Patent Application
20250009086
The following relates to wearable devices and data processing, including an adaptive rigid and conformable wearable ring device with adjustable circumference.
Some wearable devices may be configured to collect physiological data from users, including temperature data, heart rate data, and the like. However, poor contact between a user's skin and one or more sensors of a wearable device may result in inaccurate measurements. As such, the anatomy of human users may result in ill-fitting wearable devices that do not achieve relatively constant skin contact and produce inaccurate measurements. For example, in the context of a wearable ring device, a variety of reasons may make it challenging for the wearable ring device to achieve a good fit, such as the anatomy of a human user's finger.
Some wearable devices may be configured to collect physiological data from users, such as light-based photoplethysmogram (PPG) data. For example, some wearable devices may be configured to acquire physiological data associated with a user including temperature data, heart rate data, and the like. To track the physiological data efficiently and accurately, a wearable device may be configured to collect data continuously while the user wears the device. However, a level or quality of skin contact between the wearable device and the user's tissue may affect a quality of PPG measurements. In particular, varying pressure between the wearable device and the user's tissue may affect how light is transmitted into, through, and out of the user's tissue, thereby affecting PPG measurements. As such, ill-fitting wearable devices that do not achieve relatively constant skin contact may result in poor PPG data.
In some cases, the anatomy of human users may make it challenging for wearable devices to achieve a good fit. For example, if the wearable device is a ring (e.g., a wearable ring device), pressure on the ring may create an air gap between the opposite side of the ring and the skin of the user. More specifically, in the context of the wearable ring device, a user's fingers may swell and contract (e.g., due to varying hydration levels, weight fluctuation, pregnancy, elevation, inflammation, etc.), which may affect the fit of the wearable device. Moreover, the joints and knuckles of a human's fingers may make it challenging for the wearable ring devices to achieve a good fit. For instance, a ring that fits over the user's knuckle may be relatively loose when it is being worn, but a ring that fits well around the base of the user's finger may be difficult or uncomfortable to put on (or take off) over the user's knuckles.
In some cases, an ill-fitting wearable ring device may lead to insufficient or inconsistent contact with one or more sensors of the wearable device (e.g., one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) and one or more respective photodetectors (PDs)), which may create new optical interfaces between the skin of the user and the sensors. The new optical interfaces may behave differently as compared to cases where there is good skin contact between the skin of the user and the sensors (e.g., may change a critical angle due to reflections, reduce measured signal perfusion index due to internal stray light, cause variations in the distribution of light, and the like). The optical interference may cause inaccurate readings from the sensors. Additionally, or alternatively, the wearable device may adjust a power of the sensors, such as increasing the brightness of an LED, to account for the variation in readings, which may increase power consumption at the wearable device. Such issues associated with ill-fitting wearable devices may cause the wearable devices to be uncomfortable for the user, and may result in inaccurate physiological data readings that may lead to a distorted picture of the user's overall health, as well as increased power consumption and decreased battery life.
Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to wearable ring devices that are able to transition between multiple discrete ring sizes. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to wearable ring devices with an adjustable inner circumference and a rigid outer circumference. The inner circumference may be adjusted to transition between multiple discrete ring sizes (e.g., between U.S. ring sizes 6-8). The outer housing may be manufactured from a non-flexible material, such as rigid metal and/or a plastic material that may be designed to protect the inner components of the wearable device. Such rigid materials may protect sensitive sensors and circuitry of the wearable device from damage that may be caused by water and other substances, dropping the wearable device, bumping into objects with the wearable device, and the like. For example, a wearable ring device may include a ring housing that exhibits a constant outer circumference, where mechanical components of the ring are configured to adjust at least a portion of an inner circumferential surface to transition the ring between the discrete sizes.
In some cases, the mechanical components may include one or more expandable components that may expand toward the center of the ring to make the ring smaller (or, conversely, retract from the center of the ring to make the ring bigger). For example, the expandable component may include a bladder, a temperature/electrically-activated foam, and/or a flexible protrusion (e.g., a dome-shaped protrusion) that is electrically activated or activated by body heat. In such cases, the expandable component (e.g., bladder, foam, protrusion, etc.) may be positioned around portions of the inner circumferential surface that do not include sensors in order to improve skin contact on portions of the inner surface proximate to the sensors. In other cases, the expandable component may be positioned between inner and outer shells of the housing, and may therefore be configured to “push” the inner shell with the sensors toward the center of the ring (e.g., decreasing the inner circumference of the ring and creating a tighter fit around the finger). In some other cases, extension members disposed within the inner circumferential surface of the ring may extend/retract within apertures of the inner surface (e.g., inner shell), thereby effectively changing the inner circumference of the ring, and adjusting the effective size of the ring. Additionally, or alternatively, a cable or “boa” mechanism may be positioned between the inner and outer shells of the housing, and may constrict to pull the inner shell with the sensors toward the center of the ring to make the ring smaller. Conversely, the cable mechanism may extend to allow the inner shell with the sensors to move back toward the outer shell to make the ring bigger.
The ability of the wearable device to transition between multiple discrete sizes may enable the wearable device to achieve a better fit on a user (e.g., one or more fingers of the user that vary in size between users and/or over time), thereby improving contact between the sensors of the wearable device and the skin of the user and leading to more accurate physiological data readings. Additionally, the ability of the wearable device to transition between multiple discrete sizes may reduce the quantity of discrete sizes of the wearable device that are produced, which may in turn reduce manufacturing costs of the wearable device. Moreover, the ability of the wearable device to transition between multiple discrete sizes may improve comfortability of the wearable devices and reduce the likelihood of injury to the user's finger (e.g., in the event that wearable device becomes caught on an object), thereby making the wearable device more suitable for a wide array of users and industries.
Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of systems supporting physiological data collection from users via wearable devices. Additional aspects of the disclosure are described in the context of example wearable device diagrams. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to adaptive rigid and conformable wearable ring devices for adjustable circumference.
The electronic devices may include any electronic devices known in the art, including wearable devices 104 (e.g., ring wearable devices, watch wearable devices, etc.), user devices 106 (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tablets). The electronic devices associated with the respective users 102 may include one or more of the following functionalities: 1) measuring physiological data, 2) storing the measured data, 3) processing the data, 4) providing outputs (e.g., via GUIs) to a user 102 based on the processed data, and 5) communicating data with one another and/or other computing devices. Different electronic devices may perform one or more of the functionalities.
Example wearable devices 104 may include wearable computing devices, such as a ring computing device (hereinafter “ring”) configured to be worn on a user's 102 finger, a wrist computing device (e.g., a smart watch, fitness band, or bracelet) configured to be worn on a user's 102 wrist, and/or a head mounted computing device (e.g., glasses/goggles). Wearable devices 104 may also include bands, straps (e.g., flexible or inflexible bands or straps), stick-on sensors, and the like, that may be positioned in other locations, such as bands around the head (e.g., a forehead headband), arm (e.g., a forearm band and/or bicep band), and/or leg (e.g., a thigh or calf band), behind the car, under the armpit, and the like. Wearable devices 104 may also be attached to, or included in, articles of clothing. For example, wearable devices 104 may be included in pockets and/or pouches on clothing. As another example, wearable device 104 may be clipped and/or pinned to clothing, or may otherwise be maintained within the vicinity of the user 102. Example articles of clothing may include, but are not limited to, hats, shirts, gloves, pants, socks, outerwear (e.g., jackets), and undergarments. In some implementations, wearable devices 104 may be included with other types of devices such as training/sporting devices that are used during physical activity. For example, wearable devices 104 may be attached to, or included in, a bicycle, skis, a tennis racket, a golf club, and/or training weights.
Much of the present disclosure may be described in the context of a ring wearable device 104. Accordingly, the terms “ring 104,” “wearable device 104,” and like terms, may be used interchangeably, unless noted otherwise herein. However, the use of the term “ring 104” is not to be regarded as limiting, as it is contemplated herein that aspects of the present disclosure may be performed using other wearable devices (e.g., watch wearable devices, necklace wearable device, bracelet wearable devices, earring wearable devices, anklet wearable devices, and the like).
In some aspects, user devices 106 may include handheld mobile computing devices, such as smartphones and tablet computing devices. User devices 106 may also include personal computers, such as laptop and desktop computing devices. Other example user devices 106 may include server computing devices that may communicate with other electronic devices (e.g., via the Internet). In some implementations, computing devices may include medical devices, such as external wearable computing devices (e.g., Holter monitors). Medical devices may also include implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators. Other example user devices 106 may include home computing devices, such as internet of things (IoT) devices (e.g., IoT devices), smart televisions, smart speakers, smart displays (e.g., video call displays), hubs (e.g., wireless communication hubs), security systems, smart appliances (e.g., thermostats and refrigerators), and fitness equipment.
Some electronic devices (e.g., wearable devices 104, user devices 106) may measure physiological parameters of respective users 102, such as photoplethysmography waveforms, continuous skin temperature, a pulse waveform, respiration rate, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), actigraphy, galvanic skin response, pulse oximetry, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood sugar levels (e.g., glucose metrics), and/or other physiological parameters. Some electronic devices that measure physiological parameters may also perform some/all of the calculations described herein. Some electronic devices may not measure physiological parameters, but may perform some/all of the calculations described herein. For example, a ring (e.g., wearable device 104), mobile device application, or a server computing device may process received physiological data that was measured by other devices.
In some implementations, a user 102 may operate, or may be associated with, multiple electronic devices, some of which may measure physiological parameters and some of which may process the measured physiological parameters. In some implementations, a user 102 may have a ring (e.g., wearable device 104) that measures physiological parameters. The user 102 may also have, or be associated with, a user device 106 (e.g., mobile device, smartphone), where the wearable device 104 and the user device 106 are communicatively coupled to one another. In some cases, the user device 106 may receive data from the wearable device 104 and perform some/all of the calculations described herein. In some implementations, the user device 106 may also measure physiological parameters described herein, such as motion/activity parameters.
For example, as illustrated in
In some implementations, the rings 104 (e.g., wearable devices 104) of the system 100 may be configured to collect physiological data from the respective users 102 based on arterial blood flow within the user's finger. In particular, a ring 104 may utilize one or more light-emitting components, such as LEDs (e.g., red LEDs, green LEDs) that emit light on the palm-side of a user's finger to collect physiological data based on arterial blood flow within the user's finger. In general, the terms light-emitting components, light-emitting elements, and like terms, may include, but are not limited to, LEDs, micro LEDs, mini LEDs, laser diodes (LDs) (e.g., vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), and the like.
In some cases, the system 100 may be configured to collect physiological data from the respective users 102 based on blood flow diffused into a microvascular bed of skin with capillaries and arterioles. For example, the system 100 may collect PPG data based on a measured amount of blood diffused into the microvascular system of capillaries and arterioles. In some implementations, the ring 104 may acquire the physiological data using a combination of both green and red LEDs. The physiological data may include any physiological data known in the art including, but not limited to, temperature data, accelerometer data (e.g., movement/motion data), heart rate data, HRV data, blood oxygen level data, or any combination thereof.
The use of both green and red LEDs may provide several advantages over other solutions, as red and green LEDs have been found to have their own distinct advantages when acquiring physiological data under different conditions (e.g., light/dark, active/inactive) and via different parts of the body, and the like. For example, green LEDs have been found to exhibit better performance during exercise. Moreover, using multiple LEDs (e.g., green and red LEDs) distributed around the ring 104 has been found to exhibit superior performance as compared to wearable devices that utilize LEDs that are positioned close to one another, such as within a watch wearable device. Furthermore, the blood vessels in the finger (e.g., arteries, capillaries) are more accessible via LEDs as compared to blood vessels in the wrist. In particular, arteries in the wrist are positioned on the bottom of the wrist (e.g., palm-side of the wrist), meaning only capillaries are accessible on the top of the wrist (e.g., back of hand side of the wrist), where wearable watch devices and similar devices are typically worn. As such, utilizing LEDs and other sensors within a ring 104 has been found to exhibit superior performance as compared to wearable devices worn on the wrist, as the ring 104 may have greater access to arteries (as compared to capillaries), thereby resulting in stronger signals and more valuable physiological data.
The electronic devices of the system 100 (e.g., user devices 106, wearable devices 104) may be communicatively coupled to one or more servers 110 via wired or wireless communication protocols. For example, as shown in
The system 100 may offer an on-demand database service between the user devices 106 and the one or more servers 110. In some cases, the servers 110 may receive data from the user devices 106 via the network 108, and may store and analyze the data. Similarly, the servers 110 may provide data to the user devices 106 via the network 108. In some cases, the servers 110 may be located at one or more data centers. The servers 110 may be used for data storage, management, and processing. In some implementations, the servers 110 may provide a web-based interface to the user device 106 via web browsers.
In some aspects, the system 100 may detect periods of time that a user 102 is asleep, and classify periods of time that the user 102 is asleep into one or more sleep stages (e.g., sleep stage classification). For example, as shown in
In some aspects, the system 100 may utilize circadian rhythm-derived features to further improve physiological data collection, data processing procedures, and other techniques described herein. The term circadian rhythm may refer to a natural, internal process that regulates an individual's sleep-wake cycle, that repeats approximately every 24 hours. In this regard, techniques described herein may utilize circadian rhythm adjustment models to improve physiological data collection, analysis, and data processing. For example, a circadian rhythm adjustment model may be input into a machine learning classifier along with physiological data collected from the user 102-a via the wearable device 104-a. In this example, the circadian rhythm adjustment model may be configured to “weight,” or adjust, physiological data collected throughout a user's natural, approximately 24-hour circadian rhythm. In some implementations, the system may initially start with a “baseline” circadian rhythm adjustment model, and may modify the baseline model using physiological data collected from each user 102 to generate tailored, individualized circadian rhythm adjustment models that are specific to each respective user 102.
In some aspects, the system 100 may utilize other biological rhythms to further improve physiological data collection, analysis, and processing by phase of these other rhythms. For example, if a weekly rhythm is detected within an individual's baseline data, then the model may be configured to adjust “weights” of data by day of the week. Biological rhythms that may require adjustment to the model by this method include: 1) ultradian (faster than a day rhythms, including sleep cycles in a sleep state, and oscillations from less than an hour to several hours periodicity in the measured physiological variables during wake state; 2) circadian rhythms; 3) non-endogenous daily rhythms shown to be imposed on top of circadian rhythms, as in work schedules; 4) weekly rhythms, or other artificial time periodicities exogenously imposed (e.g., in a hypothetical culture with 12 day “weeks,” 12 day rhythms could be used); 5) multi-day ovarian rhythms in women and spermatogenesis rhythms in men; 6) lunar rhythms (relevant for individuals living with low or no artificial lights); and 7) seasonal rhythms.
The biological rhythms are not always stationary rhythms. For example, many women experience variability in ovarian cycle length across cycles, and ultradian rhythms are not expected to occur at exactly the same time or periodicity across days even within a user. As such, signal processing techniques sufficient to quantify the frequency composition while preserving temporal resolution of these rhythms in physiological data may be used to improve detection of these rhythms, to assign phase of each rhythm to each moment in time measured, and to thereby modify adjustment models and comparisons of time intervals. The biological rhythm-adjustment models and parameters can be added in linear or non-linear combinations as appropriate to more accurately capture the dynamic physiological baselines of an individual or group of individuals.
In some aspects, the respective devices of the system 100 may support techniques for a rigid and adjustable wearable device that is able to adjust between multiple discrete sizes. In some conventional wearable devices 104, there may be a gap between the skin of a user 102 and a wearable device 104, that may cause variability and inaccuracy in the readings from the sensors. In some cases, the wearable device 104 may adjust a power of the sensors, to account for the variation in readings, which may increase power consumption at the wearable device 104. Such issues with wearable devices 104 may result in inaccurate physiological data measurements, which may lead to a distorted picture of the user's overall health, as well as increased power consumption and decreased battery life of a wearable device 104.
Further, the anatomy of a user 102 may make it challenging for some conventional wearable devices 104 to achieve a good fit. For example, in the context of a ring 104-b, a user's fingers may swell and contract due to a variety of reasons. Moreover, the joints and knuckles of a human user's fingers may make it challenging for the ring 104-b to achieve a good fit, as a ring 104-b that fits over the user's knuckle may be relatively loose when it is being worn, but a ring 104-b that fits well around the base of the user's finger may be difficult or uncomfortable to put on over the user's knuckle.
Accordingly, a wearable device 104 of the present disclosure may be manufactured with an adjustable inner circumference to reduce a gap between the wearable device 104 and skin of a user 102 of the wearable device 104, reduce the cost and complexity, and improve comfortability for one or more user activities while wearing the wearable device 104.
For example, a ring 104-b may include a ring housing that exhibits a constant outer circumference, where mechanical components of the ring 104-b are configured to adjust at least a portion of an inner circumferential surface to transition the ring 104-b between multiple discrete ring sizes. The ability of the wearable device 104 to include an adjustable inner circumferential surface may enable the wearable device 104 to better fit a user 102 (e.g., a finger of the user that varies in size between users and/or over time), thereby improving contact between the sensors of the wearable device 104 and the skin of the user 102. Further, the ability of the wearable device 104 to have an adjustable inner circumference may reduce the quantity of discrete sizes of the wearable device 104 that are produced, which may in turn reduce manufacturing costs of the wearable device 104.
It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in a system 100 to additionally or alternatively solve other problems than those described above. Furthermore, aspects of the disclosure may provide technical improvements to “conventional” systems or processes as described herein. However, the description and appended drawings only include example technical improvements resulting from implementing aspects of the disclosure, and accordingly do not represent all of the technical improvements provided within the scope of the claims.
In some aspects, the ring 104 may be configured to be worn around a user's finger, and may determine one or more user physiological parameters when worn around the user's finger. Example measurements and determinations may include, but are not limited to, user skin temperature, pulse waveforms, respiratory rate, heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), blood sugar levels (e.g., glucose metrics), and the like.
The system 200 further includes a user device 106 (e.g., a smartphone) in communication with the ring 104. For example, the ring 104 may be in wireless and/or wired communication with the user device 106. In some implementations, the ring 104 may send measured and processed data (e.g., temperature data, photoplethysmogram (PPG) data, motion/accelerometer data, ring input data, and the like) to the user device 106. The user device 106 may also send data to the ring 104, such as ring 104 firmware/configuration updates. The user device 106 may process data. In some implementations, the user device 106 may transmit data to the server 110 for processing and/or storage.
The ring 104 may include a housing 205 that may include an inner housing 205-a and an outer housing 205-b. In some aspects, the housing 205 of the ring 104 may store or otherwise include various components of the ring including, but not limited to, device electronics, a power source (e.g., battery 210, and/or capacitor), one or more substrates (e.g., printable circuit boards) that interconnect the device electronics and/or power source, and the like. The device electronics may include device modules (e.g., hardware/software), such as: a processing module 230-a, a memory 215, a communication module 220-a, a power module 225, and the like. The device electronics may also include one or more sensors. Example sensors may include one or more temperature sensors 240, a PPG sensor assembly (e.g., PPG system 235), and one or more motion sensors 245.
The sensors may include associated modules (not illustrated) configured to communicate with the respective components/modules of the ring 104, and generate signals associated with the respective sensors. In some aspects, each of the components/modules of the ring 104 may be communicatively coupled to one another via wired or wireless connections. Moreover, the ring 104 may include additional and/or alternative sensors or other components that are configured to collect physiological data from the user, including light sensors (e.g., LEDs), oximeters, and the like.
The ring 104 shown and described with reference to
The housing 205 may include one or more housing 205 components. The housing 205 may include an outer housing 205-b component (e.g., a shell) and an inner housing 205-a component (e.g., a molding). The housing 205 may include additional components (e.g., additional layers) not explicitly illustrated in
The outer housing 205-b may be fabricated from one or more materials. In some implementations, the outer housing 205-b may include a metal, such as titanium, that may provide strength and abrasion resistance at a relatively light weight. The outer housing 205-b may also be fabricated from other materials, such polymers. In some implementations, the outer housing 205-b may be protective as well as decorative.
The inner housing 205-a may be configured to interface with the user's finger. The inner housing 205-a may be formed from a polymer (e.g., a medical grade polymer) or other material. In some implementations, the inner housing 205-a may be transparent. For example, the inner housing 205-a may be transparent to light emitted by the PPG light emitting diodes (LEDs). In some implementations, the inner housing 205-a component may be molded onto the outer housing 205-b. For example, the inner housing 205-a may include a polymer that is molded (e.g., injection molded) to fit into an outer housing 205-b metallic shell.
The ring 104 may include one or more substrates (not illustrated). The device electronics and battery 210 may be included on the one or more substrates. For example, the device electronics and battery 210 may be mounted on one or more substrates. Example substrates may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), such as flexible PCB (e.g., polyimide). In some implementations, the electronics/battery 210 may include surface mounted devices (e.g., surface-mount technology (SMT) devices) on a flexible PCB. In some implementations, the one or more substrates (e.g., one or more flexible PCBs) may include electrical traces that provide electrical communication between device electronics. The electrical traces may also connect the battery 210 to the device electronics.
The device electronics, battery 210, and substrates may be arranged in the ring 104 in a variety of ways. In some implementations, one substrate that includes device electronics may be mounted along the bottom of the ring 104 (e.g., the bottom half), such that the sensors (e.g., PPG system 235, temperature sensors 240, motion sensors 245, and other sensors) interface with the underside of the user's finger. In these implementations, the battery 210 may be included along the top portion of the ring 104 (e.g., on another substrate).
The various components/modules of the ring 104 represent functionality (e.g., circuits and other components) that may be included in the ring 104. Modules may include any discrete and/or integrated electronic circuit components that implement analog and/or digital circuits capable of producing the functions attributed to the modules herein. For example, the modules may include analog circuits (e.g., amplification circuits, filtering circuits, analog/digital conversion circuits, and/or other signal conditioning circuits). The modules may also include digital circuits (e.g., combinational or sequential logic circuits, memory circuits etc.).
The memory 215 (memory module) of the ring 104 may include any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, or electrical media, such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other memory device. The memory 215 may store any of the data described herein. For example, the memory 215 may be configured to store data (e.g., motion data, temperature data, PPG data) collected by the respective sensors and PPG system 235. Furthermore, memory 215 may include instructions that, when executed by one or more processing circuits, cause the modules to perform various functions attributed to the modules herein. The device electronics of the ring 104 described herein are only example device electronics. As such, the types of electronic components used to implement the device electronics may vary based on design considerations.
The functions attributed to the modules of the ring 104 described herein may be embodied as one or more processors, hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Depiction of different features as modules is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules must be realized by separate hardware/software components. Rather, functionality associated with one or more modules may be performed by separate hardware/software components or integrated within common hardware/software components.
The processing module 230-a of the ring 104 may include one or more processors (e.g., processing units), microcontrollers, digital signal processors, systems on a chip (SOCs), and/or other processing devices. The processing module 230-a communicates with the modules included in the ring 104. For example, the processing module 230-a may transmit/receive data to/from the modules and other components of the ring 104, such as the sensors. As described herein, the modules may be implemented by various circuit components. Accordingly, the modules may also be referred to as circuits (e.g., a communication circuit and power circuit).
The processing module 230-a may communicate with the memory 215. The memory 215 may include computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processing module 230-a, cause the processing module 230-a to perform the various functions attributed to the processing module 230-a herein. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a (e.g., a microcontroller) may include additional features associated with other modules, such as communication functionality provided by the communication module 220-a (e.g., an integrated Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver) and/or additional onboard memory 215.
The communication module 220-a may include circuits that provide wireless and/or wired communication with the user device 106 (e.g., communication module 220-b of the user device 106). In some implementations, the communication modules 220-a, 220-b may include wireless communication circuits, such as Bluetooth circuits and/or Wi-Fi circuits. In some implementations, the communication modules 220-a, 220-b can include wired communication circuits, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication circuits. Using the communication module 220-a, the ring 104 and the user device 106 may be configured to communicate with each other. The processing module 230-a of the ring may be configured to transmit/receive data to/from the user device 106 via the communication module 220-a. Example data may include, but is not limited to, motion data, temperature data, pulse waveforms, heart rate data, HRV data, PPG data, and status updates (e.g., charging status, battery charge level, and/or ring 104 configuration settings). The processing module 230-a of the ring may also be configured to receive updates (e.g., software/firmware updates) and data from the user device 106.
The ring 104 may include a battery 210 (e.g., a rechargeable battery 210). An example battery 210 may include a Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer type battery 210, although a variety of battery 210 options are possible. The battery 210 may be wirelessly charged. In some implementations, the ring 104 may include a power source other than the battery 210, such as a capacitor. The power source (e.g., battery 210 or capacitor) may have a curved geometry that matches the curve of the ring 104. In some aspects, a charger or other power source may include additional sensors that may be used to collect data in addition to, or that supplements, data collected by the ring 104 itself. Moreover, a charger or other power source for the ring 104 may function as a user device 106, in which case the charger or other power source for the ring 104 may be configured to receive data from the ring 104, store and/or process data received from the ring 104, and communicate data between the ring 104 and the servers 110.
In some aspects, the ring 104 includes a power module 225 that may control charging of the battery 210. For example, the power module 225 may interface with an external wireless charger that charges the battery 210 when interfaced with the ring 104. The charger may include a datum structure that mates with a ring 104 datum structure to create a specified orientation with the ring 104 during 104 charging. The power module 225 may also regulate voltage(s) of the device electronics, regulate power output to the device electronics, and monitor the state of charge of the battery 210. In some implementations, the battery 210 may include a protection circuit module (PCM) that protects the battery 210 from high current discharge, over voltage during 104 charging, and under voltage during 104 discharge. The power module 225 may also include electro-static discharge (ESD) protection.
The one or more temperature sensors 240 may be electrically coupled to the processing module 230-a. The temperature sensor 240 may be configured to generate a temperature signal (e.g., temperature data) that indicates a temperature read or sensed by the temperature sensor 240. The processing module 230-a may determine a temperature of the user in the location of the temperature sensor 240. For example, in the ring 104, temperature data generated by the temperature sensor 240 may indicate a temperature of a user at the user's finger (e.g., skin temperature). In some implementations, the temperature sensor 240 may contact the user's skin. In other implementations, a portion of the housing 205 (e.g., the inner housing 205-a) may form a barrier (e.g., a thin, thermally conductive barrier) between the temperature sensor 240 and the user's skin. In some implementations, portions of the ring 104 configured to contact the user's finger may have thermally conductive portions and thermally insulative portions. The thermally conductive portions may conduct heat from the user's finger to the temperature sensors 240. The thermally insulative portions may insulate portions of the ring 104 (e.g., the temperature sensor 240) from ambient temperature.
In some implementations, the temperature sensor 240 may generate a digital signal (e.g., temperature data) that the processing module 230-a may use to determine the temperature. As another example, in cases where the temperature sensor 240 includes a passive sensor, the processing module 230-a (or a temperature sensor 240 module) may measure a current/voltage generated by the temperature sensor 240 and determine the temperature based on the measured current/voltage. Example temperature sensors 240 may include a thermistor, such as a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor, or other types of sensors including resistors, transistors, diodes, and/or other electrical/electronic components.
The processing module 230-a may sample the user's temperature over time. For example, the processing module 230-a may sample the user's temperature according to a sampling rate. An example sampling rate may include one sample per second, although the processing module 230-a may be configured to sample the temperature signal at other sampling rates that are higher or lower than one sample per second. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may sample the user's temperature continuously throughout the day and night. Sampling at a sufficient rate (e.g., one sample per second) throughout the day may provide sufficient temperature data for analysis described herein.
The processing module 230-a may store the sampled temperature data in memory 215. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may process the sampled temperature data. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine average temperature values over a period of time. In one example, the processing module 230-a may determine an average temperature value each minute by summing all temperature values collected over the minute and dividing by the number of samples over the minute. In a specific example where the temperature is sampled at one sample per second, the average temperature may be a sum of all sampled temperatures for one minute divided by sixty seconds. The memory 215 may store the average temperature values over time. In some implementations, the memory 215 may store average temperatures (e.g., one per minute) instead of sampled temperatures in order to conserve memory 215.
The sampling rate, which may be stored in memory 215, may be configurable. In some implementations, the sampling rate may be the same throughout the day and night. In other implementations, the sampling rate may be changed throughout the day/night. In some implementations, the ring 104 may filter/reject temperature readings, such as large spikes in temperature that are not indicative of physiological changes (e.g., a temperature spike from a hot shower). In some implementations, the ring 104 may filter/reject temperature readings that may not be reliable due to other factors, such as excessive motion during 104 exercise (e.g., as indicated by a motion sensor 245).
The ring 104 (e.g., communication module) may transmit the sampled and/or average temperature data to the user device 106 for storage and/or further processing. The user device 106 may transfer the sampled and/or average temperature data to the server 110 for storage and/or further processing.
Although the ring 104 is illustrated as including a single temperature sensor 240, the ring 104 may include multiple temperature sensors 240 in one or more locations, such as arranged along the inner housing 205-a near the user's finger. In some implementations, the temperature sensors 240 may be stand-alone temperature sensors 240. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more temperature sensors 240 may be included with other components (e.g., packaged with other components), such as with the accelerometer and/or processor.
The processing module 230-a may acquire and process data from multiple temperature sensors 240 in a similar manner described with respect to a single temperature sensor 240. For example, the processing module 230 may individually sample, average, and store temperature data from each of the multiple temperature sensors 240. In other examples, the processing module 230-a may sample the sensors at different rates and average/store different values for the different sensors. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may be configured to determine a single temperature based on the average of two or more temperatures determined by two or more temperature sensors 240 in different locations on the finger.
The temperature sensors 240 on the ring 104 may acquire distal temperatures at the user's finger (e.g., any finger). For example, one or more temperature sensors 240 on the ring 104 may acquire a user's temperature from the underside of a finger or at a different location on the finger. In some implementations, the ring 104 may continuously acquire distal temperature (e.g., at a sampling rate). Although distal temperature measured by a ring 104 at the finger is described herein, other devices may measure temperature at the same/different locations. In some cases, the distal temperature measured at a user's finger may differ from the temperature measured at a user's wrist or other external body location. Additionally, the distal temperature measured at a user's finger (e.g., a “shell” temperature) may differ from the user's core temperature. As such, the ring 104 may provide a useful temperature signal that may not be acquired at other internal/external locations of the body. In some cases, continuous temperature measurement at the finger may capture temperature fluctuations (e.g., small or large fluctuations) that may not be evident in core temperature. For example, continuous temperature measurement at the finger may capture minute-to-minute or hour-to-hour temperature fluctuations that provide additional insight that may not be provided by other temperature measurements elsewhere in the body.
The ring 104 may include a PPG system 235. The PPG system 235 may include one or more optical transmitters that transmit light. The PPG system 235 may also include one or more optical receivers that receive light transmitted by the one or more optical transmitters. An optical receiver may generate a signal (hereinafter “PPG” signal) that indicates an amount of light received by the optical receiver. The optical transmitters may illuminate a region of the user's finger. The PPG signal generated by the PPG system 235 may indicate the perfusion of blood in the illuminated region. For example, the PPG signal may indicate blood volume changes in the illuminated region caused by a user's pulse pressure. The processing module 230-a may sample the PPG signal and determine a user's pulse waveform based on the PPG signal. The processing module 230-a may determine a variety of physiological parameters based on the user's pulse waveform, such as a user's respiratory rate, heart rate, HRV, oxygen saturation, and other circulatory parameters.
In some implementations, the PPG system 235 may be configured as a reflective PPG system 235 where the optical receiver(s) receive transmitted light that is reflected through the region of the user's finger. In some implementations, the PPG system 235 may be configured as a transmissive PPG system 235 where the optical transmitter(s) and optical receiver(s) are arranged opposite to one another, such that light is transmitted directly through a portion of the user's finger to the optical receiver(s).
The number and ratio of transmitters and receivers included in the PPG system 235 may vary. Example optical transmitters may include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The optical transmitters may transmit light in the infrared spectrum and/or other spectrums. Example optical receivers may include, but are not limited to, photosensors, phototransistors, and photodiodes. The optical receivers may be configured to generate PPG signals in response to the wavelengths received from the optical transmitters. The location of the transmitters and receivers may vary. Additionally, a single device may include reflective and/or transmissive PPG systems 235.
The PPG system 235 illustrated in
The processing module 230-a may control one or both of the optical transmitters to transmit light while sampling the PPG signal generated by the optical receiver. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may cause the optical transmitter with the stronger received signal to transmit light while sampling the PPG signal generated by the optical receiver. For example, the selected optical transmitter may continuously emit light while the PPG signal is sampled at a sampling rate (e.g., 250 Hz).
Sampling the PPG signal generated by the PPG system 235 may result in a pulse waveform that may be referred to as a “PPG.” The pulse waveform may indicate blood pressure vs time for multiple cardiac cycles. The pulse waveform may include peaks that indicate cardiac cycles. Additionally, the pulse waveform may include respiratory induced variations that may be used to determine respiration rate. The processing module 230-a may store the pulse waveform in memory 215 in some implementations. The processing module 230-a may process the pulse waveform as it is generated and/or from memory 215 to determine user physiological parameters described herein.
The processing module 230-a may determine the user's heart rate based on the pulse waveform. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine heart rate (e.g., in beats per minute) based on the time between peaks in the pulse waveform. The time between peaks may be referred to as an interbeat interval (IBI). The processing module 230-a may store the determined heart rate values and IBI values in memory 215.
The processing module 230-a may determine HRV over time. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine HRV based on the variation in the IBIs. The processing module 230-a may store the HRV values over time in the memory 215. Moreover, the processing module 230-a may determine the user's respiratory rate over time. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine respiratory rate based on frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, or baseline modulation of the user's IBI values over a period of time. Respiratory rate may be calculated in breaths per minute or as another breathing rate (e.g., breaths per 30 seconds). The processing module 230-a may store user respiratory rate values over time in the memory 215.
The ring 104 may include one or more motion sensors 245, such as one or more accelerometers (e.g., 6-D accelerometers) and/or one or more gyroscopes (gyros). The motion sensors 245 may generate motion signals that indicate motion of the sensors. For example, the ring 104 may include one or more accelerometers that generate acceleration signals that indicate acceleration of the accelerometers. As another example, the ring 104 may include one or more gyro sensors that generate gyro signals that indicate angular motion (e.g., angular velocity) and/or changes in orientation. The motion sensors 245 may be included in one or more sensor packages. An example accelerometer/gyro sensor is a Bosch BM1160 inertial micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor that may measure angular rates and accelerations in three perpendicular axes.
The processing module 230-a may sample the motion signals at a sampling rate (e.g., 50 Hz) and determine the motion of the ring 104 based on the sampled motion signals. For example, the processing module 230-a may sample acceleration signals to determine acceleration of the ring 104. As another example, the processing module 230-a may sample a gyro signal to determine angular motion. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may store motion data in memory 215. Motion data may include sampled motion data as well as motion data that is calculated based on the sampled motion signals (e.g., acceleration and angular values).
The ring 104 may store a variety of data described herein. For example, the ring 104 may store temperature data, such as raw sampled temperature data and calculated temperature data (e.g., average temperatures). As another example, the ring 104 may store PPG signal data, such as pulse waveforms and data calculated based on the pulse waveforms (e.g., heart rate values, IBI values, HRV values, and respiratory rate values). The ring 104 may also store motion data, such as sampled motion data that indicates linear and angular motion.
The ring 104, or other computing device, may calculate and store additional values based on the sampled/calculated physiological data. For example, the processing module 230 may calculate and store various metrics, such as sleep metrics (e.g., a Sleep Score), activity metrics, and readiness metrics. In some implementations, additional values/metrics may be referred to as “derived values.” The ring 104, or other computing/wearable device, may calculate a variety of values/metrics with respect to motion. Example derived values for motion data may include, but are not limited to, motion count values, regularity values, intensity values, metabolic equivalence of task values (METs), and orientation values. Motion counts, regularity values, intensity values, and METs may indicate an amount of user motion (e.g., velocity/acceleration) over time. Orientation values may indicate how the ring 104 is oriented on the user's finger and if the ring 104 is worn on the left hand or right hand.
In some implementations, motion counts and regularity values may be determined by counting a number of acceleration peaks within one or more periods of time (e.g., one or more 30 second to 1 minute periods). Intensity values may indicate a number of movements and the associated intensity (e.g., acceleration values) of the movements. The intensity values may be categorized as low, medium, and high, depending on associated threshold acceleration values. METs may be determined based on the intensity of movements during a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds), the regularity/irregularity of the movements, and the number of movements associated with the different intensities.
In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may compress the data stored in memory 215. For example, the processing module 230-a may delete sampled data after making calculations based on the sampled data. As another example, the processing module 230-a may average data over longer periods of time in order to reduce the number of stored values. In a specific example, if average temperatures for a user over one minute are stored in memory 215, the processing module 230-a may calculate average temperatures over a five minute time period for storage, and then subsequently erase the one minute average temperature data. The processing module 230-a may compress data based on a variety of factors, such as the total amount of used/available memory 215 and/or an elapsed time since the ring 104 last transmitted the data to the user device 106.
Although a user's physiological parameters may be measured by sensors included on a ring 104, other devices may measure a user's physiological parameters. For example, although a user's temperature may be measured by a temperature sensor 240 included in a ring 104, other devices may measure a user's temperature. In some examples, other wearable devices (e.g., wrist devices) may include sensors that measure user physiological parameters. Additionally, medical devices, such as external medical devices (e.g., wearable medical devices) and/or implantable medical devices, may measure a user's physiological parameters. One or more sensors on any type of computing device may be used to implement the techniques described herein.
The physiological measurements may be taken continuously throughout the day and/or night. In some implementations, the physiological measurements may be taken during 104 portions of the day and/or portions of the night. In some implementations, the physiological measurements may be taken in response to determining that the user is in a specific state, such as an active state, resting state, and/or a sleeping state. For example, the ring 104 can make physiological measurements in a resting/sleep state in order to acquire cleaner physiological signals. In one example, the ring 104 or other device/system may detect when a user is resting and/or sleeping and acquire physiological parameters (e.g., temperature) for that detected state. The devices/systems may use the resting/sleep physiological data and/or other data when the user is in other states in order to implement the techniques of the present disclosure.
In some implementations, as described previously herein, the ring 104 may be configured to collect, store, and/or process data, and may transfer any of the data described herein to the user device 106 for storage and/or processing. In some aspects, the user device 106 includes a wearable application 250, an operating system (OS), a web browser application (e.g., web browser 280), one or more additional applications, and a GUI 275. The user device 106 may further include other modules and components, including sensors, audio devices, haptic feedback devices, and the like. The wearable application 250 may include an example of an application (e.g., “app”) that may be installed on the user device 106. The wearable application 250 may be configured to acquire data from the ring 104, store the acquired data, and process the acquired data as described herein. For example, the wearable application 250 may include a user interface (UI) module 255, an acquisition module 260, a processing module 230-b, a communication module 220-b, and a storage module (e.g., database 265) configured to store application data.
The various data processing operations described herein may be performed by the ring 104, the user device 106, the servers 110, or any combination thereof. For example, in some cases, data collected by the ring 104 may be pre-processed and transmitted to the user device 106. In this example, the user device 106 may perform some data processing operations on the received data, may transmit the data to the servers 110 for data processing, or both. For instance, in some cases, the user device 106 may perform processing operations that require relatively low processing power and/or operations that require a relatively low latency, whereas the user device 106 may transmit the data to the servers 110 for processing operations that require relatively high processing power and/or operations that may allow relatively higher latency.
In some aspects, the ring 104, user device 106, and server 110 of the system 200 may be configured to evaluate sleep patterns for a user. In particular, the respective components of the system 200 may be used to collect data from a user via the ring 104, and generate one or more scores (e.g., Sleep Score, Readiness Score) for the user based on the collected data. For example, as noted previously herein, the ring 104 of the system 200 may be worn by a user to collect data from the user, including temperature, heart rate, HRV, and the like. Data collected by the ring 104 may be used to determine when the user is asleep in order to evaluate the user's sleep for a given “sleep day.” In some aspects, scores may be calculated for the user for each respective sleep day, such that a first sleep day is associated with a first set of scores, and a second sleep day is associated with a second set of scores. Scores may be calculated for each respective sleep day based on data collected by the ring 104 during the respective sleep day. Scores may include, but are not limited to, Sleep Scores, Readiness Scores, and the like.
In some cases, “sleep days” may align with the traditional calendar days, such that a given sleep day runs from midnight to midnight of the respective calendar day. In other cases, sleep days may be offset relative to calendar days. For example, sleep days may run from 6:00 pm (18:00) of a calendar day until 6:00 pm (18:00) of the subsequent calendar day. In this example, 6:00 pm may serve as a “cut-off time,” where data collected from the user before 6:00 pm is counted for the current sleep day, and data collected from the user after 6:00 pm is counted for the subsequent sleep day. Due to the fact that most individuals sleep the most at night, offsetting sleep days relative to calendar days may enable the system 200 to evaluate sleep patterns for users in such a manner that is consistent with their sleep schedules. In some cases, users may be able to selectively adjust (e.g., via the GUI) a timing of sleep days relative to calendar days so that the sleep days are aligned with the duration of time that the respective users typically sleep.
In some implementations, each overall score for a user for each respective day (e.g., Sleep Score, Readiness Score) may be determined/calculated based on one or more “contributors,” “factors,” or “contributing factors.” For example, a user's overall Sleep Score may be calculated based on a set of contributors, including: total sleep, efficiency, restfulness, REM sleep, deep sleep, latency, timing, or any combination thereof. The Sleep Score may include any quantity of contributors. The “total sleep” contributor may refer to the sum of all sleep periods of the sleep day. The “efficiency” contributor may reflect the percentage of time spent asleep compared to time spent awake while in bed, and may be calculated using the efficiency average of long sleep periods (e.g., primary sleep period) of the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each sleep period. The “restfulness” contributor may indicate how restful the user's sleep is, and may be calculated using the average of all sleep periods of the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each period. The restfulness contributor may be based on a “wake up count” (e.g., sum of all the wake-ups (when user wakes up) detected during different sleep periods), excessive movement, and a “got up count” (e.g., sum of all the got-ups (when user gets out of bed) detected during the different sleep periods).
The “REM sleep” contributor may refer to a sum total of REM sleep durations across all sleep periods of the sleep day including REM sleep. Similarly, the “deep sleep” contributor may refer to a sum total of deep sleep durations across all sleep periods of the sleep day including deep sleep. The “latency” contributor may signify how long (e.g., average, median, longest) the user takes to go to sleep, and may be calculated using the average of long sleep periods throughout the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each period and the number of such periods (e.g., consolidation of a given sleep stage or sleep stages may be its own contributor or weight other contributors). Lastly, the “timing” contributor may refer to a relative timing of sleep periods within the sleep day and/or calendar day, and may be calculated using the average of all sleep periods of the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each period.
By way of another example, a user's overall Readiness Score may be calculated based on a set of contributors, including: sleep, sleep balance, heart rate, HRV balance, recovery index, temperature, activity, activity balance, or any combination thereof. The Readiness Score may include any quantity of contributors. The “sleep” contributor may refer to the combined Sleep Score of all sleep periods within the sleep day. The “sleep balance” contributor may refer to a cumulative duration of all sleep periods within the sleep day. In particular, sleep balance may indicate to a user whether the sleep that the user has been getting over some duration of time (e.g., the past two weeks) is in balance with the user's needs. Typically, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night to stay healthy, alert, and to perform at their best both mentally and physically. However, it is normal to have an occasional night of bad sleep, so the sleep balance contributor takes into account long-term sleep patterns to determine whether each user's sleep needs are being met. The “resting heart rate” contributor may indicate a lowest heart rate from the longest sleep period of the sleep day (e.g., primary sleep period) and/or the lowest heart rate from naps occurring after the primary sleep period.
Continuing with reference to the “contributors” (e.g., factors, contributing factors) of the Readiness Score, the “HRV balance” contributor may indicate a highest HRV average from the primary sleep period and the naps happening after the primary sleep period. The HRV balance contributor may help users keep track of their recovery status by comparing their HRV trend over a first time period (e.g., two weeks) to an average HRV over some second, longer time period (e.g., three months). The “recovery index” contributor may be calculated based on the longest sleep period. Recovery index measures how long it takes for a user's resting heart rate to stabilize during the night. A sign of a very good recovery is that the user's resting heart rate stabilizes during the first half of the night, at least six hours before the user wakes up, leaving the body time to recover for the next day. The “body temperature” contributor may be calculated based on the longest sleep period (e.g., primary sleep period) or based on a nap happening after the longest sleep period if the user's highest temperature during the nap is at least 0.5° C. higher than the highest temperature during the longest period. In some aspects, the ring may measure a user's body temperature while the user is asleep, and the system 200 may display the user's average temperature relative to the user's baseline temperature. If a user's body temperature is outside of their normal range (e.g., clearly above or below 0.0), the body temperature contributor may be highlighted (e.g., go to a “Pay attention” state) or otherwise generate an alert for the user.
In some aspects, the system 200 may support a wearable device 104 that includes a rigid outside and an adjustable inner circumference to enable the wearable device 104 to transition between multiple discrete sizes. For example, a wearable device 104 of the present disclosure may be manufactured with an adjustable inner circumference to reduce a gap between the wearable device 104 and skin of a user 102 of the wearable device 104, reduce the cost and complexity, and improve comfortability for one or more user activities while wearing the wearable device 104.
For example, a wearable device 104 (e.g., wearable ring device) may include a ring housing that exhibits a constant outer circumference, where mechanical components of the wearable device 104 are configured to adjust at least a portion of an inner circumferential surface to transition the wearable device 104 between multiple discrete sizes (e.g., ring sizes). The ability of the wearable device 104 to include an adjustable inner circumferential surface may enable the wearable device 104 to better fit a user 102 (e.g., a finger of the user that varies in size between users and/or over time), thereby improving contact between the sensors of the wearable device 104 and the skin of the user 102. For instance, the mechanical components (e.g., a bladder, a temperature/electrically-activated foam, a protrusion, a cable, etc.) may expand or contract toward the center of the wearable device 104 to make the wearable device 104 smaller. In such cases, the mechanical components may be positioned around portion of the inner circumferential surface that do not include one or more sensors (e.g., the PPG system 235, the temperature sensors 240, the motion sensors) in order to improve skin contact on portions of the inner surface proximate to the sensors.
Specifically, the wearable device diagram 300 may illustrate different mechanical components configured to adjust at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the wearable device 104-a. The wearable device 104-a may be a wearable ring device. However, in additional or alternative implementations, aspects of the present disclosure that enable wearable devices to transition between multiple discrete sizes may be implemented in the context of other types of wearable devices, such as watches or wrist-worn wearables.
The wearable device 104-a may include a ring-shaped housing with an inner housing 305 (e.g., an inner shell component) and an outer housing 310 (e.g., an inner shell component), which may be examples of an inner housing 205-a and an outer housing 205-b as described with reference to
In some cases, the inner housing 305 may be movable (e.g., pushed, rotated, or the like) relative to the outer housing 310. The inner housing 305 may have an inner circumferential surface (e.g., inner circumference) and the outer housing 310 may have an outer circumferential surface (e.g., outer circumference). In some examples, the outer housing 310 may be made from a rigid and non-deformable material. The inner housing 305 may be made from a deformable or flexible material. Further, a sealing material may couple the inner housing 305 and the outer housing 310 which may create a water-tight seal between the inner housing 305 and the outer housing 310. The sealing material may expand and/or contract to maintain the water-tight seal (e.g., if the inner housing 305 moves relative to the outer housing 310).
In some cases, the inner housing 305 may have an inner circumferential surface and the outer housing 310 may have an outer circumferential surface. In some aspects, the inner housing 305 may be moved or adjusted relative to the outer housing 310 to change the inner circumference of the wearable ring device 104-a in order to transition the wearable ring device 104-a between the discrete ring sizes. For instance, as shown in
One or more processors within the wearable device 104-a may identify the current discrete ring size of the wearable device 104-a (e.g., according to the inner circumference of the inner housing 305). For example, the wearable device 104-a may include the processors disposed within the inner housing 305, the outer housing 310, and/or a PCB disposed within the wearable device 104-a. Thus, components within the inner housing 305 may be coupled to, and communicate with, components within the outer housing 310. Further, the processors may selectively adjust measurement parameters of one or more sensors based on the discrete ring size (e.g., select which optical channels may be used for measurements based on the ring size, adjust a power provided to sensors of the wearable ring device 104-a based on the current size of the ring, etc.). Although described as particular ring sizes, the size and/or circumference associated with a wearable device 104-a may correspond to that of any discrete ring size.
Further, the wearable device 104-a may include an electronic substrate 315, such as a printed wiring board (PWB) or PCB. The PWB and/or the PCB may have flexible and rigid sections. The electronic substrate 315 may be located between the inner housing 305 and the outer housing 310. That is, the electronic substrate 315 may be positioned within the outer housing 310 and surround the inner housing 305. One or more sensors may be embedded in the electronic substrate 315. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “sensor” may be used to refer to a module including a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving components, such as one or more LEDs 320 and one or more PDs 325. Moreover, the light-emitting component and light-receiving component of a “sensor” may be co-located (e.g., positioned within the same sensor housing) and/or may be positioned at different locations on/within the wearable device 104. Additionally, in some cases, a “sensor” may include other components in addition to the LEDs 320 and the PDs 325, such as lenses.
For example, the electronic substrate 315 may include one or more light sources such as the LEDs 320, a laser diode (LD), or a VCSEL and the PDs 325. The LEDs 320 may emit light that is received by the PDs 325 to create optical channels for physiological data measurements (e.g., PPG measurements). The wearable device 104-a may include any number of LEDs 320, PDs 325, and respective optical channels for physiological data measurements. In some cases, LEDs 320 may include red LEDs, infrared LEDs, green LEDs, blue LEDs, or the like, which may emit light that is scattered and absorbed by the skin of a user of the wearable device 104-a. In general, the light sources may include any light-emitting components that are configured to emit light in any wavelength range (e.g., red light, yellow light, green light, infrared light, etc.). The PDs 325 may be configured to measure light from respective LEDs 320, which may be reflected by the skin and/or transmitted through the skin (e.g., reflective and/or transmissive measurements).
In some cases, the inner housing 305 may include a dome structure (e.g., clear dome structure) over the one or more LEDs 320, one or more PDs 325, or both. In some other cases, the inner housing 305 may include one or more windows (e.g., apertures) that enable the LEDs 320 to emit light through the inner housing 305, and that enable the PDs 325 to receive light through the inner housing 305. That is, the sensors may be positioned (e.g., located) at least partially within the inner circumferential surface (e.g., the inner housing 305). For example, the sensors may be located within the inner housing 305, or surround the inner housing 305. The wearable device 104-a may use the light propagation from the LEDs 320 to the PDs 325 through tissue for physiological measurements, such as PPG and SpO2 measurements. That is, the wearable device may use light from an LED 320, which may include red and infrared wavelengths, to measure SpO2 and light from an LED 320, which may include green wavelengths, to measure PPG.
In some cases, the level of skin contact between the inner housing 305 of the wearable device 104-a and the tissue of the user may impact the accuracy of the measurements. For example, with relatively good skin contact, a total internal reflection (TIR) critical angle may be relatively large over an optical interface between the wearable device 104-a and skin of the user, and light out-coupling from the inner housing 305 may be relatively efficient. Thus, total light coupling losses from the LEDS 320 to the skin may be relatively low. Similarly, with relatively poor skin contact, the TIR critical angle may be relatively small over the optical interface, and the light out-coupling from the inner housing 305 may be relatively inefficient. Thus, total light coupling loss from the LEDs 320 to the skin may be relatively high. The TIR may be an optical phenomenon when light propagating inside optically clear material hits an interface between the material and another optical material with lower refractive index. The TIR critical angle may depend on the difference between refractive indices of the optically clear material surrounding the LED 320 and the material on the other side of the interface as well as other factors (e.g., polarization).
To reduce the likelihood of poor skin contact, the wearable device 104-a may include one or more mechanical components, such that the wearable device 104-a may adjust sizes to accommodate a size of an appendage of the user. For example, if the wearable device 104-a is a ring, the ring may adjust sizes to fit multiple finger sizes and expand/contract to adjust to swelling/contracting finger sizes (e.g., due to changes in hydration levels). Further, the wearable device 104-a may expand over a user's knuckle while maintaining a tight fit around the base of the user's finger.
As illustrated in the wearable device diagram 300, a mechanical action 330 may adjust at least a portion of the inner circumference of the inner housing 305. In other words, the wearable device 104-a may change from a first shape/size (e.g., U.S. ring size X) to a second shape/size (e.g., U.S. ring size Y) in response to the mechanical action 330. That is, the mechanical action 330 may adjust at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the wearable device 104-a to change the size of the ring. Additionally, the outer housing 310 (e.g., outer circumferential surface) of the wearable device 104-a may remain intact (e.g., unchanged) when compared to the outer housing 310 of the wearable device 104-a.
In some cases, the mechanical action 330 may include one or more mechanical components that adjust the inner circumference of the wearable device 104-a. That is, the mechanical components may be configured to adjust the size of the wearable device 104-a from a first discrete size of the wearable device 104-a to a second discrete size of the wearable device 104-a. For instance, the wearable device 104-a and/or a user device 106 may identify a command (e.g., from the user device 106, via a user input on the outer housing 310, or both) to adjust the inner circumference of the wearable device 104-a. One or more processors within the user device 106 and/or wearable device 104-a may transmit, to the mechanical components (e.g., electrically activated components), instructions to perform the mechanical action 330 to adjust the ring size. For example, the mechanical action 330 may adjust one or more parameters of the mechanical components. In some examples, the mechanical components may be activated by a body heat of the user (e.g., in addition to or instead of being electrically activated).
In some cases, a user may perform an action or activity to adjust the size of the wearable device 104-a. For instance, a user may engage or otherwise perform in a gesture to induce the mechanical action 330. The wearable device 104-a may identify the gesture based on the physiological date acquired from the user by the sensors (e.g., the LEDs 320 and/or the PDs 325, acceleration sensors, etc.). For example, the gesture may be a physical activity (e.g., a tap, a knock, a rotation of the wearable device 104-a, or any combination thereof), where the identified gesture is used as a command to adjust the size of the wearable ring device 104-a.
In some implementations, the entire inner circumference associated with the inner housing 305 of the wearable device 104-a may be adjustable. In additional or alternative implementations, only a portion of the circumference may be adjustable. For example, in some cases, a portion of the inner housing 305 containing the LEDs 320 and the PDs 325 may be rigid. Such implementations may enable the wearable device 104-a to maintain the strength, aesthetics, and protection of a rigid device, while also exhibiting the flexibility and fit (e.g., comfort) of an adjustable device.
The wearable device 104-a with an adjustable inner circumferential surface may have a tighter, improved fit on the user's finger, with a decreased risk of loss of skin contact when impacted by external forces. Further, the wearable device 104-a may fit an increased size range (e.g., the flexible wearable device may expand and contract to fit a wide array of discrete finger sizes), thereby simplifying and reducing cost of the manufacturing process for the wearable device 104-a.
It should be noted that the features described below describe possible implementations, and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the features may be combined.
In some examples, the wearable device diagram 400-a through the wearable device diagram 400-c may include an inner housing 405, an outer housing 410, an electronic substrate 415, one or more LEDs 420, and one or more PDs 425. The outer housing 410 may be constructed from a rigid and non-deformable material. The inner housing 405 (e.g., inner shell component) may be constructed from a flexible material (e.g., an elastically deformable material). For example, the flexible material may include an epoxy material, a polymer material, a polyurethane material, a silicone material, a rubber material, an elastomer material, or the like.
As illustrated in the wearable device diagram 400-a, the wearable device 104 may include an expandable component 430. The expandable component 430 may be a mechanical component. Further, the expandable component 430 may expand and/or contract relative to a center of the wearable device (e.g., wearable ring device). Thus, the expandable component 430 may adjust at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface, and may therefore change the discrete size of the wearable device 104-b. For instance, the expandable component 430 be in a retracted, contracted, or deflated state to size the wearable device 104-a to U.S. ring size X (e.g., U.S. ring size 8), and may be in an extended or inflated state to size the wearable device 104-b to U.S. ring size Y (e.g., U.S. ring size Y). That is, a wearable device 104-b may have a larger inner circumference (e.g., larger size) when the expandable component 430 is contracted, and a smaller inner circumference (e.g., smaller size) when the expandable component 430 is expanded. That is, the expandable component 430 may expand and/or contract to adjust the ring size of the wearable device 104-b. In some examples, the expandable component 430 may include a protrusion (e.g., a dome-shaped protrusion) on the inner circumferential surface of the wearable device 104. The expandable component 430 (e.g., the protrusion) may include a silicone material, a gel material (e.g., an inflatable or thermal-activated gel) or another flexible material. In some examples, the expandable component 430 may include a dome that may house one or more electrical components of the wearable device (e.g., sensors such as LEDs and photodetectors, charging components).
In some cases, the expandable component 430 may be a pocket or a bladder (e.g., an inflatable bladder) among other examples. The expandable component 430 may be located within and/or disposed on or within the inner housing 305. Additionally, or alternatively, the expandable component 430 may be external to, and coupled with, the inner housing 305. Further, the expandable component 430 may cover or otherwise extend from a first portion of the inner housing 405 (e.g., upper portion), where the LEDs 420 and the PDs 425 may be disposed on a second, different portion of the inner housing 405 (e.g., lower portion). Thus, the expandable component 430 may expand and contract the first portion while the second portion remains still relative to the outer housing 410. In other words, as shown in
In additional or alternative implementations, the expandable component 430 may include an expandable foam (e.g., gel, substance, or the like), a silicone material, or another flexible material. Additionally, or alternatively, the expandable component may be a temperature-activated substance, an electrically-activated substance, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the expandable component 430 may expand or contract based on a temperature reaching a threshold temperature. For instance, the expandable component 430 may expand or contract in response to body heat from the user based on the temperature of the user's skin reaching a threshold temperature. Further, the expandable component 430 may expand or contract based on receiving an electrical current, such as a current applied by electrical components of the wearable device 104-b. Further, the expandable component 430 may expand or contract based on the wearable device 104-b receiving one or more instructions to adjust to a different ring size (e.g., instructions generated by a processor of the wearable device 104-b and/or user device 106), as described herein. The expandable foam/bladder may be composed from an elastic material. Thus, if enough force (e.g., pressure from the finger of a user) is applied to the expandable foam, the expandable foam may be compressed. Also, the expandable foam may be a memory foam (e.g., memory clastic), and revert to a previous expansion level (e.g., thickness).
As illustrated in the wearable device diagram 400-b, an expandable component 440 may be located on the outside of the outer housing 410 or the inside of the inner housing 405. In other words, the expandable component 440 may be pushed (e.g., popped) from the outside of the wearable device 104-c to the inside of the wearable device 104-c. The expandable component 440 may function as a “bubble” that may be pushed through (e.g., inside and out of) the wearable device 104-c while not breaking (e.g., bursting or popping). For instance, an expandable component 440 may initially be located outside of the outer housing 410 (e.g., external to a wearable device 104-c) in order to size the wearable device 104-c to U.S. ring size X. A user may push the expandable component 440 (e.g., to the inside of the inner housing 405) when performing a physical activity (e.g., running) to change the size of the wearable device 104-c to U.S. ring size Y to create a tighter fitting wearable device 104-c (e.g., ring). When pushed inside, an expandable component 440 may reduce the effective inner circumference of a wearable device 104-c, thereby changing the size of the ring. In some instances, a user may press the expandable component 440 as a method for stress management. Although illustrated and described as a “bubble,” the expandable component 440 may be any shape, size, composition, or combination thereof.
As illustrated in the wearable device diagram 400-c, an expandable component 470 may be located between an inner housing 455 and an outer housing 450 For example, the wearable device 104-d may include a cavity 465 in between and separating the inner housing 455 and the outer housing 450. The expandable component 470 may be located within the cavity 465 and extend radially around the circumference of the wearable device 104. The expandable component 470 may include a sealant layer coupling the inner housing 455 with the outer housing 450.
In some aspects, the expandable component 470 may be configured to expand and contract to move the inner housing 455 relative to the outer housing 450, and to thereby adjust the size of the wearable device 104-d. For example, as shown in
Comparatively, the expandable component 470 may be expanded (e.g., partially or fully inflated) to size the wearable ring device 104-d to a U.S. ring size Y (e.g., U.S. ring size 8). As such, by transitioning to the expanded/inflated state, the width of the expandable component 470 may increase, thereby “pushing” the inner housing 455 away from the outer housing 450 and toward the center of the ring, thereby making the ring smaller. In these cases, the inner housing 455 may be separated from the outer housing 450. The inner housing 455 may be composed of a deformable or flexible material while the outer housing 450 may be stiff or non-deformable. Thus, a circumference of the inner housing 455 may decrease as the expandable component 470 expands. Moreover, in some cases, the expandable component 470 may include or serve as a sealant layer between the inner housing 455 and the outer housing 450 to maintain a water-tight seal between the housings as the inner housing 455 moves relative to the outer housing 450.
In some cases, the inner housing 455 may be referred to as a flexible housing. Further, the inner housing 455 may include one or more apertures 460 (e.g., an aperture 460-a, an aperture 460-b) for one or more sensors to perform physiological measurements of a user. The sensors may include the LEDs 420, the PDs 425, or any other type of components. The apertures 460 may be filled with a transparent material configured to enable transmission and reception of light through the apertures to and from the sensors. For example, the apertures 460 may be covered, or filled, with a transparent epoxy material to enable transmission and/or reception of light.
In some examples, the sensors may align with the apertures 460 of the inner housing 455 such that the sensors may transmit and receive signals to or from finger tissue associated with a user through the apertures 460. For instance, if the location of the sensors is predefined and fixed, the apertures 460 may be cut or molded into the inner housing 455 such that the apertures 460 may align with the sensors on the inner housing 455. Additionally, or alternatively, the location of the sensors may be based on the location of the apertures 460. For instance, if the location of the apertures 460 is predefined and fixed on the inner housing, the sensors may be positioned on the inner housing 455 such that the sensors align with the apertures 460. In some instances, the relative size of the apertures may be relatively small when compared to the wearable device 104, such that the transparent material does not break or become separated from the apertures 460 when the inner housing 455 elastically deforms.
The wearable device 104 may include any number of sensors that may be distributed along the wearable device 104 at any assortment of locations. That is, the sensors may vary in quantity and be spread through the device 104. As such, the quantity and positioning of the apertures 460 may not be limited to that of the aperture 460-a, and the aperture 460-b.
In some examples, the wearable device 104-e illustrated in the wearable device diagram 500-a may include an inner housing 505, an outer housing 510, an electronic substrate 515, one or more LEDs 520, and one or more PDs 525. Additionally, a wearable device 104-e may include one or more baffles 530 (e.g., baffle structures). The baffles 530 may extend from the inner circumferential surface toward a center of the wearable device 104-e.
As illustrated in the wearable device diagram 500-b, a wearable device 104-e may include one or more apertures 545 (e.g., perforations). The one or more apertures 545 may be located within an inner housing 505. Further, the one or more apertures 545 may reside within a cavity 550. The cavity 550 may be located between an outer housing 510 and the inner housing 505. In some cases, the baffles 530 may extend from, and/or retract into, the one or more apertures 545. The baffles 530 (e.g., extension members) may decrease the effective inner circumference of the wearable device 104-e when they are partially or fully extended. For instance, the baffles 530 may be fully extended to size the wearable device 104-e to a U.S. ring size Y, while they may be fully retracted to size the wearable device 104-e to a U.S. ring size X.
In this regard, the baffles 530 may adjust the effective inner circumference of the wearable device 104-e. The user may use the baffles 530 to adjust the size of the wearable device 104-e from a first discrete size o to a second discrete size. For instance, the wearable device 104-e and/or user device 106 may identify a command (e.g., from the user device 106, via a user input on the outer housing 510, via an identified gesture, etc.) to adjust the inner circumference of the wearable device 104-e, where one or more processors of the wearable device 104-e may cause the baffles 530 to extend or retract to/from the apertures 545 to adjust the ring size based on the user input/command.
In some cases, the baffles 530 may cover (e.g., be disposed on/within) a first portion of the inner housing 505. Additionally, the sensors (e.g., the LEDs 520 and the PDs 525) may be located on a second portion of the inner housing 505. Thus, the baffles 530 may not interfere with the sensors, regardless of if the baffles 530 are extended or retracted. In other words, disposing the baffles 530 and the sensors on separate portions of the wearable device 104-e may enable the baffles 530 to expand/retract to adjust the ring size, while not interfering with the location or placement of the sensors. In some examples, the baffles 530 may be made from an elastic (e.g., flexible) and deformable material. For instance, the elastic material may include an epoxy material, a polymer material, a polyurethane material, a silicone material, a rubber material, an elastomer material, or the like. The baffles 530 may extend up to an appendage (e.g., finger) of the user which may create a tighter fitting wearable device 504 by decreasing the inner circumference while keeping comfortability due to the elastic properties of the baffles 530. Further, the sensors may achieve better contact with the user's skin if the sensors are located separately from the baffles 530.
In some cases, the one or more baffles 530 may include one or more electrical contact components. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensors may include the one or more electrical contact components. In some cases, the electrical contact components may acquire bioimpedance data associated with the user. Further, the electrical contact components may acquire electromyography data associated with the user.
The wearable device 104-e may include any quantity of baffles 530 that may be distributed along the inner housing 505 at any assortment of locations. That is, the baffles 530 may vary in quantity and be spread through the wearable device 104-e on the inner housing 505. As such, the quantity and positioning of the baffles 530, as well as the corresponding apertures 545, may not be limited to the baffles 530 and the apertures illustrated in
In some examples, the wearable device 104-f of the wearable device diagram 600 may include an inner housing 605, an outer housing 610, a sealing material 615, one or more LEDs 620, and one or more PDs 625. Additionally, a wearable device 104-f may include a cable mechanism. The cable mechanism may include at least a cable 630 and cable adjustment component (e.g., a knob 635). The cable 630 may extend radially around the wearable device 104-f between the inner housing 605 and the outer housing 610. In some cases, the cable mechanism may be configured to contract and expand the cable 630 to move (e.g., tighten and release) the inner housing 605 towards and away from a center of the wearable device 104-f, respectively. The cable mechanism may also be known as a “boa” mechanism.
In some cases, the knob 635 may be connected to the cable 630. The knob may be located (e.g., disposed) on the outside of the outer housing 610. In some examples, rotation of the knob 635 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) may cause the cable 630 of the mechanism to contract. Additionally, rotation of the knob 635 in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) may cause the cable 630 of the cable mechanism to expand. For instance, a user may twist (e.g., rotate) or push the knob 635 to wind up and shorten the length of the cable 630 within the outer housing 610. Thus, the cable 630 may pull the inner housing 605 inwards, decreasing the inner circumferential surface.
In some cases, the cable 630 may be fully extended to size the wearable device 104-f to U.S. ring size X. In such cases, the inner housing 605 may be positioned adjacent to, or against, the outer housing 610. In some other cases, the cable 630 may be partially or fully contracted (e.g., tightened) to size the wearable device 104-f to U.S. ring size Y (where Y is smaller than X). For instance, rotation of the knob 650 may cause the cable to wind up and tighten, thereby reducing a circumference of the cable 630 and causing the cable 630 to “pull” the inner housing 605 toward the center of the ring away from the outer housing 610. Thus, the length of the cable 630 wrapped around the inner housing 605 at U.S. ring size Y may be less than the length of the cable 630 wrapped around the inner housing 605 at U.S. ring size X.
In this regard, the cable mechanism may adjust the inner circumference of the wearable device 104-f. The user may use the cable mechanism to adjust the size of the wearable device 104-f from a first discrete size of the wearable device 104-f to a second discrete size of the wearable device 104-f. In some cases, the wearable device 604 may include an external mechanical component (e.g., a mechanical size adjustment component). The external mechanical component may be located outside of the outer housing 610, and may be coupled with one or more internal mechanical components (e.g., the cable 630). A user may manipulate (e.g., press, rotate, swipe, or the like) the external mechanical component to cause one or more of the mechanical components to adjust the inner circumferential surface of the wearable device 104-f. For instance, the user may manipulate the external mechanical component to adjust the size of the wearable device 104-f from a first discrete size to a second discrete size. The mechanical size adjustment component may be a knob (e.g., the knob 635), screw, dial, button, or the like.
Additionally, or alternatively, adjustment of the cable mechanism to adjust the size of the wearable device 104-f may be performed via one or more processors electrically coupled to an actuator of the cable mechanism. For instance, the wearable device 104-f may identify a command (e.g., from a user device 106, via a user input on the outer housing 610, via identification of a gesture, etc.) to adjust the inner circumference of the wearable device 104-f. In this example, one or more processors may generate instructions to cause an actuator (e.g., knob 635, other actuator) to adjust the length of the cable 630, and thereby adjust a size of the wearable ring device 104-f.
It should be noted that the methods described above describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.
A method is described. The method may include a ring-shaped housing comprising an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the ring-shaped housing configured to extend radially around a full circumference of the wearable ring device, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing is configured to remain constant as the wearable ring device transitions between the plurality of discrete ring sizes, one or more sensors positioned at least partially within the inner circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from a user, and one or more mechanical components configured to adjust at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the wearable ring device relative to the outer circumferential surface to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes.
An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to a ring-shape housing comprising an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the ring-shaped housing configured to extend radially around a full circumference of the wearable ring device, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing is configured to remain constant as the wearable ring device transitions between the plurality of discrete ring sizes, one or more sensors position at least partially within the inner circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from a user, and one or more mechanical components configure to adjust at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the wearable ring device relative to the outer circumferential surface to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes.
Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include means for a ring-shaped housing comprising an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the ring-shaped housing configured to extend radially around a full circumference of the wearable ring device, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing is configured to remain constant as the wearable ring device transitions between the plurality of discrete ring sizes, means for one or more sensors positioned at least partially within the inner circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from a user, and means for one or more mechanical components configured to adjust at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the wearable ring device relative to the outer circumferential surface to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to a ring-shape housing comprising an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the ring-shaped housing configured to extend radially around a full circumference of the wearable ring device, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing is configured to remain constant as the wearable ring device transitions between the plurality of discrete ring sizes, one or more sensors position at least partially within the inner circumferential surface of the ring-shaped housing, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from a user, and one or more mechanical components configure to adjust at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the wearable ring device relative to the outer circumferential surface to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the ring-shaped housing comprises an inner shell component defining the inner circumferential surface, and an outer shell component defining the outer circumferential surface and the inner shell component may be coupled to the outer shell component.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the outer shell component comprises a non-deformable material and the inner shell component comprises a deformable or flexible material.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the inner shell component may be coupled to the outer shell component such that the inner shell component may be movable relative to the outer shell component.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a sealing material coupled to the inner shell component and the outer shell component, the sealing material configured to create a water-tight seal between the inner shell component and the outer shell component.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the sealing material may be configured to expand and contract to maintain the water-tight seal as the inner shell component moves relative to the outer shell component.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, one or more processors communicatively coupled with the one or more sensors and the one or more mechanical components, wherein the one or more processors may be configured to, identify that the wearable ring device comprises a discrete ring size of the plurality of discrete ring sizes, and selectively adjust one or more measurement parameters of the one or more sensors based at least in part on the discrete ring size.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, one or more processors communicatively coupled with the one or more sensors and the one or more mechanical components, wherein the one or more processors may be configured to, identify a command to adjust a size of the wearable ring device from a first discrete ring size to a second discrete ring size, and transmit, to the one or more mechanical components, an instruction to selectively modify one or more parameters of the one or more mechanical components based at least in part on receiving the command to adjust the size of the wearable ring device.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the command may be received via a user device associated with the wearable ring device, via a user input component on the outer circumferential surface of the wearable ring device, or both.
Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identify a gesture engaged in by the user based at least in part on the physiological data acquired from the user via the one or more sensors, wherein identifying the command to adjust the size of the wearable ring device may be based at least in part on identifying the gesture.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the gesture comprises a tap, a knock, a snap, a rotation of the wearable ring device, or any combination thereof.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more mechanical components comprise an expandable component that may be configured to expand and contract relative to a center of the wearable ring device to adjust at least the portion of the inner circumferential surface relative to the outer circumferential surface.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the expandable component may be disposed on a first portion of the inner circumferential surface, the one or more sensors may be positioned within a second portion of the inner circumferential surface, and the expandable component may be configured to expand and contract the first portion of the inner circumferential surface relative to the center of the wearable ring device as the second portion of the inner circumferential surface remains still relative to the outer circumferential surface.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the ring-shaped housing may include operations, features, means, or instructions for an inner shell component comprising the inner circumferential surface, where the one or more sensors may be positioned at least partially within the inner shell component and an outer shell component coupled to the inner shell component, the outer shell component comprising the outer circumferential surface, wherein the expandable component may be positioned between the inner shell component and the outer shell component, and wherein the expandable component may be configured to expand and contract to move the inner shell component relative to the outer shell component.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the expandable component comprises an inflatable bladder component, a temperature-activated substance, and electrically-activated substance, or any combination thereof.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the temperature-activated substance may be configured to expand or retract in response to body heat from the user and the temperature-activated substance, the electrically-activated substance, the inflatable bladder component, or any combination thereof, may be configured to expand or retract in response to an electrical current generated by one or more electrical components of the wearable ring device.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more mechanical components comprise one or more baffle structures configured to extend from the inner circumferential surface toward a center of the wearable ring device.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more baffle structures may be configured to extend from, and retract into, one or more perforations within the inner circumferential surface.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more baffle structures may be disposed on a first portion of the inner circumferential surface and the one or more sensors may be positioned within a second portion of the inner circumferential surface.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more baffle structures comprise one or more electrical contact components, the one or more sensors comprise the one or more electrical contact components, and the one or more electrical contact components may be configured to acquire bioimpedance data associated with the user, electromyography data associated with the user, or both.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the ring-shaped housing may include operations, features, means, or instructions for an outer shell component comprising the outer circumferential surface and an inner shell component coupled with the outer shell component, the inner shell component comprising the inner circumferential surface, wherein the one or more mechanical components comprise a cable mechanism extending radially around the wearable ring device between the inner shell component and the outer shell component, wherein the cable mechanism may be configured to contract and expand to move the inner shell component towards and away from a center of the wearable ring device, respectively.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a cable adjustment component disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the wearable ring device and coupled with the cable mechanism, and wherein rotation of the cable adjustment component in a first direction causes the cable mechanism to contract, and wherein rotation of the cable adjustment component in a second direction causes the cable mechanism to expand.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a mechanical size adjustment component disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the wearable ring device and coupled to the one or more mechanical components, wherein manipulation of the mechanical size adjustment component causes the one or more mechanical components to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes.
The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).
The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”
Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
The present application for patent claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/512,488 by Mäkinen et al., entitled “ADAPTIVE RIGID AND CONFORMABLE WEARABLE RING DEVICE FOR ADJUSTABLE CIRCUMFERENCE,” filed Jul. 7, 2023, which is assigned to the assignee hereof and expressly incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63512488 | Jul 2023 | US |
