Big Tech Patent Tracker · Nebula

Meta patents wristwatch tech to estimate blood pressure

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Meta has been granted a patent for a method to estimate blood pressure using a wrist-worn device. The system combines signals from an electrode in the watch band and a light sensor to measure the time delay between blood flow changes in the wrist.

This could allow smartwatches to monitor a key health metric without needing a separate cuff, making continuous tracking easier for users.

Amazon patents skin sensor that tracks body molecules with radio waves

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Amazon has been granted a patent for a wearable device that uses low-power radio waves to measure the concentration of specific molecules in the human body without needles. The system uses an array of five antennas arranged in a cross pattern to send signals into the skin and detect how they change. It also includes software that adjusts the readings if the user moves, ensuring the data remains accurate even if the sensor shifts on the body.

This technology could allow people to monitor internal health markers continuously and painlessly, similar to how smartwatches currently track heart rate.

Sony patents glasses that track eye movement using hidden light

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sony has been granted a patent for a head-mounted device, such as glasses, that tracks eye movements using invisible light. The system uses a small optical component on the frame to bounce this light onto the eye and capture the reflection, allowing it to detect where the user is looking without needing a visible camera.

This technology could make eye-tracking in virtual reality or smart glasses more accurate and less intrusive by hiding the sensors within the frame rather than using visible cameras.

Apple patents eye-tracking and hand gestures to select screen items

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Apple has been granted a patent for a system that combines eye tracking with hand movements to control a screen. The method detects when a user is looking at a specific item and makes an air gesture, using whether their eyes are open or closed to confirm or cancel the selection.

This technology could make headsets or future devices easier to use by allowing users to select items with a glance and a simple hand motion, reducing the need for physical buttons.

Samsung patents SSDs that use AI to spot ransomware attacks

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Samsung has patented a system where the storage drive itself watches for suspicious activity. It uses a machine-learning algorithm to analyze the commands sent to the drive and alerts the computer if it detects ransomware behavior.

This could help protect personal files by catching malware at the hardware level before it can encrypt your data.

Microsoft patents method to check AI answers against verified facts

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Microsoft has patented a system that checks if a generative AI's answer matches a list of pre-approved, correct question-and-answer pairs. If the AI's response is similar enough to a verified pair, the system allows the answer to be sent to the user and records the interaction.

This approach could help reduce common AI errors, or 'hallucinations,' by ensuring responses align with known correct data before they reach the user.

Amazon patents kiosk that charges you after you leave

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

This filing describes a self-service kiosk where customers open a door, pick items, and walk away without scanning or paying at the counter. The system uses weight sensors on the shelves and cameras to figure out what was taken and charges the customer's account automatically after they leave.

It simplifies shopping by removing the need for a checkout line, similar to how some modern grocery stores work, but in a smaller, standalone box.

OpenAI patents interface showing how AI models think in real time

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

OpenAI has filed a patent for a system that displays the step-by-step thinking process of an AI model as it works. The interface shows different types of outputs, like text, images, or code, in a live timeline with specific styles and animations.

This could make it easier for users to understand and trust how an AI arrives at an answer by seeing the intermediate steps rather than just the final result.

Disney patents AI characters that create art from shared memories

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Disney describes a system where an AI character asks a user to share a memory. The system uses machine learning to find similar memories in the AI's own database and creates a creative performance based on the emotional tone of that match.

This could lead to interactive entertainment experiences where digital characters feel more personal by reacting to the user's specific life stories.

Apple patents wristband that reads tendon movement to detect gestures

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Apple describes a wearable band that uses self-mixing interferometry sensors to emit light toward the inner surface of the band. By analyzing how this light reflects, the device detects tiny movements of the user's tendons and ligaments to identify specific hand gestures.

This technology could allow users to control devices with subtle hand movements without needing to look at a screen or wear bulky finger sensors.

Disney patents moving floor tiles for film sets

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Disney has patented a video production system featuring a floor made of independent tiles that can move up or down. These tiles adjust to position actors or cameras correctly within a digital background, allowing for dynamic filming without manual setup.

This technology could make filming complex action scenes easier by automatically adjusting the physical set to match digital effects in real-time.

Google patents wristband that reads hand gestures from blood flow

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Google has been granted a patent for a wrist-worn device that uses infrared light to capture images of the tissue under your skin. By analyzing changes in blood flow patterns, the device can detect specific hand and finger movements to recognize gestures.

This technology could allow users to control devices with subtle hand movements without needing to look at a screen, making interactions with augmented reality systems more natural.

Sony patents VR box that mimics a transparent fish tank

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sony has been granted a patent for a box-shaped virtual reality display that adjusts the brightness and contrast of its screens based on where the user is looking. The system also projects images of the real world behind the device onto the screens to create the illusion of a transparent glass tank.

This technology could make VR headsets feel less like a sealed box and more like a window into a virtual world, potentially improving immersion for users.

Apple patents audiobooks that create custom stories and images from your voice

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Apple has patented a system that lets users ask a virtual assistant to create a personalized story by combining their request with personal details. The system uses machine learning to generate both the text of the story and matching images, which are then synchronized and played back as an interactive audiobook.

This could allow listeners to turn simple voice prompts into unique, visualized stories tailored to their interests or environment, moving beyond static audio content.

Nvidia patents AI coach that analyzes your gameplay to suggest strategies

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Nvidia describes a system that uses neural networks to compare a player's video and controls against a reference gameplay clip. It converts these visual and input data into text descriptions, which a language model then uses to generate specific gaming strategy advice.

This could help gamers improve their skills by providing personalized, real-time feedback based on how they play compared to expert or standard methods.

Nike patents fabric that tightens when it gets wet

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Nike has filed a patent for clothing made with special film layers attached to a base fabric. When these layers absorb moisture, they expand in thickness while the main fabric shrinks in width and length, causing the garment to fit more snugly against the body.

This could lead to sportswear that automatically adjusts its tightness based on sweat or rain, potentially improving comfort and performance without electronic controls.

Sony patents cloud gaming that puts characters in your room

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sony describes a system where a server runs a video game and sends specific character data to a user's device. This allows an augmented-reality headset to display those game characters inside the user's real-world space, such as a living room, without changing the original game code.

This approach could make cloud-based games feel more present by blending virtual characters into physical surroundings, appealing to players who want a more immersive experience without needing a powerful local console.

Google patents robot control via AI-generated code

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Google describes a system where a robot receives a natural language command, such as "pick up the cup." An AI model translates this command into specific computer code that calls the robot's sensors and motors. The robot then executes this generated code to perform the physical action.

This approach could make robots easier to program by allowing users to give simple spoken or written instructions instead of writing complex code manually.

Sony patents AI that plays video games in your style

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sony describes a system that creates an AI player trained on your specific gaming inputs to mimic your play style. The AI can take over gameplay from where you left off, allowing you to watch the recording or jump back in control at any time.

This could let players automate repetitive parts of a game while keeping their personal touch, or review how an AI handles a level based on their own habits.

Apple patents head-mounted device that types via eye swipes and hand pinches

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Apple describes a head-mounted device that uses a gaze tracker to follow your eyes as you swipe across a virtual keyboard on the display. The system combines this eye movement with hand gestures, such as a finger pinch to start typing and a secondary hand movement to confirm or edit the text.

This approach could make typing in augmented or virtual reality more natural by removing the need for physical keyboards or controllers.

Google patents earbuds that verify identity using ultrasound in the ear canal

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

This patent describes how hearing devices can send ultrasound waves into the ear canal to detect how sound travels through the body when a person speaks. The device creates a unique signature from these waves to verify the user's identity, potentially combining this with standard voice recognition for better security.

It offers a more secure way to unlock devices by using internal body sounds that are harder to fake than external voice recordings.

Samsung patents wearable that tracks brain waves to suggest health actions

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Samsung has been granted a patent for a wearable device that measures biometric data like heart rate, stress, and brain activity at regular intervals. The device compares this data with personal thresholds and location information to classify the user's mental state and display specific advice, such as exercises to improve blood flow or oxygen levels.

This is interesting because it moves beyond simple step counting by using brain wave data to offer personalized, real-time guidance on how to improve mental and physical health.

Google patents under-eyelid device that checks blood chemistry with infrared light

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

This filing describes a small, flexible device that sits between a person's lower eyelid and their eye. It uses tiny infrared lights to shine on the tissue lining the eyelid and a sensor to read the reflected light, which helps measure specific chemicals in the blood without a needle.

It offers a potential way to monitor blood health continuously and painlessly, similar to how smartwatches track heart rate, but using the eye area instead of the wrist.

Sony patents cars that project messages onto the road to talk to drivers

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sony describes a system where a vehicle projects images or text directly onto the pavement ahead of it. The car uses its driving plan and data about the road surface to decide what to show, allowing it to send clear signals to other drivers or pedestrians.

This could make driving safer by giving cars a way to clearly explain their intentions, like turning or stopping, to people around them without relying only on lights or horns.

Apple patents AR keyboard that lets you type on your phone through a headset

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Apple has filed a patent for a system that lets users type text on a smartphone or tablet while wearing a head-mounted display (HMD). The headset detects the phone's position and adjusts the on-screen keyboard to be larger and clearer, accounting for lens distortion and distance. This allows the virtual keys to appear sharp and easy to tap through the headset's see-through view.

This could make typing in mixed reality less frustrating by automatically fixing the blurry or tiny text that often happens when looking at a phone through AR glasses.

OpenAI patents memory system for personalized AI chat responses

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

OpenAI has filed a patent for a system that gives AI chatbots a long-term memory of past conversations. It works by automatically summarizing old chats into natural language notes about the user, which are then added to the current conversation to make answers more relevant.

This could make AI assistants feel more like personal helpers that remember your preferences and history, rather than starting from scratch every time.

OpenAI patents voice system that stops talking when you interrupt

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

This filing describes a method for real-time voice conversations where the system listens while it is speaking. If it detects that the user has started talking, it stops generating the rest of its response to allow for natural back-and-forth dialogue.

This improves the feel of voice assistants by preventing them from talking over users, making conversations feel less robotic and more like a human exchange.

Nike patents shoes with fluid-filled bladders that adjust pressure automatically