Granted Patent B2

US 12,399,582 · App. 18/353,044 · Granted Aug 26, 2025

Inventors: Michael Beyhs (Pfaffenheck, DE); Richard G. Huizar (San Marcos, CA); Filip Ilievski (Belmont, CA); Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu (Sunnyvale, CA); Thayne M. Miller (Escondido, CA)

Assignee: Apple Inc.

G06F3/0362G01D5/24G06F3/038G06F2203/0384

Abstract

Claims (32)

1. A wearable ring input device configured for providing and controlling rotational input, comprising:

a band mechanism having an outer band and an inner band, the outer band configured to rotate with respect to the inner band;

a first variable resistance generator formed on one or both of the inner band and the outer band and at least partially disposed between the inner band and the outer band; and

an electronic jewel system communicatively couplable to the band mechanism;

wherein the electronic jewel system is configured for controlling the first variable resistance generator to modulate a rotational resistance of the outer band with respect to the inner band in accordance with an item being manipulated.

2. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , the electronic jewel system further configured to modulate the rotational resistance to produce a feeling of detents in rotation of the outer band.

3. The ring wearable input device of claim 1 , the electronic jewel system further configured for controlling the first variable resistance generator to prevent rotation of the outer band.

4. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , the electronic jewel system further configured for controlling the first variable resistance generator to increase the rotational resistance of the outer band at a beginning or an end of a rotational input.

5. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein the first variable resistance generator is one of an electroactive polymer, a shape memory alloy, an air bladder, and magnetorheological fluid.

6. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein the item is a parameter.

7. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein the item is a user interface (UI).

8. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein the first variable resistance generator is affixed to the outer band and applies the modulated rotational resistance against the inner band.

9. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein the inner band and outer band are arranged as concentric bands, the ring input device further comprising:

a second variable resistance generator disposed between the inner band and the outer band and located on an opposite side of the ring input device in relation to the first variable resistance generator;

wherein the electronic jewel system is further configured for controlling the first variable resistance generator and the second variable resistance generator to apply complementary opposing forces within the ring input device.

10. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein the inner band and outer band are arranged as eccentric bands.

11. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein the first variable resistance generator is an electromagnetic rotational resistance generator having an array of coils formed on the inner band and an array of magnetic poles formed on the outer band.

12. The wearable ring input device of claim 11 , wherein the electromagnetic rotational resistance generator is affixed to a brake that applies frictional resistance to the outer band when magnetically influenced by the electromagnetic rotational resistance generator.

13. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , the inner band having a side rail for retaining the outer band and the outer band having a side wall adjacent to the side rail;

wherein the first variable resistance generator is formed on the side rail of the inner band, and

wherein the electronic jewel system is configured for controlling the first variable resistance generator to modulate the rotational resistance of the side rail of the inner band with respect to the side wall of the outer band.

14. The wearable ring input device of claim 1 , wherein controlling the first variable resistance generator to modulate the rotational resistance of the outer band with respect to the inner band in accordance with the item being manipulated includes:

controlling the first variable resistance to modulate the rotational resistance of the outer band with respect to the inner band to a first rotational resistance in accordance with the item being manipulated corresponding to a first item; and

controlling the first variable resistance to modulate the rotational resistance of the outer band with respect to the inner band to a second rotational resistance, different than the first rotation resistance, in accordance with the item being manipulated corresponding to a second item, different than the first item.

15. A method of controlling rotational input on a wearable ring input device including a first variable resistance generator formed on one or both of an inner band and a rotating outer band and at least partially disposed between the inner band and the rotating outer band, comprising:

providing, using the first variable resistance generator, a first variable resistance between the inner band and the rotating outer band of the wearable ring input device; and

controlling the first variable resistance to modulate a rotational resistance of the outer band with respect to the inner band in accordance with an item being manipulated.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising modulating the rotational resistance to produce a feeling of detents in the rotating outer band.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising modulating the rotational resistance to prevent rotation of the outer band.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising modulating the rotational resistance to increase the rotational resistance of the outer band at a beginning or an end of a rotational input.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the item is a parameter.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the item is a user interface (UI).

Continuity (6)

References Cited (68)