Samsung patents phone screen that finds hidden wearables via light
Samsung describes a method where a phone detects a specific touch shape and emits a patterned light signal from its screen. A wearable device, such as a watch or ring, detects this light and sends back a matching pattern to confirm it is resting on the display. The phone then uses this confirmation to show information about the wearable on the screen.
In the filing’s own words
A method performed by an electronic device including a communication circuit, includes: identifying a touch input of a designated shape, based on the touch input, outputting a light emitting signal with a first pattern through an area on the display, wherein the area corresponds to the touch input, obtaining, using the communication circuit, information on a light receiving signal identified by a wearable device after outputting the light emitting signal, identifying, based on the information on the light receiving signal, a second pattern related to the light receiving signal, identifying, based on the second pattern corresponding to the first pattern, that the wearable device is located on the display, and displaying, through the display, information about the wearable device.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An electronic device comprising: a display comprising at least one of an electromagnetic inductive circuit or a touch screen panel; a communication circuit; at least one processor; and memory comprising one or more storage media storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to: identify a touch input of a designated shape, based on the touch input, output a light emitting signal with a first pattern through an area on the display, wherein the area corresponds to the touch input, obtain, using the communication circuit, information on a light receiving signal identified by a wearable device after outputting the light emitting signal, identify, based on the information on the light receiving signal, a second pattern related to the light receiving signal, identify, based on the second pattern corresponding to the first pattern, that the wearable device is located on the display, and display, through the display, information about the wearable device.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
- Official title
- ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING WEARABLE DEVICE LOCATED ON DISPLAY
- Publication number
- US20260329377A1
- Application number
- 19714994
- Filed
- Jun 22, 2026
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 3/014 Physics & computingG06F 3/0304 Physics & computingG06F 3/0354 Physics & computingG06F 3/04162 Physics & computingG06F 3/046 Physics & computingG06F 3/14 Physics & computingMore from Samsung in Wearables
- Samsung patents wearable that tracks brain waves to suggest health actions Oct 6, 2026
- Samsung patents wristwatch with flexible screen that wraps around your wrist Oct 15, 2026
- Samsung patents ring that projects a screen onto your skin Oct 22, 2026
- Samsung patents glasses with moving lenses to adjust focus Sep 1, 2026
- Samsung patents wearable that adjusts walking force while you test walk Sep 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.