Apple Watch may recognize when users change straps

       According to foreign media reports, simply changing to another strap may be enough for a future Apple Watch to reconfigure its settings and start tracking the user's strap usage. For five years, the Apple Watch strap has been a fairly "static" and unchanging part of the Watch experience. "The (Apple Watch) electronic device can respond to the recognition of a particular strap by performing a specific function," Apple said in the new patent application, "such as changing an aspect of the user interface or changing the settings of the electronic device."

　　"Recognizing a strap for a wearable electronic device" still doesn't change the functionality of the straps themselves -- there's no mention of additional sensors or the like -- but it does change what happens when you use them. Specifically, when a user swaps out one strap for another, the patent application says the Apple Watch should be able to tell.

　　In addition to being able to detect when a band is attached or detached, Apple also wants the Apple Watch to be able to recognize which band is being used. And after recognizing the band, the watch should use this recognition in some way.

　　"After recognizing a band, the (Apple Watch) can perform various other actions," Apple said. "People will recognize that any associated actions can be performed by the electronic device after detecting the identification element."

　　“For example, where (the watch) has the desired functionality, the electronic device launches an application, opens a website, starts a timer, displays information, provides an alarm, communicates with another device, or other functions,” it continues.

　　Much of the patent application deals with different ways to identify a watch band, some of which require a QR code that the user simply places against the back of the Watch.

　　“For example,” the patent application continues, “light emitted from the light source may reflect from the identification element. The identification element 190 may include a pattern on the strip that reflects a wavelength of light emitted from the light source. . . This may be infrared light, visible light (e.g., green light), or another wavelength value or range.”

　　In addition, the Apple Watch may also record when and how much a user uses any particular strap. "The usage information tracked includes the date, time, duration, location, activity, and the user's biometrics or environmental characteristics related to the period before, during, or after each strap is used," Apple said.

　　This patent application was filed by Timothy M. Johnson, whose previous work includes patents related to the use of wearable devices for health research.