Rumors have abounded that Apple plans to make an “Apple Ring.” However, a newly granted patent (number US 12056285 B2) for “Electrodes for Gesture Recognition” shows that the company is also considering a bracelet device. Either that, or a major revamp of the Apple Watch is planned.
About the patent
Many types of input can be provided for performing operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys, mice, trackballs, joysticks, touch sensor panels, touch screens and the like. In addition, other types of input such as audio input (e.g., voice commands), accelerometer input (e.g., device motion, shaking, etc.) and user gestures can also be provided as inputs. In particular, a person’s physical motions, such as eye gaze, body movement and the like can be detected and tracked over time as inputs to the computing system.
Apple says that hand gestures, in particular, can be detected by touch or proximity sensors in a touch sensing panel. However, these sensors generally have limited detection range, and therefore the hand gestures must be performed in close proximity to the panel.
In some embodiments, these gestures can be detected by one or more cameras in communication with the computing system that are able to track the user’s gestures and interpret them as inputs. However, camera-based systems have line of sight limitations, and require complex hardware and image processing. In other embodiments, handheld or wearable devices such as wands, controllers, or gloves can be employed to track user gestures. However, these devices are not commonly worn or used, and are therefore less socially acceptable, Apple says. Apparently, the tech giant thinks an “Apple Bracelet” might be the answer.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Electrodes that can be formed in a flexible band of a wrist-worn device to detect hand gestures are disclosed. Multiple rows of electrodes can be configured to detect electromyography (EMG) signals produced by activity of muscles and tendons. The band can include removable electrical connections (e.g., pogo pins) to enable the electrode signals to be routed to processing circuitry in the housing of the wrist-worn device.
“Measurements between signals from the active electrodes and one or more reference electrodes can be obtained to capture EMG signals at a number of locations on the band. The measurement method and mode of operation (lower power coarse detection or higher power fine detection) can determine the location and number of electrodes to be measured. These EMG signals can be processed to identify hand movements and recognize gestures associated with those hand movements.”
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