Modular Band Links Could Expand Functionality of Future Apple Watches

Apple continues to explore how wristbands might augment the feature list of future smartwatch models, as shown in a new patent granted today.

First picked up by AppleInsider, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published details on Apple's designs for "Modular functional band links for wearable devices", which first surfaced last April.

The patent describes a band made of a series of modular links containing electronic components, which are attached to each other using a flexible conductive material.

Apple Watch band patent
A number of possible uses are mentioned for the linked design, including batteries, speakers, kinetic power generators, haptic feedback devices, and more. Biometric sensors are also covered, such as blood pressure monitors and sweat sensors.

The modular accessory links are arranged serially across a power circuit and communications bus, with module control achieved by way of a unique identifier assigned to each link. In one example, an audio signal is sent from the timepiece through the chain of linked modules and activates only those modules assigned with a particular identifier.

Other examples describe links being used as external ports for interfacing with off-device components such as expandable memory modules. In most of the embodiments, the modular links connect to a 6-pin diagnostic port on the watch.

As always, there's no suggestion that the invention should be expected to appear in a finished product, but the patent does highlight Apple's continuing search for ways to expand the capabilities of a future Apple Watch or other wearable beyond the chassis, which could ultimately extend the life cycle of the watch body and allow future updates to come in the form of new band accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tag: Patent
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

djcerla Avatar
104 months ago
I highly doubt this will happen. It's messy and breakable...though so is Apple under cook
Apple is about to report their best quarter in history.

Look elsewhere for a "messy and breakable" company, i.e. Samsung, or Volkswagen. Or Google, that keeps failing at a massive rate with only one product keeping the boat afloat.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmh600cbr Avatar
104 months ago
I highly doubt this will happen. It's messy and breakable...though so is Apple under cook
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SteveJobs2.0 Avatar
104 months ago
They should patent a ton of ideas and then never produce them, ensuring no one else does either.
That's what they are effectively doing, thus decreasing the overall output of innovation in the world.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacFan23 Avatar
104 months ago
Hasn't this idea been a thing for a while now?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arkanok Avatar
104 months ago
They're already charging $600 CDN for their stainless steel link bracelet, I can't even begin to imagine how much this would cost us.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)