Wearable computing device
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.
1. A method of identifying an authorized user of a wearable computing device (WCD) configured as an intelligent ring for being worn around a finger of the user, the WCD having a housing formed at least by an exterior bounding member, the exterior bounding member defining an interior cavity, the interior cavity retaining an illumination source and an image capturing device, a surface of the exterior bounding member including an opening positioned proximate the image capturing device, the method comprising:
engaging the WCD to activate the illumination source;
illuminating, via the illumination source, a portion of a skin surface of the finger of the user, the finger having a plurality of capillaries therein;
imaging, via the image capturing source, an interior portion of the finger of the user to generate at least one first image; and
generating a reference capillary map of the plurality of capillaries within the finger, the capillary map identifying the user based at least in part on a configuration of the capillaries derived from the at least one first image.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the WCD further includes a curved rechargeable battery, a sensor module, and a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board including a processor, the processor configured for processing the at least one first image.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the illumination source comprises a concentrated light source.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the concentrated light source is configured for emitting infra-red illumination.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the imaging capturing source comprises a camera.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the camera comprises one or more of a CMOS or CCD camera.
7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the imaging capturing source comprises an IR CMOS camera configured for capturing IR images.
8. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising rotating the wearable computing device around the finger of the user during the illuminating and imaging steps.
9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:
imaging the portion of the skin surface of the user to generate at least one second image; and
comparing the at least one second image to the reference capillary map in order to authenticate the user.
10. A method of identifying an authorized user of a wearable computing device (WCD) configured as an intelligent ring for being worn around a finger of the user, the WCD comprising a microprocessor, the method comprising:
providing a WCD, the WCD comprising:
a housing formed at least by an exterior bounding member, the exterior bounding member defining an interior cavity, the interior cavity retaining an illumination source and an image capturing device, a surface of the exterior bounding member including an opening positioned proximate the image capturing device;
illuminating, via the illumination source, a plurality of capillaries present in a portion of skin of a finger of the user;
imaging, via the image capturing source, the plurality of capillaries present in the portion of the skin of the finger of the user to generate one or more first images; and
generating, via one or more of the imaging device or the microprocessor, a reference capillary map of the plurality of capillaries within the finger, the capillary map identifying the user based at least in part on a configuration of the capillaries derived from the one or more first images.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the WCD further includes a curved rechargeable battery, a sensor module, and a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board including the microprocessor.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the illumination source comprises a concentrated light source, the concentrated light source being configured for emitting infra-red illumination.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the imaging capturing source comprises one or more of a CMOS or CCD camera.
14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising rotating the wearable computing device around the finger of the user during the illuminating and imaging steps.
15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising:
imaging, via the image capturing source, the plurality of capillaries present in the portion of the skin of the finger of the user to generate one or more second images;
and
comparing the one or more second images to the reference capillary map in order to authenticate the user.
16. A method of identifying an authorized user of a wearable computing device (WCD) configured as an intelligent ring for being worn around a finger of the user, the WCD comprising a microprocessor, the method comprising:
providing a WCD, the WCD comprising:
a housing formed at least by an exterior bounding member, the exterior bounding member defining an interior cavity, the interior cavity retaining an Infra-Red lighting source and a CMOS camera, a surface of the exterior bounding member including an opening positioned proximate the CMOS camera;
illuminating, via the Infra-Red lighting source, a plurality of capillaries present in a portion of skin of a finger of the user;
imaging, via the CMOS camera, the plurality of capillaries present in the portion of the skin of the finger of the user to generate one or more images; and
generating, via one or more of the imaging device or the microprocessor, a reference capillary map of the plurality of capillaries within the finger, the capillary map identifying the user based at least in part on a configuration of the capillaries derived from the one or more images.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the WCD further includes a curved rechargeable battery, a sensor module, and a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board including the microprocessor.
18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising rotating the wearable computing device around the finger of the user during the illuminating and imaging steps.
19. The method according to claim 18 , further comprising:
imaging, via the CMOS camera, the plurality of capillaries present in the portion of the skin of the finger of the user to generate one or more second images;
and
comparing the one or more second images to the reference capillary map in order to authenticate the user.
20. The method according to claim 19 , further comprising authorizing a commercial transaction upon the user being authenticated.