Wearable Ring Capacitive Gesture Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of mobile computing devices spend excessive time looking at screens, detracting from social interactions and environmental awareness, as existing devices require visual interaction for functionality.

Innovation Solution

A wearable electronic device in the form of jewelry with an interchangeable RFID tag, utilizing passive RFID technology that allows users to interact with their devices without needing to visually engage with the screen, using capacitive plates and a substrate for gesture recognition and communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile computing devices require visual interaction with the screen for functionality, then device operation is achieved, but social interactions and environmental awareness are diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operationVSAvoidtime spent looking at screen

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual interaction (optical system) with tactile interaction through capacitive sensing (electrical system). The capacitive plates detect finger proximity and gestures without requiring the user to look at the screen, substituting the visual display interface with a tactile sensing interface that works through touch and proximity detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If mobile computing devices require visual interaction with the screen for functionality, then device operation is achieved, but social encounters are detracted from

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operationVSAvoidsocial interaction disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the visual screen interface with a tactile capacitive interface that enables operation through touch and proximity gestures. This allows users to interact with the device hands-free or with minimal visual attention, reducing the social isolation effect of screen staring while maintaining full device functionality through touch-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a wearable electronic device uses capacitive plates for gesture recognition, then interaction without visual engagement is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture recognitionVSAvoidinterface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the capacitive plates directly into the device housing or interface structure, merging the sensing function with the structural components. This consolidation reduces the need for separate sensing modules and simplifies the overall device architecture while enabling sophisticated gesture recognition capabilities through the distributed capacitive sensor array.

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

Enables convenient, unobtrusive, and intuitive use of electronic communication devices without the need for constant screen interaction, enhancing social interactions and environmental awareness while maintaining device functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The substrate has a plurality of capacitive plates positioned proximate the interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10416881B2Wearable electronic device with interface

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 APOLLO 13 DESIGNS LLC

AI summary

A wearable electronic device comprises a ring body defining an annular receiving space within the ring body and a substrate disposed in the annular receiving space. The ring body has an interface disposed on an exterior of the ring body. The substrate has a plurality of capacitive plates positioned proximate the interface.