Smart Ring Position Sensing for Finger Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine-human interfaces often distract users by occupying one of the five senses, are unsuitable for high-distraction environments, and are inadequate for individuals with disabilities or anatomical limitations, particularly in detecting hand movements and providing haptic stimulation via wrist-worn devices.
Innovation Solution
A smart ring with a touch sensor, processor, and communications interface that converts touch inputs into signals for motion tracking and haptic stimulation, allowing communication through tactile sensations, enabling users to interact without relying on vision or hearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wrist-worn devices are used for detecting hand movements, then device portability is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates because wrist devices cannot detect finger movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wearable device into a ring portion that fits on the finger and a separate processing unit. The ring portion contains the position sensor specifically for detecting finger movements, while the processing unit handles data processing. This segmentation allows the device to be worn on the finger for accurate detection while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from wrist-worn devices to finger-worn ring devices, changing the anatomical location from wrist to finger. This dimensional change in body location enables direct detection of finger movements through the position sensor while maintaining device portability through the ring format.
2Ease of operation
If wrist-worn devices are used for haptic stimulation, then device portability is improved, but effectiveness deteriorates due to lack of sufficient nerves in the wrist area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the haptic stimulation function into the ring portion that contacts the finger, where nerves are abundant. This segmentation allows the stimulation mechanism to be positioned at the finger rather than the wrist, ensuring effective haptic feedback while maintaining device portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates the haptic stimulation interface from the wrist to the finger by changing the anatomical location. The ring portion provides direct contact with the finger where nerve density is high, ensuring reliable haptic stimulation while the ring format maintains device portability.
3Loss of information
If typical machine-human interfaces are used, then communication capability is improved, but user distraction increases by occupying vision or hearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces haptic feedback as an intermediary channel for communication between the device and user. Instead of relying on visual or auditory interfaces that cause distraction, the system uses tactile sensations through the ring to convey information, allowing users to remain engaged with their environment while maintaining communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional visual and auditory mechanical interfaces with a haptic feedback system. By substituting the sensory modality from sight/hearing to touch, the system enables communication without occupying the user's visual or auditory attention, reducing distraction in high-demand environments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing smart accessories are used, then device availability is improved, but functionality deteriorates because they cannot detect finger movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the smart accessory into a ring portion with integrated position sensors that specifically detect finger movements. This segmentation enables the device to be worn on the finger for direct movement detection while maintaining the versatility and availability of smart accessory functionality through the separate processing unit.
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 effective communication and interaction in various environments by translating sensory information through haptic stimulation, facilitating tasks like language learning, navigation, and device control without visual or auditory distraction.
Implementation Method 1
The touch sensor is configured to receive a touch input from the user and convert the touch input into an input signal
Implementation Method 2
obtain position data of the smart ring... The position data comprises a position of the smart ring and any changes in the position of the ring
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a method includes obtaining, using a smart ring worn on a finger of a user and while the smart ring is controlled to be in an active operational state, position data of the smart ring. The position data comprises a position of the smart ring and any changes in the position of the ring. The method also includes sending the position data to another device. The method also includes ignoring, while the smart ring is controlled to be in a standby operational state, changes in the position of the ring.