Environment-integrated smart ring charger

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12322990-B2
Application number	US-202418440198-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 13, 2024
Priority date	Jul 23, 2019
Publication date	Jun 3, 2025
Grant date	Jun 3, 2025

Abstract

A smart ring includes a housing. The smart ring also can include a power source disposed within or at the housing. The power source can be configured to receive energy. The smart ring can further include a controller disposed within or at the housing. The power source also can be configured to power the controller. The controller can be configured to estimate a charging status for the power source. The controller also can be configured to generate information to indicate the charging status. Other embodiments are disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A smart ring comprising:
a housing;
a power source disposed within or at the housing, wherein:
the power source is configured to receive energy; and

a controller disposed within or at the housing, wherein:
the power source is configured to power the controller;
the controller is configured to estimate a charging status for the power source; and
the controller is configured to generate information to indicate the charging status.

2. The smart ring of claim 1 , wherein:
an object including a charging source includes one or more sensors that detect a proximity of the smart ring to the charging source; and
the power source is configured to receive the energy from the charging source.

3. The smart ring of claim 1 , wherein:
the controller is configured to generate the information for display on a user interface to indicate the charging status; and
the user interface is configured to indicate a detected proximity between the smart ring and a charging source.

4. The smart ring of claim 1 , wherein:
the controller is configured to generate the information for display on a user interface to indicate the charging status;
the user interface is disposed at an object including a charging source; and
the power source is configured to receive the energy from the charging source.

5. The smart ring of claim 1 , wherein:
the smart ring interacts with a device worn by a user.

6. The smart ring of claim 1 , wherein:
the smart ring is configured to harvest energy from a natural environment.

7. The smart ring of claim 1 , wherein:
the smart ring is configured to generate an audio indication.

8. A smart ring comprising:
a means for being worn around a finger;
a means for receiving and storing energy, wherein:
the means for receiving and storing the energy is located within or at the means for being worn around the finger; and

a means for (a) controlling the means for receiving and storing the energy and (b) generating information to indicate a charging status of the means for receiving and storing the energy, wherein:
the means for (a) controlling the means for receiving and storing the energy and (b) generating the information to indicate the charging status of the means for receiving and storing the energy, is located within or at the means for being worn around the finger.

9. The smart ring of claim 8 , further comprising:
an object including a means for charging and further including one or more sensors that detect a proximity of the smart ring to the means for charging, wherein:
the means for receiving and storing the energy is configured to receive the energy from the means for charging.

10. The smart ring of claim 8 , wherein:
the means for (a) controlling the means for receiving and storing the energy and (b) generating the information to indicate the charging status of the means for receiving and storing the energy, is configured to:
generate the information for display on a user interface to indicate the charging status; and
indicate a detected proximity between the smart ring and a means for charging.

11. The smart ring of claim 8 , wherein:
the means for (a) controlling the means for receiving and storing the energy and (b) generating the information to indicate the charging status of the means for receiving and storing the energy, is:
configured to generate the information for display on a user interface to indicate the charging status; and
disposed at an object including a means for charging; and

the means for receiving and storing the energy is configured to receive the energy from the means for charging.

12. The smart ring of claim 8 , wherein:
the smart ring interacts with a device worn by a user.

13. The smart ring of claim 8 , wherein:
the smart ring is configured to harvest energy from a natural environment.

14. The smart ring of claim 8 , wherein:
the smart ring is configured to generate an audio indication.

15. A method for charging a smart ring comprising:
providing a power source and a controller disposed within the smart ring;
using the power source to receive energy from a charging source;
using the power source to store the energy;
using the controller to detect a charging status for the power source; and
using the controller to generate information to indicate the charging status.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein
using the controller to generate the information to indicate the charging status further comprises:
using the controller to generate the information to be displayed on a user interface to indicate the charging status of the power source.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the smart ring interacts with a device worn by a user.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
configuring the smart ring to harvest energy from a natural environment.

19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
detecting a proximity of the smart ring to the charging source; and
indicating the detected proximity on a user interface.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein:
using the power source to receive the energy from the charging source occurs after one or more sensors detect a proximity between the smart ring and the charging source.

Assignees

• Quanata Llc

Inventors

• Sanchez Kenneth Jason
• Leung Theobolt N
• Dahl Eric

Classifications

• G06N5/04

  Inference or reasoning models · CPC title

• G01S19/42

  Determining position · CPC title

• B60W2540/26

  Incapacity · CPC title

• B60W2540/24

  Drug level, e.g. alcohol · CPC title

• B60W2040/0872

  Driver physiology · CPC title