Apple Files Patent for Touchscreen Ring

No, this isn’t an early April Fool’s Day joke. The tech giant Apple, Inc. has reportedly filed a patent for a ring with touchscreen functions.

While Apple has yet to confirm a possible “iRing,” the patent lays out some key features of the device. According to the patent, the ring will follow in the footsteps of the Apple Watch. Much like Apple’s wearable electronic wristwatch, the ring will support both voice and gesture commands, allowing users to issue commands by speaking them or by making the appropriate gestures in front of the sensor.

The ring will also sport a computer processor, wireless transceiver, and rechargeable power source, according to the patent details. Apple has said that touchscreen devices have become increasingly “significant” in recent years — and there’s no sign of this trend going away anytime soon. Touchscreen is becoming a mainstay in homes and businesses alike. From touchscreen monitors and televisions to touchscreen automotive dashboards and vending machines, these are just a few of the many ways in which touchscreen is being used today. Perhaps Apple will take the technology to another level by developing a touchscreen ring.

“A user controls an external electronic device with a finger-ring-mounted touchscreen that includes a computer processor, wireless transceiver, and rechargeable power source,” wrote Apple in the patent. “The ring is worn on a first finger receives an input from a second finger, selects one of a plurality of touch events associated with the input, and wirelessly transmits a command associated with the touch event to the external electronic device.”

So, what functions would an Apple ring offer? Being that Apple has remained silent on the project, we really don’t know. However, it would likely function in the same or similar manner as the iWatch, allowing users to read emails and text messages, answer calls, run apps, and more.

It’s important to note, however, that just because Apple filed a patent for a touchscreen ring doesn’t necessarily mean that it will produce it. Tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and Google are constantly filing patents in an effort to protect “prospective” ideas that they may implement in the future.

What do you think about the idea of an Apple ring?