Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was just granted twenty-three new patents. One of the new patents is for an embedded heart rate monitor. This particular patent is described as a sensor found inside the screen bezel or any other part of the device that can read EKG data.
Apple’s heart rate patent has potential
The patent for the heart rate monitor describes a way to identify the user with their unique biometric information. This would be similar to the fingerprint sensor found on the iPhone 5S, however this sensor would be used to monitor your heart health. This patent, which initially was reported in 2010, will measure cardiac signals. Such a patent would likely prove useful, but it still couldn’t replace regular doctor visits.
The heart rate monitor patent could be featured in in an electronic device and come with either hardware or software operative. This could, “process the output of a cardiac sensor to extract, from the received output, characteristics of the user’s heartbeat, heart rate, or other cardiac signals.”
Touch screen sensor patent designed to improve
Another notable patent granted to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) today is the hover touch sensor. This particular patent describes a way to detect whether a user’s fingerprint is near but not physically in contact with touchscreen device. Hover input can be used to command a device, with a screen outputting electrical field to determine the user’s finger position. What’s more is that this system is more than just hover controls; it’s also a system with improved touch detection.
A hover field detector could help the device determine if the touch was intentional or accidental. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s current iPad tablets already feature thinner side bezels and touch rejection. Some applications also feature palm rejection. This new patent would better improved accident touch rejection.
Other patents granted to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) include five design patents for the iPhone 3GS, MacBook Air, iPad with Smart Cover, Apple Store display, and cords/packaging.
