Wearable Computing Device

What is this patent about?

’889 is related to the field of wearable electronic devices, specifically those designed for continuous wear and monitoring of various physiological parameters. Existing wearable devices often suffer from bulkiness, discomfort, and inconsistent data collection due to poor skin contact. This patent addresses these issues by proposing a compact, ring-shaped device suitable for prolonged use.

The underlying idea behind ’889 is to create a comfortable and unobtrusive wearable device by leveraging the ring form factor. This involves miniaturizing the necessary electronics and sensors and arranging them within a ring-shaped housing to maintain consistent skin contact for accurate data acquisition. A key aspect is the use of a curved battery and a flexible circuit board to conform to the ring's shape.

The claims of ’889 focus on a wearable ring device comprising an external housing made of a metallic material with flanges defining an internal space, and an internal potting that at least partially surrounds a curved battery, a printed circuit board, and one or more components. The internal potting forms the interior surface of the ring that contacts the user. The components include an accelerometer , a temperature sensor , visible and infrared/near-infrared LEDs , and light sensors for measuring heart rate and blood oxygenation.

In practice, the device works by emitting light from the LEDs through the internal potting towards the user's skin. The light sensors then detect the reflected light to measure heart rate and blood oxygenation levels. The accelerometer tracks physical activity, while the temperature sensor monitors skin temperature. All these components are powered by the curved battery and controlled by the circuitry on the flexible printed circuit board, all sealed within the metallic housing and internal potting.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by integrating multiple sensors and a power source into a small, comfortable ring form factor. The use of a metallic housing provides durability, while the internal potting ensures that the components are protected from moisture and physical shock. The specific arrangement of the curved battery and flexible circuit board maximizes space utilization within the ring, enabling a comprehensive set of monitoring capabilities in a compact design.