Fitbit may be the next big brand to enter smart ring space: new patent
The wearable technology market is expanding beyond wrist-worn devices, and smart rings are emerging as the next frontier. Zepp Health has just launched its Helio Ring, and the Samsung Galaxy Ring is slated for release this summer. Google-owned Fitbit may soon add its name to this list, as suggested by a recently uncovered patent we spotted.
The patent (no US 12,002,341 B2), was published by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on June 4th. The 20 page document is comprehensive, spanning various sections. These include detailed descriptions, claims, and illustrations to provide a full understanding of the device.
A compact powerhouse
The newly patented smart ring is a miniaturisation of existing Fitbit devices. According to the patent details, this device is designed to house multiple sensors capable of monitoring heart rate, oxygen levels, and possibly even stress levels through skin conductivity measurements. In essence, the device will offer many of the same analytics Fitbit users have come to expect but in a significantly smaller package.
Looking through the patent details, there doesn’t seem to be anything too innovative about the device. No mention of blood pressure tracking or anything like that. We’ve actually seen this same list of sensors with Oura, RingConn, Ultrahuman, Zepp Health and others. But the same could be said about smartwatches. In recent years they all pack pretty much the same sensors, the detail is in the software and how the data is utilised.
The patent goes on to describe a smart ring designed with ergonomics in mind. It features adjustable components to fit various finger sizes and shapes comfortably. This mechanism is likely based on a flexible or segmented band that can expand or contract.
As you’d expect, the ring is designed to seamlessly integrate with the broader Fitbit ecosystem. This includes syncing with existing apps and platforms to track fitness progress, set health goals, and even interact with other Fitbit devices. The integration potentially extends to notifications for calls, messages, and reminders, maintaining the interactive features essential to modern smart devices.
Fitbit has also addressed a common concern with wearable devices: battery life. The patent details power-saving measures that could extend the ring’s battery life.
As with any device collecting personal health data, privacy and security are paramount. The patent outlines advanced encryption and data protection features to ensure that users’ health data remains secure from unauthorized access.
A new entrant in the smart ring space?
Another big brand may soon enter the smart ring space, possibly even under the Google moniker, a Google Pixel ring sounds rather catchy! However, it’s important to note that this is just a patent, and it doesn’t guarantee that the product will ever see the light of day.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
It’s not the first such patent from Fitbit either; back in 2021, the company filed a patent for a blood oxygen tracking ring. Nevertheless, we see this as a natural extension of Fitbit’s portfolio of products, and will be keeping an eye on this space.
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