Finger-Worn Ring Layout for Compact Sensing and Prolonged Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable electronics are bulky and intrusive, leading to discomfort and interference with daily life, making them unsuitable for extended wear.
Innovation Solution
A wearable computing device in the form of a ring with a flexible printed circuit board and components, featuring windows for data transmission, battery recharge, and status indication, along with a photovoltaic cell for charging and sensors for health monitoring, allowing prolonged wear and seamless integration with the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wearable electronics are designed with sufficient functionality and components, then they can perform various monitoring and computing tasks, but they become bulky and intrusive, leading to discomfort and interference with daily life
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is divided into multiple functional modules including a processor module, sensor modules, memory module, and communication module. Each module is independently designed and integrated onto a flexible printed circuit board, allowing the device to maintain comprehensive functionality while reducing overall bulk through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the flexible printed circuit board with components is enclosed within a first housing, which is then nested within a second housing. This multi-layer nesting approach consolidates multiple functional elements into a compact form factor that can be worn comfortably as a ring
2Volume of moving object
If wearable electronics are made compact to reduce bulkiness, then they become less intrusive and more comfortable for extended wear, but they may lack sufficient functionality and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible printed circuit board as the substrate for mounting electronic components. This flexible film technology allows high-density integration of processor, sensors, memory, and communication modules in a compact arrangement that fits within the constrained volume of a ring-shaped wearable device
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a three-dimensional nested housing structure with multiple layers, allowing functional components to be arranged in vertical and radial dimensions rather than just horizontal space. This dimensional reorganization enables comprehensive functionality within the compact ring form factor
3Duration of action of moving object
If wearable electronics are designed for extended wear comfort, then they should be lightweight and minimal, but they interfere with daily life activities and lack adequate monitoring capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments monitoring functions into specialized sensor modules (accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate sensor, temperature sensor) that are distributed across the flexible circuit board. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive health monitoring without requiring a bulky single-unit design
Solution Approach 2:
The processor module serves multiple functions including data processing from various sensors, gesture recognition, biometric authentication, and communication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, enabling extended wear comfort while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities that do not interfere with daily activities
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables prolonged and comfortable wear, providing accurate health and fitness monitoring while reducing bulkiness and interference, with features like gesture recognition and biometric authentication.
Implementation Method 1
at least one component comprises a concentrated photovoltaic cell configured to receive concentrated light through the transparent external potting
Implementation Method 2
the at least one component comprises at least one LED configured to emit at least one of visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation through the external potting
Data Source
AI summary
A finger-worn wearable ring device may include a ring-shaped housing, a printed circuit board, and a sensor module that includes one or more light-emitting components and one or more light-receiving components. The wearable ring device may further include a communication module configured to wirelessly communicate with an application executable on a user device.