Is the birth of "Apple Ring"? It turns out that Apple was applying for a patent on a ring type wearable terminal

Wearable device to be used in conjunction with iPhone "Apple Watch"It turned out that Apple was applying for a patent on a ring-shaped wearable device to be worn on a finger. It seems that this device is supposed to be equipped with voice control, biometric authentication, minimal monitor, camera and so on.

Apple invents ring-style wearable device with voice control, haptics, cameras and more
http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/10/01/apple-invents-ring-style-wearable-device-with-voice-control-haptics-cameras-and-more

Patent Images


An image diagram of the device that Apple applied for patents. As shown in "Figure 6C" at the bottom of the image, it is a finger ring type device attached to the index finger, basically designed to be operated with your thumb, but a type to be worn on another finger was also devised It seems to be. It also shows the possibility of having various shapes like "Figure 6A" or "Figure 6B" at the top.


The conceptual diagram of the device looks something like this. The device structure [102] contains one or more electronic components and is said to have an opening [104] through which the user's fingers pass. On the surface of the device [106], input / output devices for operating some sort of molded object, touch screen, touch pad [110] etc will be installed.


As for the device, camera sensor [210] may be installed as shown in the following figure.


Also, it is also included in the application content to install operation buttons [306] [308] and rotary dial [310] separately from the touch screen etc. This is thought to be a mechanism like "Digital Crown" installed in Apple Watch.


It seems that the device incorporates a speaker [406] and a microphone [410], and it is considered that it is considered to conduct control by speaking like "Siri" and voice guidance.


Furthermore, plain design which does not have any display is also invented.


The system configuration looks like the following. It is also considered to mount sound input / output, acceleration sensor, gyro sensor, magnetic sensor, etc., and to incorporate a pressure sensor in the display. In addition, there is a possibility that a haptic feedback mechanism may be installed, which is considered to refer to a mechanism like Apple Watch's "Force Touch" and iPhone 6s / 6s Plus "Taptic Engine" I will. Also, since the conceptual diagram includes GPS module and optical sensor, it seems that it can almost be thought of as a small version of Apple Watch.


Because of its small size, Apple Ring, which seems not to be suitable for operation using display like Apple Watch, is used as an external operation such as smartphone pairing and use as a remote control for Apple TV etc. , As well as being used as a controller for controlling lighting and air conditioning of houses. Although the possibility of actually appearing as a product is still unknown, it seems to be considered one of the information that can inquire about the direction of future Apple products.