Patent: Oura Smart Ring could measure light and control smart home to improve sleep
While the Oura Ring 5 ($399 on Amazon) has seen few changes aside from a significantly smaller body, the smart ring market leader is working behind the scenes on some exciting features. Just a few months ago, Oura patented a smart ring whose battery can be replaced in just a few simple steps.
That would be a major step forward, because as a teardown of the Oura Ring 5 shows, the ring essentially becomes electronic waste once the battery’s lifespan comes to an end. On July 16, 2026, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published two additional Oura patents describing how the PPG sensor’s photodiodes could measure ambient light when they are not being used to determine heart rate.
The ring is designed to detect intensity, duration, and wavelengths, and could thus, for example, also measure the UV radiation to which the user is exposed on a sunny day. In typical Oura fashion, this measurement of ambient light is intended to be used for wellness features. According to the patent, the Oura app can notify users if the bedroom is too bright, which could potentially interfere with falling asleep.
The Oura app can then automatically control smart home devices, such as dimming lights or closing blinds. Users who do not own smart home devices will receive recommendations in the Oura app, such as closing the curtains. Ambient light could be another factor that Oura evaluates in the future to determine sleep quality. As is typical with such patents, it is unclear whether or when the patented features will actually be available.
Source(s)
USPTO, via Gadgets & Wearables
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