Apple has designed Vision Pro to use simple hand gestures to control elements of visionOS. This is accomplished by using a series of sophisticated cameras to track a user's eyes and hands. Yet for future smartglasses, televisions, Macs, Apple Watch and other wearables like AirPods, such cameras are not available to control such devices as noted in patent figure #16 below. For these devices, Apple is continuing to work on a smart ring system.

Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office posted an updated Apple patent application that relates to  a ring input device. The inputs can be provided as rotating, tilting, and/or sliding at least a portion of the ring input device with another finger of the user. The ring input device can provide feedback to the user as confirmation that the inputs are being received. A feedback system can also be operated to limit or otherwise provide a force on the finger and/or another portion of the hand to simulate sensations perceived by the user.

Smartglasses can be operated with a ring input device worn on a finger of a user. Such devices can be operated to provide inputs that are received and acted upon by the external device. The inputs can be provided as rotating, tilting, and/or sliding at least a portion of the ring input device with another finger of the user. The ring input device can provide feedback to the user as confirmation that the inputs are being received. A feedback system can also be operated to limit or otherwise provide a force on the finger and/or another portion of the hand to simulate sensations perceived by the user. Technically it could be used for more sophisticated work with Apple Vision Pro even though for simple functions, in-air gestures control visionOS.

Apple's patent FIG. 2 below illustrates a side view of a ring input device and a front view of an external device; FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a ring input device; FIG. 10 illustrates a side sectional view of the ring input device with inner and outer ring portions; and FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of a ring input device and a front view of an external device. A ring input device is shown receiving a force that results in tilting or sliding of components thereof.  

Apple's patent FIGS. 17-20 below illustrate a feedback system that can be operated to provide tactile feedback to a hand of a user, such as when operating in a VR, AR, and/or MR system. The feedback system can include components that are stowable and portable when not in use, so that the system is readily and efficiently deployed when desired.

The Apple Watch & Ring Tensioning System

A Future Apple ring may include a tensioning element #330, illustrated in Patent FIGS. 17-20, that extends from the watch body and/or the watch band. Processing circuitry such as the main processor or other circuitry of the watch  may be communicatively coupled, via an interface, to the tensioning element. The feedback system can further include a pair of ring devices. You could dive deeper into the tensioning system from patent points #107 through to #115.

Further, Apple's patent FIG. 23 above illustrates a side view of a tensioning element in a released configuration; FIG. 24 illustrates a side view of the tensioning element of FIG. 23 in an engaged configuration.

A Few Points from Apple's updated Patent Claims:

• A ring input device comprising: an inner ring; an outer ring comprising: a first outer ring portion configured to rotatably engage the inner ring such that the outer ring rotates about the inner ring; and a second outer ring portion configured to slidably engage the first outer ring portion such that the second outer ring portion slides relative to the first outer ring portion and the inner ring; a first sensor configured to detect rotation of the outer ring about the inner ring; and a second sensor configured to detect sliding of the second outer ring portion relative to the first outer ring portion or the inner ring.

• a spring element biasing the second outer ring portion to a nominal position relative to the first outer ring portion, the second outer ring portion being configured to slide in each of two opposing directions away from the nominal position.

• The ring input device's second outer ring portion comprises a magnet; and the second sensor comprises a magnetometer.

• The ring input device's first sensor comprises an optical sensor and the first outer ring portion comprises protrusions and gaps that alternatingly block and allow light to pass between a light pathway of the optical sensor.

• The ring input device's inner ring forms multiple inner ring protrusions and the first outer ring portion forms an outer ring protrusion, wherein the first sensor is positioned within the outer ring protrusion.

• The ring input device's inner ring protrusions comprise magnets in an alternating polarity arrangement and the first sensor comprises a magnetometer.

• The ring input device's second outer ring portion comprises a magnet; and the second sensor comprises a magnetometer.

To review its full details and the 20 new patent claims, review patent application 20230350503.