Rotating Smart Ring Interface Using Sensor-Detected Notch Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart rings face challenges in designing effective user interfaces due to their small size, limiting the functionality and user-friendliness of these devices.

Innovation Solution

A wearable ring device with a rotatable interface featuring a notch and sensing elements that detect changes in electrical, magnetic, or optical parameters upon rotation, enabling communication operations through capacitive, inductive, optical, or pressure sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional user interface elements like touchscreens and buttons are incorporated into smart rings, then user interaction capability is improved, but device size and complexity increase beyond what is suitable for smart ring form factor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical UI elements (touchscreens, buttons) with a magnetic sensing system. A rotatable component with magnets interacts with a stationary component containing magnetic sensors, enabling gesture-based control without physical contact interfaces. This substitution allows complex interactions to be achieved through magnetic field detection rather than mechanical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable component serves multiple functions: it acts as both a mechanical element for rotation and a magnetic element for sensing. The same component enables various gestures (rotation direction, speed, position) to control different functions, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate UI elements for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more features and functions are added to smart rings, then device functionality is improved, but user interface effectiveness deteriorates due to size constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiduser interface effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic magnetic field interactions to encode multiple commands. By varying rotation speed, direction, and position, the same physical component can trigger different functions. The magnetic sensors detect these dynamic variations, allowing a single UI mechanism to control multiple features without requiring separate controls for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rotatable interface with sensing elements is implemented, then user interaction flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction flexibilityVSAvoidinterface mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotatable component's mechanical function with its magnetic function into a single integrated element. The magnets embedded in the rotatable component serve both to enable rotation and to provide the magnetic field for sensing, eliminating the need for separate mechanical and magnetic subsystems. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining interaction flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The rotatable interface provides a compact, user-friendly, and durable mechanism for controlling various functions, including payment, workout, and health monitoring, with seamless interaction and customizable features.

Implementation Method 1

The wearable ring device comprises a control unit, a static component and a rotatable interface... the static component includes at least one sensing element placed over an outer surface of the static component... the rotatable interface comprises a notch and the notch is provided at an inner surface of the rotatable component. Further, when the rotatable interface is rotated over the static component, the conductive notch comes in contact with the sensing element, the microcontroller determines a change in an electric or magnetic or optical parameter of the sensing element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12613577B2Wearable ring device with rotating interface for performing communication operation

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 CONZUMEX IND PTE LTD

AI summary

This patent application relates to wearable ring device (101) to perform communication operation in wireless network. The wearable ring device comprises control unit (107), static component (105) and rotatable interface (103). The control unit comprises microcontroller, haptic controller and power source. Static component placed over control unit. The static component includes sensing element placed over outer surface of static component. Rotatable interface is mounted over static component and is rotatable over axis of static component. The rotatable interface includes notch, where notch is provided at inner surface of rotatable component. Further, when rotatable interface is rotated over static component, conductive notch comes in contact with sensing element. Microcontroller determines change in level of electric or magnetic or optical parameter of sensing element when rotatable interface is in contact with static component and performs communication operation based on change in level of electric or magnetic or optical parameter of sensing element.