Inward-Facing Ring Input for Hands-Free External Device 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 appealing 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 input control via finger gestures and movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual grasping or holding is used for input, then input control is straightforward, but the user's hands are encumbered and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput controlVSAvoidhand freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device enables the user's body (specifically the finger inserted through the aperture) to serve as the input mechanism itself. The finger's natural movements and positions directly control the input devices, eliminating the need for manual grasping or holding of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D touch surfaces to a 3D spatial interaction model where the finger's position, movement, and orientation in three-dimensional space provide input control. The aperture and input devices are arranged to detect finger movements along multiple axes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If input devices are positioned on the outer surface, then they are easily accessible, but the device form factor and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput accessibilityVSAvoiddevice form factor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing input devices on the conventional outer surface for easy access, the patent inverts the approach by positioning input devices on the inner surface of the body, accessible only when a finger is inserted through the aperture. This reverses the traditional interaction paradigm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The input devices are nested within the body structure itself, specifically on the inner surface that contacts the user's finger. This nesting allows the input mechanism to be integrated into the device's form rather than added as an external component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple input devices are included, then input versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multiple input devices (pressure sensing pad, capacitive touch pad, and additional touch-sensitive surfaces) that can detect various types of finger interactions (pressure, touch, swipe, rotation). These multiple sensors work together as an integrated input system, providing versatile input capabilities while sharing common processing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 control of external devices through finger-based inputs, enhancing user interaction while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design, reducing the need for manual grasping and improving usability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one capacitive touch pad that transmits signals to external devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

pressure sensing pads and capacitive touch pads that transmit signals to external devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10955974B2Wearable electronic devices having an inward facing input device and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 GOOGLE LLC

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.