We have talked a lot about the Galaxy Ring, Samsung’s smart ring designed as more comfortable and more focused on health than current smartwatches. Despite the intentions, this wearable still has a long way to go… especially if it doesn’t lower its price.
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Subscribe (it's FREE) ►The future lies with them, as smart rings are inevitably becoming a popular way to track health and fitness, and it seems that more and more companies want to find ways to make these devices stand out.
Oppo has filed a patent for a smart ring that gives us an interesting idea of how innovative companies can be when they set their minds to it.
A modular smart ring
Oppo’s idea for a smart ring is to make it modular. According to the patent, the smart ring consists of three different sections—a ring, a holder, and the electronics—all covered by what appears to be a dome.
The electronic components are placed in the ring, but they can be removed at any time. By making the hardware modular, the patent claims that the ring section will be thinner and lighter, making it more comfortable and suitable to wear with other rings.
Interestingly, the illustrations accompanying the patent show some protrusions that likely conceal the smart ring’s sensors on the top part of the ring.
Apparently, they are attached to the upper section of the “support” and will also be removable. It is not shown, but it is likely that the smart ring will need a section without electronic components to fill the gap left when they are removed.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the design is the dome that covers the electronic components, giving it an appearance similar to that of a pearl or signet ring.
It is not the most modern design for a ring, despite its high-tech innards, but it is certainly very different from the discreet designs we are seeing for smart rings at the moment.
Without a doubt, it is an unusual design and concept, but a patent does not mean it will become a real product. Hopefully, we will see it as a final product in a few months.
