IP Verse

Wearable Computing Device

Patent No. US12346160 (titled "Wearable Computing Device") was filed by Jpmorgan Chase Bank Na on Jan 27, 2025.

What is this patent about?

’160 is related to the field of wearable electronics , specifically devices designed to be worn on a user's finger in the form of a ring. The background acknowledges the increasing popularity of wearable technology for lifestyle improvement, technology access, and activity monitoring. However, existing wearables are often bulky and intrusive, leading to discomfort during extended use. This patent aims to address these limitations by providing a more comfortable and less obtrusive wearable device.

The underlying idea behind ’160 is to create a compact, finger-worn ring that can continuously monitor various physiological parameters and physical activities. This is achieved by integrating sensors, a flexible circuit board, and a curved battery within a small housing. The ring's form factor allows for prolonged wear and consistent contact with the skin, enabling more reliable data collection compared to traditional wearables. The design also incorporates optical components for sensing and communication through a transparent potting material.

The claims of ’160 focus on a wearable ring device with specific dimensions, designed to be worn on a finger. The device includes a metallic external housing and an internal potting that encapsulates a curved battery, a printed circuit board, and various components. These components include an accelerometer for detecting physical movement, a temperature sensor for measuring skin temperature, LEDs for emitting light, and light sensors for measuring heart rate and blood oxygenation levels. The LEDs are positioned to emit light through the internal potting towards the user's tissue.

In practice, the device works by using the accelerometer to track the user's physical activity, while the temperature sensor monitors skin temperature. The LEDs emit light (visible, infrared, or near-infrared) through the transparent potting material onto the user's skin. The light sensors then detect the reflected light to measure heart rate and blood oxygenation levels. The curved battery and flexible circuit board are essential for fitting all these components into the small ring-shaped housing.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by offering a miniaturized, comfortable, and unobtrusive wearable device. The use of a curved battery and flexible circuit board allows for efficient space utilization within the ring's form factor. The transparent potting material enables optical sensing and communication without requiring separate windows, simplifying the design and improving durability. The metallic external housing provides structural integrity and a sleek aesthetic.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’160 was filed, wearable computing devices were gaining traction, but hardware constraints made miniaturization and power efficiency non-trivial. At a time when activity monitoring was typically implemented using dedicated sensors and basic data processing, systems commonly relied on wired connections for charging and data transfer rather than wireless solutions. Integrating multiple sensors and communication capabilities into a small form factor like a ring presented significant engineering challenges.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner allowed the claims because prior art, such as Drysdale et al. and Flake et al., failed to disclose or make obvious a wearable ring device with the specific combination of features recited in the claims. Specifically, the examiner noted that the prior art did not teach a wearable ring device configured to sense data related to physical movement, skin temperature, heart rate, and blood oxygenation level of the user, comprising an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, first and second LEDs, and one or more light sensors.

Claims

This patent contains 20 claims, with independent claims 1 and 10 directed to a wearable ring device for sensing physiological data. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, components, and functionalities of the wearable ring device described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Curved battery
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a wearable computing device (WCD) in the shape of a ring. The wearable computing device can be worn for extended periods of time and can take many measurements and perform various functions because of its form factor and position on the finger of a user.”A battery with a shape and size configured to fit within the housing of the wearable ring device, extending along a portion of the curved perimeter of the external housing.
External housing
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“Another aspect of the disclosure provides a wearable computing device, comprising: an external housing portion; a flexible printed circuit board arranged around a portion of a circumference of an interior surface of the external housing; at least one component disposed on the flexible printed circuit board; and an internal housing portion configured to seal the at least one component and the printed circuit board in an internal space defined by the interior surface of the external housing.”A metallic housing with an exterior surface, an internal surface, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, defining an internal space that is at least partially filled with internal potting.
Internal potting
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“One aspect of the disclosure provides a wearable computing device, comprising: an interior wall; an exterior wall; a flexible printed circuit board disposed between the interior wall and the exterior wall; at least one component disposed on the flexible printed circuit board; and wherein at least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall defines a window that facilitates at least one of data transmission, battery recharge, and status indication.”A material that at least partially surrounds the curved battery, printed circuit board, and one or more components within the external housing, forming an interior surface of the wearable ring device configured to contact the user's tissue.
Light sensors
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“In one example, the at least one component comprises at least one LED configured to emit at least one of visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation through the external potting.”One or more sensors configured to detect visible light, infrared light, or near-infrared light to measure heart rate and blood oxygenation level.
Wearable ring device
(Claim 1, Claim 10)		“The present disclosure describes a wearable computing device (WCD) that enables a wearable fitness monitor(s)/computer(s) which is suitable for prolonged usage with accurate results. The WCD can be in the form of a ring that can be worn on the finger of a human (or animal) user.”A ring-shaped device configured to be worn on a finger, designed to sense data related to physical movement, skin temperature, heart rate, and blood oxygenation level.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
2:25-cv-01126Nov 17, 2025Ouraring Inc. v. Zepp Health Corporation
2:25-cv-01127Nov 17, 2025Ouraring Inc. v. Nexxbase Marketing Pvt. Ltd.
2:25-cv-01129Nov 17, 2025Ouraring Inc. v. Reebok International Limited et al

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US12346160

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA
Application Number
US19038474
Filing Date
Jan 27, 2025
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Nov 28, 2034
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents