Wearable Computing Device

What is this patent about?

’178 is related to the field of wearable electronic devices , specifically a smart ring designed for prolonged use and continuous monitoring of a user's activity and health. The background acknowledges the limitations of existing wearable devices, which can be bulky, intrusive, and uncomfortable for extended wear. The smart ring aims to overcome these limitations by providing a compact and unobtrusive form factor.

The underlying idea behind ’178 is to create a comfortable and functional wearable device in the form of a ring. This is achieved by strategically arranging components like a curved battery and a semi-flexible PCB within a curved housing. The key insight is to utilize the ring's form factor to enable continuous data acquisition through sensors in contact with the user's skin, while also providing a means for wireless communication and power management.

The claims of ’178 focus on a finger-worn wearable ring device comprising an external housing component defining an outer circumferential surface of the finger-worn wearable ring device; an internal housing component defining an inner circumferential surface of the finger-worn wearable ring device, the internal housing component coupled with the external housing component, wherein at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the internal housing component is configured to contact a tissue of a user when the finger-worn wearable ring device is being worn by the user; a battery positioned within a cavity formed between the internal housing component and the external housing component, wherein the battery comprises a shape and size configured to fit within the cavity between the outer circumferential surface of the external housing component and the inner circumferential surface of the internal housing component, and wherein the battery extends through at least a first portion of the cavity of the finger-worn wearable ring device; a printed circuit board disposed between the internal housing component and the external housing component, wherein the printed circuit board extends through at least a second portion of the cavity of the finger-worn wearable ring device different from the first portion; and one or more sensors electrically coupled with the printed circuit board and the battery and configured to acquire data from the user through the internal housing component.

In practice, the smart ring houses a curved battery and a semi-flexible PCB that conforms to the ring's shape. The PCB mounts various sensors, including a motion sensor, temperature sensor, and potentially others for heart rate or blood oxygen monitoring. A potting material encapsulates these components, providing structural integrity and environmental protection while remaining transparent to allow light-based sensing or communication. The ring communicates wirelessly with a client computer for data transfer and analysis.

The smart ring differentiates itself from prior approaches by its form factor and focus on continuous monitoring. Unlike bulky wristbands or clip-on devices, the ring is designed for comfortable, all-day wear. The use of a curved battery and semi-flexible PCB allows for efficient space utilization within the small ring enclosure. The transparent potting material is also a key differentiator, enabling optical sensors and wireless communication without requiring separate windows or openings in the housing.