Apple Watch Bands With Self-Tightening, Skin Texture Authentication, and LED Progress Bar Detailed in Patents

[MacRumors]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today granted Apple several patents for smart Apple Watch bands with features such as biometric authentication, self-tightening, and an LED progress indicator, as noted by Patently Apple.

Apple Watch with biometric sensor​

The first patent describes an Apple Watch band with a sensor that can authenticate the wearer based on patterns in their wrist's skin texture:

More particularly, skin texture cracks are generally warmer than the surrounding skin, and hair is cooler than the surrounding skin. By using an IR thermal image sensor as the wrist biometric sensor, hair can be distinguished, thermally, from skin texture cracks by temperature.

This feature would eliminate the need to enter a passcode on the Apple Watch or a paired iPhone to unlock the watch.

The second patent describes a self-tightening Apple Watch band. If the wearer is running or working out, for example, the band could automatically tighten in order to ensure it has a snug fit on the wrist while exercising. Upon completion of the physical activity, the band would then automatically loosen.

Apple Watch users would be able to set locations where the band automatically tightens upon arrival, such as a gym.

In other examples, the band could automatically tighten to notify a user of an upcoming turn while walking, driving, or swimming; to help the wearer count repetitions while weight lifting; or to notify the wearer that they have reached certain distance intervals while running, such as every mile.

A self-tightening Apple Watch band​

The self-tightening band could also be part of a two-factor authentication system on the Apple Watch, as described in the patent:

For example, if a user wishes to access financial details hosted on a banking website, the banking website may require both the user's credentials and a verification of a number of tightening-loosening patterns sent to a wearable electronic device previously authenticated by the banking website...

In one example, a tactile pattern may be a series of five squeezes of the user's wrist (e.g., tighten and loosen in sequence). The user may thereafter enter "5" to gain access to the banking website.

The third patent describes an Apple Watch band with an LED indicator that would visualize the progress of an activity or task, such as completion of Walk, Stand, and Exercise rings. The indicator could also serve as an easy way to check an Apple Watch's remaining battery life at a glance.

Apple Watch bands with various LED indicators​

Apple is hosting a special event at Steve Jobs Theater next Tuesday, where it is widely expected to unveil new iPhone and Apple Watch models. While a seasonal band refresh is expected, there have been no rumors or leaks about smart bands.

Keep in mind that Apple is granted dozens of patents every week, and many of the inventions do not see the light of day. Patents are also very detailed, encompassing many possible ideas, even ones that Apple might not have any plans to advance. So, whether any of these bands come to fruition remains to be seen.

Article Link: Apple Watch Bands With Self-Tightening, Skin Texture Authentication, and LED Progress Bar Detailed in Patents

 

[jjohnstonjr]

So this is like the "Back To The Future" self lacing shoes of Apple Watches huh?

 

[macduke]

Skin ID sounds kinda neat, but it seems like they are running low on ideas. When are we going to actually see any of these smart bands that have been patented over the years? Hopefully next week.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

This is interesting, although, I don't know why that would warrant a "caution" warning on buying the current model. Would Apple really change the form factor already of the S4?

 

[Pakaku]

It's a bit trivial and people will no doubt be going "just tighten it yourself!!!", but if I'm already paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars just for a watch, and one which is basically an appendix to a potentially thousand-dollar phone, I'd think this idea would be complimentary to the product

 

[Khedron]

A patent for using an LED as a status indicator... what a joke the patent system is

 

[Jd3774life]

If my wrist gets itchy and I scratch it.. will i mess up my skin authentication ?

 

[dannyyankou]

Apple Watch HyperAdapt, starting at $1,999

 

[Scottsoapbox]

Self tightening bands: because we believe our customers are too stupid to put on a watch correctly. - Apple.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

When this watch is available for purchase, they'll be here complaining about battery life, coz it supposed to last 18 days without a charge right?

I really like all these cool features and innovation, but as I mentioned, people will complain about battery life.

 

[jerryk]

Self tightening? Usually I end up loosening my watch when exercising.

Also, don't people change their bands depending on what they are doing to give it a different look. If these bands cost a lot it could be expensive to have bands for exercising, a night on the town, informal event, and formal events.

 

[cajun67]

I adjust the Velcro strap on my Apple Watch several times a day, depending on how hot I am or how constricting it's feeling.

But how lazy are we getting that we need self-tightening watch bands?

I have smart outlets to control lights in my home, but they often feel like more effort than they're worth, and flicking a light switch is not hard at all.

 

[tarkeybear]

I wonder if self-tightening bands might enable blood pressure monitoring?

 

[alpi123]

I'm getting tired of waiting for Apple's patents to see daylight. There are so many of them which are very cool and it's been years but Apple still hasn't shown us anything.

 

[Fidgetyrat]

I'm getting tired of waiting for Apple's patents to see daylight. There are so many of them which are very cool and it's been years but Apple still hasn't shown us anything.

We don't even have the most basic feature of a smart watch. User created faces.

 

[entropys]

I would like a band with a battery in it that lets the watch run for a week without recharge.

 

[xgman]

It's just a matter of time before the Apple Watch starts reviewing your sex positions. Getting to be a bit too much monitoring.

 

[Takeo]

Self tightening bands: because we believe our customers are too stupid to put on a watch correctly. - Apple.

I think it’s a great idea actually. I like to wear my watch somewhat loose. I’m sure I’m not alone. But I quickly discovered that my heart rate data during runs was missing or inconsistent. So now whenever I run I always tighten the band by one hole. Every now and then though I forget to tighten the band before my run. It’s annoying when I get home from a run and check my data to find out I have no heart rate data because I forgot to tighten the band. So this would be great. It’s a small user experience detail but those small details are what makes Apple stand out.

 

[NT1440]

It's a bit trivial and people will no doubt be going "just tighten it yourself!!!", but if I'm already paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars just for a watch, and one which is basically an appendix to a potentially thousand-dollar phone, I'd think this idea would be complimentary to the product

I see it from the health angle. It’s no secret that an unforeseen market of users are buying these devices to help with their aging parents. I think a self tightening watch (that serves other health related functions especially fall detection) is explicitly designed for this use case.

 

[Crowbot]

I wonder if self-tightening bands might enable blood pressure monitoring?

It’s possible but wrist BP measurements can be very variable depending on the position of the wrist (it needs to be at the same level as the heart). But it is an interesting application.

I don’t see this as a “lace your shoes” thing but a temporary tightening for measurements like ECG, pulse ox and maybe more.

 

[tomaszk]

Just the other day while out jogging, and thinking to myself if Apple or a third party strap maker could come up with a way to increase the pressure of the wrist band to tighten up in order to measure your blood pressure. The uses described in the article are pretty lame by comparison, lets wait and see !

 

[tw1ll]

And they still won’t make then large enough for fatter wrists......

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

Self tightening bands: because we believe our customers are too stupid to put on a watch correctly. - Apple.

Google Maps: because we believe our customers are too stupid to use folding maps correctly.
-Nobody. Ever.

 

[Gielk]

Self tightening? Usually I end up loosening my watch when exercising.

Also, don't people change their bands depending on what they are doing to give it a different look. If these bands cost a lot it could be expensive to have bands for exercising, a night on the town, informal event, and formal events.

China will give us cheaper options

 

[tridley68]

And they still won’t make then large enough for fatter wrists......

I see that as the next lawsuit against Apple lol