Fitness trackers are primarily available in the form of wearables that resemble a wristwatch, but 'smart rings' are growing increasingly popular, including products from Oura, Ultrahuman, and Samsung. Unlike smartwatches that include an adjustable strap, smart rings must be purchased in a specific size option that fits the wearer. However, a person's ring size might change over time due to various reasons, which could render their existing smart ring unusable. Xiaomi might be working on a solution for this issue, according to details from a patent document.
Xiaomi Smart Ring Patent Points to Automatic Size Adjustment Feature
According to a patent document spotted on the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) website by 91mobiles, Xiaomi is developing a wearable device shaped like a ring that us equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi, NFC, and ultra-wideband connectivity, as well as a host of sensors, a touch panel, processor and audio components. This is an indication that it is a smart ring that can be used for health tracking.
Photo Credit: 91Mobiles
Unlike other smart rings available today, the one described in Xiaomi's patent has a unique capability that allows it to automatically adjust its size to fit a user's finger. In order to enable the wearable to change its size, the document discusses the use of two components — an inner ring and an outer ring.
While the outer ring could resemble a regular smart ring, the document states the inner ring is said to be made of an elastic material that works in conjunction with spring mechanisms. A portion of the inner ring would protrude from the inner ring, allowing it to "adjust" its size.
It is currently unclear whether such a smart ring from Xiaomi could be produced in a single size option that adjusts to any ring size, or whether a few different size options would be required to achieve the automatic size adjustment. The patent also describes the use of the ring for additional features such as controlling connected devices, according to the publication.
Despite the obvious benefits of the wearable device described in Xiaomi's patent, it's worth noting that there's no guarantee that the company will eventually introduce a smart ring based on the technology described in the document.
