Wearable computing device

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a wearable computing device (WCD) in the form of a ring that can be worn on the finger of a human user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intelligent ring computing device configured for fitting around the finger of a wearer, the intelligent ring comprising:
 a housing, the housing having at least one of an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member, the at least one interior and exterior bounding member being configured for retaining a plurality of components of the intelligent ring;   a curved rechargeable battery positioned proximate the at least one interior and exterior bounding member;   one or more sensors, the one or more sensors comprising at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a heart rate sensor, an internal measurement unit, and an electrocardiogram, the one or more sensors being configured to sense a change in a condition of the wearer of the intelligent ring so as to produce sensed data;   a flexible printed circuit board positioned proximate the curved rechargeable battery and the one or more sensors, the flexible printed circuit board comprising:
 a processor, the processor having a dedicated cache memory configured for storing at least a portion of the sensed data; 
 a communication module, the communication module comprising one or more of a Bluetooth transmitter, a WiFi transmitter, and a RF transmitter, the transmitter for transmitting produced data; and 
 a light element disposed proximate an opening in the at least one interior and exterior bounding member of the housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an exterior bounding member, the housing comprising titanium. 
     
     
         3 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing further comprises an interior bounding member configured to be coupled to the exterior bounding member to form the housing, the interior bounding member comprising a medical grade metal. 
     
     
         4 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 1 , wherein the communications module is configured for wirelessly coupling the intelligent ring with a mobile device through an application running on the mobile device. 
     
     
         5 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing further comprises an interior bounding member, the interior bounding member comprising potting. 
     
     
         6 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 5 , wherein the potting is transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 1 , further comprising a photovoltaic element, the photovoltaic element being associated with the rechargeable battery, and being configured for recharging the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         8 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 1 , wherein the rechargeable battery comprises lithium or zinc ion battery, the lithium or zinc ion battery being integrated with one or more of the housing and the flexible printed circuit board. 
     
     
         9 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 3 , wherein the one or more sensors further comprises one or more of a pulse oximeter, a sleep monitor, a thermometer, and a Galvanic skin response sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a plurality of processors. 
     
     
         11 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory for storing sensed data. 
     
     
         12 . An intelligent ring computing device configured for fitting around the finger of a wearer, the intelligent ring comprising:
 a housing, the housing having an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member, the interior and exterior bounding members being adapted for being coupled together to form the housing, the housing having a cavity between the interior and exterior bounding members, the housing including a light element;   a curved rechargeable battery positioned within the cavity and proximate one or more of the interior and exterior bounding members;   one or more sensors, the one or more sensors being configured to sense a change in a condition of the wearer of the intelligent ring so as to produce sensed data;   a memory for storing the produced sensed data;   a printed circuit board positioned within the cavity and proximate one or more of the curved rechargeable battery and the one or more sensors, the flexible printed circuit board comprising:
 a processor comprising an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being configured for implementing one or more instructions based on the sensed data; 
 a communication module, the communication module configured for wirelessly coupling the intelligent ring with a mobile device through an application running on the mobile device; and 
 a GPS transceivre, for determining the location of the intelligent ring. 
   
     
     
         13 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 12 , further comprising a status indicator, the status indicator for indicating a status of the intelligent ring or a status of a wearer of the intelligent ring. 
     
     
         14 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 12 , further comprising an LED display. 
     
     
         15 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 12 , further comprising a lighting element, the lighting element for performing near-infrared illumination, the lighting element being positioned proximate an opening in one or more of the interior and exterior bounding members. 
     
     
         16 . An intelligent ring computing device configured for fitting around the finger of a wearer, the intelligent ring comprising:
 a housing, the housing having an interior bounding member and an exterior bounding member, the interior and exterior bounding members being offset from one another by a thickness, the thickness being from about 3 mm to about 8 mm, the thickness defining a cavity between the interior and exterior bounding members;   a curved rechargeable battery positioned within the cavity of the housing;   one or more sensors, the one or more sensors being configured to sense one or more conditions;   a memory for storing the one or more sensed conditions and/or one or more instructions;   a printed circuit board positioned within the cavity and proximate the memory, the flexible printed circuit board comprising:
 a processor comprising an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being configured for implementing one or more instructions; and 
 a communication module, the communication module configured for wirelessly coupling the intelligent ring with a mobile device through an application running on the mobile device. 
   
     
     
         17 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 16 , further comprising an imaging device, the imaging device being positioned proximate an opening in one or more of the interior and exterior bounding members. 
     
     
         18 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 17 , wherein the imaging device comprises a camera. 
     
     
         19 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 16 , further comprising a complementary metal oxide semiconductor. 
     
     
         20 . The intelligent ring according to  claim 16 , wherein the communications module is configured for performing Near Infra-Red (NIR) communications.