multiple button hinges protruding from its inner circumferential surface, is disposed between the body and the scroll wheel button.

4. The smart ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes a ball bearing disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the roller button to facilitate smooth rotation of the roller button.

5. The smart ring according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor unit also includes a rotation detection unit for detecting the amount of rotation of the scroll wheel button.

6. The smart ring according to claim 5, characterized in that, The rotation detection unit includes: A first magnetic element is located at the scroll wheel button; Multiple conductive patterns are formed on the flexible printed circuit board; and A second magnetic element is magnetically coupled to the first magnetic element and is rotatable along the flexible printed circuit board. The first magnetic body and the second magnetic body rotate synchronously, thereby making the adjacent conductive patterns conductive according to the position of the second magnetic body, so as to detect the amount of rotation.

7. The smart ring according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor unit also includes a gesture detection unit for detecting gestures.

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