Evolution of wearable devices through patent drawings

Samsung's new smart watch patent

Speculation has been rampant that Samsung has revealed its new smartwatch via patent applications published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

As reported by ZDNet, this wearable could not only be controlled through gestures, but also come equipped with image recognition technology. There were a total of eight patents published that document this product.

The patent is described on Google Patent Search as a mobile electronic device and it looks similar to Motorola's Android Wear Moto 360.

U.S. Patent number: 20140143678

Filed: Aug. 30, 2013

Publication date: May 22, 2014

Assignee: Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.

Image taken from U.S. Patent number 20140143678 - Digitized by Google

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Google Patent Search

Early Samsung smart watch

Samsung filed this patent eight years ago, in 2006, and described it as "a wrist watch-type headset assembly for wirelessly communicating with a portable terminal..." It's a wrist-worn device that communicates with a headset with a Bluetooth module.

U.S. Patent number: 20070042821

Filed: Aug. 22, 2006

Publication date: Feb. 22, 2007

Assignee: Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20070042821 - Digitized by Google

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Google Patent Search

Apple's enhanced pedometer patent

One of Apple's recently published patents details a wrist-worn pedometer with enhanced processing algorithms. It calculates the amount of steps taken based on the user's location.

U.S. Patent number: 20140074431

Filed: Sept. 10, 2012

Publication date: March 13, 2014

Assignee: Apple Inc.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20140074431 - Digitized by Google

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Google Patent Search

Google's contact lens with a built-in camera

Google has filed a series of patents for various contact lens that capture image data. This version allows the viewer to see a "thin image capture component integrated on or within a contact lens", otherwise known as a camera.

U.S. Patent number: 20140098226

Filed: Oct. 8, 2012

Publication date: April 10, 2014

Assignee: Google Inc.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20140098226 - Digitized by Google

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Sony's smartwig

Sony has filed a patent for a wig with built-in sensors for inputing data. The patent, for what Sony has called a "smartwig", is designed to hide the wearable device from view.

Speculation has been rampant that Samsung has revealed its new smartwatch via patent applications published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The patent is described on Google Patent Search as a mobile electronic device and it looks similar to Motorola's Android Wear Moto 360.

U.S. Patent number: 20130311132

Filed: May 10, 2013

Publication date: Nov. 21, 2013

Assignee: Sony Corp.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20130311132 - Digitized by Google

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Google Patent Search

Original Google Glass filing

No patent gallery on wearables would be complete without the original Google Glass patent. This is it.

U.S. Patent number: 20130044042

Filed: Aug. 18, 2011

Publication date: Feb. 21, 2013

Assignee: Google Inc.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20130044042 - Digitized by Google

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Google Patent Search

Possible thick-frame option on Google Glass

This particular patent hinted at a possible thick frame option, LTE, dual batteries and more for Google Glass.

U.S. Patent number: 20130235331

Filed: March 7, 2012

Publication date: Sept. 12, 2013

Assignee: Google Inc.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20130235331 - Digitized by Google

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Google Patent Search

Fitbit activity tracker with chemical motion detector

Fitbit has released a number of activity tracker patents, and this is one of the latest. The images shows that it can be worn in various spots on the body. What's different about this one is it will include a coupon, based on the amount of exercise by the user, to encourage additional activity through a reward system. The activity tracker will use a chemical motion detector to determine when an activity threshold has been reached and a coupon is issued.

According to the patent, "The present application is directed to an interactive coupon redeemable by the holder after having participated in physical activity for a predetermined period of time."

U.S. Patent number: 20140143038

Filed: Jan. 27, 2014

Publication date: May 22, 2014

Assignee: Fitbit Inc.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20140143038 - Digitized by Google

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Augmented reality glasses

These augmented reality glasses include a processor that assists with event and sensor-triggered user movement controls. This is one of a series of patents that attracted plenty of attention, with Microsoft reportedly paying up to $150 million for IP assets for the patents from Osterhout Design Group.

U.S. Patent number: 20120206485

Filed: Jan. 3, 2012

Publication date: Aug. 16, 2012

Assignee: Osterhout Group Inc.

Image taken from U.S. Patent 20120206485 - Digitized by Google

To read more about wearables, visit ZDNet's special feature: Wearables - Fit for Business?