Ring input devices

Abstract

An external device, such as a head-mountable device, can be operated with a ring input device worn on a finger of a user. Such devices can be operated to provide inputs that are received and acted upon by the external device. The inputs can be provided as rotating, tilting, and/or sliding at least a portion of the ring input device with another finger of the user. The ring input device can provide feedback to the user as confirmation that the inputs are being received. A feedback system can also be operated to limit or otherwise provide a force on the finger and/or another portion of the hand to simulate sensations perceived by the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ring input device comprising:
 an inner ring;   an outer ring comprising:
 a first outer ring portion configured to rotatably engage the inner ring such that the outer ring rotates about the inner ring; and 
 a second outer ring portion configured to slidably engage the first outer ring portion such that the second outer ring portion slides relative to the first outer ring portion and the inner ring; 
   a first sensor configured to detect rotation of the outer ring about the inner ring; and   a second sensor configured to detect sliding of the second outer ring portion relative to the first outer ring portion or the inner ring.   
     
     
         2 . The ring input device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring element biasing the second outer ring portion to a nominal position relative to the first outer ring portion, the second outer ring portion being configured to slide in each of two opposing directions away from the nominal position. 
     
     
         3 . The ring input device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second outer ring portion comprises a magnet; and   the second sensor comprises a magnetometer.   
     
     
         4 . The ring input device of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises an optical sensor and the first outer ring portion comprises protrusions and gaps that alternatingly block and allow light to pass between a light pathway of the optical sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The ring input device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner ring forms multiple inner ring protrusions and the first outer ring portion forms an outer ring protrusion, wherein the first sensor is positioned within the outer ring protrusion. 
     
     
         6 . The ring input device of  claim 5 , wherein the inner ring protrusions comprise magnets in an alternating polarity arrangement and the first sensor comprises a magnetometer. 
     
     
         7 . The ring input device of  claim 5 , wherein the first sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit sensor configured to detect contact of the outer ring protrusion with the inner ring protrusions. 
     
     
         8 . A ring input device comprising:
 an inner ring extending about an axis;   an outer ring comprising:
 a first outer ring portion extending about the inner ring and configured to rotate about the axis; and 
 a second outer ring portion configured to move laterally across the first outer ring portion; 
   a first sensor configured to detect rotation of the outer ring about the axis; and   a second sensor configured to detect lateral movement of the second outer ring portion.   
     
     
         9 . The ring input device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the second outer ring portion comprises a magnet; and   the second sensor comprises a magnetometer.   
     
     
         10 . The ring input device of  claim 8 , wherein the first sensor comprises an optical sensor and the first outer ring portion comprises protrusions and gaps that alternatingly block and allow light to pass between a light pathway of the optical sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The ring input device of  claim 8 , wherein the inner ring forms multiple inner ring protrusions and the first outer ring portion forms an outer ring protrusion, wherein the first sensor is positioned within the outer ring protrusion. 
     
     
         12 . The ring input device of  claim 11 , wherein the inner ring protrusions comprise magnets in an alternating polarity arrangement and the first sensor comprises a magnetometer. 
     
     
         13 . The ring input device of  claim 11 , wherein the first sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit sensor configured to detect contact of the outer ring protrusion with the inner ring protrusions. 
     
     
         14 . A ring input device comprising:
 an inner ring comprising:
 a first sensor; and 
 a second sensor; and 
   an outer ring comprising:
 a first outer ring portion, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect rotation of the first outer ring portion and communicate a first signal based on the rotation; and 
 a second outer ring portion, wherein the second sensor is configured to detect lateral movement of the first outer ring portion and communicate a second signal based on the lateral movement. 
   
     
     
         15 . The ring input device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the second outer ring portion comprises a magnet; and   the second sensor comprises a magnetometer.   
     
     
         16 . The ring input device of  claim 14 , wherein the first sensor comprises an optical sensor and the first outer ring portion comprises protrusions and gaps that alternatingly block and allow light to pass between a light pathway of the optical sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The ring input device of  claim 14 , wherein the inner ring forms multiple inner ring protrusions and the first outer ring portion forms an outer ring protrusion, wherein the first sensor is positioned within the outer ring protrusion. 
     
     
         18 . The ring input device of  claim 17 , wherein the inner ring protrusions comprise magnets in an alternating polarity arrangement and the first sensor comprises a magnetometer. 
     
     
         19 . The ring input device of  claim 17 , wherein the first sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit sensor configured to detect contact of the outer ring protrusion with the inner ring protrusions. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 the ring input device of  claim 14 ; and   a head-mountable device, wherein the first signal and the second signal are communicated to the head-mountable device, the head-mountable device comprising a display configured to:
 alter a first visual output in response to the first signal; and 
 
 alter a second visual output in response to the second signal.