Apple Watch may get new environmental sensors

Although Apple Watch is known as a device focused on users’ health and wellbeing, the company may be planning to add new environmental sensors to the smartwatch. According to two new patents, the company is exploring the integration of sensors such as thermometers, anemometers, bolometers and heat-flux sensors in Apple Watch.

An anemometer can measure wind speed and direction. According to one of the patents, titled “Electronic Devices With Anemometers”, this sensor can be useful for fitness apps (for example, calculating an athlete’s power output while exercising in the wind), weather forecasting, temperature measurement and other desired functions.

The patent says the anemometer can be attached to the device’s case or to a mesh that covers one or more components inside the device, such as a speaker or microphone. To measure air speed, the sensor can heat to a specific temperature. When the metal’s temperature drops until it reaches an equilibrium temperature, the sensor can indicate the air speed.

A bolometer measures thermal energy, or radiant heat, emitted by a body. This sensor can detect environmental variables such as the presence of water, ambient temperature and solar radiation.

The other patent, called “Electronic Devices With Multi-Function Environmental Sensors”, states that a bolometer can consist of a layer or wire of metal heated to a specified temperature, and its electrical resistance can change according to the amount of radiant heat it receives.

A device known as a heat-flux sensor can measure the rate of heat transfer between two surfaces. This sensor can monitor the user’s metabolism, body heat loss, skin temperature and other health and comfort metrics.

The multifunction sensor patent says that a heat-flux sensor can consist of a layer or wire of metal heated to a known temperature. The temperature difference between its ends indicates the heat flow.

A thermometer is a device that measures temperature, in this case the air temperature around you. Depending on the weather, this sensor can adjust screen brightness, sound volume, power-saving mode and other device settings.

The multifunction sensor patent says a thermometer can consist of a layer or wire of metal heated to a known temperature, and the rate at which its temperature falls can be compared with the rate of a reference resistor.

Apple’s patents show that the company is exploring new environmental sensors for Apple Watch, which could enhance its features and use cases. However, patents do not guarantee these sensors will appear in future watch models, since that depends on several factors such as cost, demand and technical feasibility. For now, we can only imagine how these sensors might increase the intelligence and usefulness of Apple Watch.