Apple patents watch strap that tests samples with light
Apple has been granted a patent for a flexible strap that attaches to a smartwatch to test small samples. The strap uses the watch's built-in light sensors to shine on a patch, splitting the light into two paths to measure different areas of the sample.
In the filing’s own words
Embodiments are directed to a measurement accessory for use with a smartwatch. The measurement accessory can include a flexible strap comprising a top surface configured to align the flexible strap with an optical sensor of the smartwatch, a bottom surface configured to align a sample patch with the optical sensor of the smartwatch, and an optical path between the top surface of the flexible strap and the bottom surface. When the smartwatch is coupled to the flexible strap the optical path is configured to allow light emitted by the smartwatch to reach the sample patch and allow light reflected from the sample patch to reach the smartwatch.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A measurement accessory for use with a smartwatch, the measurement accessory comprising: a flexible strap comprising: a top surface configured to align the flexible strap with an optical sensor of the smartwatch; a bottom surface configured to align a sample patch with the optical sensor of the smartwatch; a first optical path between the top surface of the flexible strap and the bottom surface; and a second optical path between the top surface of the flexible strap and the bottom surface, wherein when the smartwatch is coupled to the flexible strap: the first optical path is configured to: allow light emitted by the smartwatch to reach the sample patch; and allow light reflected from the sample patch to reach the smartwatch; the first optical path allows light emitted from a first emitter on the smartwatch to reach a first portion of the sample patch that corresponds to a control region on the sample patch; and the second optical path allows light emitted from a second emitter on the smartwatch to reach a second portion of the sample patch that corresponds to an active region of the sample patch.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Wearable sample testing accessory for a smartwatch
- Patent number
- US12748037B1
- Application number
- 18789487
- Filed
- Jul 30, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 19
Classified under
G01N 21/17 Physics & computingG06F 1/163 Physics & computingG01N 2021/0112 Physics & computingG01N 2201/0221 Physics & computingMore from Apple in Wearables
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.