There are many interesting experiments that DC is taking these days. Some of which are quite instructive when ruminating upon the recreation of the DC & Marvel Universes into a semi-coherent multiverse.
One of thing things that caught my eye was Green Lantern #041:
Apparently, Hal Jordan no longer sports a mask, nor a uniform, nor a ring. He's on the run, and he uses a gauntlet (apparently a prototype of the power ring).
However, it triggered some thoughts -- the evolution of the device that shapes willpower into energy constructs -- makes me think of the inspiration of the power rings (and the rest of the Corps): the Lensmen.
Perhaps in Earth-641, the lenses and the Lensman Corps fragmented in the ancient days and took new forms. Ties in nicely into might thoughts on the Ultraman Corps.