When Apple introduced the Apple Watch, it also did so as a device that would help us stay healthy. One of the ways to achieve this would be by motivating ourselves to do physical exercise. They also presented HealthKit, which are tools to be able to research some diseases. Today a request for license in which it is suggested that Tim Cook and company plan turn Apple Watch into a complete medical device that it can be constantly analyzing our vital constants and send an alert notice if we need urgent assistance.
This new patent has been called «Help event detection and alerts»And describes a hardware system capable of analyze the environment around you for what they have called "relief events," which they have described as any event requiring personal, police, fire rescue, or other emergency technical assistance. For example, a device could be programmed to monitor a user's heart to detect arrhythmias and, when detected, send an alert to a family member or to emergencies.
The Apple Watch of the future could save lives
In the patent application Apple Watch not mentioned Specifically, but it is the only current Apple device can meet all the objectives. The rest of the devices on the block do not meet the requirements described in this patent. We could also think that they could manufacture other simpler bracelets, but in that case they would have to create one for each medical emergency, since, if the intention is to launch a device with fewer functions to make it more economical, this new device should be simpler. Also, as a profit-seeking company, it would be a good idea for Apple to include these functions in a watch whose most affordable model exceeds € 400. If extra hardware were needed, its cost would be added to that of the Apple Watch, which seems logical and more so in a company like Apple.
When the device in question detects one of these attention events, the system sends alerts to a predefined list of recipients, which is called "attendance list" or "circle of attention." This list would be established by the user and would contain contact information for family members, physicians, and general emergency services.
So that the system can work, needs a tune-up to avoid false alarms. The patent includes a method that intensifies the notifications based on their severity before sending them to the recipients of the attention list and they are divided into a different hierarchy. For example, a spouse or family member may be at the first level of the attendance list and receive the initial notice. In some scenarios, emergency services are at the highest level and are only notified if the situation escalates or all recipients on the list have been notified and have not responded to the call.
As we always say, that a patent has been filed does not mean that we will see it in a future product of the company that has presented it, but it helps us to know what they are working on. Taking into account that health is another market that seems to be gaining importance, we can think that sooner or later we will see something similar to what is described in this patent in a w from Apple. Of course, we will surely have to wait a long time.