Smart ring having rotatable wheel key

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart ring, which is a wearable device capable of controlling various electronic devices on the basis of a rotatable wheel key. The smart ring comprises: a ring-shaped body part (110) forming an insertion area into which a finger is inserted; a ring-shaped wheel key (120) rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the body part (110); sensor parts (220, 230) provided on the body part (110) to sense and detect the operation of the wheel key (120); a controller (210) provided on the body part (110) to generate a control signal for controlling an electronic device on the basis of a detection signal from the sensor part (200); and cover parts (131, 132) assembled to the body part (110) to form the exterior of the smart ring.

Description

Smart ring equipped with a rotating wheel key

[0001] The present invention relates to a smart ring, which is a wearable input device capable of controlling various electronic devices based on a wheel key capable of 360° rotation.

[0002] Generally, smart rings are wearable devices focused on health and fitness management, with PPG sensors, skin temperature sensors, accelerometers, etc. built into the outer, inner, and finger parts, and some smart rings are equipped with a display or touch sensor on the outside to perform simple input.

[0003] However, smart rings with this structure are very limited in their ability to freely control electronic devices like TV remotes or input devices, and they have the problem of a complex structure due to the inclusion of display devices, multiple buttons, and touch panels.

[0004] (Patent Document 1) Published Patent Application No. 10-2016-0015050 (Date of Publication: Feb. 12, 2016)

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a smart ring that enables convenient and intuitive control of various electronic devices based on a wheel key capable of 360° rotation.

[0006] A smart ring according to the present invention for achieving such an objective comprises: a ring-shaped body portion forming an insertion area into which a finger is inserted; a ring-shaped wheel key rotatably provided on the outer circumference of the body portion; a sensor portion provided in the body portion for detecting and detecting the operation of the wheel key; a controller provided in the body portion for generating a control signal for controlling an electronic device according to the detection signal of the sensor portion; and a cover portion assembled to the body portion to form an exterior.

[0007] Preferably, the body portion comprises an inner cover; and a flexible PCB provided on the outer surface of the inner cover and equipped with the controller.

[0008] More preferably, it further includes a plurality of dome keys provided on the flexible PCB to apply a signal to the controller, and a key pad positioned between the body part and the wheel key, wherein a plurality of button hinges are formed protruding from the inner surface corresponding to the dome keys.

[0009] Preferably, a ball bearing is provided on the inner surface of the wheel key to facilitate the smooth rotation of the wheel key.

[0010] More preferably, the sensor unit further includes a rotation amount detection unit for detecting the rotation amount of the wheel key, and even more preferably, the rotation amount detection unit includes a first magnetic body provided on the wheel key; a plurality of conductive patterns formed on the flexible PCB; and a second magnetic body that is magnetically coupled to the first magnetic body and can rotate along the flexible PCB, wherein the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body are synchronized to rotate, and the conductive patterns adjacent to each other become conductive according to the position of the second magnetic body, thereby detecting the rotation amount.

[0011] More preferably, the sensor unit further includes a gesture detection unit for gesture detection.

[0012] The smart ring according to the present invention comprises a ring-shaped body portion forming an insertion area into which a finger is inserted, a ring-shaped wheel key rotatably provided on the outer surface of the body portion, a sensor portion provided in the body portion for detecting and detecting the operation of the wheel key, a controller provided in the body portion for generating a control signal for controlling an electronic device according to the detection signal of the sensor portion, and a cover portion assembled to the body portion to form an exterior, thereby being implemented in the form of a ring, making it easy to wear and carry, and also having the effect of allowing the user to easily control various functions of an electronic device through intuitive operation of rotating the wheel key while wearing it on their finger.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a planar configuration diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of line AA of Figure 2.

[0017] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the BB line of Figure 2.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the button function of the wheel key of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figures 8 (a) and 8 (b) are drawings for explaining the rotation amount detection unit of the wheel key of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figures 9 (a) and 9 (b) are drawings for explaining examples of use using a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a smart ring according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The specific structural or functional descriptions presented in the embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the concept of the present invention, and embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in various forms. Furthermore, it should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described herein, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0024] Meanwhile, the terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the implemented features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line BB of FIG. 2.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the smart ring (100) of the present embodiment includes a body part (110) forming an insertion area into which a finger is inserted, a ring-shaped wheel key (120) rotatably arranged on the outer surface of the body part (110) and a cover part (131) (132) assembled to the body part (110) to form an exterior.

[0028] The body portion (110) is a ring shape forming an insertion area into which a finger is inserted, and includes an inner cover (111) having a cylindrical shell shape and a flexible PCB (112) provided on the outer surface of the inner cover (111). The flexible PCB (112) includes a sensor portion for gesture and wheel rotation sensing, along with a plurality of dome keys (113), and a controller that controls electronic products based on the detected signals. Meanwhile, the flexible PCB (112) is provided with a battery for supplying power, and an embodiment of such a control system will be explained again with reference to the relevant drawings.

[0029] The wheel key (120) is rotatably provided on the outer surface of the body part (110) in a ring shape, and a plurality of protrusions (121) are provided on the outer surface.

[0030] Preferably, a key pad (140) is provided between the body part (110) and the wheel key (120), with a plurality of button hinges (141) formed protruding from the inner surface corresponding to the dome key (113), and the dome key (113) and the button hinges (141) can be used as buttons for operating an electronic device.

[0031] The cover portion (131)(132) is assembled to form the exterior of the body portion (110). In this embodiment, the cover portion (131)(132) is provided by a first cover portion (131) assembled on one side (lower side) of the body portion (110) and a second cover portion (132) assembled on the other side (upper side) of the body portion (110).

[0032] Preferably, it includes a ball bearing (150) provided on the inner surface of the wheel key (120) to facilitate the rotation of the wheel key (120). In this embodiment, the ball bearings (150) are arranged at four locations with an angle of 90 degrees, and the ball bearings (150) are seated on the rib (131a) extending from the first cover portion (131) to enable rotation of the wheel key (120).

[0033] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the sensor unit (220)(230) includes a rotation amount detection unit (220) for detecting the rotation amount of the wheel key and a gesture detection unit (230) for detecting a gesture, and the detection signals of the dome key (113) and each detection unit (230)(230) are transmitted to a controller (210), and the controller (210) generates an appropriate input signal to control the electronic device (10) according to the detected signal. To control the electronic device (10), the controller (210) includes a communication unit (211) for wireless communication.

[0035] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the rotation amount detection unit (220) and the gesture detection unit (230) may use various known types of sensors, for example, the rotation amount detection unit (220) may use known sensors such as a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a rotary encoder, or a Hall sensor, and the gesture detection unit (230) may be provided by an acceleration sensor or a 3-axis sensor, etc.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing only the configuration for the button function of a wheel key.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a keypad (140) is positioned inside the wheel key (120), and a plurality of button hinges (141) are formed protruding from the inner circumference of the keypad (140), and a dome key (113) is provided on a flexible PCB (112) corresponding to each button hinge (141). Thus, when a user presses the wheel key (120), the button hinge (141) at that position operates the dome key (113), and the signal is applied to a controller to perform a specific function. Meanwhile, the number of button hinges (141) of the keypad (140) is designed in advance as an appropriate number depending on the electronic device to be controlled.

[0038] Figures 8 (a) and (b) are drawings for explaining the rotation amount detection unit of the wheel key of a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the rotation amount detection unit, and (b) is a drawing showing a part of the flexible PCB unfolded.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 8 (a) and (b), the rotation amount detection unit (220) in the present invention may employ various known types of sensors, but preferably, the rotation amount detection unit (220) includes a first magnetic body (221) provided on a wheel key, a plurality of conductive patterns (114) formed on a flexible PCB (112), and a second magnetic body (222) that is magnetically coupled to the first magnetic body (221) and can rotate along the flexible PCB (111). The first magnetic body (221) and the second magnetic body (222) rotate in synchronization, and depending on the position of the second magnetic body (222), the conductive patterns (114c) and (114d) adjacent to each other become conductive, thereby detecting the amount of rotation. The second magnetic body (222) may include a conductive coating layer on its surface to allow two conductive patterns (114) to conduct electricity to each other, and a separate guide member may be provided to facilitate movement along the inner surface of the flexible PCB (112), although not shown.

[0040] The first magnetic body (221) is fixed to the wheel key and rotates together with the wheel key, and the second magnetic body (222) is magnetically coupled to the first magnetic body (221) along the inner surface of the flexible PCB (112) on which the conductive pattern (114) is imprinted and rotates. Meanwhile, each conductive pattern is uniquely distinguished according to its position, and the controller can recognize the position (rotation value) of the wheel key by determining the current-conducting position between the two conductive patterns. For example, in FIG. 8 (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 wheel key can be recognized as being located between the third conductive pattern (114c) and the fourth conductive pattern (114d).

[0041] Figures 9 (a) and 9 (b) are drawings for explaining examples of use using a smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 9 (a), the user can adjust the volume or channel of an electronic device (10), such as a TV or monitor, by rotating the wheel key (120) of the smart ring (100), and can switch functions (volume / channel) by pressing the wheel key (120) to use the button function.

[0043] Next, FIG. 9(b) shows an example of utilizing the gesture function of the smart ring (100), in which a user can manipulate the position of a pointer (cursor) on the screen of a target electronic device (10) by using finger movements while wearing the smart ring (100).

[0044] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a smart ring according to another embodiment of the present invention. The smart ring (300) of this embodiment can easily be configured with two or more wheel keys (310) (320) described in the previous embodiment, thereby providing a more flexible user interface (UI) for controlling target electronic devices in various ways.

[0045] The present invention described above can be utilized in various ways as an input device for a target electronic device, and the button operation, rotation operation, and gesture operation of the wheel key of the smart ring exemplified in the embodiments of the present invention can be used in various combinations. It is not limited to the functions described in the embodiments, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ring-shaped body portion forming an insertion area into which a finger is inserted; A ring-shaped wheel key rotatably provided on the outer surface of the body part; A sensor unit provided in the body portion for detecting and detecting the operation of the wheel key; A controller provided in the above body portion that generates a control signal for controlling an electronic device according to a detection signal of the above sensor portion; A smart ring comprising a cover portion assembled to the body portion to form the exterior.

2. In paragraph 1, the body part is, Inner cover and; A smart ring comprising a flexible PCB provided on the outer surface of the inner cover and equipped with the controller.

3. A smart ring according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of dome keys provided on the flexible PCB to apply a signal to the controller, and a key pad disposed between the body part and the wheel key, wherein a plurality of button hinges are formed protruding from the inner surface corresponding to the dome keys.

4. In Paragraph 1, A smart ring characterized by having a ball bearing provided on the inner surface of the wheel key to facilitate the smooth rotation of the wheel key.

5. In paragraph 2, the smart ring further comprising a rotation amount detection unit for detecting the rotation amount of the wheel key.

6. In paragraph 5, the rotation amount detection unit is, A first magnetic body provided in the above wheel key; A plurality of conductive patterns formed on the above flexible PCB; It includes a second magnetic body that is magnetically coupled to the first magnetic body and can rotate along the flexible PCB, A smart ring characterized by the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body being synchronized to rotate, so that adjacent conductive patterns are conductive according to the position of the second magnetic body, thereby detecting the amount of rotation.

7. A smart ring according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the sensor unit further includes a gesture detection unit for gesture detection.

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