A new smart ring has been designed by Microsoft that could replace the conventional computer mouse.
A recent filing with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office revealed the tech giant wants to use the ring to control computers and other devices. It is the latest in a series of patent filings from Microsoft that relate to a smart ring.
The smart ring uses "flexion sensors" and gyroscopes to detect the position and pose of the wearer's finger. This would mean that rather than clicking a mouse to carry out a task, a wearer could simply tap their finger.
"The present concepts relate to a smart ring that can allow a user to use his/her finger to control a companion device," the patent states.
"The smart ring can detect a pose of the finger [and] also detect and/or interpret movement of the finger and/or fingertip relative to the coordinate system.
"The smart ring can wirelessly transmit information related to the pose and/or movement of the finger to control the companion device."
The technology could potentially be used in conjunction with other wearable devices, such as smartglasses or Microsoft's Hololens virtual reality headset.
A patent filed in 2015 revealed that Apple is also considering a smart ring device, complete with motion sensors, a microphone, touchscreen and cameras. Apple did not comment on the patent at the time.
A spokesperson for Microsoft was unavailable for comment.
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