Patent Application
20250055293
The following relates to wearable devices and data processing, including a universal charger for wearable devices, such as wearable ring devices.
Some wearable devices may be configured to collect data from users, including temperature data, heart rate data, and the like. The wearable devices may be configured to charge on a charger base. However, poor connection with a charging device may prevent the wearable device from charging as expected.
Wearable devices may be configured to collect physiological data from users, such as light-based photoplethysmogram (PPG) data. However, the level or quality of skin contact between the wearable device and the user's tissue may affect the quality of PPG measurements. As such, wearable devices may be manufactured in varying sizes in order to achieve a good skin contact and a comfortable fit for different users, and to cover respective variations in user fit. For example, wearable ring devices may be manufactured in multiple discrete sizes (e.g., ten discrete ring sizes, twelve discrete ring sizes, etc.) to accommodate a wide range of user finger sizes. In some cases, a wearable device may be associated with a charger device manufactured for the size of the respective wearable device, such that the size of the charger device (e.g., a support of the charger device) may be specific to the size of the user's wearable device. However, manufacturing multiple charger devices (e.g., one for each size ring, or one charger for a range of sizes) may be expensive. Moreover, if the charger device is built to accommodate multiple ring sizes, the differently sized rings may exhibit poor contact with a charging component of the charging device. These issues may result in the wearable device failing to charge, or charging at a relatively slow speed, and may also incur unnecessary cost related to manufacturing the charging devices.
In accordance with examples as described herein, a charger device (e.g., a universal charger) may accommodate and charge wearable ring devices of varying sizes. For example, the charger device may include one or more mechanical components on or within a base of the charger device that help align and hold wearable ring devices of varying sizes against a charging component of the charger device to facilitate charging. The one or more mechanical components (e.g., springs, flaps, or other components) may apply a force to help position the wearable device firmly against the charger device to facilitate charging. Moreover, the mechanical components of the charger device may help orient the wearable device in a radial orientation which allows for a charging process (e.g., an inductive charging process) by aligning inductive charging components (e.g., coils) within the wearable device with the inductive charging components of the charger device. By using mechanical components to align respective inductive charging components of the charger device and wearable device, techniques described herein may lead to more effective charging for a wearable device (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors). Further, by using a charger device that may accommodate and charge wearable ring devices of varying sizes, the manufacturing cost of the charger device may be reduced by reducing the quantity of discrete sizes of charger devices.
Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of systems supporting physiological data collection from users via wearable devices. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to charging diagrams that relate to a universal charger.
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 ear, 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 with 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 light emitting diodes (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 with 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 charger device (e.g., a universal charger) that may accommodate and charge wearable devices 104 of varying sizes. For example, the charger device may include one or more mechanical components on or within a base of the charger device that help align and hold wearable devices 104 of varying sizes against a charging component of the charger device to facilitate charging. The one or more mechanical components (e.g., springs, flaps, or other components) may apply a force to help position the wearable device 104 firmly against the charger device to facilitate charging. Moreover, the mechanical components of the charger device may help orient the wearable device 104 in a radial orientation which allows for a charging process (e.g., an inductive charging process) by aligning inductive charging components (e.g., coils) within the wearable device 104 with the inductive charging components of the charger device. By using mechanical components to align respective inductive charging components of the charger device and wearable device 104, techniques described herein may lead to more effective charging for wearable devices 104 (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors). Further, by using a charger device that may accommodate and charge wearable devices 104 of varying sizes, a manufacturing cost of the charger device may be reduced by reducing the quantity of discrete sizes of charger devices.
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, 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 with 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 quantity 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 quantity 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 quantity 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 quantity 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 quantity 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 quantity 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 quantity 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 techniques for a charger device (e.g., a universal charger) that may accommodate and charge rings 104 of varying sizes. For example, the charger device may include one or more mechanical components on or within a base of the charger device that help align and hold rings 104 of varying sizes against a charging component of the charger device to facilitate charging of the battery 210. The one or more mechanical components (e.g., springs, flaps, or other components) may apply a force to help position the ring 104 firmly against the charger device to facilitate charging. Moreover, the mechanical components of the charger device may help orient the ring 104 in a radial orientation which allows for a charging process (e.g., an inductive charging process) by aligning inductive charging components (e.g., coils) within the ring 104 with the inductive charging components of the charger device. By using mechanical components to align respective inductive charging components of the charger device and ring 104, techniques described herein may lead to more effective charging for rings 104 (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors). Further, by using a charger device that may accommodate and charge rings 104 of varying sizes, a manufacturing cost of the charger device may be reduced by reducing the quantity of discrete sizes of charger devices.
In some aspects, the ring 104 may be configured to be worn around a user's finger, and may measure 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, and the like.
System 300 further includes a charger device 305 in communication with the ring or with a user device 106, as described with reference to
Data may be collected and analyzed via one or more components of the system 300. Moreover, in some implementations, the charger device 305 may be configured to collect and analyze data, including ambient temperature data, noise data, and the like. For example, the user device 106 may determine a correlation between sleep data from the ring 104 and the measured and processed data from the charger device 305 (e.g., if the air temperature is relatively high, a user of the ring 104 may wake up throughout a sleep duration). In other words, data collected via the charger device 305 (e.g., ambient air temperature data, noise data) may be used to further analyze physiological data collected via the ring 104.
The ring 104 may include an inner housing 205-a and an outer housing 205-b, as described with reference to
The ring 104 shown and described with reference to
In some examples, the ring 104 may be in electronic communication with the charger device 305. The charger device 305 may charge the battery 315 of the ring 104. The charger device 305 may include a base 330, which may store or otherwise include various components of the charger device 305. In some aspects, the base 330 of the charger device 305 may store or otherwise include various components of the charger device 305 including, but not limited to, a magnetic component 320-b (e.g., ferrite tape, a transmitter coil, a rare earth magnet, or the like), an inductive charging component 325-b, and a mechanical component 355.
In some cases, the magnetic component 320-b of the base 330 may include multiple magnets arranged according to a pattern based on a polarity of each magnet. For example, each magnet may have a polarity facing outward towards the surface of the charger device 305 to attract the magnetic component 320-a of the ring 104 with an opposite polarity. The inductive charging component 325-b of the charger device 305 (e.g., transmitter coil, ferrite tape) may couple with inductive charging component 325-a of the ring 104 (e.g., receiver coil, ferrite tape) to charge the battery 315 of the ring 104. Inductive charging may also be referred to as wireless charging, and may allow power to transfer from the charger device 305 to the battery 315 of the ring 104 using electromagnetic induction. Although the charger device 305 and the ring 104 are illustrated as including inductive charging components 325, the charger device 305 and the ring 104 may include any type of charging components, such as wired charging components.
In some examples, the charger device 305 may include one or more temperature sensors 335. The temperature sensors 335 may measure an average air temperature over a duration, may continuously measure air temperature, or both. Similarly, the charger device 305 may include one or more humidity sensors 340. The humidity sensors 340 may measure an average humidity level over a duration, may continuously measure humidity level, or both. The humidity sensors 340 may measure the humidity as a percentage (e.g., 35% humidity). The charger device 305 may include one or more noise sensors 345. The noise sensors 345 may measure a noise level (e.g., in decibels) averaged over a duration, continuously, or both. The charger device 305 may store the humidity measurements, the temperature measurements, the noise measurements, or a combination thereof.
The charger device 305 may include any type of sensor known in the art, and may be configured to collect any type of data which may be used to provide insight into a user's environment and overall health. For example, the charger device 305 may include light sensors configured to measure an amount of light and/or type of light (e.g., wavelength). In such cases, the system 300 may be configured to determine whether light levels and/or which types of light may result positively or negatively affect a user's sleep and health (e.g., determine if blue light is more disruptive to a user's sleep as compared to red light). By way of another example, the charging device may include air quality sensors configured to measure air quality, pollutants, allergens, and the like. Data collected via sensors of the charging device may be leveraged to determine how a user's surrounding environment may affect their physiological data, sleep, and overall health. A processing module, such as a processing module 230 as described with reference to
In some examples, the user device 106 and/or charger device 305 may process the data from the temperature sensors 335, the humidity sensors 340, the noise sensors 345, or a combination thereof in conjunction with data from the ring 104. For example, the user device 106 may receive physiological data collected by the ring 104 which reflects one or more sleep cycles of a user, and may use the data from the sensors at the charger device 305 to determine a correlation between the collected physiological data and data collected by the charger device 305. For example, the user device 106 may determine a correlation over a time interval between data collected by the charger device 305 (e.g., ambient temperature data, humidity data, noise data, and the like) with a quality of sleep for the user (as determined by collected physiological data). In other words, the system 300 may be configured to identify whether high/low temperature, humidity, and/or noise levels result in a disruption of the user's sleep cycles (e.g., low ambient temperature and humidity levels result in higher quality sleep, higher noise levels result in lower quality sleep).
Although the charger device 305 is illustrated as including temperature sensors 335, humidity sensors 340, and noise sensors 345, the charger device 305 may include any quantity and type of sensors in one or more locations. For example, the charging device may also include a motion sensor, a light sensor, or the like.
In some cases, the charger device 305 may include an LED system 350. The LED system 350 may display one or more indications to a user of the ring 104. For example, the LED system 350 may display a battery level of the battery 315, a battery health/charge status (e.g., end of battery life), a time of day, connectivity issues, one or more scores of the user (e.g., a sleep score related to how well a user slept, a readiness score or level, an activity level, or the like). Additionally, or alternatively, the LED system 350 may display one or more alerts to the user (e.g., action items prompting the user to perform an action, and the like). The LED system 350 may display a battery level of the battery 315 of the ring 104 as a percentage of total battery by displaying the numbers of the percentage, by illuminating a portion of LEDs (e.g., if a battery level is at 50%, 5 of 10 LEDs may be displayed), or the like. The LEDs in the LED system 350 may be oriented in any arrangement on the charger device 305, may be any color combination (e.g., red LED, blue LED, green LED), and there may be any quantity of LEDs in the LED system 350.
In some implementations, the charger device 305 may include a wired or wireless power source. For example, in some cases, the charger device 305 may be coupled with an electrical outlet or other power source. In other cases, the charger device 305 may include a battery or other internal power source to enable mobile charging of the ring 104. For example, in some implementations, the charger device 305 may include a battery or other internal power source such that a user may physically wear or carry the charger along with the ring 104 for mobile charging. For instance, the charger device 305 may be worn on a necklace so that a user may wear the charger while simultaneously charging the ring 104. In other cases, the charger device 305 may be coupled with the ring 104 (e.g., magnetically coupled, mechanically snapped onto) the ring 104 while the ring 104 is being worn so that the ring 104 may be charged (and continue to collect physiological data) as it is worn.
In some examples, the charger device 305 may include one or more mechanical components 355 on or within the base 330 of the charger device 305 that help align and hold rings 104 of varying sizes against a charging component (e.g., inductive charging component 325-b) of the charger device 305 to facilitate charging of the battery 315. The one or more mechanical components 355 (e.g., springs, flaps, magnetic components, or other components) may apply a force to help position the ring 104 firmly against the charger device 305 to facilitate charging.
Moreover, the mechanical components 355 of the charger device 305 may help orient the ring 104 in a radial orientation which allows for a charging process (e.g., an inductive charging process) by aligning charging components (e.g., inductive charging components 325, coils) within the ring 104 with the charging components of the charger device 305. For example, the ring 104 may be oriented (e.g., by a user 102) in one of a plurality of radial orientations, where the positioning of the charging components of the ring 104 may vary based on the radial orientation. However, the charging components may not be within a threshold distance for effective charging at some of the plurality of radial orientations, and the ring 104 may charge slowly or not charge when oriented in these radial orientations. Accordingly, the mechanical components 355 may be configured to position the ring 104 in a single radial orientation relative to the charger device 305 of the plurality of radial orientations. In the single radial orientation, the charging components of the ring 104 may be positioned and maintained within the threshold distance of the charging components of the charger device 305, thereby enabling effective charging of the ring 104.
Additionally, or alternatively, the magnetic component 320-b may help exert a force against the ring 104 (e.g., by interacting with the magnetic component 320-a) to further help orient the ring 104 in the correct orientation on the charger device 305 for charging. In some cases, a magnetic force exerted by the magnetic component 320-b may prevent the ring 104 from coupling with the charger device 305 when the ring 104 is oriented in a subset of the plurality of radial orientations excluding the single radial orientation.
By using mechanical components 355 (and/or magnetic components 320) to align respective inductive charging components 325 of the charger device 305 and ring 104, techniques described herein may lead to more effective charging for a rings 104 (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors). Further, by using a charger device 305 that may accommodate and charge rings 104 of varying sizes, a manufacturing cost of the charger device 305 may be reduced by reducing the quantity of discrete sizes of charger devices 305.
In some examples, the charger device 305-a may include a base 405 and a support 410 (e.g., a supporting component). The charger device 305-a may be manufactured according to an inner diameter of the wearable device 104-a. Moreover, the charger device 305-a may be manufactured to provide wireless charging to wearable devices 104-a of multiple sizes. In this regard, a circumference and/or diameter of the support 410 may be larger than an inner diameter of a smallest wearable device 104 (e.g., of a plurality of wearable devices 104 of different sizes), such that the smallest wearable device 104-a may be positioned around the support 410. Further, any wearable device 104-a of the multiple sizes may at least partially surround the support 410, enabling the wearable device 104-a to couple with the support 410 for charging.
Additionally, or alternatively, the charger device 305-a may be manufactured such that a threshold distance between the inner surface of the wearable device 104-a and the support 410 connected to the base 405 of the charger device 305-a is below a threshold distance. The threshold distance may be determined based on a distance for wireless charging (e.g., where one or more inductive charging components of the wearable device 104-a are within a threshold distance of inductive charging components of the charger device 305-a to induce current to charge the wearable device 104-a). However, manufacturing different size or shape supports 410 based on a size and shape of a wearable device 104 may incur unnecessary cost.
Thus, in accordance with examples as described herein, the charger device 305-a may include a one or more mechanical components (e.g., mechanical components 355) on or within the base 405 or the support 410 of the charger device 305-a to help align and hold the wearable device 104-a against charging components of the charger device 305-a. For example, the charger device 305-a may include one or more flaps, springs, or other mechanical components that exert a mechanical force against the wearable device 104-a to help position the wearable device 104-a on the charger device 305-a for charging. Additionally, or alternatively, the charger device 305-a may include one or more components to magnetically attract a magnetic component on or within the wearable device 104-a, as shown and described in
In some cases, the wearable device 104-a may be oriented (e.g., by a user 102) in one of a plurality of radial orientations (e.g., defined relative to an axis of the support 410), where a positioning of the charging component of the wearable device 104-a may vary based on the radial orientation. However, the charging component may not be within the threshold distance at some of the plurality of radial orientations, and the wearable device 104-a may charge slowly or not charge when oriented in these radial orientations. Accordingly, the mechanical force exerted by the mechanical components and/or the magnetic force exerted by the magnetic components may be configured to position the wearable device 104-a on the base 405 in a single radial orientation of a plurality of radial orientations. In the single radial orientation, the charging components of the wearable device 104-a may be positioned and maintained within the threshold distance of the charging components of the charger device 305-a, thereby enabling effective charging of the wearable device 104-a. Additionally, or alternatively, the mechanical and/or magnetic force(s) may prevent the wearable device 104-a from coupling with the charger device 305-a (e.g., the base 405) when the wearable device 104-a is oriented in a subset of the plurality of radial orientations excluding the single radial orientation.
In some examples, the magnetic components of the charger device 305-a may be configured to exert a tangential force (e.g., rotational force) on the wearable device 104-a, where the mechanical components exert a linear force against the wearable device 104-a. In some cases, the mechanical and magnetic forces may or may not be aligned with one another. For example, in some cases, a direction of the mechanical force may be substantially perpendicular to a direction of the magnetic force. For example, the mechanical force may “push” the ring toward the support 410, where the tangential force (e.g., which may be based at least partly on the magnetic force) may be exerted relative to an axis of the base 405 (e.g., rotational force around the support 410), such that the tangential force arranges the wearable device 104-a in the single radial orientation. In some examples, the tangential force may rotate the wearable device 104-a in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction (e.g., relative to the axis of the base 405) to position the wearable device 104-a in the single radial orientation. In some examples, to facilitate positioning of the wearable device 104-a, magnetic components of the charger device 305-a (e.g., within the base 405 or the support 410) may be arranged in a pattern. The pattern may be based on a polarity of each magnet of a plurality of magnets of the charger device 305-a, which may enhance attraction to magnetic components of the wearable device 104-a.
In some examples, charger device 305-a may include an LED 415 to display a charging status. For example, the LED 415 may blink while wearable device 104-a is actively charging, and may turn solid when wearable device 104-a has reached a maximum or threshold charge. Additionally, or alternatively, the LED 415 may emit a first color while the wearable device 104-a is actively charging and a second color when wearable device 104-a has reached a maximum or threshold charge. In some cases, the LED 415 may indicate one or more alerts to the user (e.g., by changing colors, blinking, flashing, etc.). For example, the LED 415 may turn red if there is a charging malfunction (e.g., connectivity issues), or the like. In some cases, the support 410 may be capable of charging multiple wearable devices 104. The LED 415 may indicate which of the multiple rings or other wearable devices may be charged using different colors or flashing patterns.
Accordingly, by using mechanical components such as magnets, the charger device 305-a may support charging wearable devices 104 of varying sizes by aligning respective inductive charging components of the charger device 305-a and the wearable devices 104. This may lead to more effective charging for the wearable devices 104 (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors) and reduced manufacturing costs of the charger device 305-a due to a reduction in the quantity of discrete sizes of charger devices 305.
In some examples, the charger device 305-b may include a base 505 and a support 510. The charger device 305-b may be manufactured according to an inner diameter of the wearable device 104-b. Moreover, the charger device 305-b may be manufactured to provide wireless charging to wearable devices 104-b of multiple sizes, as described herein. For example, a circumference and/or diameter of the support 510 may be smaller than an inner diameter of a smallest wearable device 104 (e.g., of a plurality of wearable devices 104 of different sizes), such that the smallest wearable device 104-a may be positioned around the support 510.
In some examples, the wearable device 104-a may be configured to charge when the wearable device 104-b is positioned such that a distance between an inner surface of the wearable device 104-b and the support 510 connected to the base 405 of the charger device 305-b is at or below a threshold distance. In some cases, however, some wearable devices 104, such as wearable devices 104 of larger sizes (e.g., than the smallest wearable devices 104), may exhibit poor contact with charging components (e.g., inductive charging components) of the charger device 305-b. For example, some wearable devices 104 may be positioned (e.g., by a user 102) such that the distance between the inner surface of the wearable device 104-b and the support 510 is above the threshold distance, which may cause the wearable device 104 to charge slowly or not charge. Further, manufacturing different size or shape supports 510 based on a size and shape of multiple wearable device 104 to ensure each wearable device 104 exhibits proper contact with the charger component of the charger device 305-b may incur unnecessary cost. As such, techniques for accommodating and charging wearable devices 104 of varying sizes may be desired.
In accordance with examples as described herein, the charger device 305-b may include a mechanical flap 515. The mechanical flap 515 may be configured to exert a mechanical force against the wearable device 104-b, such that the wearable device 104-b is positioned against the support 510 in a charging position. For instance, the mechanical force may position the wearable device 104-b such that the inner surface of the wearable device 104-b is within the threshold distance of the charging components of the charger device 305-b. Accordingly, the mechanical flap 515 may facilitate more effective charging for the wearable device 104-b (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors).
In some examples, the charger device 305-b may include an adjustment mechanism 520. The adjustment mechanism 520 may be configured to selectively adjust a location of the mechanical flap 515, a magnitude of the mechanical force exerted by the mechanical flap 515, or both. For example, the adjustment mechanism 520 may be tightened (e.g., by rotating one or more components of the adjustment mechanism 520 in a first direction), which may increase the magnitude of the mechanical force exerted by the mechanical flap 515, while loosening (e.g., by rotating the one or more components of the adjustment mechanism 520 in a second direction) the adjustment mechanism 520 may decrease the magnitude of the mechanical force. Additionally, or alternatively, the loosening the adjustment mechanism 520 (e.g., past some threshold amount) may allow the mechanical flap 515 to move with relation to the base 505. As such, a user 102 may be able to reposition the mechanical flap 515 to improve a fit of the wearable device 104-b on the charger device 305-b and re-tighten the adjustment mechanism 520 to hold the mechanical flap 515 in the new position (e.g., the mechanical flap 515 may be configured to “slide” within a track of the base 505, where the adjustment mechanism 520 locks the mechanical flap 515 into a defined position within the track). In some cases, the mechanical flap 515 may include a cavity (e.g., opening) for the adjustment mechanism 520 to couple with the base 505 (e.g., via a screwing mechanism), and the cavity may allow for movement of the mechanical flap 515 in one direction (e.g., at least when the adjustment mechanism 520 is loosened).
In some examples, the mechanical flap 515 may have one or more geometric features that may interface with one or more geometric features of the wearable device 104-b. For example, the wearable device 104-b may have a flat portion 535 (e.g., a portion that is relatively flatter than other portions of the wearable device 104-b) on an outer surface of the wearable device 104-b, and one or more charging components (e.g., inductive charging components) may be positioned near (e.g., beneath) the flat portion 535 of the wearable device 104-b. As such, the mechanical flap 515 may have one or more geometric features that interface with the flat portion 535. For instance, the mechanical flap 515 may have a curvature similar to the flat portion 535, such that the mechanical flap 515 is relatively flush with the flat portion 535. By including one or more geometric features on the charger device 305-b that may interface with one or more geometric features of the wearable device 104-b, a user may be able to identify a correct orientation of the wearable device 104-b on the base 505, thereby improving charging of the wearable device 104-b.
In some cases, components of the charger device 305-b, such as the base 505 and the support 510, may be manufactured together via a molding process (e.g., an injection molding process), a three-dimensional printing process, another process, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the mechanical flap 515 may be manufactured together with the components of the charger device 305-b (e.g., via the molding process or the injection molding process), such that the mechanical flap 515 is fixedly coupled with the base 505. Additionally, or alternatively, the mechanical flap 515 may be fixedly coupled with the base 505 via the adjustment mechanism 520, which may exert a force on the mechanical flap 515 to position the mechanical flap 515 against the base 505.
As noted previously herein, in some cases, the charger device 305-b may utilize both mechanical and magnetic forces to help position the wearable device 104-b on/within the charger device 305-b for charging. The mechanical and magnetic forces may be aligned in some cases, or may be offset relative to each other in other cases. For example, in some cases and referring to the top view 530, the mechanical flap 515 may exert a mechanical force on the wearable device 104-b to the right to “push” the wearable device 104-b against the support 510, whereas magnetic components within the charger device 305-c may exert a tangential or rotational force to rotate the wearable device 104-b clockwise and/or counterclockwise around the support 510. In such cases, the mechanical force and the magnetic force may be substantially perpendicular to one another.
In accordance with examples as described herein, the charger device 305-c may include a mechanical component 615. The mechanical component 615 may be configured to exert a mechanical force against the wearable device 104-c, such that the wearable device 104-c is positioned against the support 610 in a charging position. For instance, the mechanical force may position the wearable device 104-c such that the inner surface of the wearable device 104-c is within a threshold distance of the charging components of the charger device 305-c. Accordingly, the mechanical component 615 may facilitate more effective charging for the wearable device 104-c (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors).
In some examples, the mechanical component 615 may be coupled with a spring 620 (e.g., spring mechanism). The spring 620 may be configured to exert a mechanical force on the mechanical component 615 (e.g., via a shaft component) in a first direction, such that the mechanical component 615 exerts a mechanical force on the wearable device 104-c against the support 610. In some cases, the spring 620 may be positioned within a housing 625, which may be attached to the base 605. The housing 625 may have an opening for a shaft component that may be coupled the mechanical component 615 with the spring 620.
In some cases, the wearable device 104-c may be oriented (e.g., by a user 102) in one of a plurality of radial orientations (e.g., defined relative to an axis of the support 610), where a positioning of the charging component of the wearable device 104-c may vary based on the radial orientation. However, the charging component may not be within the threshold distance to enable effective charging at some of the plurality of radial orientations, and the wearable device 104-c may charge slowly or not charge when oriented in these radial orientations. Accordingly, the mechanical force exerted by the mechanical component 615 may be configured to position the wearable device 104-c on the base 605 in a single radial orientation of a plurality of radial orientations. In the single radial orientation, the charging components of the wearable device 104-c may be positioned and maintained within the threshold distance of the charging components of the charger device 305-c, thereby enabling effective charging of the wearable device 104-c.
In some examples, the mechanical component 615 may have one or more geometric features that may interface with one or more geometric features of the wearable device 104-c. For example, the wearable device 104-c may have a flat portion 640 (e.g., a portion that is relatively flatter than other portions of the wearable device 104-c) on an outer surface of the wearable device 104-c, and one or more charging components (e.g., inductive charging components) may be positioned near (e.g., beneath) the flat portion 640 of the wearable device 104-c. As such, the mechanical component 615 may have one or more geometric features that interface with the flat portion 640. For instance, the mechanical component 615 may have a curvature similar to the flat portion 640, such that the mechanical component 615 is relatively flush with the flat portion 640. By including one or more geometric features on the charger device 305-c that may interface with one or more geometric features of the wearable device 104-c, a user may be able to identify a correct orientation of the wearable device 104-c on the base 605, thereby supporting effective charging of the wearable device 104-c.
In some cases, components of the charger device 305-c, such as the base 605 and the support 610, may be manufactured together via a molding process (e.g., an injection molding process), a three-dimensional printing process, another process, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the housing 625, the mechanical component 615, or both, may be manufactured together with the components of the charger device 305-c (e.g., via the molding process or the injection molding process), such that the mechanical component 615 is fixedly coupled with the base 605. Additionally, or alternatively, the mechanical component 615 and the spring 620 may be inserted into the housing 625 after a manufacturing process of the housing 625 and the base 605.
In accordance with examples as described herein, the charger device 305-d may include a flexible band 715. The flexible band 715 may be configured to exert a mechanical force against the wearable device 104-d, such that the wearable device 104-d is positioned against the support 710 in a charging position. For instance, the flexible band 715 may exert the mechanical force due to a tension in the flexible band 715 caused by positioning a portion of the wearable device 104-d between the flexible band 715 and the support 710, such that the inner surface of the wearable device 104-d is within a threshold distance of the charging components of the charger device 305-d. Accordingly, the flexible band 715 may facilitate more effective charging for the wearable device 104-d (e.g., faster charging, stronger charge signal, reduced or eliminated charging errors).
In some examples, the charger device 305-d may include one or more supports 720. For example, the flexible band may be attached to (e.g., wrapped around, inserted within, held by) a support 720-a and a support 720-b of the charger device 305-d. The support 720-a and the support 720-b may maintain the flexible band 715 relatively taught, such that the flexible band 715 exerts the mechanical force against the wearable device 104-d when the wearable device 104-d is positioned on the base 705. In some examples, the support 720-a and the support 720-b may support adjustment of the flexible band 715. For example, a support 720 may be configured to tighten, loosen, or release the flexible band 715 via rotation (e.g., in one direction for tightening and another direction for loosening) or removal of the support 720, which may allow for adjustment of a magnitude of the mechanical force. Additionally, or alternatively, the flexible band 715 may be tied to or around the support 720-a and the support 720-b, and the flexible band 715 may be untied and re-tied to adjust the magnitude of the mechanical force.
In some examples, the flexible band 715 may have one or more geometric features that may interface with one or more geometric features of the wearable device 104-d. For example, the wearable device 104-d may have a flat portion 725 (e.g., a portion that is relatively flatter than other portions of the wearable device 104-d) on an outer surface of the wearable device 104-d, and one or more charging components (e.g., inductive charging components) may be positioned near (e.g., beneath) the flat portion 725 of the wearable device 104-d. Further, due to flexible properties of the flexible band 715, the flexible band 715 may interface with the flat portion 725. For instance, the flexible band 715 may interface more fully (e.g., having a relatively larger contact area) with the flat portion 725 relative to other portions of the wearable device 104-d. By including one or more geometric features on the wearable device 104-d that may interface with the flexible band 715, a user may be able to identify a correct orientation of the wearable device 104-d on the base 705, thereby supporting effective charging of the wearable device 104-d.
In some cases, components of the charger device 305-d, such as the base 705 and the support 710, may be manufactured together via a molding process (e.g., an injection molding process), a three-dimensional printing process, another process, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the support 720-a and the support 720-b may be manufactured together with the components of the charger device 305-d (e.g., via the molding process or the injection molding process). In some cases, the flexible band 715 may be attached to the support 720-a and the support 720-b after the manufacturing of the components of the charger device 305-d.
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.
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.
