Just weeks before the Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to have body temperature sensor capabilities, Apple has been granted a patent for a temperature sensor that can be used for the Apple Watch.
MyHealthyApple spotted a patent that was granted in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The only device depicted in the patent's illustrations is the Apple Watch, which could be a clue as to what Apple has in mind for the technology.
An electronic device housing that surrounds a temperature sensor and a differential temperature probe is protected by a patent from Apple. The system calculates the difference between the ends of a probe. While one end touches the surface, the other is connected to a temperature sensor. There is a correlation between the different ends of the probe and the differential temperature.
The temperature probe is configured to generate a voltage corresponding to a temperature gradient between a first end of the probe and a second end of the probe. The temperature sensor can be disposed within an electronic device housing. A first end of the probe can be coupled to the temperature sensor and a second end of the probe can be coupled to any suitable surface, whether internal or external, of the electronic device... In this construction, the temperature sensor can be configured to measure a temperature, at any given sampling time or sampling rate, of any surface or volume to which the sensing surface is exposed.
The patent explains how the temperature sensor works. While the patent covers how a dedicated temperature sensor could be used inside a device to monitor the temperature of a component like the processor, it doesn't cover how the sensor can be used outside.
Apple explicitly mentions how the external probe may be located on a back surface such as a back crystal of a smart watch, and that the system includes a high-precision and high-accuracy absolute temperature sensor. One of the more striking designs is a cross-shaped temperature probe that is outlined in the patent.
Apple originally intended to offer a body temperature measurement feature with the Apple Watch Series 7 models, but the company put it on hold when the body temperature algorithm it had developed failed to meet requirements before the device entered the engineering validation testing phase.
Apple's problems with body temperature measurement are said to be related to the fact that skin temperature quickly varies based on the environment, and that the feature is reliant on an algorithm that produces accurate results. The hardware setup for a temperature sensor is covered by the patent.
Since many of Apple's patents are never used, they can't be taken as proof of the company's plans, but they do show areas of research and development, and sometimes reveal upcoming products, such as the AirTag.
It's hard to ignore the reports about the Apple Watch Series 8 offering a body temperature sensor, something that has been rumored for a long time. The sensor will be used to provide at least two new health monitoring features, according to reports.
According to the Wall Street Journal and Mark Gurman, the body temperature sensor will help with fertility planning. Expanding features in women's health seems to be in line with the company's objectives as Apple has focused on women's health in recent years.
The body temperature sensor can be used to detect sleep patterns. The Apple Watch's sleep tracking in watchOS 9 is aided by hardware this year, meaning that further improvements in this area are possible.
When the Apple Watch Series 8 is released, it is not likely that the body temperature sensor will be included. According to Gurman, Apple Watch models could determine if a user has a higher than normal body temperature, but it's not likely to show an exact measurement.
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