Apple is anticipated to release its next-generation Apple Watch Series 6 this year. A medical equipment recently sued the Cupertino tech giant over claims of patent infringement. Meanwhile, Apple won 39 patents lately, which includes improved technology for the next generation Apple Watch.
New Apple Watch Patent
Patently Apple shares one of the 39 patents granted to the Cupertino tech giant recently. The patent is a new innovation for the PPG system of the Apple Watch. It looks into using more enhanced sensor signal collection and reflection to measure oxygen saturation, heart rate, and more accurately.
The newly granted Apple Watch patent is titled "Enhanced sensor signal collection and reflection of reflected and/or scattered light." In the description, the patent aims to enhance the photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensors. PPG sensors include green-light emitting diodes, infrared, SpO.sub.2, and photodetectors, among others.
While tech advancement is interesting, Apple admits that it comes with a little drawback to the present system. According to Apple, not all light emitted from the sensor is reflected the photodetector. It could be due to the complex interaction of light with the structure of the sensor as well as with the biological tissue.
Because of this, some light scatters to other directions after being released from the skin. Apple said that while metallic surfaces are good reflectors that could improve the performance of the sensor. But, it could also cause interference with capacitative signal detection and electromagnetic signal detection.
The Cupertino company suggests in the patent to include methods for sensor signal collection. It could include a retroreflector that could reflect and redirect scattered light from the device to the body tissue. Moreover, this retroreflector could be configured to reduce the scattering of the light.
According to the patent, it is a component that could reflect the light back in a parallel or nearly parallel direction but opposite in the light source direction regardless of the angle of incidence. It could be used as part of the sensor system or another device of the Apple Watch. With the retroreflector, the Apple Watch can gauge physiological signals to get different types of biometric information.
Apple Accused of Patent Infringement
A few days ago, Masimo and Cercacor filed a patent infringement case against Apple. Both companies said Apple infringed 10 patents. According to Masimo, it had talks with Apple since the company was interested in including its advanced technology. Later, Masimo learned that its technology became the PPG sensors of the Apple Watch.
