An artificial intelligence (AI) based wearable input device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an artificial intelligence (AI) based wearable input device. The device comprises two or more finger rings along with an external device. The rings and the external device are connected to the computer wirelessly. The rings do not require an object surface to operate on since the position can be tracked relative to one ring to another. This input device replicates all behaviors and functionalities of a traditional mouse and integrates the behaviors and functionalities of a track pad, and a pointer. It can also be used to track different parameters or behavior of humans which form patterns by adding health related sensors.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of Invention

[0003] [1] AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (Al) BASED WEARABLE INPUT DEVICE

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] [2] The present invention relates to the field of input devices. The present invention in particular relates to an artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device for multiple devices.

[0006] Background Art

[0007] [3] Currently, ordinary mice are bulky and often rely on mouse pads and smooth flat surfaces. For environments without smooth flat surfaces and mouse pads, and for people who cannot carry an ordinary mouse, the application is more difficult. Especially for touch-based portable devices such as mobile phones and pads, the inability to use a conventional mouse has curbed the development of applications. Furthermore, people with certain disabilities may find it difficult to use traditional inputs devices such as a mechanical mouse, etc.

[0008] [4] Reference may be made to the following:

[0009] [5] Publication no. 1550 / CHENP / 2010 relates to the finger-worn user input devices and methods for operating same. The device includes at least one rotatable section (112, 112", 912) and an indication mechanism (116, 116a, 130, 516, 526, 616, 816, 826, 836, 1316, 1416, 1616, 2116, 2222, 2320, 2720, 3524) for indicating either a device use or a device state. In some embodiments, a device includes a stationary section (114), at least one rotatable section (112, ~12) and an indication mechanism. In some embodiments, one or more rotatable sections are tiltable.

[0010] [6] Publication no. I N202217005900 relates to a hand-worn data-input device, wearable on only one hand, for entering data-inputs into electronic / computing devices by means of reading and interpreting, via electromagnetic sensing, static / dynamic user-input gestures between digits, other portions of the hand and other hand-worn components of the data-input device, relative to each other, wherein sensing units are configured to be placed at / by specific spots / regions of the hand and comprise fixation, insulating and / or electromagnetic shielding means, and wherein the device comprises at least one energy unit, at least one thumb- worn sensing unit, at least one body-contact sensing unit, at least one signals / data connection unit and at least one data-inputs connection unit, and wherein when several fingertip sensing units are worn, these can be uniquely identified and simultaneous multi-channeled electromagnetic coupling between said fingertip sensing units and other sensing units is enabled.

[0011] [7] Publication no. CN104166465 provides a ring pair capable of recognizing corresponding mouse operations according to the moving of the index finger and the middle finger of a person who holds a pen. A button cell, a two-axis accelerometer, a radio frequency transmitter and an empty groove are arranged inside the outer shell of each finger ring. The two finger rings are connected through a rod. An external radio frequency receiver is arranged outside the pen and is inserted to a USB interface of a computer or is built into a mobile phone.

[0012] [8] Publication no. CN204856400 discloses an aerial mouse of ring formula Bluetooth relates to electron product technology field, include mouse body and the ring that is located mouse body below, the mouse body includes the shell, at the inside controlling means that is equipped with of shell, controlling means includes gyroscope, triaxial acceleration sensor and controller, gyroscope and triaxial acceleration sensor respectively with the controller electric connection. The beneficial effect of the utility model: set up the ring in the below of mouse body, be convenient for overlap mouse on the finger, facilitate the use.

[0013] [9] Publication no. 2082 / M UMNP / 2015 relates to a methods systems computer readable media and apparatuses for implementation of a contactless panning gesture. In some embodiments a remote detection device detects synchronized motion of at least two control objects across a control plane. An attached computing device may then adjust a current position of a displayed content in response to detection of the synchronized motion.

[0014]

[0010] Publication no. US20090146951A discloses a method of user interface having multiple motion dots capable of detecting user inputs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user interface (“U I”) device includes a first motion dot and a second motion dot. The first motion dot is capable of attaching to a first finger and the second motion dot is configured to attach to a second finger. The first finger, in one example, is a thumb and the second finger is an index finger. The first motion dot includes multiple accelerometers used for identifying the physical location of the first motion dot.

[0015]

[0011] Publication no. EP3543829 relates to a method and a computer program for wireless interactions with an external computer with a finger-worn device configured to acquire and transmit position data of at least one finger relative to an object surface to an external computer, wherein the method comprises the steps of:- acquiring (300, 301 ) sensor data (201 , 202) from a first sensor system (9) and a second sensor system (10) comprised in the device (1 );- estimating (302) a position and / or an orientation of at least one finger (2) with respect to an object surface (7) from the sensor data (201 , 202), wherein the estimation (302) of the position and / or the orientation of the at least one finger (2) with respect to the object surface (7) is performed by a machine learning method (100) executed on a processor (4) comprised by the device (1 );- wirelessly transmitting (304) position data (203) comprising the estimated position and / or orientation of the at least one finger (2) with respect to the subject surface (7) to an external computer (15);- relating (305) the estimated position and / or orientation of the at least one finger (2) with respect to the object surface (7) comprised in the position data (203) to a display position and / or a display orientation (204) in a coordinate system of a display (18);- indicating the display position and / or the display orientation (204) on the display (18).

[0016] Summary of Invention

[0017]

[0012] The present invention relates to a relates to an Al-enabled wearable input device comprised of two or more finger rings that work in tandem to emulate the functions of a traditional computer mouse and more. The rings are wirelessly connected to a target controlled device (such as a PC, smartphone, tablet, or other computing device) via a short-range communication link - for example, through a USB wireless receiver or Bluetooth connection. Advantageously, the device does not require any physical surface (like a desktop or mouse pad) to operate; instead, it can determine pointer movements by tracking the spatial position and movement of one ring relative to another in free space. This allows a user’s hand to remain in a comfortable, natural position while using the device, even when no flat surface is available, and eliminates the bulk associated with carrying a traditional mouse.

[0018]

[0013] Each ring of the device is equipped with various sensors and input / output components, and the system leverages artificial intelligence to interpret the wearer’s finger movements as input commands. In effect, the wearable device replicates all the behaviors and functionalities of a traditional mouse, and also integrates the features of a trackpad and air-pointer into the same device. Users can perform conventional actions like moving a cursor, single-click, double-click, right-click, and click-and-drag, as well as additional gestures that a typical mouse cannot perform (such as swipe, pinch-to-zoom, scroll with a finger motion, and a “pointer” or air-mouse mode). The device can even support complex gestures for specialized applications - for example, painting or drawing gestures, or a triggerlike gesture for games - thereby providing a richer interaction experience than standard input devices. Because the rings can include health and motion sensors (e.g., heart rate, temperature, motion / position sensors), the device may also track certain user biometric parameters or movement patterns, allowing new use-cases such as health monitoring or adaptive interfaces.

[0019]

[0014] An important aspect of the invention is the use of a Smart Processing Unit (SPU) powered by Al algorithms to process sensor data from the rings. The SPU runs a trained Al model that receives the continuous stream of sensor inputs (such as motion data from accelerometers / gyroscopes and touch or pressure sensors on the rings) and interprets these inputs to detect the user’s intended gestures or commands. The Al model can recognize predefined gestures and can improve over time by learning from the user’s behavior - in other words, the system can personalize itself through machine learning as more data is collected during use. The sensor data collected by the device can be fed back into the model to retrain or fine-tune it, which enhances gesture recognition accuracy and provides a more seamless user experience over prolonged use. The SPU manages communication between the components (the rings, any external reference devices, and the controlled computing device) and ensures that input signals are translated into the appropriate cursor movements or control commands on the controlled device in real time. For user feedback, the device may include output elements such as an LED indicator on each ring to notify the user of certain events (e.g., low battery, connection status), and a haptic feedback module that can provide tactile responses (for example, a vibration upon a successful gesture or a command acknowledgment).

[0020]

[0015] The wearable input device also introduces a novel feature of spatial zone control using one or more auxiliary devices called “Zone Markers.” A Zone Marker device is an external unit (for example, a small beacon or tag) that can be placed in a particular physical location to define inactive or active zones for the rings. In one mode, a Zone Marker can designate a certain area as an inactive zone - meaning if the user’s hand (wearing the rings) enters that region, the wearable input device will temporarily deactivate or ignore motions. This is useful, for instance, to prevent unwanted cursor movement when the user’s hand is resting near a keyboard or on a lap while typing. Conversely, the system can be configured so that the Zone Marker defines an active zone, and the rings operate only within that zone and are inactive elsewhere. Multiple Zone Markers can be deployed together to create multiple distinct zones or to enlarge a coverage area of a single zone. For example, in a complex setup like a music studio with many equipment interfaces, the user could restrict the ring device’s activity to a specific console area to avoid interfering with other devices. The user has control over toggling the behavior of these Zone Markers - they can switch a given marker between activezone mode and inactive-zone mode based on their needs. The use of Zone Markers thus provides an extra layer of contextual control, ensuring the wearable device only captures gestures when and where intended.

[0021]

[0016] Another key feature of the invention is the provision for accessory rings (secondary rings) that can attach to the primary sensor rings to extend functionality. One example of an accessory ring is a battery ring - essentially a ring-shaped battery pack that magnetically attaches to a primary ring to recharge or supplement its power supply via electromagnetic induction. In practice, if the battery of the main ring is running low, the user can simply attach a battery ring to it (the rings will snap together using magnets), and the primary ring will recharge on the go, allowing continuous operation without needing to remove the device for charging. Multiple such battery rings can be worn if necessary (for example, one on each primary ring) to extend the operating time of the device. Accessory rings are not limited to batteries - they could include other modules, for instance, a ring that carries additional sensors or one that provides extra input / output capabilities. Moreover, in one embodiment, the multiple rings of the device (e.g. the two primary rings worn on adjacent fingers) may be physically linked together by a small flexible connection. This flexible connector, which could be a thin tether or band, allows the rings to share power and data between them - for example, a single battery unit in one ring could supply both, or certain sensors in one ring could serve both fingers. The flexible connection preserves freedom of motion for the fingers while effectively enabling resource sharing between the rings.

[0022]

[0017] In addition to motion sensors, the rings can house environmental and biometric sensors to broaden the device’s utility. For instance, an optical heart-rate sensor and a skin temperature sensor on the ring can monitor the user’s physiological signals during use. Other sensors like an electrodermal activity sensor, infrared proximity sensor, or barometer may be included to detect specific user conditions or contextual information. The system can use these inputs to enrich the interactive experience or for health-tracking purposes. The rings may also contain a microphone or microphone array to capture sounds near the user’s hand. This microphone can detect, for example, the sound of the user typing on a keyboard (allowing the system to automatically deactivate the pointer when typing is detected), or it can be used to receive voice commands, effectively turning the wearable into a voice-controlled remote or a smart assistant interface. Similarly, a small speaker can be integrated into a ring to provide audio feedback or to act as an output for a digital assistant’s responses. These audio features turn the wearable device into a more versatile human-computer interaction tool, capable of both interpreting user speech and outputting sound for notifications or assistant feedback.

[0023] Technical Problem

[0024]

[0018] Thus known solutions are either mechanical capture or video capture methods are mainly used for displacement capture. Mechanical capture methods require more complicated equipment, while video capture requires a camera, which is more troublesome and costly. Solution to Problem

[0025]

[0019] In order to overcome limitations found in the above listed prior art, the present invention aims to provide an artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device.

[0026]

[0020] The principal object of the present invention is to provide an artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device.

[0027]

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an expanded range of capabilities provided in a single device.

[0028]

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable input device which is easy to carry anywhere and can be used for multiple devices.

[0029]

[0023] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wearable input device which can be used with or without an object surface.

[0030] Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0031]

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, overall, the Al-based wearable input device of the present invention offers a comprehensive solution for controlling computers and other devices. It is easy to carry and can replace or augment traditional input peripherals across a range of devices including PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and VR / AR systems. By not requiring a fixed surface and by learning from the user’s own movements, it allows truly ubiquitous computing control - whether the user is standing, sitting, or on the move.

[0032]

[0025] The described Al-based wearable input device transforms the way users interact with computers and digital environments. It brings together the functionalities of a mouse, trackpad, and gesture controller into a convenient finger- worn form, enhanced by Al-driven adaptability and supplementary features (like zone control and health sensing).

[0033] Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0034] Fig.1

[0035]

[0027] [fig.1 ] reveals internal block diagram of a ring device according to the present invention. This figure illustrates the core components within a single finger ring (100), including the wireless communication unit (110), sensing unit (120), input unit (130), memory (140), output unit (150), power supply (160), and processor (170), as well as optional components.

[0036] Fig.2

[0037]

[0028] [fig.2] reveals schematic diagrams (Figures 2a, 2b, 2c) showing examples of communication between the rings of the wearable device, one or more Zone Marker devices, and the controlled device. These diagrams depict different operational modes: in one mode, both rings communicate directly with the controlled device (400) (and Zone Markers) while the SPU resides on the controlled device; in another mode, one ring hosts the SPU and acts as a master, with the second ring communicating through it; and in a further mode, a Zone Marker (300) hosts the SPU and relays communications between the rings and the controlled device.

[0038] Fig.3

[0039]

[0029] [fig.3] reveals flowcharts (Figures 3a, 3b, 3c) illustrating control signal processing for the wearable input device. These flowcharts outline how sensor inputs from Ring 1 and Ring 2 are processed and transmitted, and how the Al model interprets the signals to perform cursor control or other input functions. The diagrams also show feedback signals being sent from the controlled device or Zone Marker back to the rings (for haptic feedback), and highlight that the rings connect wirelessly (e.g., via a USB receiver or Bluetooth) and do not require a surface for tracking.

[0040] Description of Embodiments

[0030] The present invention provides Referring to Figure 1 , the wearable input device of the present invention comprises at least a pair of finger rings (a first ring and a second ring) collectively referred to as the “Device”. Each ring (100) is a self- contained electronic module shaped to be worn on a user’s finger. Internally, each ring includes the following components:

[0041]

[0031] A wireless communication unit (110), which contains a short-range communication module (111 ) for wireless data transmission. This may be a Bluetooth® transceiver, ultra-wideband (UWB) radio, wireless USB interface, NFC module, or any suitable wireless communication hardware. The communication unit enables the ring to transmit data to and receive commands from external devices (such as the controlled device or a Zone Marker) in real time.

[0042]

[0032] A sensing unit (120), which includes motion sensors such as a gyroscope sensor (121 ) and an accelerometer sensor (122) for detecting orientation and movement of the ring in space. In some embodiments, the sensing unit (120) may also include a magnetometer for compass direction and / or a barometer for altitude or pressure sensing. These sensors together capture the fine motions of the user’s finger and hand. The sensing unit may further comprise other environment or physiological sensors (collectively (123), not explicitly shown in Fig.1 ) including, for example, an optical heart-rate sensor, a temperature sensor, an electrodermal (galvanic skin) sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, and so on. Additionally, the device can include force or pressure sensors such as a force-sensitive resistor (FSR), piezoelectric sensor, capacitive pressure sensor, or strain gauge to measure pressure or grip force applied to the ring.

[0043]

[0033] An input unit (130), which in one embodiment includes a touch sensor (131 ). The touch sensor could be an outward-facing capacitive touch pad or strip on the ring’s surface that allows the user to tap or swipe on the ring with a thumb or another finger. This provides an additional mode of user input (e.g., tapping the ring to click or to toggle modes, as described later). The input unit may also encompass other user-actuable elements like buttons or squeeze sensors on the ring.

[0034] Memory (140), which is a storage unit for program code and data. The memory may include non-volatile memory (for firmware, Al model parameters, calibration data, etc.) and volatile memory for runtime computation.

[0044]

[0035] An output unit (150), which can include indicators and haptic feedback elements. For example, an optical output unit (151 ) could be a small LED or array of LEDs on the ring that can illuminate to indicate device states (power status, Bluetooth pairing, low battery warnings, etc.). Additionally, in some embodiments, the output unit (150) includes a haptic feedback module (e.g., a miniature vibration motor) that provides tactile feedback to the user. The haptic module may be activated to confirm certain actions or to alert the user (for instance, a gentle buzz for a successful gesture recognition or an incoming notification). An audio output (speaker) may also be present in the ring as noted earlier, although it is not depicted in Figure 1 .

[0045]

[0036] A power supply unit (160), which typically includes a rechargeable battery and power management circuitry. The battery is housed within the ring. The power unit may incorporate wireless charging coils or contacts so that the ring’s battery can be recharged by placing the ring in a charging case or by attaching an accessory battery ring as described in the summary. The power management circuit regulates the battery output and may distribute power to interconnected rings if a physical link is present.

[0046]

[0037] A processor (170), which is an on-board microcontroller or microprocessor that controls the ring’s functions. The processor reads data from the sensing unit (120) and input unit (130), executes firmware (including portions of the gesture recognition algorithms or preprocessing of sensor data), and manages communication via the wireless unit 110. It also controls the output unit (150) (driving the LED indicators, actuating haptics, etc.). In operation, the processor (170) may generate certain feedback signals in response to inputs; for example, it can produce a signal to activate the ring’s haptic module or LED upon detecting a valid click gesture, or when a command is received from the controlled device. The processor can furthermore execute local algorithms to conserve power, such as deciding to send haptic feedback to only one ring (e.g., the master ring) instead of both, in order to reduce battery consumption.

[0038] All of the above components are integrated into a compact ring form factor (which could be a single unit or split into segments). In one embodiment, the two primary rings of the device are physically connected by a flexible link (not shown in Figure 1 ) that allows for a wired communication channel and shared power / sensor resources between rings. This link can be a small, flexible cable or strap that does not significantly hinder finger movement but provides redundancy and resource sharing (for example, if one ring’s battery is low, it could draw power from the other ring’s battery through the link).

[0047]

[0039] The rings are designed to be worn on the fingers (for example, the index and middle fingers of one hand). The device may come with a wireless charging case as an accessory, used to store and charge the rings when not in use. The charging case itself can be recharged via a cable and may also serve as a convenient carrying case.

[0048]

[0040] Smart Processing Unit (SPU) and System Configurations

[0049]

[0041] A central element of the system is the Smart Processing Unit (SPU), which is responsible for high-level processing of input data and overall coordination of the device. The SPU implements the Al-based gesture recognition model and can be realized in different physical locations depending on the embodiment. The SPU may be a dedicated hardware module or a software process running on an existing processor, or a combination thereof (it can even be a “virtual” component distributed across devices. Three representative configurations of the SPU and device communication are described (corresponding to the diagrams in Figure 2a, 2b, and 2c):

[0050]

[0042] SPU on the Controlled Device (Mode 1 ): In one embodiment, the SPU is hosted on the external controlled device (400) (for instance, as a software application running on the user’s computer). In this configuration, shown schematically in Fig. 2a, each ring 100,200 communicates wirelessly directly with the controlled device (400) (e.g., via a paired Bluetooth connection or via a common USB receiver). If a Zone Marker device (300) is present, the rings may also communicate with the Zone Marker concurrently. In Operation Mode 1.1 , both rings send their sensor data streams independently to the controlled device (400) (and can also receive signals from the Zone Marker if applicable). The controlled device (which hosts the SPU) processes the combined data to interpret gestures. In Operation Mode 1.2, which builds on the above, the controlled device (400) not only receives input from the rings but also sends back a feedback signal to the rings. For example, after processing a gesture, the SPU / software on the computer might command one or both rings to issue a haptic buzz confirming the action. This mode leverages the computing power of the host device for Al processing and can reduce the processing burden on the rings themselves.

[0051]

[0043] SPU on one of the Rings (Mode 2): In another embodiment (illustrated by Fig. 2b), one of the rings - say Ring 1 (100) - incorporates the SPU functionality on its onboard processor. That ring serves as a master device, running the Al model, while the other Ring 2 (200) functions as a slave that primarily collects sensor data and sends it to Ring 1. In Operation Mode 2.1 , Ring 2 communicates its data to Ring 1 , and Ring 1 in turn communicates with the external Zone Marker(s) (300) and the controlled device 400. Essentially, Ring 1 aggregates inputs (its own and Ring 2’s) and serves as the single point of contact with the outside world. In Operation Mode 2.2, similar to Mode 1.2, the controlled device (400) may send a feedback signal back, but in this case the feedback would be received by Ring 1 (the master) and can be distributed to Ring 2 as needed. This configuration is beneficial when one ring has more computational capability or when it’s desirable to offload the host device - the rings collaboratively handle most processing.

[0052]

[0044] SPU on a Zone Marker (Mode 3): In a further embodiment (Fig. 2c), the SPU is embedded in an external Zone Marker device (300) instead of in the rings or the controlled device. Here, the Zone Marker becomes an intermediary hub. In Operation Mode 3.1 , both Ring 1 (100) and Ring 2 (200) communicate wirelessly with the Zone Marker device (300), sending their sensor readings to it. The Zone Marker (hosting the SPU) runs the Al model to interpret the combined gesture data, and then relays the appropriate command or pointer data to the controlled device (400) (e.g., moving the cursor or executing a click on the computer). In Operation Mode 3.2, the Zone Marker additionally generates feedback control signals (such as a haptic trigger) and transm its them back to both rings after processing the input. This mode could also be used in setups where the Zone Marker is a fixed hub in the environment (for example, installed in a room or on a piece of equipment) that coordinates the wearable rings and the target system. It can also simplify the networking if the Zone Marker has a stable connection to the controlled device (the rings then only need to connect to the Zone Marker). It is noted that multiple Zone Marker devices (300) can be present in a system to cover different areas or functions; for clarity, figures may show only one, but in practice more can work in tandem and the SPU could be on one or distributed among several markers.

[0053]

[0045] In all of the above configurations, the fundamental operation remains the same: the rings capture motion and gesture data, the SPU processes it to interpret user commands via an Al model, and the commands are executed on the controlled device, optionally with feedback sent back to the user through the rings. The flexible design of the system allows the core processing (SPU) to reside at the most convenient location for a given use case - on the user’s computer / phone (leveraging its CPU / GPU), on the wearable rings (for portability and offline use), or on a dedicated external hub device.

[0054]

[0046] Operation and Functionalities (Figure 3 and Use Cases)

[0055]

[0047] As shown in the flowcharts of Figure 3, the wearable input device operates by continuously acquiring sensor inputs, processing them, and communicating with the controlled device. In one representative flow (Fig. 3a), Ring 1 and Ring 2 each collect data from their sensing units, perform some preprocessing (e.g. filtering or feature extraction via their onboard processor), and then transmit the processed data to the controlled device. The SPU (in this flow, residing on the controlled device) runs the Al gesture recognition model on the incoming data to detect the user’s intended action. Once a gesture or command is identified, the controlled device executes the corresponding action (such as moving the cursor or performing a click) and can send a confirmation signal back to the rings (to trigger haptic feedback). In an alternate flow (Fig. 3b), the rings send data to an external device (which could be a Zone Marker acting as an intermediary); the external device’s SPU processes the input and then communicates with the main controlled device, achieving the same end result via a slightly different data path. All these operational variations share the property that the rings are wirelessly linked into the control system and do not need any fixed surface to function. The position and motion of the user’s hand are tracked by the relative movement of the rings themselves, using advanced algorithms to calculate 3D displacement and orientation. In essence, the user’s finger movements in mid-air translate directly into cursor movements on the screen (or other control signals), providing an “air mouse” experience.

[0056]

[0048] The wearable device is designed to replicate all major functions of a traditional mouse and trackpad, while also providing new interactions. For instance, to move the cursor on a display, the user simply moves their hand in the air — since the rings detect this movement, the system translates it into a corresponding cursor movement. To perform a click (left-click), the user can tap or flick their index finger upward (a quick upward-downward motion of the finger wearing the first ring) - this gesture is detected by the ring’s accelerometer / gyroscope and classified by the Al model as a left-click command. For a right-click, the user would do the same with the middle finger (the second ring). A double-click can be achieved by performing the finger-flick twice in quick succession, similar to double-clicking a mouse, and the system is trained to distinguish single vs. double vs. multiple taps of each finger.

[0057]

[0049] To click-and-drag, the user lifts and holds up the respective finger while moving the hand - for example, holding the index finger raised while moving the hand will simulate holding the left mouse button down and dragging.

[0058]

[0050] Scrolling can be accomplished by a gesture such as moving both fingers up and down in unison (as if sliding two fingers on a touchpad to scroll). A middle-click or scroll-click could be performed by lifting three fingers together or another designated multi-finger gesture. All these specific movement patterns are detected by the combination of motion sensors and, if present, touch sensors on the rings, and interpreted by the SPU’s Al model to trigger the corresponding standard input events.

[0059]

[0051] The device also supports custom and application-specific gestures. Through software configuration, users can enable or disable certain gestures depending on the context (for example, a set of gestures for general OS navigation, a different set optimized for a gaming application, etc.). The Al model is capable of learning new gestures over time. For instance, a user could train a unique gesture for a particular software shortcut. As examples mentioned earlier, a “paintbrush” gesture (where the user pretends to hold a paintbrush and makes stroking motions) could be used in digital drawing applications, or a “gun trigger” gesture (mimicking a trigger pull) could be mapped to a shooting action in a video game. The system’s machine learning component can adapt to variations in how different users perform gestures, making it robust across individuals.

[0060]

[0052] In addition to gesture input, the rings include convenience features to manage their operation. Users can temporarily deactivate or activate the rings through a specific gesture or action - for example, tapping the thumb against the index-finger ring in a certain pattern could serve as an on / off toggle for input tracking. This is useful when the user wants to disengage the device momentarily without removing the rings (say, to avoid unintended inputs while typing or when not in use). To power down the device completely or reboot it, the rings can recognize a deliberate action such as the user making a fist and squeezing for a preset duration. Such an action would be detected via the pressure sensors and interpreted as a shutdown command for safety.

[0061]

[0053] The system is designed to be fault-tolerant and flexible. If one of the rings in the pair loses power or otherwise becomes non-functional during use, the device can automatically fall back to a single-ring mode. In this single-ring mode, the remaining active ring will assume a basic pointer control functionality on its own (with a limited gesture set) so that the user can continue to operate the cursor at a reduced capability until the second ring is restored. For example, with one ring, the device might allow movement and basic clicking (perhaps using a combination of motion and tapping on the ring), ensuring the user is not left without any input method in the middle of a tasks.

[0062]

[0054] Throughout all its operations, the wearable input device keeps the user’s comfort in mind. Since it does not require an arm-down posture on a desk (unlike a standard mouse) and can be used with the hand in a natural, relaxed position, it can reduce strain during prolonged use. The device’s ability to work on any surface or no surface at all means it can be used while standing, walking, or presenting, offering a new level of freedom. It is portable and can easily be carried in a small case or even worn all day like a piece of jewelry, making it readily available for use with multiple devices - from a work computer to a smart TV to an ARA / R headset - without the need for separate dedicated controllers.

[0055] The detailed examples above illustrate specific embodiments and use scenarios. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention - for example, the number of rings can be increased to control additional degrees of freedom, different sensor types can be substituted, or the system can be integrated with other wearable devices. The scope of the invention, accordingly, should be determined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof, rather than by the examples given.

[0063]

[0056] Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

[0064] Reference Signs List

[0065]

[0057] 100 - a pair of finger rings

[0066]

[0058] 110- a wireless communication unit

[0067]

[0059] 111 - a short-range communication module for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data;

[0068]

[0060] 120- a sensing unit in each ring,

[0069]

[0061] 121 - one gyroscope sensor

[0070]

[0062] 122- one accelerometer sensor

[0071]

[0063] 130- an input unit on the rings,

[0072]

[0064] 131 - a touch sensor

[0073]

[0065] 140- a memory in each

[0074]

[0066] 150- an output unit in each ring,

[0075]

[0067] 151 - optical indicator

[0076]

[0068] 160- a power supply unit

[0077]

[0069] 170- a processor

[0078]

[0070] 300- one or more Zone Marker devices

Claims

Claims

1. i1. An artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), comprises- a) a pair of finger rings (100) or more, each ring including a wireless communication unit (110) with a short-range communication module (111 ) for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data; b) a sensing unit (120) in each ring, including at least one gyroscope sensor (121 ) and at least one accelerometer sensor (122) for detecting motion of the ring; c) an input unit (130) on at least one of the rings, comprising a touch sensor (131 ) or similar user interface sensor for receiving touch or pressure input from the user; d) a memory (140) in each ring for storing program instructions and sensor data; e) an output unit (150) in each ring, including an optical indicator (151 ) for providing visual feedback to the user, and optionally a haptic feedback module for providing tactile feedback; f) a power supply unit (160) for each ring, comprising a battery and power management circuitry to power the ring’s components; g) a processor (170) in each ring, configured to process signals from the sensing unit (120) and input unit, and to generate a feedback signal for at least one of the rings in response to signals from a controlled device, the feedback signal driving the ring’s haptic feedback module or other output, wherein feedback from the controlled device can be limited to a single ring to conserve power; h) a Smart Processing Unit (SPU) operatively coupled to the device, the SPU being configured to receive sensor data from the rings and execute an Al model to detect user gestures or behaviors from the data, and to manage communication between the rings, one or more zone marker devices, and a controlled device, wherein the SPU may be integratedwith one of the rings, with a zone marker device, or with the controlled device; and i) one or more Zone Marker devices (300) configured to define spatial zones affecting the operation of the rings, wherein a Zone Marker creates an inactive zone and / or an active zone for the wearable input device such that the rings become deactivated in an inactive zone or, alternatively, only active within a designated active zone, and wherein multiple Zone Marker devices can be used in combination to create multiple zones or to expand the area of a single zone.

2. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the Smart Processing Unit (SPU) is hosted on a controlled device (400) and each finger ring (100, 200) communicates directly with the controlled device and with any Zone Marker device (300) present, such that the controlled device processes the sensor data from the rings and can send feedback signals to the rings (Mode 1 ).

3. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the Smart Processing Unit (SPU) is integrated into one of the finger rings (100) of the device, that ring acting as a master device and the at least one other ring (200) communicating with the master ring in a master-slave configuration, the master ring further communicating with the controlled device (400) and any Zone Marker device (300) (Mode 2).

4. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the Smart Processing Unit (SPU) is incorporated in a Zone Marker device (300) external to the rings, and the pair of rings (100, 200) communicate with said Zone Marker device which in turn communicates with the controlled device (400) (Mode 3).

5. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device is operable without requiring any physical surface, such that the spatial position and movement of one ring is tracked relative to another ring to determine pointer movements, and the rings areconfigured to connect wirelessly to the controlled device via a USB receiver, Bluetooth, or another wireless interface.

6. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein if one of the pair of rings loses power or becomes inoperative, the remaining ring is capable of functioning in a single-ring mode to provide basic pointer control and clicking functionality.

7. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising one or more accessory rings attachable to a primary ring of said pair, wherein the accessory ring is configured to augment the device’s functionality including a battery ring that magnetically attaches to the primary ring and charges it via electromagnetic induction, allowing continuous use of the device.

8. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a Zone Marker device can be selectively switched between defining an inactive zone or an active zone, such that when set to active zone mode, the rings operate only within proximity of the Zone Marker and are inactive outside that zone.

9. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the Smart Processing Unit (SPU) is a virtual or logical unit that may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof, and is not required to be a physically distinct module, thereby allowing the SPU’s functions to be distributed or integrated as convenient.

10. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensing unit further comprises one or more physiological or environmental sensors selected from the group consisting of: an optical heart rate sensor, a body-temperature sensor, an electrodermal activity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, and a force or pressure sensor, thereby enabling the device to monitor user biometrics or contextual information during use.

11. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least two finger rings are linked by a flexibleconnector that permits the sharing of power and data between the rings, the connector being configured to allow unhindered finger movement while electrically coupling the rings.

12. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein in mode 1 both rings communicate with external device and controlled device. In mode 2, ring 2 communicates with ring 1 and ring 1 communicates with other devices and in mode 3, rings communicate with external device and external device communicates with controlled device.

13. The artificial intelligence (Al) based wearable input device (100), as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rings and the external device are connected to the computer wirelessly through the USB receiver and / or bluetooth without using a surface to operate on since the position can be tracked relative by one ring to another.

14. An Al-based wearable input system comprises a first ring and a second ring each having a wireless transceiver, motion sensors, a processor and an output notifier, and a controlled device executing a Smart Processing Unit (SPU) that receives sensor streams from both rings, infers user gestures using an Al model, drives pointer events on the controlled device, and transmits feedback signals to at least one of the rings wherein first ring hosting a Smart Processing Unit (SPU) and a second ring configured to communicate sensor data to the first ring in a master-slave configuration, the first ring further communicating with at least one of: a zone-marker device and a controlled device to execute inferred input actions.

15. An Al-based wearable input system comprising a pair of rings and a zonemarker device hosting a Smart Processing Unit (SPU), wherein the rings transmit motion data to the zone-marker, the SPU infers a user gesture and relays a corresponding control command to a controlled device, and optionally returns a haptic feedback control signal to both rings.

16. A zone-control system for a wearable input device comprising one or more zone-marker devices configured to define at least one inactive region in which ring inputs are ignored and / or at least one active region in which ringinputs are accepted, the zone-markers being registrable in multiple configurations and operable in tandem to scale or compose the regions.

17. A modular power-extension assembly for a finger-worn input ring, comprising an accessory ring containing a battery and magnetic coupling features that mechanically align with the input ring and inductively transfer energy thereto to extend operating time during active use.

18. A dual-ring wearable input device wherein the rings are joined by a flexible connection that preserves finger articulation while providing an electrical / data link enabling shared batteries, sensors and / or power management between the rings.

19. A finger-worn input device comprising a motion-sensing ring and an onboard microphone or microphone array configured to (i) detect environmental sounds indicative of peripheral usage to automatically suppress unintended cursor motion and / or (ii) receive voice commands for a digital assistant.

20. A wearable input ring comprising motion sensors, a processor, and an integrated speaker configured to output audio notifications or assistant responses in association with gesture detection and system state changes.

21. A surface-independent pointing method executed by at least two finger- worn rings, comprising: acquiring motion signals from the rings; computing a relative pose change between the rings; mapping the relative pose change to cursor displacement; and wirelessly issuing pointer events to a controlled device, without reliance on a physical tracking surface.

22. A resilient wearable input device comprising first and second finger rings configured to provide full pointer functions in tandem and, upon power loss or failure of one ring, automatically reconfigure the other ring into a singlering mode providing reduced but usable pointer control and selection, i

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