GB2557285A

GB2557285A - Smart working professional ring

Info

Publication number: GB2557285A
Application number: GB1620598.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Su Lin Goh Carol; Lai Ching Ho Helen
Original assignee: Meiban International Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Meiban International Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-05
Filing date: 2016-12-05
Publication date: 2018-06-20
Also published as: GB201620598D0; SG10201610214PA

Abstract

A ring-shaped computer mouse 1 can be worn on a users finger and incorporates a laser pointer 3. The mouse is able to communicate wirelessly with smart devices including smartphones, tablet PCs and laptops. Gesture-based motions are detected by motion sensors and control functions of the smart devices, such as answering calls or volume control. The mouse also includes an accelerometer, allowing the mouse to function as a work activity tracker and display the results on a users smart device. The mouse can also exchange or share electronic name-card information with another user using wireless technology such as near field communications (NFC). The mouse may be rechargeable either with a cable or wirelessly, such as by Bluetooth or NFC. The mouse may be laser textured, and may be customised for different finger sizes.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Smart working professional ring

Abstract Title: Ring-shaped wireless computer mouse and laser pointer (57) A ring-shaped computer mouse 1 can be worn on a user’s finger and incorporates a laser pointer 3. The mouse is able to communicate wirelessly with smart devices including smartphones, tablet PCs and laptops. Gesture-based motions are detected by motion sensors and control functions of the smart devices, such as answering calls or volume control. The mouse also includes an accelerometer, allowing the mouse to function as a work activity tracker and display the results on a user’s smart device. The mouse can also exchange or share electronic name-card information with another user using wireless technology such as near field communications (NFC). The mouse may be rechargeable either with a cable or wirelessly, such as by Bluetooth or NFC. The mouse may be laser textured, and may be customised for different finger sizes.

FIG. 1

1/4 a #

SMART WORKING PROFESSIONAL RING

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention here relates to a smart working professional ring. More particularly, the present invention relates to a smart working professional ring that can be worn on the finger of the user for making presentation. It is able to wirelessly communicate with electronic smart devices, such as smart-phones, tablet laptops or notebooks, etc. It acts like a computer mouse cum laser-pointer and can use gesturebased movements to discretely control smart devices. It can function like a work activity tracker with its in-built accelerometer, and can also enable electronic name-card information sharing wirelessly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, in any normal presentation by a presenter, a computer or a notebook laptop device plus a laser pointer are usually the essential items needed. To control the slides being projected onto the wall or white screen, usually the presenter would navigate and scroll the slides by means of a mouse that is connected to the computer, or via wireless means. In addition, the presenter would also need to use a laser pointer to highlight and point out the main important points that he/she is presenting. This would mean that the presenter would need to fidget with at least two (2) different devices during presentation.

The presenter at times scrolls the pages of the slides via the mouse, and using the laser pointer at the same time. This may result in the presenter being not able to fully concentrate on presenting his/her slides and using the laser pointer at the same time.

This slight inconvenience may sometimes hinder the speed in which the presenter is trying to present within the designated time-frame allocated.

Moreover, it is desirable for the presenter to be able to control and access his I her electronic smart devices such as smart-phones, tablet notebook, etc. at the tip of his I her fingertips. In addition, it will also assist the presenter to unlock the smart devices and control the audio volume of the smart devices discretely too. Hence this means that something light and wearable will be desirable and useful for the presenter for such situations.

Therefore the embodiment of the present invention discloses a smart working professional ring that incorporates the computer mouse function, the laser pointer function, the ability to communicate with the electronic smart devices plus ability to function like a work activity tracker, all incorporated within a ring-shaped device that can be worn on the finger of the user. The in-built motion sensor within the embodiment also opens up opportunity for the user to use gesture-based motions to control actions such as answer and cancel call, changing volume of the paired smart devices or even changing over or switching of software apps that were downloaded on the user’s smart devices. Thus it offers many advantages over the prior art, namely as follows, details of which will be elaborated in the subsequent paragraphs:

(a) Multi-functional incorporating both mouse-like and laser pointer function;

(b) Small, light and compact;

(c) Easy to use;

(d) Portable & convenient to carry around;

(e) Able to wirelessly communicate with electronic smart devices, such as smartphones, tablets notebook, etc.;

(f) Ability to control certain features of the electronic smart devices without physically touching them;

(g) Ability to track the working time with the built-in accelerometer whenever the user uses his/her fingers to type and work;

(h) Ability to exchange and share electronic name-card information wirelessly.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it discloses a ring-shaped device that can be worn on the finger of the user. The device incorporates a mouse-like function or feature whereby the scrolling features (i.e. back and forward) can be done on the capacitive touch pad, similar to the touch pad on some current computer notebook.

There is also a LED alert indicator light on the ring-shaped device. The indicator light can be a two (2)-color LED indicator or more if necessary depending on the requirements. The capacitive touch pad that can be used for scrolling forward I backwards and/or left I right of a typical document page projected during presentation. In addition, the device can also be wirelessly connected to any electronic smart device, for example a computer laptop I notebook or mobile hand-phone I smart phone via wireless Bluetooth. Besides Bluetooth, other wireless forms of connection include Near

Field Communication (NFC), etc. Hence the embodiment of the present invention can function like another typical computer mouse once it is wirelessly connected. Moreover, the device is equipped with a rechargeable battery in which it can be recharged via a cable to an external connection port such as micro-USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. The rechargeable battery can also be wirelessly charged (i.e. without cables) using technologies such as inductive charging etc. The LED alert indicator light can be programmed such that it will notify the user if the rechargeable battery inside the device is running low on battery charge. The two (2)-color LED alert indicator can be programmed such that one is blinking to show that the battery charge is running low and the other one can be programmed to blink when battery has already reached full charge.

Furthermore, there is also a laser transmitter device that enables the embodiment of the present invention to function like a laser pointer device. The embodiment is equipped with a low-powered laser beam that can be directed at the presentation screen to highlight the main points in a typical presentation. Thus this means that the presenter or the user can also use the device as a laser pointer during his/her presentation. Hence with the embodiment of the present invention, it is multi-functional as it incorporates both the mouse-like and laser pointer function all in one ring-shaped device that can be easily worn on the finger of the user I presenter. Moreover, it can also communicate wirelessly to the electronic smart devices. It is small, light and compact since it is shaped like a ring which can be easily worn on the finger. Since it is small, it is quite portable to carry around. Moreover, it is very convenient and portable to the user since this means that the user would not need to carry and use two (2) devices at the same time during a typical presentation. The embodiment of the present invention enables both the mouselike function and laser pointer function to be incorporated inside a ring-shaped device, thus making it easier for the presenter to use it. This is especially so since the presenter can control the intended functions with the use of his I her finger. As a result, this frees up the presenter to have a better focus and emphasize on his I her presentation. The user experience is enhanced since the user can use the ring-shaped presenter as if he I she is holding on to a remote control. The user wearing the ring-shaped presenter can enable it to be wirelessly-connected to the computer or notebook laptop via wireless

Bluetooth (or other available wireless means such as Near Field Communications or

NFC in short) and then use the device as a mouse to remotely scroll through the presentation slides without the need of having to be near or at the side of the computer or notebook laptop. The user is free to walk around to present as long as the wireless connection with the computer or notebook laptop is not disconnected. The LED alert indicator light can also notify the user whether the ring-shaped presenter is already wirelessly connected to the computer or notebook laptop. For example, the LED alert indicator light can be programmed such that it is flashing faster when connecting and flashing intermittently while connected.

In addition, the ring-like embodiment can also enable the user or the presenter to control certain functions of the smart device, such as the audio volume of the smart device that is being connected to. This can be done once the ring-like embodiment has already been paired up with the smart device. Once paired up, the in-built motion sensor within the ring-like embodiment also opens up the opportunity for the user to use gesturebased motions to control actions from paired smart devices. Similarly, the embodiment of the present invention is flexible enough to allow another different set of hand gestures to be pre-programmed inside to allow another user or presenter to use it, depending on the allowable memory space inside the embodiment. This can be quite useful for different users to utilize the embodiment of the present invention for scenarios such as presentation to a group of audience.

Other than having the embodiment of the present invention to be used for presentation purposes, it can also be used as a form of work activity tracker due to the presence of the accelerometer inside. The work activity tracker is able to track the working time whenever the user uses his/her fingers to type and work with the help of the built-in accelerometer, which can be a 3-axis accelerometer for tracking movement in every direction. The results from the tracking can be shown on the smart devices (e.g. smart phones, tablet PC, etc.) after having the present invention being paired up with the smart devices. Depending on the operating software (OS) of the smart device, a customized work activity-related software tracking application (i.e. “app”) can be installed on the smart devices such that the app can help to calculate and present the results in a meaningful manner for the user to record working periods.

Besides acting as a work activity tracker, the embodiment of the present invention also allows exchange and sharing of electronic name-card information via wireless means such as Near-Field Communications (NFC) with another user, preferably equipped with another smart device that is also equipped with the same wireless technology such as Near-Field Communications (NFC). Both parties need to have the same wireless technology (e.g. NFC) to be turned on or activated in order for the exchange to happen. The exchange can be done quite fast and seamlessly by having the ring-like embodiment touch the other user’s smart device. Hence this makes it very useful in situations such as when the presenter wants to exchange his I her name-card information to an individual in a meeting within the office or work environment.

To cater to the different finger sizes of the end-user, the ring can be manufactured with various ring sizes as well as different color schemes as a form of accessory. Thus the ring can be customized to suit different finger sizes and can be accessorized to match the electronic smart devices too, for example color matching. In addition, the outer surface of the ring can be laser-textured with different texturing patterns in order to impart different textured feel as well as to create a form of authentication to the ring itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings attached here are to aid in better understand the description of the invention here. The drawings are not to scale and they are to be used for merely illustrating the principles and concepts of the invention.

To aid in the description of the invention, the drawings are broken up into the various

Figures as described below:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the different individual parts or components of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the different individual parts or components of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a pre-programmed gesture movement for the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates the different smart electronic devices that can be wirelessly connected to the embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numbers

Smart Working Professional Ring

Capacitive Touch Pad

Low-powered laser beam

LED Alert Indicator Light Display

Micro-USB (Universal Serial Bus) port

Gesture Movements

Finger

Smart-phone

Tablet notebook

Computer notebook I laptop

Wireless Connection

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION

In the following description, details are provided to describe the embodiment of the application. It shall be apparent to the person skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such details.

The present invention relates to smart working professional ring that is ring-shaped and can be worn on the finger of the user for making presentation. It has an in-built motion sensor and is able to function like a computer mouse and a laser-pointer. It can discretely control the smart devices with gesture-based movements. It is able to wirelessly communicate and control electronic smart devices, such as smart-phones, tablet laptops or notebooks, etc. In addition, it has an in-built accelerometer which means that the present invention can also function like a work activity tracker. Last but not least, it can also enable electronic name-card sharing wirelessly to another user.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the different individual parts or components of the embodiment of the present invention, which is a smart working professional ring 1. A mouse-like function or feature is incorporated into the embodiment of the present invention, whereby the scrolling features (i.e. back and forward) can be done on the capacitive touch pad 2 located on the smart working professional ring 1. There is also a

LED alert indicator light display 4 on the ring-shaped device. The indicator light can be a two (2)-color LED indicator or more if necessary depending on the requirements. The capacitive touch pad 2 can be used for scrolling forward and/or backwards of a typical document page projected during presentation. Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a rechargeable battery in which it can be recharged via a cable to an external connection port such as micro-USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection port 5 shown in Fig 2. The rechargeable battery can also be wirelessly charged (i.e. without cables) using technologies such as inductive charging etc. The LED alert indicator light 4 can be programmed such that it will notify the user if the rechargeable battery inside the device is running low on battery charge.

For example if it is a two (2)-color LED alert indicator, the two (2)-color LED alert indicator can be programmed such that one is blinking to show that the battery charge is running low and the other one can be programmed to blink when the battery charging is full.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a pre-programmed gesture movement for the embodiment of the present invention, i.e. the smart working professional ring 1. The user would first need to pair-up or wirelessly connect via wireless connection 11 for the smart working professional ring 1 to a smart electronic device such as a smart phone 11, tablet notebook 9 or computer notebook 10 as shown in Fig. 4. The smart working professional ring 1 has an in-built motion sensor, which opens up the opportunity for the user to use gesture-based motions 6 (as illustrated in Fig. 3) to control actions such as answer and cancel call, changing the audio volume of the paired smart devices or even switching of software apps that were downloaded on the user’s smart devices. Such gesture-based motions 6 are customized or preprogrammed prior to the actual usage, usually according to the preferred needs of the user. For example, the presenter or the user can first customize or pre-programmed a specific hand gesture (e.g. it can be using his/her index finger 7 in an up/down manner as illustrated in Fig.3) to control the audio volume of the smart electronic devices. The presenter or user can then execute that particular customized or pre-programmed hand gesture (e.g. in an up/down manner) to control certain functions such as answer or cancel calls, controlling the audio volume on the smart electronic devices. This can be very useful especially in situations where the presenter would want to discretely control the audio volume of the smart electronic devices. With the in-built motion sensor, the presenter or the user can then utilize certain customized gestures for controlling certain intended functions on the smart electronic devices. Subject to the allowable memory space inside the smart working professional ring 1, it is flexible enough to allow another different set of hand gestures to be pre-programmed inside to allow another user or presenter to use it. This can be quite useful for different users to utilize the embodiment of the present invention for scenarios such as presentation to a group of audience.

Fig. 4 illustrates the different smart electronic devices that can be wirelessly connected via wireless connection 11 to the smart working professional ring 1. As mentioned earlier, such smart electronic devices include smart-phone 8, tablet notebook 9, computer notebook I laptop 10, etc. Such wireless form of connection includes technologies like Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC) or other future wireless connection form. Once the smart working professional ring 1 is wirelessly connected, it can achieve or perform the following:

1. Functions like a typical computer mouse, in which the way it operates have already been described in the previous paragraphs;

2. Functions or acts like a work activity tracker to track the working time whenever the user uses his fingers to type and work, whereby the results captured can then be downloaded by synchronizing with a customized work activity-related software tracking application (i.e. “app”) that can be downloaded on the smart electronic device such as smart-phone 8 as illustrated in Fig. 4. Such an app can help to calculate and present the results in a meaningful manner for the user to read.

3. It allows fast and seamless exchange and sharing of electronic name-card information via wireless means with another user, preferably equipped with another smart device that is also equipped with the same wireless technology such as Near-Field Communications (NFC). Both parties need to have the same wireless technology (e.g. NFC) to be turned on or activated in order for the exchange to happen by having both devices touch each other. Such function eliminates or replaces the need for traditional paper form of business card and is useful in situations such as when the presenter wants to exchange his I her name-card information to an individual in a meeting within the office or work environment or even to a group of people present during the presentation.

While what has been described hereinabove is the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will understand that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which can be expressly set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A ring-shaped device, wherein it is

a. able to be worn on the finger of the user; and

b. able to wirelessly communicate and connect with smart devices such as smart-phones, tablet PCs, laptop notebooks, etc.; and

c. able to act and function like a computer mouse and laser pointer; and

d. able to use gesture-based motions via the in-built motion sensors to control some functions on the smart devices, with functions such as answer and cancel call, audio volume control, changing over or switching of software apps that were downloaded on the user’s smart devices, etc.;

and

e. able to function like a work activity tracker with an in-built accelerometer, whereby it can track the working time whenever the user uses his/her fingers to type and work, and wherein it can work with a customized work activity-related software tracking application (or “app”) to calculate and display the results of the work activity tracker onto the user’s smart devices; and

f. able to enable exchange and/or sharing of electronic name-card information to another user wirelessly using technologies such as Near

Field Communications (NFC).

2. A ring-shaped device of claim 1, whereby it is

a. Multi-functional incorporating both mouse-like and laser pointer function;

b. Small, light and compact;

c. Easy to use;

d. Portable & convenient to carry around;

e. Rechargeable using either cable means with an external connection port such as micro-USB (or Universal Serial Bus) or via wirelessly technology such as Bluetooth or Near Field Communications (NFC);

f. Customized with different finger sizes and color schemes;

g. Laser-textured with different texturing patterns in order to impart different textured feel as well as to create a form of authentication to the ring itself.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1620598.1