Inward-Facing Ring Input for Discreet Finger Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face design challenges in providing efficient and unobtrusive input mechanisms that allow users to control external devices without the need for manual grasping or holding, while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing form factor.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic device with an inner surface aperture designed to receive a user's finger, featuring movable input devices such as pressure sensing pads and capacitive touch pads that transmit signals to external devices, allowing for intuitive finger-based input and control, housed in a removable and adjustable housing for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an inward facing input device is positioned on the inner surface of the body, then ease of operation is improved through intuitive finger-based input, but device complexity increases due to the additional aperture and input device integration
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is repositioned from the outer surface to the inner surface of the body, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to create a new interaction space. The aperture provides access to the inward-facing input device, allowing finger-based input without adding external bulk or complexity to the device's outer form factor.
2Ease of operation
If the input device is made movable between positions, then ease of operation is improved through varied input methods, but reliability decreases due to potential mispositioning or accidental activation
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is pre-positioned in a default first position that is recessed or hidden within the housing, preventing accidental activation. The user must intentionally move the device to the second position to activate input functionality, ensuring deliberate and reliable operation while maintaining ease of use through the movement mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is made removable and adjustable, then adaptability is improved for different uses, but device complexity increases due to the removable housing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separable components that can be removed or adjusted independently. This segmentation allows the housing to be adapted for different uses or configurations while keeping the core device intact, providing versatility without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.
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 seamless and intuitive control of external devices through finger inputs, enhancing user interaction while maintaining a compact and aesthetically appealing design, reducing the need for manual grasping and improving usability.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive touch pads that transmit signals to external devices
Implementation Method 2
pressure sensing pads
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electronic device is provided herein. The wearable electronic device includes a body defining an aperture therethrough. The aperture is sized and shaped to receive a finger of a user. The wearable electronic device further includes a computer processor and an input device at least partially extending from an inner surface of the body. The input device is movable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the input device between the first position and second position provides an input to the processor. The electronic wearable device also includes a transmitter coupled to the computer processor and configured to send electronic transmissions to an external electronic device. The electronic transmissions correspond to the input. The electronic wearable device also includes a power source for providing power to the computer processor, the input device and the transmitter.