Apple has been granted a patent that would equip future devices with built-in sensors that can detect harmful, poisonous gasses, such as carbon monoxide.
According to Patently Apple, “Apple’s patent claim #9 points to a ‘target gas consisting of at least one of ozone (O.sub.3), nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2), nitrogen monoxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH.sub.4) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and wherein the components of a gas mixture other than the target gas comprises poisoning species including siloxanes, sulfates, phosphates and chlorides, and/or interfering species such as water vapor.’”
The patent shows diagrams of a “miniature gas sensing device encased in an enclosure,” with an Apple Watch used in the example.
This is the latest innovation from the tech giant. Earlier this week, it was reported that the company had just patented a “finger-mounted device with sensors and haptics.” The sensors can collect information on how hard someone presses against an object with a press, tap or swipe, and can also allow a user to take control of a virtual keyboard. In addition, Apple has patented a design for an all-glass phone.
The carbon monoxide detector is in line with Apple‘s plans to help its users stay healthy by developing and integrating health technologies into its Apple Watch, iPad and iPhone. The company has even hired medical doctors to work on developing applications to help people with serious medical problems. Sources have revealed that the company currently employs as many as 50 doctors, including Sumbul Desai, a doctor from Stanford Medicine; Mike Evans, a family medicine doctor on the special projects team; and Michael O’Reilly, an anesthesiologist who has been on the Apple team for almost six years.
In addition, Apple has partnered with Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit to study whether the Apple Watch can be used to prevent strokes.
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