Apple's smart ring may expand to cover an entire finger

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited February 27

An Apple Ring could feature an expandable design, one that can extend the length of the ring to make it into a finger-sized tube, allowing it to employ more sensors and perform other functions than a smaller, simple ring.

Amazon's Echo Loop, an example of a smart ring.
Amazon's Echo Loop, an example of a smart ring.



A smart ring has the potential to provide users with functionality similar to an Apple Watch, but in a smaller package that doesn't take up space on a user's wrist. While part of the challenge of designing a smart ring involves cramming components into a small space, there is also the issue of its size offering little in the way of opportunity for embedded sensors to be used due to a lack of surface area, as well as for users to accurately control it.

In a patent granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday titled "Expandable Ring Device," Apple suggests the size of a smart ring may not necessarily be static. While the name of the patent hints at a one-size-fits-all design, the filing actually refers to ways the ring could be expanded into a longer tube that covers more of the finger, including some knuckles.

Apple's proposed use for the Apple Ring is to be used as a controller for other devices, such as a replacement for force-feedback gloves or to replace haptic feedback systems in smartphones to save battery.

An example of how the smart ring could expand across two knuckles.
An example of how the smart ring could expand across two knuckles.



The device could include a housing with a variety of sensors, including force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, and touch sensors, which can be used to gather input from the user. Haptic feedback could also be provided by adding vibration-creating elements within the same regions, while control circuitry would handle the transmission of information to and from a host device.

The ring may include an annular main body with an expandable portion that can extend out along the finger towards the tip. Depending on the design, this can include a flap with a hinge, a rotatable housing member, expandable nested housing segments for adjustable expansion, or other structures that can enable the extended portion to move in relation to the main body.

A potential internal support structure for a smart ring's expansion.
A potential internal support structure for a smart ring's expansion.



The extension could include an internal adjustable frame with telescoping legs and a cover, making it more rigid and ensuring touch or force inputs could be more securely detected. Sensors could be included within the extendable portion, allowing them to be accessed and used only in an expanded state, while other sensors may be accessible in both expanded and contracted states.

By extending the ring over knuckles, strain sensors on the casing could allow the ring to determine how far a finger has bent. This could enable granular control over a function as part of a physical gesture.

Apple also proposes the ring could include rotatable buttons and other input elements on the main ring housing.

Rotatable control examples for a smart ring.
Rotatable control examples for a smart ring.



Apple files numerous patent applications on a weekly basis, but while the existence of a patent indicates areas of interest for the company's research and development efforts, there is no guarantee a product or service will use the concepts in the future.

The patent lists its inventors as Paul X. Wang and Dinesh C. Mathew. Product design architect Wang has appeared on a number of Apple patents, including the single glass sheet iMac redesign and a haptic feedback system for the Apple Pencil, while Matthew is linked to a solar-powered MacBook as well as the glass Mac, among other patent filings.

Apple has looked into the possibility of using smart rings for a while, including one October 2019 design involving a finger-mounted touchscreen capable of sending commands to another nearby device. A November 2019 patent suggested a smart ring could help with detecting a user's motion for augmented reality or virtual reality.

Apple is also far from the first to market with a smart ring. Aside from smaller-scale efforts, arguably the biggest launch was Amazon's debut of the Echo Loop ring, a titanium accessory which provided users with a way to talk to Alexa from their finger, and housing a combination of button-activated microphones and a small motor for haptic feedback.



Read on AppleInsider

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 26
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    Let's see one ring that grows and shrinks as it needs and taps into unlimited power from afar. I gotta say as a fan of Lord of the Rings this makes me slightly uncomfortable.
    randominternetpersonpscooter63beowulfschmidtFLMusic
  • Reply 2 of 26
    razorpitrazorpit Posts: 1,796member
    It was easy for Apple to get me to start wearing a watch again. For me to wear a ring I would have to replace my wedding band because I seriously doubt you would ever see me with more than one ring on my fingers. This would have to be one incredible product.
  • Reply 3 of 26
    talexytalexy Posts: 80member
    Whatever they do with this technology, they certainly won't make a ring out of it.
  • Reply 4 of 26
    cincyteecincytee Posts: 403member
    I'd think the market for this would be mainly medical, not mass consumer. Go to the doctor's office, clinic, or hospital, and they slip a sensor sleeve on your finger. Lets medical staff monitor wide range of body functions in real time.
  • Reply 5 of 26
    spice-boyspice-boy Posts: 1,450member
    Apple, we ain't Borg. 
    SnickersMagoo
  • Reply 6 of 26
    cjcampbellcjcampbell Posts: 113member
    We are Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
    mike1kurai_kageSnickersMagoosweetheart777FLMusicStrangeDaysjony0
  • Reply 7 of 26
    Rayz2016Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member
    This will never see the light of day.
    spice-boy
  • Reply 8 of 26
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member
    Rayz2016 said:
    This will never see the light of day.
    An expanding ring that expands and contracts along the shaft it's placed? I can see this being developed by a different company into a larger ring for a completely different market.
    edited March 2020 DAalsethbaconstangbeowulfschmidtspheric
  • Reply 9 of 26
    EphraimEphraim Posts: 12member
    iRing at last. There is one ring that rules them all.
    razorpit
  • Reply 10 of 26
    robin huberrobin huber Posts: 3,949member
    A MUST for digital proctological exams! If it has haptic feedback, a must for heavy petting. 
    edited March 2020 lukeibaconstang
  • Reply 11 of 26
    geekmeegeekmee Posts: 629member
    How many patents does Apple submit.... That never see the light of day?
    Given the existence of patent trolls, I would submit everything I am working on too, in case it ever saw the light of day.
  • Reply 12 of 26
    kurai_kagekurai_kage Posts: 104member
    I'm not sure I could see this functionality applied over bare skin, particularly passing over knuckles.  Now over the top of a glove, that seems more reasonable.  There are certainly both AR and VR applications here, and the more portable and non-intrusive the interface, easier it will be for people to adopt it.
  • Reply 13 of 26
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,104member
    Rayz2016 said:
    This will never see the light of day.
    That's right!  It'll be in my pants.
    Soli
  • Reply 14 of 26
    spice-boy said:
    Apple, we ain't Borg. 
    Funny you should write that. I was just thinking they should abandon a simple ring and go with a full-hand device like Seven of Nine wore, extending all the way up to an enhanced Apple Watch at the wrist. Now that would allow a lot more functionality. Nintendo Power Glove done right.
  • Reply 15 of 26
    JBSloughJBSlough Posts: 92member
    A wearable with haptic feedback. A revolutionary new medical sensor device. An incredible sex toy. 
    Getting it? These aren’t three device. Today Apple reinvents the dildo.
    edited March 2020 sphericspice-boy
  • Reply 16 of 26
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    That’s gross.
  • Reply 17 of 26
    anomeanome Posts: 1,533member
    DAalseth said:
    Let's see one ring that grows and shrinks as it needs and taps into unlimited power from afar. I gotta say as a fan of Lord of the Rings this makes me slightly uncomfortable.
    Want to be what the most requested laser-etching on it will be?

    Can they even do Elvish?
  • Reply 18 of 26
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,335member
    Time to start working on the Pull My Finger app. 
    spice-boy
  • Reply 19 of 26
    spice-boyspice-boy Posts: 1,450member
    We are Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
    Most of you already are, true. 
  • Reply 20 of 26
    spice-boyspice-boy Posts: 1,450member

    spice-boy said:
    Apple, we ain't Borg. 
    Funny you should write that. I was just thinking they should abandon a simple ring and go with a full-hand device like Seven of Nine wore, extending all the way up to an enhanced Apple Watch at the wrist. Now that would allow a lot more functionality. Nintendo Power Glove done right.
    Would help be pick my nose better? If not, pass. 
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