Patents, patents and more patents. Large companies like Apple present this type of document weekly with the intention of getting ahead of other manufacturers in their devices of the future, which does not mean that they always end up seeing these light. In any case, today we find a new patent in reference to an interesting functionality that the Apple Watch could adopt one day: gesture detection through muscle movements.
The Apple Watch could detect the gestures we make with our arms
The hands are the main tool of the human being and as such they are not always available. This is most evident in devices such as the Apple Watch, in which we need a free hand to be able to interact with it, since with the other it is impossible for us because the watch is on our wrist. What happens when we can’t use our hands to do it? Well, currently we only have an accelerometer that allows you to activate Siri and ask for something, but with very limited functions to call with the Apple Watch or any other basic function.
It was probably in this inconvenience that Apple thought when it published this week a patent under the title of “Motion and gesture input from a portable device”, a somewhat confusing name if not for the images that accompany it and where the reference to the smart watch. In fact, it is not the first time that Californians have recorded something like this, since in November 2019 and in others dating to 2016 we could see something similar.
The document in question relates a meticulous technological process in which, through a series of myoelectric sensors located on the strap of the Apple Watch, it would be able to detect the movements of each muscle that we have in the arm, in such a way that it knew how to interpret every gesture we make. The patent that you can read by clicking here is really more extensive and explanatory, although without going into very technical fields we can imagine in a way what would be the approach they would give to this functionality.
Mainly it would serve to carry out interactions with the clock without the need to be touching the screen and even to save time on occasions when we could touch it by having the other hand free. In any case it looks like technology still under development and that it would take years to see the light.
Other news related to straps
Another problem that Apple would solve in its watches according to other past patents is that of the fastening of these on our wrist. Beyond currently finding different sizes and styles that can be better adapted, the truth is that depending on whether we are sweating or any other situation, it is possible that this will squeeze us too much. This would be solved with self-adjusting straps , which would also serve to adapt better in times when a greater union with the wrist is required if we are performing an ECG or similar.
Even patents have been found in which light indicators are described that would serve to allow the user to obtain information on the processes through them. For example, reflecting the colors of the activity rings. This patent in question was revealed in 2017 and was never heard from again, although it could be in the chamber for the not too distant future.
As always, despite the existence of these documents registered by Apple itself, we insist on being cautious regarding the possibility of seeing these functions incorporated, or at least in the short term. A large percentage of registered patents end up being wet paper, for not having been able to develop them completely, having become obsolete or simply having changed plans. Many times these patents are made only to cover the backs of the companies, so it is within normality.