Inward-Facing Ring Input for Hands-Free Wearable Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable electronic devices face the challenge of providing convenient and unencumbered user input while maintaining a compact form factor, as traditional input methods often require manual grasping or holding, which limits their usability and design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A wearable electronic device design featuring an inward-facing input device, such as a capacitive touch pad and pressure sensing pads, integrated into a removable housing that can be coupled to the body via a clip, allowing for input detection through a user's finger, enabling intuitive control of external devices without the need for manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional input methods are used in wearable devices, then manual grasping or holding is required, but this encumbers the user's hands and limits usability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input convenienceVSAvoidhands-free usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device enables the user's own body (finger) to serve as the input mechanism through capacitive sensing. The finger itself provides the input signal by simply being present in the aperture, eliminating the need for separate manual operation tools or grasping actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical input mechanisms (buttons, switches requiring manual operation) with a capacitive sensing system that detects the electrical properties of the user's finger. This substitution enables contactless or minimal-contact input operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual input mechanisms are included in wearable devices, then input functionality is provided, but the device size and form factor are constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoiddevice form factor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the input sensing function from traditional bulky mechanical components and implements it through integrated capacitive sensors within the device body. This extraction allows input functionality to be achieved with minimal additional volume, maintaining compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The input sensing capability is merged into the existing device structure through the aperture and body housing. The capacitive sensing elements are integrated within the device body rather than adding separate external input mechanisms, combining form and function efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If inward-facing input devices are used, then hands-free operation is enabled, but the input device must be precisely positioned within the device body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operation capabilityVSAvoidinput device positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture is designed with specific dimensional tolerances that create a consistent sensing zone regardless of minor positioning variations. This equipotential design ensures that the capacitive sensing remains effective across a range of finger positions and sizes, reducing the impact of manufacturing precision limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing system is designed to detect a range of capacitive values corresponding to different finger types and positions. By programming the processor to recognize multiple input states and thresholds, the system adapts to variations in finger placement without requiring precise mechanical positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables hands-free operation of external devices, enhances design flexibility by reducing the need for external input mechanisms, and provides a compact form factor that accommodates various finger sizes and types, improving user interaction and device usability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one capacitive pad to detect a second input from the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

at least one pressure sensing pad to detect a first input from the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11429232B2Wearable electronic devices having an inward facing input device and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 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.