Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20110007035A1/en
Timestamp: 2019-03-24 01:27:00
Document Index: 291623316

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty 320', 'arty 320', 'arty 320', 'arty 320', 'arty 320', 'arty 320', 'arty 320', 'arty 320', 'arty 320']

US20110007035A1 - Finger-worn devices and related methods of use - Google Patents
US20110007035A1
US20110007035A1 US12/673,584 US67358408A US2011007035A1 US 20110007035 A1 US20110007035 A1 US 20110007035A1 US 67358408 A US67358408 A US 67358408A US 2011007035 A1 US2011007035 A1 US 2011007035A1
US12/673,584
2008-08-19 Priority to US12/673,584 priority patent/US20110007035A1/en
2010-02-16 Assigned to RINGBOW LTD. reassignment RINGBOW LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SHAI, SAAR
2011-01-13 Publication of US20110007035A1 publication Critical patent/US20110007035A1/en
Finger-worn user input devices and methods for operating same. In some embodiments, a device includes at least one rotatable section (112, 112′, 912) and an indication mechanism (116, 116 a , 130, 516, 526, 616, 816, 826, 836, 1316, 1416, 1616, 2116, 2222, 2320, 2720, 3524) for indicating either a device use or a device state. In some embodiments, a device includes a stationary section (114), at least one rotatable section (112, 912) and an indication mechanism. In some embodiments, one or more rotatable sections are tiltable. In some embodiments, a device further includes one or more mechanisms selected from mechanisms used for sensing (118, 128, 128 a , 134, 136, 1216), communication (140), power generation (616, 3342), light generation (526), vibration generation (516), reflection (816, 826, 836), illumination (3616), projection (3420), physical feedback (340) and magnetic influence (736).
Various finger-worn user-input devices are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,265 to Russell discloses some embodiments of an ergonomic customizable user/computer interface device. These embodiments include only ROM and EEPROM replaceable memory cartridges, for the purpose of user authentication and signals encoding. There is no mention of interface indicators of feedback mechanism. Also, the devices described do not reflect modern utilization of a vast selection of sensing mechanism types, and new engineering progress for generating and/or harvesting energy. Therefore, Russell's devices lack appropriate power sources for today's mobile markets. In addition, his devices have very limited modes of interaction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,922 to Zloof discloses a remote computer mouse, embodied by an outer ring rotating on an inner ring. Zloof's device cannot register a user-input without moving parts, and is useful only for control of an external graphic interface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,296 to Wang et al. discloses a self-contained, finger-wearable interface device that communicates with electronic devices. This device may include a variety of sensing mechanisms, such as pressure and force sensing mechanisms, as well as processing circuitry, a wireless transmitter and an optional receiver. The device resembles a ring and is adapted to be worn on a user's finger with sensing mechanisms placed both on the inside and outside surfaces for actuation by a wearer's finger and thumb. The ring body serves as an omni-directional loop antenna for transmitting and receiving signals. To operate the Wang device in a manner designed to emulate a computer mouse, the “clicking” or selection action of a mouse is performed by flexing or bending the finger on which the device is worn to actuate a pressure sensing mechanism. Wang's device has disadvantages when used to control many types of electronic devices and does not facilitate operation where a state of the device may be set.
The invention provides, in various embodiments, finger-worn user-input devices (or simply “finger-worn devices”). More specifically, the invention provides various embodiments of such devices that are operable by rotation of rotatable ring sections. Some embodiments include just one rotatable section, while others include a plurality of rotatable sections. In such embodiments, a stationary ring-like section is not required because input or indications may be obtained by sensing of the finger on which the devices are worn, or by sensing relative rotation between rotatable sections. In some embodiments having only rotatable sections, rotated positions of any rotatable section are distinguishable from other positions.
The invention further provides various finger-worn devices operable by touch and/or touch motion and/or pressure on a designated surface (as a touch surface). In some of these embodiments, the surface may have specific “touch points” (as indication locations) for specific types of interactions. In some embodiments, the touch surface may display visuals which may correspond to specific types of interactions. In some embodiments, the designated surface may be repositioned for specific types of interactions.
The invention further provides various indication mechanisms, integrated in finger-worn devices, for the object of relaying indications about their use and/or information about conditions (as states) of the finger-worn devices. In this description, “mechanism” may refer to any means for performing a function. Some of the indication mechanisms provided herein may passively achieve the function of indication relaying, thus negating the need for an internal power source, or negating the need for active sensing operations. Some of these indication mechanisms are sensing mechanisms utilized in unique ways.
FIG. 1C shows a second embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention;
FIG. 1E shows a third embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention;
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a ninth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention, in
FIG. 6C shows details of indication locations in the twelfth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention;
FIGS. 14A and 14B show a twenty third embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention;
FIGS. 16C and 16D show sections of the embodiment in FIGS. 16A through 16G; in FIGS. 16F and 16G show a cross-section of the embodiment in FIGS. 16A through 16G;
FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B show a forty third embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention;
FIG. 26D shows a forty fifth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention FIGS. 27A, 27B and 27C show a forty sixth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention;
FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C show embodiments of a system in which a finger-worn device of the invention is connected to non-finger-worn devices;
FIGS. 35D through 35F show the use of a device as in FIGS. 35A through 35C to communicate with a detection apparatus;
FIG. 36F shows an embodiment of a system in which a plurality of devices of FIG. 34A are worn on fingers of a hand;
FIG. 42 shows a method for detecting rotation and rotated positions of finger-worn devices;
In this description, “indication mechanism” refers to any means by which use and/or states of a device of the invention may be indicated. “Use” of the device refers to operations in progress (ongoing) performed on the device. A “state” of the device refers to a static condition of the device. A state may be a physical condition and/or a virtual condition, such as ON/OFF modes. A state may be indicated once, when the device is set or goes into a state, or continuously during the period when the device is in a state.
Use and/or states may be directly sensed (such as in case a “sensing mechanism” acts as an indication mechanism). Alternatively, use and/or states may cause specific conditions of the indication mechanism which may be sensed internally (by an element of the device) or externally (by a separate party).
Examples of “use” include rotating a rotatable section, rotating a rotatable section while the section is tilted, generally touching a touch surface, specifically touching an indication location on a touch surface, touching a touch surface and sliding on the touch surface (commonly referred to as “tap and drag” or “scroll”), pressing (i.e. applying pressure) on a touch surface and the like.
Examples of “states” include rotated positions of a rotatable section, tilted positions of a rotatable section, tilted and rotated positions of a rotatable section, a rotatable section set to rotation tracks, alignments of rotatable sections, connected (and disconnected) sections, connected (and disconnected) devices and the like.
In some embodiments, a device can be in a state when a touch surface is touched and touch is held for the period of the state (i.e. when touch is removed from the surface, the state changes), or when an element is assigned to the device (as an exemplary “virtual” state of the device).
In this description, “sensing mechanism” refers to any means by which use or states of the device may be sensed, detected, viewed, collected, captured, identified, recognized, measured, tracked, acknowledged, admitted, registered, processed, computed, analyzed and/or reacted to. Note that “detection” in this description usually expands on “sensing”, such as by extracting information from the sensing, acknowledging indications in the sensing, registering input corresponding to the sensing, processing sensed signals and the like.
In this description, “connection mechanism” refers to any means by which a device of the invention may be connected to a separate party or to another device. “Connection mechanism” also refers to any means by which a section or element or component of a device of the invention may be connected to the device, or to another section, element, component, or a plurality thereof. “Connection mechanism” also refers to any means by which a device of the invention may change shape by connection of sides, ends, sections, elements or components thereof. “Connection” may also refer to an “attachment” that usually facilitates transferring or exchange of electricity and/or information.
In this description, “indication location” refers to any location on a device of the invention where use and/or a state of the device can be indicated, or from which indication of use and/or a state of the device originate. “Indication locations” may correspond to states of a device of the invention, such as to a rotated position of a rotatable section or a rotated and tilted position of a rotatable and tiltable section, and may be utilized to indicate the states. “Indication locations” may further be utilized for indicating use of a device of the invention. “Indication locations” may include, for example, sensors or switches. “Indication locations”, in other examples, may react or be influenced by other elements or components of a device of the invention, such as a plug or other indication locations, or by any other use and/or states of a device of the invention, such as touch and/or pressure. “Indication locations” are usually included in an indication mechanism or a passive indication mechanism of devices of the invention.
In this description, “rotatable section” refers to any section or element or part or component of a device which can be rotated. For some embodiments, a rotatable section can be rotated and tilted and/or repositioned, such as between rotation tracks.
In this description, “input” refers to any computable information which can be utilized in or that leads to operations, executions, procedures, functions and/or any other kind of processes. For example, the information may be parameters for variables of programmed code. Usually, detections, such as detected indications, are registered as input.
In this description, “registering input” refers to the process by which an input is obtained. An input may be registered by processing received information from any source (such as from sensing mechanisms) and of any type (such as transmissions).
In this description, when describing a section of a finger-worn device, an “internal side” refers to the side of the section that is generally directed towards a finger wearing the device or towards another section that is closer to the finger. Accordingly, “external sides” refer to the side of a section that is generally directed outwards from a finger.
In this description, “directional information” refers to any information about a direction and/or speed. Usually, “directional information” is obtained from indications from a device of the invention, such as when a rotatable section of the device is rotated, or when a finger slides on a touch surface of the device.
In this description, “interface element” refers to any part of an interface. Some examples of interface elements include software, applications, programs, commands, files, folders, tools, messages, functions, processes, visuals (e.g. visual objects, graphics, icons, etc.), occurrences (e.g. incoming call or change in mode), conditions (e.g. an interface mode), protocols (e.g. a cursor modulation protocol or finger interactions protocol), network connections (e.g. control of a device in a system of network may be assigned to the device), profiles (e.g. a user profile), attributes (e.g. audio volume) and the like.
In this description, “displayed object” (or simply “object” when referring to a display) refers to any specific instance of a visual output or plurality thereof. Usually, a “displayed object” corresponds to an interface element, such as visually representing an element of an interface.
In this description, “incoming signals” refer to any signals or transmissions received from an external source, such as a separate party.
In this description, a “virtual environment” refers to any interface. Specifically, “virtual environment” may refer to any computer generated environments, such as any operating systems or graphic user interfaces (GUIs).
In this description, “function” refers to any operation, execution, process, procedure, action or command for achieving a result, or plurality thereof. Usually, a title of a “function” refers to its result. For example, a “deletion function” is for deleting.
It is hereby noted that any mentioning or use of the term “visual” may refer, in addition to the common definition, to optical elements or properties in general that may not be visible. Specifically, “visual” may refer to any non-visible wavelengths (e.g. infrared). Accordingly, “visual” is not limited the spectrum of visible light. Further accordingly, any mentioning or use of the term “light” and related terms (e.g. “illumination”) are not limited to visible light.
It is also hereby noted that any mentioning or use of the term or phrase “optionally” refers to the common definition of the term, as defined in dictionaries. Accordingly, any mention or use of “optionally” does not limit or restrict the related cases or propositions or phrasings so that at least one is possible or allowed or may occur, otherwise cases or propositions or phrasings herein related to the phrase optionally are not mutually exclusive and are not limited to any or either.
It is also hereby noted that any mentioned or use of the phrase “and/or” refers to the common definition of the term. Accordingly any mention or use of “and/or” allows one or more of the related cases or propositions or phrasings are possible or may occur, otherwise at least one but possibly more of the related cases or propositions or phrasings are possible or allowed or may occur, NOT mutually exclusive.
FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 110 a. Device 110 a includes a rotatable section 112 which can be worn on and rotated around a finger. Device 110 a further includes an indication mechanism 116 for indicating rotation (or “relative motion”) of section 112 around the finger. Section 112 is shown in FIG. 1A as a partial ring, however, it should be clear that this particular embodiment is by no means limiting, and that in some embodiments, section 112 is a full ring. In FIG. 1A, indication mechanism 116 includes a sensing mechanism 118. Sensing mechanism 118 may utilize any number of sensors generally directed to or facing the finger, such as being generally located at an internal side 112 b of section 112. As section 112 rotates, mechanism 118 senses a different part on the curve of the finger (e.g. a sensor of mechanism 118 is facing a different part of the finger, specifically on the curve of the finger around which section 112 rotates). Accordingly, relative motion may be indicated by sensing the finger. More specifically, sensing mechanism 118 may sense the surface (also “skin”) of the finger, or layers near the surface of the finger. The sensing may be of the epidermal layer of the skin. In other embodiments, the sensing is may be of the dermal and/or sub-dermal layers. Because skins of fingers exhibit physiological patterns and features (e.g. fingerprints, or skin crevices similar to fingerprints in other parts of fingers) along the curve of the finger, indicating rotation of section 112 relative to the finger may be facilitated by any number of mechanisms known in the art for sensing patterns and features, specifically physiological, such as fingerprints sensing mechanisms. Alternatively, indicating rotation may be facilitated by sensing other detectable changes, such as the reflection of light from sub-dermal layers of the finger or from the bone of the finger. In some embodiments, sensing mechanism 118 may be coupled with a processing unit 144 included in a finger worn device of the invention (as in device 110 a). The processing unit may process signals from a sensor, or plurality thereof, utilized by the sensing mechanism. In other embodiments, the processing unit may be included in a separate device or system communicating with a finger worn device of the invention.
FIG. 1B shows device 110 a exemplarily worn on an index finger 102. Rotation directions 122 a,b are shown as directions in which device 110 a can be rotated, such as by a thumb 106. FIG. 1B further shows a second embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 110 a′ ready to be worn on a middle finger 104, specifically on a curve 126 of finger 104. Curve 126 is generally the curved surface of the finger at the circumference of the finger. When device 110 a′ is worn on curve 126, the curve overlaps inner side 112 b of section 112, from which sensing of the finger is performed. Accordingly, sensing is specifically of curve 126. The curve, as referred to herein, may include the entire circumference of the finger (full circle around the finger) or only a certain part of the circumference, such as only the curve of the front of the finger (shown in FIG. 1B). As section 112 rotates, a different part along curve 126 is sensed at any given time (such as by a sensor of mechanism 118 facing a different part for different rotated positions), and so relative motion can be indicated from sensing changes along the curve. Sensing may distinguish between each direction of rotation (i.e. direction 122 a and direction 122 b) so that rotation is each direction is indicated differently, for obtaining directional information about the rotation. In some embodiments, the speed of rotation may be indicated, or information of which may be obtained, by processing the rate in which mechanism 118 senses changes along curve 126, as sensed changes correspond to rotation.
FIG. 1C shows a second embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 110 b, similar to device 110 a. In device 110 b, an indication mechanism is implemented as a recognition mechanism 130. Mechanism 130 may indicate rotated positions of device 110 b around a finger (i.e. states of the device), in addition to relative motion (i.e. rotation, or use of the device). In addition to the described for device 110 a, device 110 b further includes a memory unit 146. In some embodiments, the memory unit may be included in a separate device or system communicating with a finger worn device of the invention. In mechanism 130, memory unit 146, processor 144 and sensing mechanism 118 are connected. In some embodiments, processor 144 has a recognition function 150 (i.e. program or software) for recognizing patterns and/or features, and/or for comparing patterns and/or features. For example, function 150 may be a fingerprint recognition algorithm programmed into processor 144. The recognition function may process sensing performed by mechanism 118. The sensing or results from the recognition function may be stored on and retrieved from memory unit 146. When device 110 b is worn on a finger, specifically around a curve 126, the curve may be “mapped” by recognition mechanism 130. This may be facilitated by scanning the entire curve by mechanism 118, wherein by rotating section 112 around the finger mechanism 118 may sense all the parts of the curve. The scanning may be stored in memory unit 146. When section 112 is later at a certain rotated position, mechanism 118 senses a certain part along curve 126, which corresponds to the position. The part may be recognized by comparing it to the prior scanning which is stored in unit 146. By recognizing the part, its location along the curve may be known, which can indicate the corresponding rotated position of section 112. Accordingly, indication of relative motion of section 112 around the finger may be facilitated by sensing a sequence of parts of the curve, which indicates relative motion and may be utilized for obtaining directional information.
Recognition mechanism 130 may utilize any number of mechanisms known in the art for sensing fingerprints and/or for fingerprint recognition, see e.g. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/920,255 and 11/424,477 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,195,145, 6,088,585, 7,381,941 and 6,259,108.
FIG. 1D shows a representation of converting a scanning of the curve to a reference map of locations of parts on the curve. In FIG. 1D, scanning of an actual curve 126 a is for registering a map 126 b (shown in the figures divided by dashed lines exemplarily separating locations which correspond to different parts along the actual curve). Registering map 126 b from the scanning of curve 126 a may be performed by a processor 144 (FIGS. 1A and 1C). The processor may utilize a function 150 to convert signals from a mechanism 118 to map 126 b. The map is a record of all the parts of the curve and their location along the curve. The record may be encoded information which is “readily comparable” to any further sensing of parts of the curve, which may undergo a similar step before being compared to the map. The map may be updated or replaced with another map when device 110 b is relocated to be worn on a different curve, on the same finger or another finger.
In some embodiments, when a partial curve is scanned and sensed, such as the part of the circumference of the front of the palm (shown in FIG. 1B), sensors of sensing mechanism 118, or sensors of any sensing mechanisms utilized for indicating rotation and rotated positions (e.g. recognition mechanism 130), may be distributed (or located) opposite to each other on internal side 112 b, or in any distribution in which at least one sensor is facing the curve for each rotated position of a device of the invention, so that the curve can be sensed when that device is at any position. This facilitates indicating rotation and rotated positions on fingers where the back of the fingers cannot be effectively sensed. For example, a user having hairs on the back of a finger on which the device is worn, in which case a recognition mechanism 130 which is designed to sense crevices in the surface of the skin of the finger may operate deficiently if attempting to sense the back of the hand. Accordingly, having multiple sensors in different locations on the internal side of section 112 may facilitate sensing the front of the finger when section 112 is in any rotated position.
FIG. 1E shows a third embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 110 c, similar to the previously described devices, in which a rotatable section 112 shown to have a shape of a full ring. A sensing mechanism 118 includes an optical sensing mechanism 128 (e.g. a photodiode). During rotation of section 112, indications of rotation may be obtained by sensed optical changes as sensed by mechanism 128 sensing the finger (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,108). Mechanism 118 may utilize a light source 132 (e.g. a light-emitting diode (LED)) to facilitate optical sensing of mechanism 128. In some embodiments, sensing mechanism 128 may utilize a passive infrared (PIR) sensor 128 a for sensing the natural physiological radiation of infrared (IR) light from the finger, in which case light source 132 is not needed. In some embodiments, by utilizing a PIR sensor, mechanism 128 and accordingly mechanism 118, act as a passive indication mechanism (e.g. a passive indication mechanism 116 a) where a power source is not needed. For example, a thermoelectric power generator 138 may be utilized by mechanism 118 so that infrared light sensed by sensor 128 a can be converted into power, in addition to indicating relative motion. Similarly, any thermoelectric power generator 138 may be included in any device of the invention as an exemplary power source. Note that a processor and optionally a memory unit may be included in device 110 c for forming a recognition mechanism 130 together with sensing mechanism 118.
FIG. 1F shows a forth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 110 d similar to the previously described devices, in which a capacitance sensing mechanism 134 is acting as a sensing mechanism for sensing capacitance changes across a curve of a finger during rotation of section 112. As known in the art (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,056), crevices on a conductive surface may be detected by sensing capacitance formed between a sensor (e.g. electrodes) and the surface. Such mechanisms are known to be implemented for sensing fingerprints and accordingly may sense patterns and/or features of other surfaces of a finger. As described above, changes in capacitance as detected by mechanism 134 indicate relative motion. In FIG. 1F, device 110 d is shown to further include a processing unit 144 having a recognition function 150 and a memory unit 146, acting with mechanism 134 as an exemplary recognition mechanism 130. Similarly to the described above, a capacitance “fingerprint” (i.e. map) of a curve of a finger where the device is worn may be registered from a scanning operation, and stored to be later compared with sensed capacitance of parts of the curve, for obtaining specific indications of rotated positions of section 112.
FIG. 1G shows a fifth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 110 e, similar to the previously described devices. In device 110 e, a section 112 is shown in yet another shape, specifically of a partial ring. A recognition mechanism 130, similarly to the described above, is shown to utilize an acoustic sensing mechanism 136 as known in the art to detect patterns of skin crevices (i.e. ridges and valleys of fingerprints) in a surface of a finger, by detecting acoustic feedback (see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,977,601, 5,456,256, 7,150,716), for achieving detection of relative motion (i.e. rotation) and of rotated positions. Further shown included in device 110 e is a general communication mechanism 140 (e.g. a transceiver), a general visual output mechanism 142 (e.g. a liquid crystal display), a power source 148 (e.g. a battery), and an exemplary memory unit 146 being a slot and a memory cart (e.g. Flash memory card).
In some embodiments, memory unit 146 may store information for operations of device 110 e where only an output apparatus is needed to communicate with, such as in case device 110 e also includes a processor (e.g. a processor 144). For example, memory unit 146 may store media files which can be extracted from the card and played by a processor having a media playing function. Alternatively, the media playing function may also be stored on memory unit 146, such as an application installed on the card in addition to an archive of media files. By communicating with a media output apparatus (e.g. sound speakers for audio output or a monitor for video output), device 110 e can be operated for playing media. For another example, the device may be operated to select stored information from memory unit 146 and display it by visual output mechanism 142. Note that similarly, a device of the invention may act as a mobile computer device which can be operated autonomously (without communicating with a separate party or an external interface), or operated with only an output apparatus.
FIGS. 1H and 1I show a sixth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 120 which includes a first rotatable section 112, a second rotatable section 112′ and an indication mechanism 116 for indicating relative rotation and/or specific relative positions of each rotatable section. In this embodiment, mechanism 116 includes an optical sensing mechanism 128 on section 112 and a pattern 152′ on section 112′ which can be sensed by sensing mechanism 128 (e.g. by generally facing the mechanism, as shown in FIG. 1H). The pattern is specifically shown in FIG. 1I which is a view of an opposite side of section 112′ than shown in FIG. 1H. Pattern 152′ is shown having a plurality of different features 152 a-g to visually indicate rotated positions of section 112′, or alternatively of relative rotated positions of section 112, to sensing mechanism 128. Pattern 152′ may be, for example, a coded black-and-white pattern (e.g. barcode or optical tag) having distinct features evenly distributed across the curve of section 112′. Sensing mechanism 128 can detect each feature for obtaining information about the corresponding relative position of the sections. Accordingly, when either section is rotated, a different feature (on pattern 152′) directly faces the sensing mechanism at any given time. During rotation, directional information may be obtained from detecting a sequence of features. As either section rotates, different features are sequentially facing the sensing mechanism, so that by analyzing the sequence of features, information about the direction of rotation may be obtained.
In some embodiments, section 112′ includes a sensing mechanism 128′ so that another rotatable section having a visual pattern may be included in device 120, wherein its pattern is facing mechanism 128′. Accordingly, any number of rotatable sections may be included in the device as part of a series of rotatable sections sensing each other's patterns, as described above.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a seventh embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 210. Device 210 includes a first rotatable section 112 and a second rotatable section 112′, both of which can be rotated relative to each other and relative to a finger wearing the device Sections 112 and 112′ are shown to be full rings, installed side-by-side and generally of a similar size. It is noted that in this specification, any rotatable section may be either a full ring or a partial ring. The sections may be physically connected by a plug 212 of section 112 installed inside a track 218 of section 112′. A track of the invention may be straight (i.e. a closed circle) or helical. Device 210 further includes an indication mechanism 116 which facilitates indicating rotation and/or rotated positions of each section relative to the other. As specifically shown in FIG. 2B, indication mechanism 116 includes an optical sensing mechanism 128 on plug 212, and a visually detectable pattern 152′, similarly to the described for device 120 (shown in FIG. 1I on section 112′) on track 218 facing the mechanism 128. Because rotation is relative, rotating one of sections 112 and 112′ in one direction (e.g. a clockwise direction 122 a) is sensed and indicated the same as rotating the other in an opposite direction (e.g. a counter-clockwise direction 122 b).
FIG. 2C shows a passive indication mechanism 116 a which can be implemented in a device 210. Passively indication may be facilitated by any number of mechanisms known in the art powered by an external source (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,866). In FIG. 2C, sections 112 and 112′ are shown separated from each other, to illustrate an indication location 154 a on plug 212 of section 112 and indication locations 154 b-d on track 218 of section 112′. When the sections are connected, location 154 a comes in contact with any of locations 154 b-d, correspondingly to a relative rotated position of the sections. Accordingly, at other relative rotated positions, location 154 a comes in contact with other locations on the track. By contact of location 154 a with each of locations 154 b-d, a relative rotated position of the sections, which corresponds to that contact, is indicated passively, such as by the contact of the locations forming a condition that can be detected remotely. For example, location 154 a may have a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna, while each of the locations on the track (154 b-d) may have a different RFID transponder for modulating incoming radio frequency signals differently. By connection (through contact) of the antenna with each of the transponder, only that transponder can modulate incoming signals captured and backscattered by the antenna. Thus, for any relative rotated position of the sections, a specific transponder is connected to the antenna so that the position may be indicated differently from other position.
FIG. 2D shows an eighth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 220 similar to device 210, wherein rotatable sections 112 and 112′ can be rotated relative to each other while plug 212 occupies one of a plurality of rotation tracks 218 at any given time. While being rotated, an indication mechanism can indicate to which track the rotatable sections are set at any given time (defined as “states” of the device or “device states”), in addition to indicating relative rotation (defined as a “use” of the device or “device use”). In FIG. 2D, the indication mechanism includes sensing mechanisms 118 a-c which facilitate indication of device states and use. Exemplarily, sensing mechanisms 118 a-c may be switches distributed to each track and activated by contact with plug 212. Indications are obtained by contact of plug 212 with each switch, similarly to the described for indication locations of a passive indication mechanism 116 a in FIG. 2C. For example, the switches may be distributed among the tracks, so that contact of the plug with each switch is indicative of the track which the plug occupies. FIG. 2E shows device 220 worn on an index finger.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a ninth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 310 which generally includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and a passive indication mechanism 116 a for passively indicating the rotation and specific rotated positions of section 112, exemplarily to a separate party 320. Passive indication may be facilitated by any number of mechanisms known in the art (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,212,123). Section 112 is shown ready to be installed to rotate on a rotation track 218 which includes evenly spread indication locations 154 a-g, wherein each location corresponds to a specific rotated position of section 112. Track 218 is formed on an external side 114 a of section 114. Section 112 has a plug 212 on an internal surface 112 b. The plug may interact with (or “influence”) each location (see e.g. FIG. 3B, in which plug 212 influences indication location 154 d). Therefore, in this embodiment, the indication mechanism includes plug 212 and locations 154 a-g. Exemplarily as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, plug 212 may include a capacitor 318 while each location 154 a-g may include a corresponding coil 316 a-g. When plug 212 influences an indication location, the capacitor comes in contact with the coil at that location to form a coil-and-capacitor circuit. Each coil may be different so that each circuit may have a different resonant frequency. Separate party 320 (exemplarily shown as a transceiver device) can send signals that stimulate resonance in each coil-and-capacitor circuit fowled at device 310, and can detects the response resonant energy which is indicative of specific rotated positions of section 112. Accordingly, rotation of section 112 may be indicated by sequential changes in rotated positions of section 112.
FIG. 3C shows another passive indication mechanism 116 a (as passive indication mechanism 116 a′), in which each indication location includes a corresponding passive transponder 324 while a plug 212 includes an antenna 326 (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,111). Similarly to the described for passive indication mechanism 116 a in FIG. 2C, and as will be described for a transponder mechanism 1316 in FIG. 13F, by connection of the antenna with each transponder, when the plug is in an indication location corresponding to the transponder, a rotated position of a section 112 may be indicated.
In some embodiments, each indication location (e.g. indication locations 154 a-g in device 310) can physically accommodate plug 212, such as to loosely hold it so that section 112 would not rotate unless enough force is applied (preferably by a user purposefully rotating the section). In embodiments where a rotatable section may be held in specific positions, these positions are referred to as “stations”.
FIGS. 3D and 3E show a physical feedback mechanism 340 for modulating physical feedback when operating any device of the invention, such as the described above for “station”. In FIG. 3C, mechanism 340 is shown in an embodiment of a device 310′, however mechanism 340 may influence any tilting operation or any other repositioning operation described herein.
For device 310′, pins 342 are specifically shown in FIG. 3D to be protruding between indication locations 154, on track 218 on which rotatable section 112 rotate. The pins are designed to slightly obstruct plug 212 during the rotation of section 112, to facilitate a physical feedback of slight obstructions during rotation. Additionally, when section 112 is not rotated (i.e. no force is applied to rotate the section) the plug is held between two pins, correspondingly to an indication location, for indicating a specific rotated position of section 112. Section 112 can be rotated further by applying enough force to “release” the plug from between the pins. The pins may be controlled to protrude or retract, such as by having actuators.
In some embodiments, the extent of protrusion of the pins may be modulated so that they can completely block plug 212, and accordingly prevent section 112 from further rotating. In some cases, it might be desired to temporarily deny rotation, or “lock” section 112 in a rotated position. Later, the pins may be retracted to allow section 112 to rotate further, either smoothly or with physical feedback (i.e. when the pins are partially protruding).
FIGS. 4A through 4D show a tenth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 410 which generally includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and an indication mechanism 116 for indicating specific rotated positions 412 a-d of section 112 relative to section 114. Mechanism 116 is exemplarily located between the sections. Positions 412 a-d are represented by the pointing direction of an arrow-head mark 402. Each position corresponds to an indication location, to exemplify an operation corresponding to each particular rotated position. In some embodiments, device 410 may further include a visual output mechanism 142 exemplarily located on external side 114 a of section 114. Indication of each position 412 a-d may prompt a corresponding display by mechanism 142, as part of an interface where specific rotated positions prompt specific operations. In FIGS. 4A through 4D, mechanism 142 is shown to display a different digit for each of the positions (digit 2 for position 412 a, digit 4 for position 412 b, digit 6 for position 412 c and digit 8 for position 412 d).
FIGS. 5A to 5C show a eleventh embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 510 which generally includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and a vibrations generating mechanism 516 implemented as an exemplary indication mechanism. Vibrations may be obtained by friction and/or pressure between the sections during use of device 510 utilizing means known in the art (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,537). In this embodiment, indication is facilitated by utilizing sound as an exemplary vibration reaction generated by the rotation. In FIGS. 5B and 5C, a T shaped plug 212 is shown to extend from section 112 and occupy a track 218 exemplarily formed by the shape of section 114. Plug 212 and a track 218 are shown to respectively have physical patterns 512 a and 512 b of cogs, wherein the cogs pattern of the plug fits (accommodates) the cogs pattern of the track. The fitting (or “accommodation”) of the cog patterns in various positions represents “stations” as explained above re. FIG. 3.
In use, when section 112 is rotated, the cogs of the pattern of the plug press against the cogs of the pattern of the track to generate sound. For example, each cog may include a thin metal flap which bends as the cogs press against each other, and vibrates when the pressure is released, and/or bumps against the flaps of adjacent cogs. Optionally, each direction 122 a and 122 b of rotation of section 112 may generate a different sound, to differentiate between the directions. This may be facilitated by having each side of each cog of at least one of the patterns react differently to pressure, and consequently generate a different sound than its opposite side. In some embodiments, the sound that is generated during rotation of section 112 can be detected by an acoustic sensor 518 (shown as a microphone in FIG. 5B), such as a piezoelectric transducer (as known for “pickups” of musical instruments). The sensor may be part of a vibrations recognition mechanism 528, which may have a recognition function which is adapted to recognize sounds from device 510, such as to register the sound as corresponding input.
FIG. 5D shows a light generating mechanism 526 that can be implemented in a device 510, alternatively to vibrations generating mechanism 516. In FIG. 5D, a section 112 has a cog 520 a while a section 114 has cogs 520 b-e forming exemplary indication locations 154 a-c as slots between two cogs. Cog 520 a interchangeably fits into each slot during rotation of section 112. The external sides of each slot are formed by a pair of opposite sides of two cogs, wherein cog 520 a must press against one of these sides to fit into that slot, depending on the direction of rotation of section 112. In some embodiments, each such pair of opposite sides may include a differently reactive material or composition or mechanism which generates a different light emission reaction when reacting to pressure or the release thereof. Shown in FIG. 5D are the opposite sides of cogs 520 b and 520 c (forming location 154 a) including a triboluminescent component 522 a, opposite sides of cogs 520 c and 520 d (forming location 154 b) including a triboluminescent component 522 b and opposite sides of cogs 520 d and 520 e (forming location 154 c) including triboluminescent component 522 c.
Each component may include a different triboluminescent material or a different composition of the same triboluminescent material (e.g. quartz crystal), for generating a different luminescent reaction from the friction between the cogs pressing against each other. Accordingly, the light emission (i.e. luminescent reaction) when cog 520 a is moved from one slot to another is distinct for the “target” slot (the slot to which the cog is being moved to), and may be indicative of the rotated position of section 112 at which cog 520 a fits into the target slot. Section 112 may generally be transparent, to facilitate the output of the light from the device. Light generated by mechanism 526 may be mild sparks that are enough to be detected as indications by a visual recognition mechanism 828 as shown in FIG. 8A.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show a twelfth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 610 which includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and a power generating mechanism 616 for generating power to operations of the device and for indicating rotation of section. Generating power is facilitated by converting use to electricity by any number of mechanisms known in the art. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, mechanism 616 is shown to include a pattern 512 a of cogs 620 protruding from an internal side 112 b of section 112, and a pattern 512 b of cogs 620 protruding from an external side 114 a of section 114 so that the cogs of both pattern fit together when the sections are connected. In FIG. 6B, each of the cogs of pattern 512 b are shown to have one side 620 a and an opposite side 620 b. Similarly to the described for device 510, when section 112 is rotated, the cogs of pattern 512 a press against either side 620 a or side 620 b of every cog of pattern 512 b, depending on the direction of rotation. Generating electricity, such as electric voltage, may be facilitated by converting the force applied to rotate section 112 to electric energy. For example, each side of the cogs of pattern 512 b may include a transducer which can convert pressure to an electric current (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,780), such as the pressure caused from the cogs of pattern 512 a pressing against any of sides 620 a,b when section 112 is rotated in any direction. The electricity generated by mechanism 616 may be utilized to supply energy for operations of device 610, such as by “powering-up” components and/or mechanisms of the device. The electricity may be utilized, additionally or alternatively, to recharge any rechargeable power-source of the device. Power generating mechanism 616 may be utilized, in addition to the described above, as an exemplary indication mechanism, such as by detecting different electric voltages generated by mechanism 616 correspondingly to different uses of the device.
In one example, side 620 a includes a first piezoelectric material, whereas side 620 b includes a second piezoelectric material. When the cogs of pattern 612 are pressed against sides 620 a of the cogs of pattern 512 b by rotation of section 112 in one direction, the pressure causes the first piezoelectric material to generate a certain electric voltage. When the cogs of pattern 512 a are pressed against sides 620 b of the cogs of pattern 512 b by rotation of section 112 in an opposite direction, the pressure causes the second piezoelectric material to generate a different electric voltage. The two different voltages may then be utilized to differentiate between directions of rotation of section 112.
In another example, similarly to the described for the indication mechanism in FIG. 5D, pattern 512 a may include one cog 620, while in pattern 512 b, a side 620 a of one cog and a side 620 b of an adjacent cog include the same piezoelectric material, so that the voltage generated by the cog of pattern 512 a pressing on any of these sides to fit between these cogs is the same. Alternatively, that voltage is different for any opposite sides of two adjacent cogs. FIG. 6C shows indication locations 154 a-c as slots formed by four cogs 620 of pattern 512 b, wherein side 620 a of a first of each pair of cogs that form a slot, and side 620 b of a second cog of that pair, include the same piezoelectric component, e.g. transducer 622 a. This transducer is different from the transducer included in a side 620 a of a first cog and in a side 620 b of a second cog of every other pair (e.g. transducers 622 b and 622 c).
FIGS. 7A and 7B show a thirteenth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 710. Device 710 includes a rotatable section 112 having magnets 712 a-f, in between which are circuits 716 a-f, and a stationary section 114 having magnets 714 a-f. The magnets and the circuits are part of a magnetic mechanism 736 of the device utilized for influencing rotation and rotated positions of section 112. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, magnets 712 a-f and circuits 716 a-f are exposed at an internal side 112 b of section 112, with their north pole facing an external side 114 a of section 114. Additionally, magnets 714 a-f are exposed at external side 114 a, with their north pole facing internal side 112 b. Section 112 is bounded by a side section 718 a and a side section 718 b to prevent it from being repelled off of section 114 by the repulsion of the magnets on each section. Accordingly, sections 718 a and 718 b form a track 218 on which section 112 can be rotated. Each circuit 716 a-f can be activated to generate a magnetic field, which can either have its north pole or its south pole directed at external side 114 a, depending on the direction of the current. When each circuit 716 a-f generates a magnetic field that has its north pole directed at external side 114 a, section 112 is evenly repelled from section 114 and thus “hovers” on it (utilizing a magnetic levitation effect, or magnet suspension effect). When each of the circuits generates a magnetic field that has its south pole directed at external side 114 a, section 112 “settles” at a rotated position where each circuit 716 a-f is directly facing one of magnets 714 a-f that was nearest to it when the magnetic fields where activated, as each circuit is attracted by a magnet on section 114 that was closest to it. This is caused by the pattern of magnetic attraction and repulsion formed by circuits 716 a-f and magnets 712 a-f. Section 112 is then loosely held at the rotated position at which it “settled” when the magnetic field were activated, because each circuit is attracted to the magnet it is facing, and because magnets 712 a-f repelled from in further rotating by magnets 714 a-f. If enough force is applied to “overcome” the repulsion between the magnets of on each section, section 112 can be rotated to any other position where circuits 716 a-f directly face magnets 714 a-f. This simulates a “feeling” of section 112 being physically accommodated at specific rotated positions, thereby implementing a stations configuration as explained above re. FIGS. 3C, D. Accordingly, mechanism 736 may be implemented as an exemplary physical feedback mechanism 340. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, device 710 may further include, in addition to the described above, a sensing mechanism 118 for sensing and indicating rotation of section 112, and/or specific rotated positions of section 112. In some embodiments, mechanism 118 may be located on external side 114 a facing internal side 112 b and may utilize magnetic sensors for sensing changes in magnetic fields caused by relative motion of the magnets and/or circuits.
FIGS. 8A through 8C show a fourteenth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 810, in which a passive indication mechanism is implemented as an interferomeric reflection mechanism 816 that modulates light reflection to facilitate indication. Device 810 includes a transparent rotatable section 112 having cogs 520 and a stationary section 114 having similar cogs that fit together with the cogs of section 112, to provide a plurality of physically accommodated rotation positions as stations. In FIGS. 8A through 8C, reflection mechanism 816 is generally shown having sheets 818 connected to both section 112 and section 114. Connected to the sheets are substrates 812, each of which, as shown in close-up in FIG. 8D, includes a transparent layer 812 a and an optical thin film 812 b. Also specifically shown in FIG. 8D is an absorber layer 814. The absorber layer covers an external side 114 a of section 114, as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C. For each station (i.e. rotated position where the cogs of section 112 fit together with the cogs of section 114), the distance between substrates 812 and absorber layer 814 is different, while each substrate 812 always overlaps a part of layer 814 that is parallel to it, as shown in FIG. 8D. At the top of the figure is a rotated position 412 a where the distance between each substrate 812 and layer 814 is in, while at the bottom of the figure is a rotated position 412 b where the distance between each substrate 812 and layer 814 is n, which is shorter than m. Shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C, are different stations in which sheets 818 have different angles with layer 814. Exemplarily, the more the angle is straight, the farther substrates 812 are from external side 114 a and accordingly from absorber layer 814. Controlling the distance between layer 814 and substrates 812, while having a part of the layer that is always parallel to a substrate, facilitates modulating the color generally reflected from the device, in accordance with any interferometric modulator known in the art to control the wavelength of reflected light (see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,113,339 and 6,952,303), so that mechanism 816 acts as a mechanical interferometric modulator and an indication mechanism indicating rotated positions of section 112 by different reflected colors. Indications may be detected by sensing light generally reflected from the device, specifically different colors, each indicative of a position. In FIG. 8A, reflected light is shown to exemplarily be detected by a visual recognition mechanism 828 which may include an optical sensing mechanism 128. Mechanism 128 may be connected to a processing unit 144 having a recognition function fox recognizing certain reflected properties as indications of rotated positions of section 112. Optionally, mechanism 828 may further include a light source 132 for illuminating the device. Alternatively, device 810 may include, in addition to the described above, its own light source 132 for illuminating the device, such as in case no external source of light is available, or such as in low lighting conditions. Note that an interferometric modulation effect may be achieved by any other mechanical apparatus implemented in a device of the invention for reflecting different colors for different rotated positions. Additionally, such apparatus may be implemented to modulate reflection correspondingly to other kinds of states of a device, such as tilted positions.
FIGS. 8E through 8F show a fifteenth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 820, similar to device 810, having a general reflection mechanism 826 as a passive indication mechanism, which utilizes dynamic and opaque shutters 824 and optical filters 822 which filter light with certain properties (e.g. polarization axis, wavelength, etc.) correspondingly to their angle with an external side 114 a of section 114 which is shown in the figures to be covered by a reflective surface 830. Similarly to the described for sheets 818, and as shown in FIGS. 5E and 8F, the filters are at different angles with the surface for different rotated positions of section 112. Shutters 824 block light from reaching surface 830 other than through filters 822. The filters may be interference filters, for example, wherein rotation may change their position and/or location relative to the surface.
FIG. 8G shows a sixteenth embodiment of a finger-worn device as a device 840 that includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and a reflection mechanism 836 which utilizes optical filters 822 a-c′ on section 112 and acts as an exemplary indication mechanism. Each filter has distinct filtering properties, providing for examples different colors (filter 822 a′ shown with crossed lines for illustrating a first color, filter 822 b′ shown with lines for illustrating a second color and filter 822 c′ shown with no lines to exemplarily illustrate transparency). Mechanism 816 may further utilize a fluorescent surface 830′ on an external side 114 a (surface 830′ is shown as a circular surface partially covered by section 112 and partially apparent through filter 822 b′). In specific rotated positions of section 112, each of filters 822 a-c′ overlaps surface 830′, so that light reaching the surface and emitted from the surface must pass through that filter, which exemplarily determines the color of the light as it passes through. Accordingly, light may generally be emitted from device 840 having one of three colors which corresponds to one of the three filters. Each color may be detected for registering a different input than input registered by the detection of the other colors.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show an seventeenth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 910 which generally includes a rotatable section 112 and a stationary section 114 having rotation tracks 218 a,b. Section 112 can be set to rotate on any track 218. Device 910 further includes an indication mechanism 116 (exemplarily implemented on each track) for indicating differently the rotation on each track (device use), and/or for indicating on which track section 112 is set to rotate at any given time (device state). Note that the rotation on each track may be indicated as being “SAME”, while different indicated states (of the rotatable section being set to any track) may correspond to registering a different input from the rotation on each track.
FIG. 9C shows an eighteenth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 920 similar to device 910, which includes a plurality of rotatable sections 112. In FIG. 9C, device 920 includes, additionally to the described above, a rotatable section 912 similar to rotatable section 112. Section 912 is shown to include a connection mechanism 922′ on an internal side 912 b so that it may be connected to and disconnected from device 920, specifically to and from any of tracks 218 a,b on which it may be rotated to indicate specific use of the device. For example, connection mechanism 922′ may utilize mechanical clips on side 912 b to physically attach section 912 to each track. Section 912 may specifically be connected to any track not occupied by another rotatable section, and may be disconnected from a track it occupies. For a more specific example, track 218 a may correspond to controlling audio volume, while track 218 b may correspond to controlling the playback of any audio file. Additionally, section 112 may correspond to a first audio file, while section 912 may correspond to a second audio file. Each file may exemplarily be stored on a memory unit (e.g. memory unit 146) of each rotatable section, so that connection of each section to a track facilitates accessing the file. Alternatively, specific indication of rotation of each section may correspond to registering specific input for controlling each file. A user may connect any one of the rotatable sections to the device (in case section 112 also has a connection mechanism 922, and may be connected and disconnected from any of the tracks) to play the file corresponding to that section. Connection of the section may specifically be to each of the tracks, for controlling audio volume and playback of the file. The user may disconnect the rotatable section and connect the other section, to play the audio file corresponding to the other section, and for controlling audio volume and playback of that file. In some embodiments, a first section may remain connected to a track which corresponds to controlling audio volume, while a second section is connected to a track which corresponds to controlling playback, so that volume and playback may be controlled simultaneously by the two sections connected to the tracks. According to the above, each section and each track may correspond to different interface elements or different operations. Moreover, in device 920, both rotatable sections may be connected permanently (i.e. excluding any connection mechanism).
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show a nineteenth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 1010 being utilized for different operations. Device 1010 is similar to device 920 but further includes a visual output mechanism on the external side of each rotatable section, namely on external side 112 a of section 112 and on an external side 912 a of section 912. Exemplarily displayed on side 112 a are displayed objects 1012 a, 1012 b and 1012 c. Exemplarily displayed on side 912 a are displayed objects 1012 a′ and 1012 b′. In device 1010, each of the objects may be any displayed entity as part of an exemplary visual output mechanism. For example, specifically in device 1010, each object may be a letter or digit composed of activated liquid crystals in a liquid crystal display (LCD). For another example, the objects may be graphic symbols composed of pixels of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, each of displayed objects 1012 a, 1012 b and 1012 c exemplarily represents an interface element. For example, each of the objects may be, a graphic symbol (e.g. “icon”) representing of a different file, such as by being a number corresponding to a file in a list of numbered files. Additionally, each of displayed objects 1012 a′ and 1012 b′ exemplarily represents a function. For example, object 1012 a′ may be a graphic symbol representing “compression” (of files) while object 1012 b′ may be a graphic symbol representing “deletion”. When a particular file symbol is aligned with a function symbol, that function is performed on the file. For example, when object 1012 a is aligned with object 1012 a′, the file corresponding to object 1012 a is compressed. Optionally, when the process is done, object 1012 a is exemplarily blinking, as a visual feedback. For another example, when object 1012 b is aligned with object 1012 b′ (in FIGS. 10B) the file corresponding to object 1012 b is deleted, while object 1012 b may exemplarily cease from being displayed by the visual display mechanism. Execution of functions may be prompted indication of alignments, or by information of alignments being obtained from indication of rotated positions of the rotatable sections. FIG. 10B shows the result of rotating section 912 counter-clockwise from its position in FIG. 10A, while FIG. 10C shows the result of rotating section 112 counterclockwise from its position in FIG. 10A.
In some embodiments, the displayed objects may correspond to interface elements which were assigned to device 1010 (see FIGS. 41A-41K, and the method in FIG. 45).
Similar results may be achieved by different alignments of rotatable section 112 with rotatable section 112′ in a device 210 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) which may include a visual output mechanism on each section.
Note that the description of FIGS. 10A-C is exemplary, to illustrate the method of alignment for controlling interfaces. This description applies equally well to devices with only rotatable sections (e.g. as in FIGS. 2) and to devices with one stationary section and one rotatable section, wherein alignment is between specific locations on the stationary section (e.g. a location 1014 shown in FIG. 10A) and specific locations on the rotatable section.
In device 920, alignments may also correspond to specific locations on section 114. For example, a function represented by any of objects 1012 a′ and 1012 b′ may be executed on any of the files represented by objects 1012 a-c only if the function object and the “target” file object are both aligned with location 1014 shown on section 114. In FIG. 10A, alignment of each of the objects shown in FIGS. 10A-C with location 1014 necessarily corresponds to a specific rotated position of the rotatable section on which that object is displayed.
According to the above, combinations or alignment of rotated positions of rotatable sections of a device of the invention, may be specifically indicated, or registered as input from indications of each position, so that each combination or alignment may correspond to a different operation, either of the device or of a separate party receiving the indications.
FIG. 10D shows an interface 1020, having multiple elements controllable by finger-worn devices of the invention. In FIG. 10D the interface exemplarily includes elements 1030 a-c. Each element may be any series of members, such as being a scale of values or list of functions. In interface 1020, each element has a controllable selection 1032 for selecting any one member at any given time. The selection is shown in FIG. 10E as a circle marking a location on each element, while specific locations correspond to members of the element. In some embodiments, the selection of each element may be moved from one member (i.e. specific location) to another by rotation of a rotatable section, while multiple rotatable sections may be for controlling multiple elements. For example, in a device 920, rotation of section 112 may be assigned to move selection 1032 of element 1030 a, while rotation of section 912 may be assigned to move selection 1032 of element 1030 b. Additionally, simultaneous rotation of both sections (i.e. sections 112 and 912) may be assigned to move selection 1032 of element 1030 c. Accordingly, rotation of each of the sections individually and both of the sections simultaneously may facilitate selecting members of the elements in interface 1020. In some embodiments, assigning control to each and both sections, or for rotation of each and both sections, may be temporary, and may be changed by further assigning.
In another method for utilizing device 920 for controlling an interface 1020 which has multiple elements 1030, each element corresponds to a specific alignment of a section 112 with a section 912 (similarly to the described in FIGS. 10A-C), while scrolling through each element (i.e. controlling a selection 1032 of that element) is by simultaneous rotation of the two sections, during which the alignment between the two sections remain the same.
FIGS. 11A and 11B show a twentieth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 1110 generally including a plurality of devices connected “back-to-back”. Note that in general, any two devices of the invention may be connected this way. Device 1110 is shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B to include a device 1120 and a device 1130. Device 1120 generally includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and an indication mechanism, whereas device 1130 generally includes a rotatable section 912, a stationary section 114 and an indication mechanism. A connection mechanism 922 of device 1110 facilitates connecting devices 1120 and 1130, and is shown here to be embodied as a socket 1122 a and a socket 1122 b on device 1120 and a plug 212 a and a plug 212 b on device 1130, whereas plug 212 a can fit into socket 1122 a and plug 212 b can fit into socket 1122 b. In some embodiments, information and/or electricity can be transferred by the connection of the two devices by mechanism 922, from one device to the other and vice versa. Devices 1120 and 1130 may further have an additional indication mechanism, or a plurality thereof (e.g. one for each device), for indicating a connected state and/or a disconnected state of the device, respectively. Alternatively, mechanism 922 may indicate connection, such as by utilizing a switch in each socket, activated by a plug being inserted into each socket.
In some embodiments, device 1110 may provide more control functions than the control features of separated devices 1120 and 1130. For example, as specifically shown in FIG. 11A, when separated from device 1130, device 1120 may control a separate party 320 a, such as by indications of rotation transmitted to separate party 320 a. Similarly, when separated from device 1120, device 1130 may control separate party 320 b. As specifically shown in FIG. 11B, when connected together, devices 1120 and 1130 may facilitate control of a separate party 320 c, in addition to separate parties 320 a,b. Rotation of section 112 of device 1120 in rotation directions 122 a,b may be for selecting any one of separate parties 320 a-e by browsing between the separate parties in corresponding directions 1112 a,b (i.e. generally clockwise and counter-clockwise in the figure) while rotation of section 912 of device 1130 may be for specifically controlling any one of separate parties 320 a-b that was selected by rotation of section 112 of device 1120. Note that the connected devices may operate in the same way as a device having multiple rotatable sections (e.g. as described in FIG. 10).
FIG. 12A shows a twenty first embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 1210, in which a rotatable section 112 is set to rotate on a helical track (i.e. a track shaped similarly to a screw-like groove). In FIG. 12A, device 1210 is shown to generally include a rotatable section 112 and a stationary section 114 that has a helical track 1218 curved on an external side 114 a. Accordingly, section 112 can be rotated along the curve of the track, towards a side 114 c or 114 d of section 114. Device 1210 further includes an indication mechanism exemplarily including a plurality of indication locations 154 along track 1218, each corresponding to a specific rotated position of section 112, and also utilizing a clicker 1212 on an internal side 112 b which can be “clicked” to any extent and can fit into any of the indication locations. In some embodiments, the clicker can be physically accommodated in each indication location (for the stations effect). Indications may be facilitated by clicker 1212 having a pressure sensing mechanism 1216, which is utilized for the indication mechanism of the device, while each indication location may have a different depth from any other. Accordingly, when the clicker is accommodated in a certain location, it is pressed (i.e. clicked) to a different extent, wherein the extent is measured by the pressure sensing mechanism and indicated further.
Following the above, any connection mechanism 922 of a device of the invention may facilitate connection of two sections of the device, or two separate devices (ref. FIGS. 11A and 11B) by “screwing” them together, wherein a rotatable section is screwed on an open helical track 1218 of another section, while rotation on the track, and specific rotated positions, may be indicated by any indication mechanism 116. For example, in an embodiment of a finger-worn device, shown as a device 1210′ in FIG. 12B, and similar to device 210, a helical plug 1222 of a rotatable section 112 may be screwed manually in and out of an open helical track 1218 of a section 112′ (by rotating section 112 towards section 112′ or vice versa), as opposed to a plug 212 being installed inside a close straight track. Accordingly, the sections may be connected and disconnected by the screwing.
FIGS. 13A through 13E show a twenty second embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a rotatable and tillable device 1310. As shown in FIG. 13A, a device 1310 generally includes a rotatable section 112 and a stationary section 114, wherein section 112 can be rotated according to rotation directions 122 a,b and an indication mechanism 116. As shown in FIGS. 13B, 13C and FIG. 13E, section 112 can be tilted relative to section 114, such as to contact section 114 in either a contact location 1320 a (FIG. 13B) or a contact location 1320 b (FIGS. 13C and 13E). Specifically shown in FIG. 13B is a tilted position 414 b of section 112, and in FIG. 13C a tilted position 414 c of section 112. In some embodiments, section 112 can be rotated while not tilted, as specifically shown in FIG. 13D a rotated position 412 d of section 112. Additionally or alternatively, section 122 can be rotated while tilted, as specifically shown in FIG. 13E a rotated and tilted position 416 e.
FIG. 13F shows a transponder mechanism 1316 as an exemplary passive indication mechanism for indicating tilt. Mechanism 1316 utilizes a transponder circuitry having an antenna 1318 (shown to be on a section 112) and different passive transponders 1322 (shown to be on a section 114). Similarly to the described for a passive indication mechanism 116 a in FIGS. 2C and 3C, each transponder may be an indication location for indicating contact of section 112 with section 114 specifically at that location, where section 112 is in a specific tilted position. Only one transponder may be connected to the antenna at each specific tilted position, thus only that transponder can respond to incoming signals when section 112 is tilted on it. Accordingly, detecting responses from a connected transponder-and-antenna facilitates obtaining an indication of the position of section 112.
Note that while the described herein is for rotatable and tiltable devices having a rotatable section and a stationary section, it is clear that devices of the invention which include only a rotatable section may be tiltable (i.e. any rotatable section can be adapted to be also tiltable relative to any other rotatable section) and may attain all the features described herein for rotatable and tiltable devices. For example, referring to the described for device 220 in FIG. 2D, the device may be adapted so that section 112 can be tilted relative to section 112′ and/or so that section 112′ can be tilted relative to section 112, while tilt of any of sections 112 and 112′ may be indicated by any mechanism described herein for indicating tilt (e.g. transponder mechanism 1316).
FIGS. 14A and 14B show a twenty third embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a rotatable and tiltable finger-worn device 1410 similar to device 1310. Device 1410 includes a rotatable section 112; a stationary section 114 and a passive indication mechanism implemented as a resonance mechanism 1416. Section 112 may be rotated relative to section 114 in rotation directions 122 ab, and may also be tilted relative to section 114 in tilt directions 124 a,b. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, mechanism 1416 is shown to include a coil-and-capacitor resonant circuit 1420 and a coil-and-capacitor resonant circuit 1422, both of which can oscillate in response to stimulations from incoming signals, shown originating from a separate party 320. Circuit 1420 includes a capacitor 1420 a connected to a coil 1420 b, while circuit 1422 includes a capacitor 1422 a connected to a coil 1422 b. Capacitors 1420 a and 1422 a are divided between section 112 and section 114 so that relative motion in directions 122 a,b and 124 a,b changes the capacity of capacitors 1420 a and 1422 a, respectively, and with it the resonant frequency of circuits 1420 and 1422. In some embodiments, signals from party 320 cause circuits 1420 and 1422 to resonate, wherein the energy emitted by resonating circuits 1420 and 1422 has specific properties corresponding to the positions of section 112 relative to section 114. The energy is accordingly indicative of rotated and/or tilted positions of section 112, and may be detected by separate party 320, as shown in the figures. Combinations of indications of rotated and/or tilted positions may be registered as specific input. In other embodiments, other compositions of coils and capacitors may be implemented to passively indicate tilt and/or rotation.
FIG. 14C shows a locking mechanism 1440, which may be implemented in any device of the invention and which is described here exemplarily for device 1410′. Similarly to the described for locking a rotatable section 112 in rotated positions and for blocking section 112 from rotated positions (see physical feedback mechanism 340 in FIGS. 3C and 3D), mechanism 1440 can lock a section 112 in tilted positions, and block section 112 from tilted positions. A mechanism 1440 is shown in FIG. 15C to be exemplarily implemented in a device 1410. In the figure, a rotatable section 112 of device 1410 is shown having a plug 212 which is inserted into a socket 1412 when the section is tilted in a direction 124 b. In device 1410, mechanism 1440 includes a pin 342 which can be actuated to lock plug 212 inside socket 1412. Actuation may be deactivated, for releasing the plug and thus allowing for section 112 to tilt to a different position. The pin may be actuated when the plug is not inside the socket, thus blocking the plug from being inserted into the socket and accordingly preventing section 112 for being tilted to a corresponding tilted position.
FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B show a twenty fourth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a rotatable and tiltable device 1510 in which tilted positions of a rotatable section are indicated according to specific locations on a stationary section 114. Device 1510 includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 112 and an indication mechanism 116 utilizing indication locations 154 a and 154 b located on an external side 114 a of section 114. Each indication location corresponds differently to contact with section 112, for obtaining a different indication from each location. Note that the indication locations may be implemented by any description of such locations herein, or by any sensing and/or indicating mechanisms known in the art (e.g. a pressure sensing mechanism 1216 as described for device 1210 in FIG. 12A).
FIG. 15C and FIG. 15D show a twenty fifth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a rotatable and tiltable device 1520 in which tilted positions of a tiltable section are indicated according to a specific location on a stationary section 114 and according to specific locations on a rotatable section 112. Device 1520 includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and an indication mechanism 116 which utilized indication locations 154 a, 154 b and 154 c. Indication locations 154 a and 154 b are shown to be located on an internal side 112 b of section 112, while indication location 154 c is shown to be located on an external side 114 a of section 114. Indications are obtained by contact of indication locations 154 a and 154 h with indication location 154 c. For example, indication locations 154 a and 154 h include electrodes of different circuits which can be closed by contact of each electrode with electrodes included in indication location 154 c. Accordingly, contact of indication location 154 a with indication location 154 c (specifically shown in FIG. 15D) may close a certain circuit that provides a certain indication, while contact of indication location 154 b with indication location 154 c may close a different circuit that provides a different indication. Contact of either of locations 154 a and 154 b with any other location on external side 114 a is not indicated.
FIG. 15E and FIG. 15F show a twenty sixth embodiment of a finger-worn device of the invention as a device 1530 in which tilted positions of a rotatable section are indicated according to combinations of specific locations on a stationary section and specific locations on a rotatable section. Device 1530 includes a rotatable section 112, a stationary section 114 and an indication mechanism 116 which utilizes indication locations 154 a, 154 b, 154 c and 154 d. Indication locations 154 a and 154 b are shown to be located on an internal side 112 b of section 122, while indication locations 154 c and 154 d are shown to be located on an external side 114 a of section 114. Indications may be obtained by contact of indication locations 154 a,b with indication location 154 c,b so that four different combinations of contact correspond to four different indications. For example, contact of indication location 154 a with indication location 154 c, such as shown in FIG. 15F, indicates a certain device state, whereas contact of indication location 154 b with indication location 154 c indicates a different device state. Similarly, contact of each of indication locations 154 a and 154 b with indication location 154 d indicates additional different device states.
In some embodiments, indication mechanisms 116 of devices 1510, 1520 and 1530 (i.e. the indication locations) may be able to indicate tilted rotation (i.e. rotation while in a tilted position) of the rotatable section of each, in addition to indicating specific tilted positions as states of the device. Indications of rotation (i.e. of use) may be combined with indications of contact of indication locations (i.e. of tilted positions, which may correspond to device states) for registering input corresponding to the combinations. For example, a rotatable section 112 of a device 1510 may be rotated while tilted on (i.e. in contact with) indication location 154 a, or on indication location 154 b, wherein the rotation on any location is for registering a different input than rotation on the other location. For a more specific example, in a device 1510, indication of rotation of section 112 when it is in contact with a location 154 a on a section 114 may be registered as input for controlling a first interface element 1030. Indication of rotation of section 112 when it is in contact with location 154 b on a section 114 may be registered as input for controlling a second interface element 1030 (as described for an interface 1020 in FIG. 10E). Optionally, indication of rotation of section 112 when it is not tilted may be registered as input for controlling a third interface element 1030. Optionally, a section 112 may include indication locations, so that rotation of the section while each of these locations is in contact with each indication location on a section 114 may be indicated for registering input corresponding to control a different interface element. The input may be registered at the device, such as in case the device further includes a processing unit receiving the indications, or may be registered at a separate party detecting the indications.
In general, device embodiments having tilt capabilities may include any number of indication locations configurations described above and tilting operations may