WEARABLE RING DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE RINGS FOR ADJUSTABLE CIRCUMFERENCE

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to wearable devices and data processing, including a wearable ring device with multiple rings for adjustable circumference.

BACKGROUND

Some wearable devices may be configured to collect physiological data from users, including temperature data, heart rate data, and the like. However, poor contact between a user's skin and one or more sensors of a wearable device may result in inaccurate measurements. As such, the anatomy of human users may result in ill-fitting wearable devices that do not achieve relatively constant skin contact and produce inaccurate measurements. For example, in the context of a wearable ring device, a variety of reasons may make it challenging for the wearable ring device to achieve a good fit, such as the anatomy of a human user's finger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a wearable device diagram that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a wearable device diagram that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a wearable device diagram that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a wearable device diagram that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some wearable devices may be configured to collect physiological data from users, such as light-based photoplethysmogram (PPG) data. For example, some wearable devices may be configured to acquire physiological data associated with a user including temperature data, heart rate data, and the like. To track the physiological data efficiently and accurately, a wearable device may be configured to collect data continuously while the user wears the device. However, a level or quality of skin contact between the wearable device and the user's tissue may affect the quality of PPG measurements. In particular, varying pressure between the wearable device and the user's tissue may affect how light is transmitted into, through, and out of the user's tissue, thereby affecting PPG measurements. As such, ill-fitting wearable devices that do not achieve relatively constant skin contact may result in poor PPG data.

In some cases, the anatomy of human users may make it challenging for wearable devices to achieve a good fit. For example, if the wearable device is a ring (e.g., a wearable ring device), pressure on the ring may create an air gap between the opposite side of the ring and the skin of the user. More specifically, in the context of the wearable ring device, a user's fingers may swell and contract (e.g., due to varying hydration levels, internal and/or ambient temperature, weight fluctuation, pregnancy, elevation, inflammation, etc.), which may affect the fit of the wearable device. Moreover, the joints and knuckles of a human's fingers may make it challenging for the wearable ring devices to achieve a good fit. For instance, a ring that fits over the user's knuckle may be relatively loose when it is being worn, but a ring that fits well around the base of the user's finger may be difficult or uncomfortable to put on (or take off) over the user's knuckles.

In some cases, an ill-fitting wearable ring device may lead to insufficient or inconsistent contact with one or more sensors of the wearable device (e.g., one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) and one or more respective photodetectors (PDs)), which may create new optical interfaces between the skin of the user and the sensors. The new optical interfaces may behave differently as compared to cases where there is good skin contact between the skin of the user and the sensors (e.g., may change a critical angle due to reflections, reduce measured signal perfusion index due to internal stray light, cause variations in the distribution of light, and the like). The optical interference may cause inaccurate readings from the sensors. Additionally, or alternatively, the wearable device may adjust a power of the sensors, such as increasing the brightness of an LED, to account for the variation in readings, which may increase power consumption at the wearable device. Such issues associated with ill-fitting wearable devices may cause the wearable devices to be uncomfortable for the user, and may result in inaccurate physiological data readings that may lead to a distorted picture of the user's overall health, as well as increased power consumption and decreased battery life.

Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to wearable ring devices that include multiple rings that enable the wearable ring devices to transition between multiple discrete ring sizes. For example, the multiple rings may include adjacent or concentric rings, that may be manipulated relative to one another to adjust the overall size of the wearable ring device. In some implementations, a wearable ring device may be made of multiple ring-shaped housings connected to one another, where the user's finger is positioned through each of the multiple ring-shaped housings when being worn. In this case, manipulation of the multiple housings relative to one another may change the overall size of the wearable ring device.

In some cases, the multiple ring-shaped housings may be oval or elliptical-shaped. In such cases, rotating the oval-shaped housings relative to one another may change the size of the ring. For example, a biggest intended ring size may be achieved when the ovals (e.g., each of the ring-shaped housings) are aligned. Further, offsetting the ovals may decrease the size of the ring. By way of another example, the multiple ring-shaped housings may be threaded so that they may be screwed into and out of one another. For instance, screwing a flexible ring housing into an outer ring housing may constrict the flexible ring housing to decrease the inner circumference, where unscrewing the flexible ring housing from the outer ring may allow the flexible ring housing to expand to increase the inner circumference.

In other implementations, a wearable ring device may be made of a long housing that is configured to coil into itself to form multiple concentric “loops.” In such cases, twisting the housing in one direction (e.g., clockwise) may further coil and restrict the concentric loops, thus making the inner circumference smaller. Conversely, twisting the housing in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise) may uncoil the concentric loops, thus making the inner circumference larger.

The ability of the wearable ring device to transition between multiple discrete sizes may enable the wearable device to achieve a better fit on a user (e.g., one or more fingers of the user that vary in size between users and/or over time), thereby improving contact between the sensors of the wearable device and the skin of the user and leading to more accurate physiological data readings. Additionally, or alternatively, the ability of the wearable device to transition between multiple discrete sizes may reduce the quantity of discrete sizes of the wearable device that are produced, that may in turn reduce manufacturing costs of the wearable device. Moreover, adjusting a size of the wearable ring device may improve comfortability for the user.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of systems supporting physiological data collection from users via wearable devices. Additional aspects of the disclosure are described in the context of example wearable device diagrams. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The system 100 includes a plurality of electronic devices (e.g., wearable devices 104, user devices 106) that may be worn and/or operated by one or more users 102. The system 100 further includes a network 108 and one or more servers 110.

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 to one another. In some cases, the user device 106 may receive data from the wearable device 104 and perform some/all of the calculations described herein. In some implementations, the user device 106 may also measure physiological parameters described herein, such as motion/activity parameters.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a first user 102-a (User 1) may operate, or may be associated with, a wearable device 104-a (e.g., ring 104-a) and a user device 106-a that may operate as described herein. In this example, the user device 106-a associated with user 102-a may process/store physiological parameters measured by the ring 104-a. Comparatively, a second user 102-b (User 2) may be associated with a ring 104-b, a watch wearable device 104-c (e.g., watch 104-c), and a user device 106-b, where the user device 106-b associated with user 102-b may process/store physiological parameters measured by the ring 104-b and/or the watch 104-c. Moreover, an nth user 102-n (User N) may be associated with an arrangement of electronic devices described herein (e.g., ring 104-n, user device 106-n). In some aspects, wearable devices 104 (e.g., rings 104, watches 104) and other electronic devices may be communicatively coupled to the user devices 106 of the respective users 102 via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other wireless protocols.

In some implementations, the rings 104 (e.g., wearable devices 104) of the system 100 may be configured to collect physiological data from the respective users 102 based on arterial blood flow within the user's finger. In particular, a ring 104 may utilize one or more light-emitting components, such as LEDs (e.g., red LEDs, green LEDs) that emit light on the palm-side of a user's finger to collect physiological data based on arterial blood flow within the user's finger. In general, the terms light-emitting components, light-emitting elements, and like terms, may include, but are not limited to, LEDs, micro LEDs, mini LEDs, laser diodes (LDs) (e.g., vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), and the like.

In some cases, the system 100 may be configured to collect physiological data from the respective users 102 based on blood flow diffused into a microvascular bed of skin with capillaries and arterioles. For example, the system 100 may collect PPG data based on a measured amount of blood diffused into the microvascular system of capillaries and arterioles. In some implementations, the ring 104 may acquire the physiological data using a combination of both green and red LEDs. The physiological data may include any physiological data known in the art including, but not limited to, temperature data, accelerometer data (e.g., movement/motion data), heart rate data, HRV data, blood oxygen level data, or any combination thereof.

The use of both green and red LEDs may provide several advantages over other solutions, as red and green LEDs have been found to have their own distinct advantages when acquiring physiological data under different conditions (e.g., light/dark, active/inactive) and via different parts of the body, and the like. For example, green LEDs have been found to exhibit better performance during exercise. Moreover, using multiple LEDs (e.g., green and red LEDs) distributed around the ring 104 has been found to exhibit superior performance as compared to wearable devices that utilize LEDs that are positioned close to one another, such as within a watch wearable device. Furthermore, the blood vessels in the finger (e.g., arteries, capillaries) are more accessible via LEDs as compared to blood vessels in the wrist. In particular, arteries in the wrist are positioned on the bottom of the wrist (e.g., palm-side of the wrist), meaning only capillaries are accessible on the top of the wrist (e.g., back of hand side of the wrist), where wearable watch devices and similar devices are typically worn. As such, utilizing LEDs and other sensors within a ring 104 has been found to exhibit superior performance as compared to wearable devices worn on the wrist, as the ring 104 may have greater access to arteries (as compared to capillaries), thereby resulting in stronger signals and more valuable physiological data.

The electronic devices of the system 100 (e.g., user devices 106, wearable devices 104) may be communicatively coupled to one or more servers 110 via wired or wireless communication protocols. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic devices (e.g., user devices 106) may be communicatively coupled to one or more servers 110 via a network 108. The network 108 may implement transfer control protocol and internet protocol (TCP/IP), such as the Internet, or may implement other network 108 protocols. Network connections between the network 108 and the respective electronic devices may facilitate transport of data via email, web, text messages, mail, or any other appropriate form of interaction within a computer network 108. For example, in some implementations, the ring 104-a associated with the first user 102-a may be communicatively coupled to the user device 106-a, where the user device 106-a is communicatively coupled to the servers 110 via the network 108. In additional or alternative cases, wearable devices 104 (e.g., rings 104, watches 104) may be directly communicatively coupled to the network 108.

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 FIG. 1, User 102-a may be associated with a wearable device 104-a (e.g., ring 104-a) and a user device 106-a. In this example, the ring 104-a may collect physiological data associated with the user 102-a, including temperature, heart rate, HRV, respiratory rate, and the like. In some aspects, data collected by the ring 104-a may be input to a machine learning classifier, where the machine learning classifier is configured to determine periods of time that the user 102-a is (or was) asleep. Moreover, the machine learning classifier may be configured to classify periods of time into different sleep stages, including an awake sleep stage, a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage, a light sleep stage (non-REM (NREM)), and a deep sleep stage (NREM). In some aspects, the classified sleep stages may be displayed to the user 102-a via a GUI of the user device 106-a. Sleep stage classification may be used to provide feedback to a user 102-a regarding the user's sleeping patterns, such as recommended bedtimes, recommended wake-up times, and the like. Moreover, in some implementations, sleep stage classification techniques described herein may be used to calculate scores for the respective user, such as Sleep Scores, Readiness Scores, and the like.

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 wearable device with multiple rings. In some conventional wearable devices 104, there may be a gap between the skin of a user 102 and a wearable device 104, that may cause variability and inaccuracy in the readings from measurement components (e.g., sensors). In some cases, the wearable device 104 may adjust a power of the sensors, to account for the variation in readings, that may increase power consumption at the wearable device 104. Taken together, these issues with wearable devices 104 may result in inaccurate physiological data readings leading to a distorted picture of the user's overall health, as well as increased power consumption and decreased battery life.

Further, the anatomy of a user 102 may make it challenging for some conventional wearable devices 104 to achieve a good fit. For example, in the context of a ring 104-b, a user's fingers may swell and contract due to a variety of reasons. Moreover, the joints and knuckles of a human user's fingers may make it challenging for the ring 104-b to achieve a good fit, as a ring 104-b that fits over the user's knuckle may be relatively loose when it is being worn, but a ring 104-b that fits well around the base of the user's finger may be difficult or uncomfortable to put on over the user's knuckle.

Accordingly, a wearable device 104 of the present disclosure include multiple rings and an adjustable inner circumference to reduce a gap between the wearable device 104 and skin of a user 102 of the wearable device 104, reduce the cost and complexity, and improve comfortability for one or more user activities while wearing the wearable device 104.

For example, a ring 104 may include multiple ring-shaped housings (e.g., a first ring-shaped housing and a second ring-shaped housing). In some cases, the respective ring-shaped housings may be adjacent or concentric rings. Additionally, manipulating one of the multiple ring-shaped housings relative to another ring may adjust the overall size (e.g., inner circumference and thickness) of the wearable device 104. The ability of the wearable device 104 to include an adjustable size may enable the wearable device 104 to better fit a user 102 (e.g., a finger of the user that varies in size between users and/or over time), thereby improving contact between the sensors of the wearable device 104 and the skin of the user 102. Further, the ability of the wearable device 104 to have an adjustable size may reduce the quantity of discrete sizes of the wearable device 104 that are produced, which may in turn reduce manufacturing costs of the wearable device 104.

It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in a system 100 to additionally or alternatively solve other problems than those described above. Furthermore, aspects of the disclosure may provide technical improvements to “conventional” systems or processes as described herein. However, the description and appended drawings only include example technical improvements resulting from implementing aspects of the disclosure, and accordingly do not represent all of the technical improvements provided within the scope of the claims.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system 200 that supports wearable ring devices with multiple rings for adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The system 200 may implement, or be implemented by, system 100. In particular, system 200 illustrates an example of a ring 104 (e.g., wearable device 104), a user device 106, and a server 110, as described with reference to FIG. 1.

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 FIG. 2 is provided solely for illustrative purposes. As such, the ring 104 may include additional or alternative components as those illustrated in FIG. 2. Other rings 104 that provide functionality described herein may be fabricated. For example, rings 104 with fewer components (e.g., sensors) may be fabricated. In a specific example, a ring 104 with a single temperature sensor 240 (or other sensor), a power source, and device electronics configured to read the single temperature sensor 240 (or other sensor) may be fabricated. In another specific example, a temperature sensor 240 (or other sensor) may be attached to a user's finger (e.g., using adhesives, wraps, clamps, spring loaded clamps, etc.). In this case, the sensor may be wired to another computing device, such as a wrist worn computing device that reads the temperature sensor 240 (or other sensor). In other examples, a ring 104 that includes additional sensors and processing functionality may be fabricated.

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 FIG. 2. For example, in some implementations, the ring 104 may include one or more insulating layers that electrically insulate the device electronics and other conductive materials (e.g., electrical traces) from the outer housing 205-b (e.g., a metal outer housing 205-b). The housing 205 may provide structural support for the device electronics, battery 210, substrate(s), and other components. For example, the housing 205 may protect the device electronics, battery 210, and substrate(s) from mechanical forces, such as pressure and impacts. The housing 205 may also protect the device electronics, battery 210, and substrate(s) from water and/or other chemicals.

The outer housing 205-b may be fabricated from one or more materials. In some implementations, the outer housing 205-b may include a metal, such as titanium, that may provide strength and abrasion resistance at a relatively light weight. The outer housing 205-b may also be fabricated from other materials, such polymers. In some implementations, the outer housing 205-b may be protective as well as decorative.

The inner housing 205-a may be configured to interface with the user's finger. The inner housing 205-a may be formed from a polymer (e.g., a medical grade polymer) or other material. In some implementations, the inner housing 205-a may be transparent. For example, the inner housing 205-a may be transparent to light emitted by the PPG light emitting diodes (LEDs). In some implementations, the inner housing 205-a component may be molded onto the outer housing 205-b. For example, the inner housing 205-a may include a polymer that is molded (e.g., injection molded) to fit into an outer housing 205-b metallic shell.

The ring 104 may include one or more substrates (not illustrated). The device electronics and battery 210 may be included on the one or more substrates. For example, the device electronics and battery 210 may be mounted on one or more substrates. Example substrates may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), such as flexible PCB (e.g., polyimide). In some implementations, the electronics/battery 210 may include surface mounted devices (e.g., surface-mount technology (SMT) devices) on a flexible PCB. In some implementations, the one or more substrates (e.g., one or more flexible PCBs) may include electrical traces that provide electrical communication between device electronics. The electrical traces may also connect the battery 210 to the device electronics.

The device electronics, battery 210, and substrates may be arranged in the ring 104 in a variety of ways. In some implementations, one substrate that includes device electronics may be mounted along the bottom of the ring 104 (e.g., the bottom half), such that the sensors (e.g., PPG system 235, temperature sensors 240, motion sensors 245, and other sensors) interface with the underside of the user's finger. In these implementations, the battery 210 may be included along the top portion of the ring 104 (e.g., on another substrate).

The various components/modules of the ring 104 represent functionality (e.g., circuits and other components) that may be included in the ring 104. Modules may include any discrete and/or integrated electronic circuit components that implement analog and/or digital circuits capable of producing the functions attributed to the modules herein. For example, the modules may include analog circuits (e.g., amplification circuits, filtering circuits, analog/digital conversion circuits, and/or other signal conditioning circuits). The modules may also include digital circuits (e.g., combinational or sequential logic circuits, memory circuits etc.).

The memory 215 (memory module) of the ring 104 may include any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, or electrical media, such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other memory device. The memory 215 may store any of the data described herein. For example, the memory 215 may be configured to store data (e.g., motion data, temperature data, PPG data) collected by the respective sensors and PPG system 235. Furthermore, memory 215 may include instructions that, when executed by one or more processing circuits, cause the modules to perform various functions attributed to the modules herein. The device electronics of the ring 104 described herein are only example device electronics. As such, the types of electronic components used to implement the device electronics may vary based on design considerations.

The functions attributed to the modules of the ring 104 described herein may be embodied as one or more processors, hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Depiction of different features as modules is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules must be realized by separate hardware/software components. Rather, functionality associated with one or more modules may be performed by separate hardware/software components or integrated within common hardware/software components.

The processing module 230-a of the ring 104 may include one or more processors (e.g., processing units), microcontrollers, digital signal processors, systems on a chip (SOCs), and/or other processing devices. The processing module 230-a communicates with the modules included in the ring 104. For example, the processing module 230-a may transmit/receive data to/from the modules and other components of the ring 104, such as the sensors. As described herein, the modules may be implemented by various circuit components. Accordingly, the modules may also be referred to as circuits (e.g., a communication circuit and power circuit).

The processing module 230-a may communicate with the memory 215. The memory 215 may include computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processing module 230-a, cause the processing module 230-a to perform the various functions attributed to the processing module 230-a herein. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a (e.g., a microcontroller) may include additional features associated with other modules, such as communication functionality provided by the communication module 220-a (e.g., an integrated Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver) and/or additional onboard memory 215.

The communication module 220-a may include circuits that provide wireless and/or wired communication with the user device 106 (e.g., communication module 220-b of the user device 106). In some implementations, the communication modules 220-a, 220-b may include wireless communication circuits, such as Bluetooth circuits and/or Wi-Fi circuits. In some implementations, the communication modules 220-a, 220-b can include wired communication circuits, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication circuits. Using the communication module 220-a, the ring 104 and the user device 106 may be configured to communicate with each other. The processing module 230-a of the ring may be configured to transmit/receive data to/from the user device 106 via the communication module 220-a. Example data may include, but is not limited to, motion data, temperature data, pulse waveforms, heart rate data, HRV data, PPG data, and status updates (e.g., charging status, battery charge level, and/or ring 104 configuration settings). The processing module 230-a of the ring may also be configured to receive updates (e.g., software/firmware updates) and data from the user device 106.

The ring 104 may include a battery 210 (e.g., a rechargeable battery 210). An example battery 210 may include a Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer type battery 210, although a variety of battery 210 options are possible. The battery 210 may be wirelessly charged. In some implementations, the ring 104 may include a power source other than the battery 210, such as a capacitor. The power source (e.g., battery 210 or capacitor) may have a curved geometry that matches the curve of the ring 104. In some aspects, a charger or other power source may include additional sensors that may be used to collect data in addition to, or that supplements, data collected by the ring 104 itself. Moreover, a charger or other power source for the ring 104 may function as a user device 106, in which case the charger or other power source for the ring 104 may be configured to receive data from the ring 104, store and/or process data received from the ring 104, and communicate data between the ring 104 and the servers 110.

In some aspects, the ring 104 includes a power module 225 that may control charging of the battery 210. For example, the power module 225 may interface with an external wireless charger that charges the battery 210 when interfaced with the ring 104. The charger may include a datum structure that mates with a ring 104 datum structure to create a specified orientation with the ring 104 during 104 charging. The power module 225 may also regulate voltage(s) of the device electronics, regulate power output to the device electronics, and monitor the state of charge of the battery 210. In some implementations, the battery 210 may include a protection circuit module (PCM) that protects the battery 210 from high current discharge, over voltage during 104 charging, and under voltage during 104 discharge. The power module 225 may also include electro-static discharge (ESD) protection.

The one or more temperature sensors 240 may be electrically coupled to the processing module 230-a. The temperature sensor 240 may be configured to generate a temperature signal (e.g., temperature data) that indicates a temperature read or sensed by the temperature sensor 240. The processing module 230-a may determine a temperature of the user in the location of the temperature sensor 240. For example, in the ring 104, temperature data generated by the temperature sensor 240 may indicate a temperature of a user at the user's finger (e.g., skin temperature). In some implementations, the temperature sensor 240 may contact the user's skin. In other implementations, a portion of the housing 205 (e.g., the inner housing 205-a) may form a barrier (e.g., a thin, thermally conductive barrier) between the temperature sensor 240 and the user's skin. In some implementations, portions of the ring 104 configured to contact the user's finger may have thermally conductive portions and thermally insulative portions. The thermally conductive portions may conduct heat from the user's finger to the temperature sensors 240. The thermally insulative portions may insulate portions of the ring 104 (e.g., the temperature sensor 240) from ambient temperature.

In some implementations, the temperature sensor 240 may generate a digital signal (e.g., temperature data) that the processing module 230-a may use to determine the temperature. As another example, in cases where the temperature sensor 240 includes a passive sensor, the processing module 230-a (or a temperature sensor 240 module) may measure a current/voltage generated by the temperature sensor 240 and determine the temperature based on the measured current/voltage. Example temperature sensors 240 may include a thermistor, such as a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor, or other types of sensors including resistors, transistors, diodes, and/or other electrical/electronic components.

The processing module 230-a may sample the user's temperature over time. For example, the processing module 230-a may sample the user's temperature according to a sampling rate. An example sampling rate may include one sample per second, although the processing module 230-a may be configured to sample the temperature signal at other sampling rates that are higher or lower than one sample per second. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may sample the user's temperature continuously throughout the day and night. Sampling at a sufficient rate (e.g., one sample per second) throughout the day may provide sufficient temperature data for analysis described herein.

The processing module 230-a may store the sampled temperature data in memory 215. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may process the sampled temperature data. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine average temperature values over a period of time. In one example, the processing module 230-a may determine an average temperature value each minute by summing all temperature values collected over the minute and dividing by the number of samples over the minute. In a specific example where the temperature is sampled at one sample per second, the average temperature may be a sum of all sampled temperatures for one minute divided by sixty seconds. The memory 215 may store the average temperature values over time. In some implementations, the memory 215 may store average temperatures (e.g., one per minute) instead of sampled temperatures in order to conserve memory 215.

The sampling rate, which may be stored in memory 215, may be configurable. In some implementations, the sampling rate may be the same throughout the day and night. In other implementations, the sampling rate may be changed throughout the day/night. In some implementations, the ring 104 may filter/reject temperature readings, such as large spikes in temperature that are not indicative of physiological changes (e.g., a temperature spike from a hot shower). In some implementations, the ring 104 may filter/reject temperature readings that may not be reliable due to other factors, such as excessive motion during 104 exercise (e.g., as indicated by a motion sensor 245).

The ring 104 (e.g., communication module) may transmit the sampled and/or average temperature data to the user device 106 for storage and/or further processing. The user device 106 may transfer the sampled and/or average temperature data to the server 110 for storage and/or further processing.

Although the ring 104 is illustrated as including a single temperature sensor 240, the ring 104 may include multiple temperature sensors 240 in one or more locations, such as arranged along the inner housing 205-a near the user's finger. In some implementations, the temperature sensors 240 may be stand-alone temperature sensors 240. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more temperature sensors 240 may be included with other components (e.g., packaged with other components), such as with the accelerometer and/or processor.

The processing module 230-a may acquire and process data from multiple temperature sensors 240 in a similar manner described with respect to a single temperature sensor 240. For example, the processing module 230 may individually sample, average, and store temperature data from each of the multiple temperature sensors 240. In other examples, the processing module 230-a may sample the sensors at different rates and average/store different values for the different sensors. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may be configured to determine a single temperature based on the average of two or more temperatures determined by two or more temperature sensors 240 in different locations on the finger.

The temperature sensors 240 on the ring 104 may acquire distal temperatures at the user's finger (e.g., any finger). For example, one or more temperature sensors 240 on the ring 104 may acquire a user's temperature from the underside of a finger or at a different location on the finger. In some implementations, the ring 104 may continuously acquire distal temperature (e.g., at a sampling rate). Although distal temperature measured by a ring 104 at the finger is described herein, other devices may measure temperature at the same/different locations. In some cases, the distal temperature measured at a user's finger may differ from the temperature measured at a user's wrist or other external body location. Additionally, the distal temperature measured at a user's finger (e.g., a “shell” temperature) may differ from the user's core temperature. As such, the ring 104 may provide a useful temperature signal that may not be acquired at other internal/external locations of the body. In some cases, continuous temperature measurement at the finger may capture temperature fluctuations (e.g., small or large fluctuations) that may not be evident in core temperature. For example, continuous temperature measurement at the finger may capture minute-to-minute or hour-to-hour temperature fluctuations that provide additional insight that may not be provided by other temperature measurements elsewhere in the body.

The ring 104 may include a PPG system 235. The PPG system 235 may include one or more optical transmitters that transmit light. The PPG system 235 may also include one or more optical receivers that receive light transmitted by the one or more optical transmitters. An optical receiver may generate a signal (hereinafter “PPG” signal) that indicates an amount of light received by the optical receiver. The optical transmitters may illuminate a region of the user's finger. The PPG signal generated by the PPG system 235 may indicate the perfusion of blood in the illuminated region. For example, the PPG signal may indicate blood volume changes in the illuminated region caused by a user's pulse pressure. The processing module 230-a may sample the PPG signal and determine a user's pulse waveform based on the PPG signal. The processing module 230-a may determine a variety of physiological parameters based on the user's pulse waveform, such as a user's respiratory rate, heart rate, HRV, oxygen saturation, and other circulatory parameters.

In some implementations, the PPG system 235 may be configured as a reflective PPG system 235 where the optical receiver(s) receive transmitted light that is reflected through the region of the user's finger. In some implementations, the PPG system 235 may be configured as a transmissive PPG system 235 where the optical transmitter(s) and optical receiver(s) are arranged opposite to one another, such that light is transmitted directly through a portion of the user's finger to the optical receiver(s).

The number and ratio of transmitters and receivers included in the PPG system 235 may vary. Example optical transmitters may include light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The optical transmitters may transmit light in the infrared spectrum and/or other spectrums. Example optical receivers may include, but are not limited to, photosensors, phototransistors, and photodiodes. The optical receivers may be configured to generate PPG signals in response to the wavelengths received from the optical transmitters. The location of the transmitters and receivers may vary. Additionally, a single device may include reflective and/or transmissive PPG systems 235.

The PPG system 235 illustrated in FIG. 2 may include a reflective PPG system 235 in some implementations. In these implementations, the PPG system 235 may include a centrally located optical receiver (e.g., at the bottom of the ring 104) and two optical transmitters located on each side of the optical receiver. In this implementation, the PPG system 235 (e.g., optical receiver) may generate the PPG signal based on light received from one or both of the optical transmitters. In other implementations, other placements, combinations, and/or configurations of one or more optical transmitters and/or optical receivers are contemplated.

The processing module 230-a may control one or both of the optical transmitters to transmit light while sampling the PPG signal generated by the optical receiver. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may cause the optical transmitter with the stronger received signal to transmit light while sampling the PPG signal generated by the optical receiver. For example, the selected optical transmitter may continuously emit light while the PPG signal is sampled at a sampling rate (e.g., 250 Hz).

Sampling the PPG signal generated by the PPG system 235 may result in a pulse waveform that may be referred to as a “PPG.” The pulse waveform may indicate blood pressure vs time for multiple cardiac cycles. The pulse waveform may include peaks that indicate cardiac cycles. Additionally, the pulse waveform may include respiratory induced variations that may be used to determine respiration rate. The processing module 230-a may store the pulse waveform in memory 215 in some implementations. The processing module 230-a may process the pulse waveform as it is generated and/or from memory 215 to determine user physiological parameters described herein.

The processing module 230-a may determine the user's heart rate based on the pulse waveform. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine heart rate (e.g., in beats per minute) based on the time between peaks in the pulse waveform. The time between peaks may be referred to as an interbeat interval (IBI). The processing module 230-a may store the determined heart rate values and IBI values in memory 215.

The processing module 230-a may determine HRV over time. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine HRV based on the variation in the IBIs. The processing module 230-a may store the HRV values over time in the memory 215. Moreover, the processing module 230-a may determine the user's respiratory rate over time. For example, the processing module 230-a may determine respiratory rate based on frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, or baseline modulation of the user's IBI values over a period of time. Respiratory rate may be calculated in breaths per minute or as another breathing rate (e.g., breaths per 30 seconds). The processing module 230-a may store user respiratory rate values over time in the memory 215.

The ring 104 may include one or more motion sensors 245, such as one or more accelerometers (e.g., 6-D accelerometers) and/or one or more gyroscopes (gyros). The motion sensors 245 may generate motion signals that indicate motion of the sensors. For example, the ring 104 may include one or more accelerometers that generate acceleration signals that indicate acceleration of the accelerometers. As another example, the ring 104 may include one or more gyro sensors that generate gyro signals that indicate angular motion (e.g., angular velocity) and/or changes in orientation. The motion sensors 245 may be included in one or more sensor packages. An example accelerometer/gyro sensor is a Bosch BM1160 inertial micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor that may measure angular rates and accelerations in three perpendicular axes.

The processing module 230-a may sample the motion signals at a sampling rate (e.g., 50 Hz) and determine the motion of the ring 104 based on the sampled motion signals. For example, the processing module 230-a may sample acceleration signals to determine acceleration of the ring 104. As another example, the processing module 230-a may sample a gyro signal to determine angular motion. In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may store motion data in memory 215. Motion data may include sampled motion data as well as motion data that is calculated based on the sampled motion signals (e.g., acceleration and angular values).

The ring 104 may store a variety of data described herein. For example, the ring 104 may store temperature data, such as raw sampled temperature data and calculated temperature data (e.g., average temperatures). As another example, the ring 104 may store PPG signal data, such as pulse waveforms and data calculated based on the pulse waveforms (e.g., heart rate values, IBI values, HRV values, and respiratory rate values). The ring 104 may also store motion data, such as sampled motion data that indicates linear and angular motion.

The ring 104, or other computing device, may calculate and store additional values based on the sampled/calculated physiological data. For example, the processing module 230 may calculate and store various metrics, such as sleep metrics (e.g., a Sleep Score), activity metrics, and readiness metrics. In some implementations, additional values/metrics may be referred to as “derived values.” The ring 104, or other computing/wearable device, may calculate a variety of values/metrics with respect to motion. Example derived values for motion data may include, but are not limited to, motion count values, regularity values, intensity values, metabolic equivalence of task values (METs), and orientation values. Motion counts, regularity values, intensity values, and METs may indicate an amount of user motion (e.g., velocity/acceleration) over time. Orientation values may indicate how the ring 104 is oriented on the user's finger and if the ring 104 is worn on the left hand or right hand.

In some implementations, motion counts and regularity values may be determined by counting a number of acceleration peaks within one or more periods of time (e.g., one or more 30 second to 1 minute periods). Intensity values may indicate a number of movements and the associated intensity (e.g., acceleration values) of the movements. The intensity values may be categorized as low, medium, and high, depending on associated threshold acceleration values. METs may be determined based on the intensity of movements during a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds), the regularity/irregularity of the movements, and the number of movements associated with the different intensities.

In some implementations, the processing module 230-a may compress the data stored in memory 215. For example, the processing module 230-a may delete sampled data after making calculations based on the sampled data. As another example, the processing module 230-a may average data over longer periods of time in order to reduce the number of stored values. In a specific example, if average temperatures for a user over one minute are stored in memory 215, the processing module 230-a may calculate average temperatures over a five minute time period for storage, and then subsequently erase the one minute average temperature data. The processing module 230-a may compress data based on a variety of factors, such as the total amount of used/available memory 215 and/or an elapsed time since the ring 104 last transmitted the data to the user device 106.

Although a user's physiological parameters may be measured by sensors included on a ring 104, other devices may measure a user's physiological parameters. For example, although a user's temperature may be measured by a temperature sensor 240 included in a ring 104, other devices may measure a user's temperature. In some examples, other wearable devices (e.g., wrist devices) may include sensors that measure user physiological parameters. Additionally, medical devices, such as external medical devices (e.g., wearable medical devices) and/or implantable medical devices, may measure a user's physiological parameters. One or more sensors on any type of computing device may be used to implement the techniques described herein.

The physiological measurements may be taken continuously throughout the day and/or night. In some implementations, the physiological measurements may be taken during 104 portions of the day and/or portions of the night. In some implementations, the physiological measurements may be taken in response to determining that the user is in a specific state, such as an active state, resting state, and/or a sleeping state. For example, the ring 104 can make physiological measurements in a resting/sleep state in order to acquire cleaner physiological signals. In one example, the ring 104 or other device/system may detect when a user is resting and/or sleeping and acquire physiological parameters (e.g., temperature) for that detected state. The devices/systems may use the resting/sleep physiological data and/or other data when the user is in other states in order to implement the techniques of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, as described previously herein, the ring 104 may be configured to collect, store, and/or process data, and may transfer any of the data described herein to the user device 106 for storage and/or processing. In some aspects, the user device 106 includes a wearable application 250, an operating system (OS), a web browser application (e.g., web browser 280), one or more additional applications, and a GUI 275. The user device 106 may further include other modules and components, including sensors, audio devices, haptic feedback devices, and the like. The wearable application 250 may include an example of an application (e.g., “app”) that may be installed on the user device 106. The wearable application 250 may be configured to acquire data from the ring 104, store the acquired data, and process the acquired data as described herein. For example, the wearable application 250 may include a user interface (UI) module 255, an acquisition module 260, a processing module 230-b, a communication module 220-b, and a storage module (e.g., database 265) configured to store application data.

The various data processing operations described herein may be performed by the ring 104, the user device 106, the servers 110, or any combination thereof. For example, in some cases, data collected by the ring 104 may be pre-processed and transmitted to the user device 106. In this example, the user device 106 may perform some data processing operations on the received data, may transmit the data to the servers 110 for data processing, or both. For instance, in some cases, the user device 106 may perform processing operations that require relatively low processing power and/or operations that require a relatively low latency, whereas the user device 106 may transmit the data to the servers 110 for processing operations that require relatively high processing power and/or operations that may allow relatively higher latency.

In some aspects, the ring 104, user device 106, and server 110 of the system 200 may be configured to evaluate sleep patterns for a user. In particular, the respective components of the system 200 may be used to collect data from a user via the ring 104, and generate one or more scores (e.g., Sleep Score, Readiness Score) for the user based on the collected data. For example, as noted previously herein, the ring 104 of the system 200 may be worn by a user to collect data from the user, including temperature, heart rate, HRV, and the like. Data collected by the ring 104 may be used to determine when the user is asleep in order to evaluate the user's sleep for a given “sleep day.” In some aspects, scores may be calculated for the user for each respective sleep day, such that a first sleep day is associated with a first set of scores, and a second sleep day is associated with a second set of scores. Scores may be calculated for each respective sleep day based on data collected by the ring 104 during the respective sleep day. Scores may include, but are not limited to, Sleep Scores, Readiness Scores, and the like.

In some cases, “sleep days” may align with the traditional calendar days, such that a given sleep day runs from midnight to midnight of the respective calendar day. In other cases, sleep days may be offset relative to calendar days. For example, sleep days may run from 6:00 pm (18:00) of a calendar day until 6:00 pm (18:00) of the subsequent calendar day. In this example, 6:00 pm may serve as a “cut-off time,” where data collected from the user before 6:00 pm is counted for the current sleep day, and data collected from the user after 6:00 pm is counted for the subsequent sleep day. Due to the fact that most individuals sleep the most at night, offsetting sleep days relative to calendar days may enable the system 200 to evaluate sleep patterns for users in such a manner that is consistent with their sleep schedules. In some cases, users may be able to selectively adjust (e.g., via the GUI) a timing of sleep days relative to calendar days so that the sleep days are aligned with the duration of time that the respective users typically sleep.

In some implementations, each overall score for a user for each respective day (e.g., Sleep Score, Readiness Score) may be determined/calculated based on one or more “contributors,” “factors,” or “contributing factors.” For example, a user's overall Sleep Score may be calculated based on a set of contributors, including: total sleep, efficiency, restfulness, REM sleep, deep sleep, latency, timing, or any combination thereof. The Sleep Score may include any quantity of contributors. The “total sleep” contributor may refer to the sum of all sleep periods of the sleep day. The “efficiency” contributor may reflect the percentage of time spent asleep compared to time spent awake while in bed, and may be calculated using the efficiency average of long sleep periods (e.g., primary sleep period) of the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each sleep period. The “restfulness” contributor may indicate how restful the user's sleep is, and may be calculated using the average of all sleep periods of the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each period. The restfulness contributor may be based on a “wake up count” (e.g., sum of all the wake-ups (when user wakes up) detected during different sleep periods), excessive movement, and a “got up count” (e.g., sum of all the got-ups (when user gets out of bed) detected during the different sleep periods).

The “REM sleep” contributor may refer to a sum total of REM sleep durations across all sleep periods of the sleep day including REM sleep. Similarly, the “deep sleep” contributor may refer to a sum total of deep sleep durations across all sleep periods of the sleep day including deep sleep. The “latency” contributor may signify how long (e.g., average, median, longest) the user takes to go to sleep, and may be calculated using the average of long sleep periods throughout the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each period and the number of such periods (e.g., consolidation of a given sleep stage or sleep stages may be its own contributor or weight other contributors). Lastly, the “timing” contributor may refer to a relative timing of sleep periods within the sleep day and/or calendar day, and may be calculated using the average of all sleep periods of the sleep day, weighted by a duration of each period.

By way of another example, a user's overall Readiness Score may be calculated based on a set of contributors, including: sleep, sleep balance, heart rate, HRV balance, recovery index, temperature, activity, activity balance, or any combination thereof. The Readiness Score may include any quantity of contributors. The “sleep” contributor may refer to the combined Sleep Score of all sleep periods within the sleep day. The “sleep balance” contributor may refer to a cumulative duration of all sleep periods within the sleep day. In particular, sleep balance may indicate to a user whether the sleep that the user has been getting over some duration of time (e.g., the past two weeks) is in balance with the user's needs. Typically, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night to stay healthy, alert, and to perform at their best both mentally and physically. However, it is normal to have an occasional night of bad sleep, so the sleep balance contributor takes into account long-term sleep patterns to determine whether each user's sleep needs are being met. The “resting heart rate” contributor may indicate a lowest heart rate from the longest sleep period of the sleep day (e.g., primary sleep period) and/or the lowest heart rate from naps occurring after the primary sleep period.

Continuing with reference to the “contributors” (e.g., factors, contributing factors) of the Readiness Score, the “HRV balance” contributor may indicate a highest HRV average from the primary sleep period and the naps happening after the primary sleep period. The HRV balance contributor may help users keep track of their recovery status by comparing their HRV trend over a first time period (e.g., two weeks) to an average HRV over some second, longer time period (e.g., three months). The “recovery index” contributor may be calculated based on the longest sleep period. Recovery index measures how long it takes for a user's resting heart rate to stabilize during the night. A sign of a very good recovery is that the user's resting heart rate stabilizes during the first half of the night, at least six hours before the user wakes up, leaving the body time to recover for the next day. The “body temperature” contributor may be calculated based on the longest sleep period (e.g., primary sleep period) or based on a nap happening after the longest sleep period if the user's highest temperature during the nap is at least 0.5° C. higher than the highest temperature during the longest period. In some aspects, the ring may measure a user's body temperature while the user is asleep, and the system 200 may display the user's average temperature relative to the user's baseline temperature. If a user's body temperature is outside of their normal range (e.g., clearly above or below 0.0), the body temperature contributor may be highlighted (e.g., go to a “Pay attention” state) or otherwise generate an alert for the user.

In some aspects, the system 200 may support a wearable device 104 that includes multiple rings (e.g., adjacent or concentric rings). For example, a wearable device 104 of the present disclosure may include the multiple rings, where manipulating one of the rings relative to another ring may adjust the overall size of the wearable device 104. The wearable device 104 with an adjustable overall size may reduce a gap between the wearable device 104 and skin of a user of the wearable device 104, reduce the cost and complexity, and improve comfortability for one or more user activities while wearing the device 104.

For example, a wearable device 104 (e.g., wearable ring device) may include multiple ring-shaped housings, where each ring-shaped housing defines a respective passage that at least partially surrounds a user's finger. In some cases, manipulation of one ring-shaped housing relative to the other ring-shaped housing may transition the wearable device 104 between multiple discrete sizes (e.g., ring sizes). The ability of the wearable device 104 to include an adjustable overall size may enable the wearable device 104 to better fit a user (e.g., a finger of the user that varies in size between users and/or over time), thereby improving contact between the sensors of the wearable device 104 and the skin of the user. For instance, the wearable device 104 may transition between multiple sizes by adjusting an alignment of the respective passages, which may expand or contract at least one ring-shaped housing toward the center of the wearable device 104 to make the wearable device 104 larger or smaller. In such cases, one or more sensors (e.g., the PPG system 235, the temperature sensors 240, the motion sensors 245) may be positioned at least partially within at least one of the ring-shaped housings in order to improve skin contact on portions of the inner surface proximate to the sensors.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a wearable device diagram 300 that supports a wearable ring device 104-a with multiple rings for an adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wearable device diagram 300 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of the system 100, the system 200, or both. For example, the wearable device diagram 300 may include a wearable device 304-a, which may be an example of wearable devices 104 as described with reference to FIG. 1. Although the wearable devices are illustrated as circular in FIG. 3, they may be any shape and any example of a wearable device (e.g., a ring, a watch or wristband, an armband, a necklace, and the like).

Specifically, the wearable device 304-a of the wearable device diagram 300 may illustrate multiple ring-shaped housings, where manipulation of a first ring-shaped housing 305-a (e.g., inner ring-shaped housing) relative to a second ring-shaped housing 305-b (e.g., outer ring-shaped housing) may adjust the size (e.g., ring size associated with an inner circumference) of the wearable device 304-a. The ring-shaped housings 305 may be eccentric, concentric, parallel, or any combination thereof with each other. For instance, the first ring-shaped housing 305-a may be located next to the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. Additionally, or alternatively, the first ring-shaped housing 305-a may be located within (e.g., inside of) the second ring-shaped housing 305-b.

For example, the wearable device 304-a may include both the first/inner ring-shaped housing 305-a and the second/outer ring-shaped housing 305-b, where the first ring-shaped housing 305-a is coupled with (e.g., connected), and separate from, the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. The first ring-shaped housing 305-a may define a passage 315 (e.g., a first passage), and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b may define a passage 320 (e.g., a second passage). In some cases, the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b may be examples of an inner housing 205-a and an outer housing 205-b as described with reference to FIG. 2. The passage 315 and the passage 320 may extend radially around a full or partial circumference of the wearable device 304-a. For instance, the passage 315 and the passage 320 may fully or partially surround a finger of a user while the wearable device 304-a (e.g., wearable ring device) is being worn by the user.

In some cases, the manipulation (e.g., rotation, movement, force) of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a relative to the second ring-shaped housing 305-b (or vice versa) may transition the wearable device 304-a between multiple sizes (e.g., discrete ring sizes). For example, a user may adjust an alignment (e.g., location or orientation) of the ring-shaped housings 305, a size of the first passage 315, a size of the second passage 320, or any combination thereof. For instance, a first combination of alignments and sizes for the ring-shaped housings 305 (and therefore a combination of alignments and sizes of the passage 315, 320) may correspond to a U.S. ring size 8 while a second combination of alignments and sizes for the first passage 315 and the second passage 320 may correspond to a U.S. ring size 6. Although described as particular ring sizes, the size and/or circumference associated with a wearable device 304-a may correspond to that of any discrete ring size.

In some cases, the wearable device 304-a may include an electronic substrate, such as a printed wiring board (PWB) or PCB. The PWB and/or the PCB may have flexible and rigid sections. The electronic substrate may be positioned within the first ring-shaped housing 305-a, the second ring-shaped housing 305-b, or both. That is, the first ring-shaped housing 305-a may include a first electronic substrate (e.g., first PCB/PWB), and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b may include a second electronic substrate (e.g., second PCB/PWB). In such cases, the respective electronic substrates may include or may be communicatively coupled to sensors disposed on/within the respective ring-shaped housings 305.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “sensor” may be used to refer to a module including a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving components, such as one or more LEDs 330 and one or more PDs 325. Moreover, the light-emitting component and light-receiving component of a “sensor” may be co-located (e.g., positioned within the same sensor housing) and/or may be positioned at different locations on/within the ring-shaped housings 305. Additionally, in some cases, a “sensor” may include other components in addition to the LEDs 330 and the PDs 325, such as lenses.

In this regard, the one or more “sensors” of the wearable device 304-a may include measurement components, such as LEDs 330 and PDs 325. For instance, a first subset of measurement components (e.g., PDs 325) may be located within the first ring-shaped housing 305-a while a second subset of measurement components (e.g., LEDs 330) may be located within the second ring-shaped housing 305-b, or vice versa. By way of another example, in some cases, each of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b may include both LEDs 330 and PDs 325, as well as other types of measurement components (e.g., temperature sensors, acceleration sensors, electrodes, etc.). As such, in some implementations, each of the ring-shaped housings 305 may be able to acquire physiological data independently of one another, and/or in conjunction with one another (e.g., LED 330 of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a may transmit light that is received by a PD 325 of the second ring-shaped housing 305-b).

In some cases, the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b may include electrical contacts which may electrically couple the measurement components of each respective ring-shaped housing 305. That is, the first and second ring-shaped housings 305 may communicate with each other via the electrical contacts that electrically connect the respective sensors, electronic substrates, and other components positioned on/within the ring-shaped housings 305. For instance, a first electrical contact on the first ring-shaped housing 305-a may engage a second electrical contact on the second ring-shaped housing 305-b to electrically couple the first and second subsets of measurement components disposed on/within the respective ring-shaped housings 305.

For example, in some cases, the wearable ring device 304-a may include a coupling mechanism that mechanically and electrically couples the first ring-shaped housing 305-a with the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. In some cases, the coupling mechanism may mechanically couple an outer circumferential surface of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a to an inner circumferential surface of the second ring-shaped housing 305-b (such as in cases where the first ring-shaped housing 305-a is positioned “inside” of the opening defined by the second ring-shaped housing 305-b). In other cases, the coupling mechanism may mechanically couple a lateral side of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a to a lateral side of the second ring-shaped housing 305-b (such as in cases where the first ring-shaped housing 305-a is positioned “adjacent to” or alongside the second ring-shaped housing 305-b). In such cases, the coupling mechanism may include hinges, pivots, and other mechanical mechanisms that couple the respective ring-shaped housings 305 to one another, while also enabling the ring-shaped housings 305 to move relative to one another. Further, the coupling mechanism may include one or more electrical components that electrically couple components of the respective ring-shaped housings 305 (e.g., wires, inductive components, etc.).

In additional or alternative implementations, the respective ring-shaped housings 305 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with one another, such as via a Bluetooth connection. In such cases, processors of the respective ring-shaped housings 305 may be configured to communicate information with one another (e.g., timing information for LED 330 activation) in order to enable the sensors (e.g., LEDs 330, PDs 235) of the respective ring-shaped housings 305 to coordinate with one another for physiological data collection. For instance, processors disposed within the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b may periodically (e.g., at regular or irregular intervals) sync their internal clocks with one another and exchange timing information with one another such that LEDs 330 of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and PDs 325 of the second ring-shaped housing 205-b (or vice versa) are synchronized with one another to transmit/receive light used to perform physiological measurements (so that PDs 325 are ready to receive light when the LEDs 330 are pulsed or otherwise activated).

In some cases, the electronic substrate may include one or more light sources such as the LEDs 330, a laser diode (LD), or a VCSEL and the PDs 325. The LEDs 330 may emit light that is received by the PDs 325 to create optical channels for physiological data measurements (e.g., PPG measurements). The wearable device 304-a may include any quantity of LEDs 330, PDs 325, and respective optical channels for physiological data measurements. In some cases, LEDs 330 may include red LEDs, infrared LEDs, green LEDs, blue LEDs, or the like, which may emit light that is scattered and absorbed by the skin of a user of the wearable device 304-a. In general, the light sources may include any light-emitting components that are configured to emit light in any wavelength range (e.g., red light, yellow light, green light, infrared light, etc.). The PDs 325 may be configured to measure light from respective LEDs 330, which may be reflected by the skin and/or transmitted through the skin (e.g., reflective and/or transmissive measurements). Although the PDs 325 and the LEDs 330 are depicted within the first ring-shaped housing 305-a for illustrative purposes, the PDs 325 and the LEDs 330 may be distributed in any quantity or position throughout the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and/or the second ring-shaped housing 305-b, as described previously herein.

In some cases, the inner ring-shaped housing 305 and/or the outer ring-shaped housing 310 may include a dome structure over the one or more LEDs 330, one or more PDs 325, or both. In some other cases, the inner ring-shaped housing 305 and/or the outer ring-shaped housing 310 may include one or more windows (e.g., apertures) that enable the LEDs 330 to emit light, and that enable the PDs 325 to receive light, through respective inner ring-shaped housing 305 and/or outer ring-shaped housing 310. The wearable device 304-a may use the light propagation from the LEDs 330 to the PDs 325 through tissue for physiological measurements, such as PPG and SpO2 measurements. That is, the wearable device may use light from an LED 330, which may include red and infrared wavelengths, to measure SpO2 and light from another LED 330, which may include green wavelengths, to measure PPG.

In some cases, the level of skin contact between the sensors of the wearable device 304-a and the tissue of the user may impact the accuracy of the measurements. For example, with relatively good skin contact, a total internal reflection (TIR) critical angle may be relatively large over an optical interface between the wearable device 304-a and skin of the user, and light out-coupling from the inner ring-shaped housing 305 and/or the outer ring-shaped housing 310 may be relatively efficient. Thus, total light coupling losses from the LEDs 330 to the skin may be relatively low. Similarly, with relatively poor skin contact, the TIR critical angle may be relatively small over the optical interface, and the light out-coupling from the inner ring-shaped housing 305 and/or the outer ring-shaped housing 310 may be relatively inefficient. Thus, total light coupling loss from the LEDs 330 to the skin may be relatively high. The TIR may be an optical phenomenon when light propagating inside optically clear material hits an interface between the material and another optical material with lower refractive index. The TIR critical angle may depend on the difference between refractive indices of the optically clear material surrounding the LED 330 and the material on the other side of the interface as well as other factors (e.g., polarization).

In some cases, the wearable device 304-a may include one or more processors disposed within the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and/or the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. The processors may be electrically coupled with the sensors. That is, the first ring-shaped housing 305-a may communicate with the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. For example, the processors may identify the current discrete ring size of the wearable device 304-a (e.g., according to the first passage and/or the second passage). Additionally, or alternatively, the processors may determine an orientation of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a relative to the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. Further, the processors may selectively modify one or more measurement parameters (e.g., select which optical channels may be used to acquire the physiological data from the user, adjust an applied voltage/current) of the sensors based on the discrete ring size or the orientation of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a relative to the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. Additionally, the processors may selectively activate a first sensor from a first subset of sensors (e.g., measurement components) within the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and a second sensor from a second subset of sensors (e.g., measurement components) of the second ring-shaped housing 305-b based on the discrete ring size or the orientation. Thus, the wearable device 304-a may acquire physiological data from the user using the first sensor and/or the second sensor.

To reduce the likelihood of poor skin contact, the wearable device 304-a may include multiple rings (e.g., the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b), such that the wearable device 304-a may adjust sizes. For example, if the wearable device 304-a is a ring, the ring may adjust sizes to fit multiple finger sizes and expand or contract to adjust to swelling or contracting finger sizes (e.g., due to changes in hydration levels). Further, the wearable device 304-a may expand over a user's knuckle while maintaining a tight fit around the base of the user's finger, which may enable the user to remove the wearable ring device 304-a and replace the wearable ring device 304-a comfortably.

As illustrated in the wearable device diagram 300, the first ring-shaped housing 305-a and the second ring-shaped housing 305-b may combine to form the wearable device 304-a. The wearable device 304-a may include a locking mechanism to secure the first ring-shaped housing 305-a to the second ring-shaped housing 305-b. In some instances, the locking mechanism is adjusted or sized in accordance with a discrete size (e.g., discrete ring size). In other words, the locking mechanism may lock the ring structures together to keep the wearable device 304-a in one of the discrete sizes. The locking mechanism may include a screw. Additionally, or alternatively, the locking mechanism may include a set of tabs of the first ring-shaped housing 305-a which may engage with a set of detents of the second ring-shaped housing 305-b (or vice versa).

The wearable device 304-a with multiple rings and an adjustable size may have a tighter, improved fit on the user's finger, with a decreased risk of loss of skin contact. Further, the wearable device 304-a may fit an increased size range (e.g., the flexible wearable device may expand and contract to fit a wide array of discrete finger sizes), thereby simplifying and reducing cost of the manufacturing process for the wearable device 304-a.

It should be noted that the features described herein describe possible implementations, and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the features may be combined.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a wearable device diagram 400 that supports a wearable ring device 304-b with multiple rings for an adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wearable device diagram 400 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of the system 100, the system 200, the wearable device diagram 300, or any combination thereof. For example, the wearable device diagram 400 illustrates a wearable device 304-b that may be an example of the wearable devices 104 described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Specifically, the wearable device diagram 400 may illustrate a wearable device 304-b assembly that includes one or more rings (e.g., ring structures, ring-shaped housings). Although the wearable devices 404 are illustrated as ovals in FIG. 4, they may be any shape and any example of a wearable device (e.g., a ring, a watch or wristband, an armband, a necklace, and the like).

Specifically, the wearable device diagram 400 may illustrate multiple ring-shaped housings 405 (e.g., elliptical housings), where manipulation of a first ring-shaped housing 405-a relative to a second ring-shaped housing 405-b may adjust the size (e.g., ring size associated with an inner circumference) of the wearable device 304-b. The first ring-shaped housing 405-a and the second ring-shaped housing 405-b may be eccentric, concentric, parallel, or any combination thereof with each other. For instance, the second ring-shaped housing 405-b may be located next to, and parallel to, the first ring-shaped housing 405-a.

In some cases, the wearable device 304-b may include both the first ring-shaped housing 405-a and the second ring-shaped housing 405-b, where the first ring-shaped housing 405-a is coupled with (e.g., connected), and separate from, the second ring-shaped housing 405-b. The first ring-shaped housing 405-a may define an elliptical passage 415 (e.g., a first elliptical passage). Similarly, the second ring-shaped housing 405-b may define an elliptical passage 420 (e.g., a second elliptical passage). The elliptical passage 415 and the elliptical passage 420 may extend radially around a full or partial circumference of the wearable device 404. For instance, the elliptical passage 415 and the elliptical passage 420 may fully or partially surround a finger of a user while the wearable device 304-b (e.g., wearable ring device) is being worn by the user.

In some cases, the manipulation of the second ring-shaped housing 405-b relative to the first ring-shaped housing 405-a may transition the wearable device 304-b between multiple sizes (e.g., discrete ring sizes). More specifically, a user may rotate the second ring-shaped housing 405-b relative to the first ring-shaped housing 405-a, which may adjust the alignment of the elliptical passage 415 and the elliptical passage 420.

For instance, the first ring-shaped housing 405-a and the second ring-shaped housing 405-b may be aligned with one another (e.g., passages are aligned) to size the wearable device 304-b to U.S. ring size X. In other words, the major axes of the elliptical passage 415 and the elliptical passage 420 may be parallel with one another to achieve the U.S. ring size X. As such, U.S. ring size X may illustrate the largest discrete ring size possible for the wearable device 304-b.

Comparatively, an alignment of the first ring-shaped housing 405-a and the second ring-shaped housing 405-b may be offset to size the wearable device 304-b to U.S. ring size Y. In other words, the major axes of the elliptical passage 415 and the elliptical passage 420 may be perpendicular to one another to achieve the U.S. ring size Y. As such, U.S. ring size Y may illustrate the smallest discrete ring size possible for the wearable device 304-b. Moreover, other arrangements of the major axes of the respective passages 415, 420 may result in intermediate ring sizes between U.S. ring sizes X and Y.

In some cases, the wearable device 304-b may include one or more sensors. The sensors may acquire and measure physiological data from a user. The sensors may include any quantity and distribution of PDs 425 and LEDs 430. For example, the sensors may be positioned in any quantity and distribution throughout the first ring-shaped housing 405-a and the second ring-shaped housing 405-b, as described previously herein. Further, the wearable device 304-b may include a dome structure over the LEDs 430, the PDs 425, or both. In some other cases, the wearable device 304-b may include one or more windows (e.g., apertures) that enable the LEDs 430 to emit light and the PDs 425 to receive light. A user may adjust the alignment of the elliptical passage 415 and the elliptical passage 420 to adjust a size of the wearable device 304-b and improve contact between the sensors of the wearable device 304-b and the skin of the user leading to more accurate physiological data readings.

In some cases, the first ring-shaped housing 405-a may be on a first plane and the second ring-shaped housing 405-b may be on a second plane. The first plane of the first ring-shaped housing 405-a may be parallel to the second plane of the second ring-shaped housing 405-b. In other words, the first ring-shaped housing 405-a may be positioned on top of, and parallel to, the second ring-shaped housing 405-b. In these cases, the manipulation of the second ring-shaped housing 405-b relative to the first ring-shaped housing 405-a may be a rotation of the second ring-shaped housing 405-b within the second plane. As such, a user may rotate the second ring-shaped housing 405-b or the first ring-shaped housing 405-a to adjust the size of the wearable device 404.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a wearable device diagram 500 that supports a wearable ring device 304-c with multiple rings for an adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wearable device diagram 500 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of the system 100, the system 200, the wearable device diagram 300, the wearable device diagram 400, or any combination thereof. For example, the wearable device diagram 500 illustrates a wearable device 304-c that may be an example of wearable devices 104 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. Although the wearable devices are intended to be illustrated as circular in FIG. 5, they may be any shape and any example of a wearable device (e.g., a ring, a watch or wristband, an armband, a necklace, and the like).

Specifically, the wearable device diagram 500 may illustrate multiple ring-shaped housings, where manipulation of a flexible ring structure 505 (e.g., a second ring-shaped housing) relative to an outer ring structure 510 (e.g., a first ring-shaped housing) may adjust the size (e.g., ring size associated with an inner circumference) of the wearable device 304-c. In this regard, the outer ring structure 510 may be an example of a first ring-shaped housing, and the flexible ring structure may be an example of a second ring-shaped housing. The flexible ring structure 505 and the outer ring structure 510 may be eccentric, concentric, parallel, or any combination thereof with each other. For instance, the flexible ring structure 505 may be located next to the outer ring structure 510. Additionally, or alternatively, the flexible ring structure 505 may be located within (e.g., inside of) the outer ring structure 510. The wearable device 304-c may be a wearable ring device.

For example, the wearable device 304-c may include both the flexible ring structure 505 and the outer ring structure 510, where the flexible ring structure 505 is coupled with (e.g., connected), and separate from, the outer ring structure 510. The outer ring structure 510 may define a first passage. Similarly, the flexible ring structure 505 may define a second passage. The first passage of the outer ring structure 510 and the second passage of the flexible ring structure 505 may extend radially around a full or partial circumference of the wearable device 304-c. For instance, the first and second passage may fully or partially surround a finger of a user while the wearable device 304-c (e.g., wearable ring device) is being worn by the user.

In some cases, the flexible ring structure 505 may be made out of a fully or partially deformable (e.g., flexible) material. For example, the flexible ring structure 505 may be made out of an epoxy material, a polymer material, a polyurethane material, a silicon material, a rubber material, an elastomer material, or the like. The outer ring structure 510 may be made out of a fully or partially non-deformable (e.g., rigid) material. For example, the outer ring structure 510 may be made out of a rigid metal and/or a plastic material. In some instances, the flexible ring structure 505 may expand (e.g., increase in circumference/length but decrease in thickness/width) as it is rotated (e.g., screwed) out of the outer ring structure 510. The flexible ring structure 505 may contract (e.g., decrease in circumference/length but increase in thickness/width) as it is rotated (e.g., screwed) into the outer ring structure 510. In these instances, the thickness of the wearable device 304-c may decrease and increase, respectively. In other words, screwing the flexible ring structure 505 into and out of the outer ring structure 510 may adjust an inner circumference 515 of the wearable device 304-c, and may thereby adjust the discrete ring size of the wearable device 304-c.

As such, the manipulation (e.g., rotation, movement, force) of the flexible ring structure 505 relative to the outer ring structure 510 may transition the wearable device 304-c between multiple sizes (e.g., discrete ring sizes). For example, a user may rotate (e.g., screw) the flexible ring structure 505 out of (e.g., fully out of) the outer ring structure 510, resulting in an inner circumference 515-a corresponding to U.S. ring size X. In some aspects, U.S. ring size X may illustrate a largest discrete ring size (e.g., a largest circumference 515-a) possible for the wearable device 304-c (e.g., when the flexible ring structure 505 is screwed to a furthest position outside of the outer ring structure 510).

Conversely, the user may rotate (e.g., screw) the flexible ring structure 505 into the outer ring structure 510, thereby resulting in an inner circumference 515-b corresponding to U.S. ring size Y (due to the flexible ring structure 505 being forced toward the center of the ring). The flexible ring structure 505 may be constricted within (e.g., enclosed by) the outer ring structure 510 and may have a smaller circumference 515-b when compared to the circumference 515-a. In some aspects, U.S. ring size Y may illustrate a smallest discrete ring size (e.g., a smallest circumference 515-b) possible for the wearable device 304-c (e.g., when the flexible ring structure 505 is screwed to a furthest position into the outer ring structure 510).

In some cases, the outer ring structure 510 may include threads 525 (e.g., a first set of threads) on an inner circumferential surface. The flexible ring structure 505 may include threads 520 (e.g., a second set of threads) on an outer circumferential surface. The threads 520 and the threads 525 may help screw the flexible ring structure 505 and the outer ring structure 510 together and/or apart. For example, the rotation of the flexible ring structure 505 may cause the threads 520 to engage the threads 525 to force the flexible ring structure 505 into or out of the first passage of the outer ring structure 510.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a wearable device diagram 600 that supports a wearable ring device 304-d with multiple rings for an adjustable circumference in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wearable device diagram 600 may implement, or be implemented by, aspects of the system 100, the system 200, the wearable device diagram 300, the wearable device diagram 400, the wearable device diagram 500, or any combination thereof. For example, the wearable device diagram 600 illustrates a wearable device 304-d that may be an example of wearable devices 104 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Although the wearable devices are illustrated as helical or straight in FIG. 6, they may be any shape and any example of a wearable device (e.g., a ring, a watch or wristband, an armband, a necklace, and the like).

Specifically, the wearable device 304-d includes a ring structure 605 (e.g., housing component) and one or more sensors. In some instances, manipulation of the ring structure 605 may adjust the size (e.g., ring size associated with an inner circumference) of the wearable device 304-d. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6, the ring structure 605 may coil up into itself to form one or more concentric loops. A user may apply a shear force to the ring structure 605 to adjust the size (e.g., transition the wearable device 304-d between multiple discrete ring sizes) of the wearable device 304-d. In other words, a user may twist the ring structure 605. For example, the user may adjust the size of the wearable device 304-d by adjusting respective circumferences of the concentric loops, a quantity of the concentric loops, or both.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the ring structure 605 may be coiled up onto/into itself to create 1.5 concentric loops, thereby sizing the wearable device 304-d to U.S. ring size X. Upon application of a shear force, the user may coil the ring structure further to create 1.75 concentric loops, thereby constricting the circumference of the concentric loops and sizing the wearable device 304-d to a U.S. ring size Y (where Y is smaller than X).

Comparing the different sizes of the wearable device 304-d in FIG. 6, the ring structure 605 may have a larger quantity of concentric loops and a smaller inner circumference (e.g., discrete ring size) when sized to U.S. ring size Y as compared to U.S. ring size X. As an illustrative example, a user may twist (e.g., apply a shear force, rotate) the ring structure 605 tighter (e.g., clockwise) to transition the wearable device 304-d from U.S. ring size X to U.S. ring size Y. Moreover, a total length 620 of the ring structure 605 may be the same no matter the discrete ring size of the wearable device 304-d.

In some cases, the one or more sensors may acquire and measure physiological data from a user. The sensors may include any quantity and distribution of PDs 610 and LEDs 615. Further, the wearable device 304-d may include a dome structure over the LEDs 615, the PDs 610, or both. In some other cases, the ring structure 605 may include one or more windows (e.g., apertures) that may enable the LEDs 615 to emit light and the PDs 610 to receive light. The wearable device 304-d may use the light propagation from the LEDs 615 to the PDs 610 through tissue for physiological measurements, such as PPG and SpO2 measurements.

In some cases, the wearable device 304-d may include one or more processors. The processors may be electrically coupled with the sensors. In some instances, the processors may identify the current discrete ring size of the wearable device 304-d (e.g., according to the inner circumference of the ring structure 605). Additionally, or alternatively, the processors may determine an orientation of the concentric loops of the ring structure 605. Further, the processors may selectively modify one or more measurement parameters used by the sensors based on the discrete ring size and/or the orientation of the concentric loops of the ring structure 605. Additionally, the processors may selectively activate a subset of sensors (e.g., one or more measurement components) based on the discrete ring size or the orientation of the concentric loops of the ring structure 605. Thus, the wearable device 304-d may acquire physiological data from the user using the activated subset of sensors.

In some cases, the ring structure 605 may coil into one or more concentric loops such that the outer circumferential surface of a first concentric loop (e.g., the inner and smaller concentric loop) faces an inner circumferential surface of a second concentric loop (e.g., the outer and larger concentric loop). Additionally, the ring structure 605 may include a first surface facing toward the center of the concentric loops and a second surface facing away from the center of the concentric loops. The PDs 610 and the LEDs 615 may be located on the first surface facing toward the center of the concentric loops to improve contact between the sensors of the wearable device 304-d and the skin of the user leading to more accurate physiological data readings.

In some cases, the first surface may include a set of tabs. These tabs may engage with a set of detents on the second surface, or vice versa, to transition the wearable device 304-d between multiple sizes (e.g., discrete ring sizes). In other words, the helical design of the ring structure 605 may include tabs on one side and detents on the other side. Further, the tabs may “lock” into the detents to enable the user to adjust the ring size.

In some instances, the user may apply a shear force in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) that may twist the loops tighter and create more concentric loops. Further, as the quantity of concentric loops corresponding to the ring structure 605 increases, the circumference of the respective concentric loops may decrease. Thus, as the quantity of concentric loops increases, the inner circumference (e.g., discrete ring size) may decrease. In some other instances, a user may apply a shear force in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) that may loosen the loops and decrease the quantity of concentric loops corresponding to the ring structure 605. Thus, as the quantity of concentric loops decreases, the inner circumference (e.g., discrete ring size) may increase.

It should be noted that the methods described above describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

A method is described. The method may include a first ring-shaped housing defining a first passage configured to at least partially surround a finger of a user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, a second ring-shaped housing coupled to the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing defining a second passage configured to at least partially surround the finger of the user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, wherein a manipulation of the second ring-shaped housing relative to the first ring-shaped housing is configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting an alignment of the first passage and the second passage, a size of the first passage, a size of the second passage, or any combination thereof, and one or more sensors positioned at least partially within the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing, or both, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from the user.

An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include at least one processor, at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor, and instructions stored in the at least one memory. The instructions may be executable by the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to a first ring-shape housing defining a first passage configured to at least partially surround a finger of a user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, a second ring-shape housing coupled to the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing defining a second passage configured to at least partially surround the finger of the user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, wherein a manipulation of the second ring-shaped housing relative to the first ring-shaped housing is configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting an alignment of the first passage and the second passage, a size of the first passage, a size of the second passage, or any combination thereof, and one or more sensors position at least partially within the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing, or both, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from the user.

Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include means for a first ring-shaped housing defining a first passage configured to at least partially surround a finger of a user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, means for a second ring-shaped housing coupled to the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing defining a second passage configured to at least partially surround the finger of the user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, wherein a manipulation of the second ring-shaped housing relative to the first ring-shaped housing is configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting an alignment of the first passage and the second passage, a size of the first passage, a size of the second passage, or any combination thereof, and means for one or more sensors positioned at least partially within the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing, or both, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from the user.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to a first ring-shape housing defining a first passage configured to at least partially surround a finger of a user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, a second ring-shape housing coupled to the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing defining a second passage configured to at least partially surround the finger of the user while the wearable ring device is worn by the user, wherein a manipulation of the second ring-shaped housing relative to the first ring-shaped housing is configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting an alignment of the first passage and the second passage, a size of the first passage, a size of the second passage, or any combination thereof, and one or more sensors position at least partially within the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing, or both, the one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from the user.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a locking mechanism configured to secure the second ring-shaped housing to the first ring-shaped housing in accordance with a discrete ring size of the plurality of discrete ring sizes.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the locking mechanism comprises a screw, a set of tabs of the first ring-shaped housing that may be configured to engage with a set of detents of the second ring-shaped housing, or both.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more sensors comprise a first subset of measurement components within the first ring-shaped housing and a second subset of measurement components within the second ring-shaped housing and a first electrical contact on the first ring-shaped housing may be configured to engage a second electrical contact on the second ring-shaped housing to electrically couple the first and second subsets of measurement components.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, one or more processors electrically coupled with the one or more sensors, the one or more processors configured to, determine an orientation of the first ring-shaped housing relative to the second ring-shaped housing, and selectively modify one or more parameters used by the one or more sensors to acquire the physiological data from the user based at least in part on the orientation.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, selectively modifying one or more parameters may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selectively activating a first sensor from the first subset of sensors and a second sensor from the second subset of sensors based at least in part on the orientation and acquiring the physiological data from the user via the first sensor and the second sensor.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first ring-shaped housing comprises a first elliptical housing defining a first elliptical passage, the second ring-shaped housing comprises a second elliptical housing defining a second elliptical passage, and rotating the second elliptical housing relative to the first elliptical housing may be configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting the alignment of the first elliptical passage and the second elliptical passage.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a largest discrete ring size of the plurality of discrete ring sizes may be formed by when major axes of the first elliptical passage and the second elliptical passage may be parallel with one another and a smallest largest discrete ring size of the plurality of discrete ring sizes may be formed when the major axes of the first elliptical passage and the second elliptical passage may be perpendicular to one another.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a first plane of the first ring-shaped housing may be parallel to a second plane of the second ring-shaped housing and the manipulation of the second ring-shaped housing relative to the first ring-shaped housing comprises a rotation of the second ring-shaped housing within the second plane.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a rotation of the second ring-shaped housing relative to the first ring-shaped housing forces the second ring-shaped housing into or out of the first passage of the first ring-shaped housing to reduce or expand a size of the second passage, respectively.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first ring-shaped housing comprises a first set of threads on an inner circumferential surface of the first ring-shaped housing, the second ring-shaped housing comprises a second set of threads on an outer circumferential surface of the second ring-shaped housing, and the rotation of the second ring-shaped housing causes the second set of threads to engage the first set of threads to force the second ring-shaped housing into or out of the first passage.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first ring-shaped housing may be made at least partially of a non-deformable material and the second ring-shaped housing may be made at least partially of a deformable material.

A method is described. The method may include one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from a user and a housing component configured to at least partially enclose the one or more sensors, wherein the housing component is coiled into one or more concentric loops, wherein application of a shear force to the housing component is configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting respective circumferences of the one or more concentric loops, a quantity of the one or more concentric loops, or both.

Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include means for one or more sensors configured to acquire physiological data from a user and means for a housing component configured to at least partially enclose the one or more sensors, wherein the housing component is coiled into one or more concentric loops, wherein application of a shear force to the housing component is configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting respective circumferences of the one or more concentric loops, a quantity of the one or more concentric loops, or both.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to one or more sensors configure to acquire physiological data from a user and a housing component configure to at least partially enclose the one or more sensors, wherein the housing component is coiled into one or more concentric loops, wherein application of a shear force to the housing component is configured to transition the wearable ring device between the plurality of discrete ring sizes by adjusting respective circumferences of the one or more concentric loops, a quantity of the one or more concentric loops, or both.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, one or more processors electrically coupled with the one or more sensors, the one or more processors configured to, determine an orientation of the one or more concentric loops of the housing component, and selectively modify one or more parameters used by the one or more sensors to acquire the physiological data from the user based at least in part on the orientation.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, selectively modifying one or more parameters may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selectively activating a subset of sensors of the one or more sensors based at least in part on the orientation and acquiring the physiological data from the user via the subset of sensors.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the housing component may be coiled into one or more concentric loops such that an outer circumferential surface of a first concentric loop faces an inner circumferential surface of a second concentric loop.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the housing component comprises a first surface facing toward a center of the one or more concentric loops, and a second surface facing away from the center of the one or more concentric loops.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first surface comprises a set of tabs that may be configured to engage a set of detents of the second surface, or vice versa, to transition the wearable ring device between a plurality of discrete ring sizes.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

WEARABLE RING DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE RINGS FOR ADJUSTABLE CIRCUMFERENCE

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

CROSS REFERENCE

Provisional Applications (1)