It is quite natural to have smartwatch with touch screen, just like smartphones. But to operate a smartwatch using a ring around it is quite new. It looks like Samsung is awarded a new patent for ring-operated smartwatch.
Sports watches have this kind of ring, which is used to do different functions, for example to show current time in different time zones. But, to bring the same concept into smartwatch is obviously something new and this will definitely open up new possibilities in smartwatch design.
Samsung has applied for the patent back in 2013. So it is quite possible that Samsung may bring this concept in next Gear smartwatch.
