A new Smart Ring patent from Apple describes it as a controller for an MR Headset that will also allow users to feel object textures and more - Patently Apple

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Apple's archetypal astute ringing patent came to airy successful October 2015 successful a Patently Apple study titled "Apple introduces america to the Apple Ring successful each its Glory." Since that clip we've covered respective different astute ringing patents from Apple that you could reappraisal present successful random order: 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05.

Today, connected the past patent exertion time of 2022, the US Patent & Trademark Office published yet different astute ringing patent. Future astute rings volition chiefly beryllium utilized arsenic a controller instrumentality for those wearing a Mixed Reality Headset. Secondarily, the rings could beryllium utilized with aboriginal iPhones, iPads, AirPods, Macs and different devices.

Finger Devices With Adjustable Housing Structures

In Apple's patent inheritance they noted that physics devices specified arsenic computers tin beryllium controlled utilizing machine mice and different input accessories. Input accessories tin beryllium utilized to power contented that is displayed connected a show and to instrumentality different actions. Some input accessories for machine systems whitethorn beryllium cumbersome, uncomfortable, oregon incapable to accommodate antithetic users, specified arsenic those wearing a mixed world headset.

Apple's invention covers physics devices that are configured to beryllium mounted connected the assemblage of a idiosyncratic whitethorn beryllium utilized to stitchery idiosyncratic input and to supply a idiosyncratic with output. For example, physics devices that are configured to beryllium worn connected 1 oregon much of a user's fingers, which are sometimes referred to arsenic digit devices oregon finger-mounted devices, whitethorn beryllium utilized to stitchery idiosyncratic input and to proviso output.

A digit instrumentality may, arsenic an example, see an inertial measurement portion with an accelerometer for gathering accusation connected fig motions specified arsenic digit taps oregon free-space digit gestures, whitethorn see unit sensors for gathering accusation connected mean and shear forces successful the digit instrumentality and the user's finger, whitethorn see a displacement sensor, unit sensor, oregon different sensor for measuring movements of the sides of the digit arsenic the digit contacts an outer surface, and whitethorn see different sensors for gathering accusation connected the interactions betwixt the digit instrumentality (and the user's digit connected which the instrumentality is mounted) and the surrounding environment. The digit instrumentality whitethorn see a haptic output instrumentality to supply the user's digit with haptic output and whitethorn see different output components.

One oregon much digit devices whitethorn stitchery idiosyncratic input from a user. The idiosyncratic whitethorn usage digit devices successful operating physics devices. For example, a digit instrumentality whitethorn beryllium utilized arsenic a controller for a virtual world oregon mixed world instrumentality (e.g., head-mounted instrumentality specified arsenic glasses, goggles, a helmet, oregon different instrumentality with a display).

During operation, the digit devices whitethorn stitchery idiosyncratic input specified arsenic accusation connected interactions betwixt the digit device(s) and the surrounding situation (e.g., interactions betwixt a user's fingers and the environment, including digit motions and different interactions associated with virtual contented displayed for a user). The idiosyncratic input whitethorn beryllium utilized successful controlling ocular output connected the display. Corresponding haptic output whitethorn beryllium provided to the user's fingers utilizing the digit devices.

Haptic output whitethorn beryllium used, for example, to supply the fingers of a idiosyncratic with a desired texture sensation arsenic a idiosyncratic is touching a existent entity oregon arsenic a idiosyncratic is touching a virtual object. Haptic output tin besides beryllium utilized to make detents and different haptic effects.

Finger devices tin beryllium worn connected immoderate oregon each of a user's fingers (e.g., the scale finger, the scale digit and thumb, 3 of a user's fingers connected 1 of the user's hands, immoderate oregon each fingers connected some hands, etc.). To heighten the sensitivity of a user's interaction arsenic the idiosyncratic interacts with surrounding objects, digit devices whitethorn person inverted U shapes oregon different configurations that let the digit devices to beryllium worn implicit the apical and sides of a user's digit tips portion leaving the user's digit pads exposed. This allows a idiosyncratic to interaction objects with the digit pad portions of the user's fingers during use.

If desired, digit devices whitethorn beryllium worn implicit knuckles connected a user's finger, betwixt knuckles, and/or connected different portions of a user's finger. Finger devices whitethorn person a azygous conception (e.g., a azygous lodging that fits implicit the extremity of a user's finger) oregon whitethorn person aggregate segments (e.g., aggregate lodging portions that are flexibly coupled to each different truthful that they whitethorn beryllium worn connected respective segments of a user's finger). One oregon much digit devices whitethorn beryllium worn astatine a time.

Users tin usage digit devices to interact with immoderate suitable physics equipment. For example, a idiosyncratic whitethorn usage 1 oregon much digit devices to interact with a virtual world oregon mixed world strategy (e.g., a head-mounted instrumentality with a display), to proviso input to a desktop computer, tablet computer, cellular telephone, watch, receptor buds, oregon different accessory, oregon to interact with different physics equipment.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 beneath is simply a schematic diagram of an illustrative strategy with a digit device; FIG. 2 is simply a apical presumption of an illustrative digit of a idiosyncratic connected which a digit instrumentality has been placed; FIG. 3 is simply a cross-sectional broadside presumption of an illustrative digit instrumentality connected the digit of a user.

Apple's patent FIG. 4 supra is simply a position presumption of an illustrative digit instrumentality with a hinge; Apple's patent FIG. 5 beneath is simply a cross-sectional broadside presumption of an illustrative digit instrumentality with adjustable lodging structures for accommodating a archetypal digit size.

Apple's patent FIG. 7 supra is simply a position presumption of an illustrative digit instrumentality with adjustable lodging structures including an elastomeric band; FIG. 10 is simply a position presumption of an illustrative digit instrumentality with adjustable lodging structures including a scissor mechanism.

Apple's '626 patent exertion was filed successful September 2022 and published contiguous by USPTO.

Apple Inventors