Samsung launched its first smart ring last year with good reviews overall. The Galaxy Ring helped spark interest in a segment that is pretty niche. After all, most people tend to turn to smartwatches over smart rings. Now, a patent shows some of the potential improvements that future generations of the Samsung Galaxy Ring could bring, including a function to measure temperature.
The Galaxy Ring boasts a host of useful features for monitoring your health. It also has some shortcomings compared to smartwatches, but this is normal considering that all the technology must be packed into a much smaller—and more comfortable—product. Samsung’s patent, recently published by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), shows how the company could improve the original model.
Samsung’s patent shows a Galaxy Ring that can measure temperature
Samsung’s current smart ring integrates a temperature sensor. However, you cannot trigger it at will to get measurements of your body temperature. The ring uses the sensor for the menstrual cycle prediction function in women. Basically, it uses the temperature changes in women’s bodies while they sleep as a key parameter.
That said, Samsung’s patent describes a ring in which you can start temperature measurements. The ring could use gestures or movements to trigger some functions. For example, extending your hand or moving your finger in a certain way could trigger the temperature sensor. This control system is necessary since there are no buttons or touch surfaces. The sensor is located on the inner side of the ring. You can check your body temperature in the Samsung Health app.
Samsung also considered a system to distinguish your body temperature from others. This is necessary to prevent contact with other people or surfaces from altering your own measurements. The sketches show that you could even measure the temperature of others by placing the ring over their foreheads.
Galaxy Rings could get ways to send alerts to users
The patent notes that the ring can alert the user either “visually, auditorily, or tactically.” The current Galaxy Ring does not feature a haptic motor or any way to send alerts to the user. It’s possible that future models will be able to vibrate slightly, for example. This would be quite useful to warn of abnormal measurements that require attention.
It’s worth noting that patents are not always implemented as is in commercial products. However, all of the technologies described seem quite feasible. An earlier patent showed a Galaxy Ring that self-adjusts to the size of your finger. It’s possible that this system will take much longer to arrive—if it is implemented at all.
