Google patents smartwatch feature that warns you if you're too groggy to walk safely
This patent describes a method where a wearable device analyzes your sleep quality and walking speed after waking up. It adjusts its fall detection sensitivity based on these factors to better identify when you are at higher risk of tripping or falling.
In the filing’s own words
A computer-implemented method for assessing a fall risk of a user is provided. The computer-implemented method includes obtaining data indicative of the user engaging in a fall risk activity. The computer-implemented method includes adjusting a fall detection threshold of a wearable computing device worn by the user based, at least in part, on the data indicative of the user engaging in the fall risk activity. The method includes providing a notification indicative of the user being at risk of falling due, at least in part, to the user engaging in the fall risk activity.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method for assessing a fall risk of a user, the method comprising: obtaining, by one or more processors, sleep data from one or more sensors of a wearable computing device, the sleep data associated with a sleep event of a user wearing the wearable computing device; obtaining, by the one or more processors, motion data from the one or more sensors of the wearable computing device, the motion data indicative of a pace at which the user walks after waking from the sleep event; adjusting, by the one or more processors, a fall detection threshold of the wearable computing device according to the sleep data and the motion data; and providing, by the one or more processors, a notification to the user based on the fall detection threshold being indicative of an increased risk of falling.
Facts
- Company
- Google (Google LLC)
- Official title
- Fall Risk Assessment for a User
- Publication number
- US20260294278A1
- Application number
- 19702395
- Filed
- Jun 9, 2026
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
A61B 5/1117 Human necessitiesA61B 5/4809 Human necessitiesA61B 5/4812 Human necessitiesA61B 5/4815 Human necessitiesA61B 5/681 Human necessitiesA61B 5/7267 Human necessitiesMore from Google in Wearables
- Google patents earbuds that verify identity using ultrasound in the ear canal Oct 6, 2026
- Google patents wristband that reads hand gestures from blood flow Oct 13, 2026
- Google patents earbuds that detect jaw movement to switch modes Sep 8, 2026
- Google patents smartwatch guide for pointing your arm at satellites Sep 10, 2026
- Google patents glasses that flash lights in your eye for alerts Oct 8, 2026
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.