Apple Watch Bands with self-tightening, skin texture authentication and LED progress bar detailed in Patents

The US Patent and Trademark Office has today granted Apple several patents for Apple Watch smart tapes with features such as biometric authentication, auto-tightening, and a LED progress indicator, as indicated by Obviously Apple.

Apple Watch with biometric sensor

The first patent describes a Apple Watch tape with a sensor that can authenticate the pattern-based wearer in the texture of the skin of his wrist:

In particular, texture cracks in the skin are usually warmer than the surrounding skin and the hair is colder than the surrounding skin. By using an IR thermal image sensor as a biometric wrist sensor, the hair can be thermally distinguished from cracks in the texture of the skin due to temperature.

This feature would eliminate the need to enter an authentication code on the Apple Watch or a paired iPhone to unlock the watch.

The second patent describes a self-tightening Apple Watch B: and. If the wearer is running or exercising, for example, the wristband may tighten automatically to ensure that it is properly fitted to the wrist during training. . At the end of the physical activity, the group automatically relaxes.

Apple Watch users would be able to define locations where the group will automatically tighten upon arrival, such as a gym.

In other examples, the group could automatically tighten to inform a user of his next turn by walking, driving or swimming; help the wearer count repetitions while lifting weights; or to inform the wearer that they have reached certain distance intervals during execution, for example every kilometer.

Self-tightening Apple Watch B: and

The self-tightening tape could also be part of a two-factor authentication system on the network. Apple Watchas described in the patent:

For example, if a user wishes to access financial information hosted on a banking website, the latter may require both their identification information and a check of a number of tightening / loosening models. sent to an electronic clothing device previously authenticated by the banking website …

In one example, a touch pattern can be a series of five presses on the user's wrist (e.g., tighten and loosen in sequence). The user can then enter "5" to access the banking website.

The third patent describes a Apple Watch band with an LED indicator that would display the progress of an activity or task, such as the completion of the walking, booth and exercise rings. The indicator could also serve as an easy way to check a Apple WatchThe battery life remaining at a glance.

Apple Watch strips with various LED indicators

Apple will host a special event at Steve Jobs Theater next Tuesday, where the new iPhone and the new Apple Watch models. Although a seasonal update of the bands is planned, there have been no rumors or leaks regarding the smart bands.

Do not forget that Apple receives dozens of patents each week and that many inventions do not see the light of day. Patents are also very detailed and encompass many possible ideas, even those for which Apple may not have the intention to progress. It remains to be seen whether any of these groups will materialize.