Apple wants to improve the cell service on your iPhone and Apple Watch

Apple has been granted a patent (number 9,807,661) for “cellular service recovery using cell-specific service history.” The goal is to improve cell service on the iPhone and Apple Watch.

The patent relates to cellular service recovery techniques using cell-specific cellular service history information for an accessory device. According to some embodiments, cellular service history information relating to cellular service loss occasions for each of one or more cells from which the accessory device has previously lost cellular service may be stored. 

It may be determined that cellular service loss is currently occurring from a cell for which cellular service history information relating to cellular service loss occasions is stored. Cellular service recovery may be attempted using the cellular service history information relating to cellular service loss occasions for the cell from which the current cellular service loss is occurring.

Regarding the Apple Watch, in the patent filing, Apple notes that, typically, wearable devices have relatively limited wireless communications capabilities and typically have smaller batteries than larger portable devices, such as smart phones and tablets. The tech giant says that, “in general, it would be desirable to reduce the power requirements of communication devices” so “improvements in the field are desired.”

Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.