It was just last week that Patently Apple posted a patent report titled "Apple is Developing Watch Technology to Detect Heart Abnormalities and now blood Pressure. Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published another patent application from Apple relating to a blood pressure app that could be presented in a future Apple Watch. It could be considered part two of last week's revelations.

As with last week's patent, Apple notes that monitoring a patient's biometrics data such as heart rate and blood pressure is to assist a doctor in discovering abnormalities as quickly as possible so as to avoid irreversible damage to the heart.

Apple's invention this time around is about a new intelligent blood pressure monitoring system that could involve devices such as Apple Watch, smartglasses, smart clothing or other wearable devices.

For example, the user device could be set with notifications and/or reminders that would prompt the user to take their blood pressure measurements at a prescribed time or according to a prescribed schedule.

The user device can automatically determine that the user should or should not take a blood pressure measurement based on the user's context and suggest an alternative time for taking the blood pressure measurement. For example, the user's context could include the user's physical and/or psychological state inferred based on sensor data, application data, and/or other detectable information. In some implementations, the user device can automatically monitor the user's blood pressure and take blood pressure measurements based on user context triggers.

Particular implementations provide at least the following advantages. The user device could help the user take more consistent blood pressure readings. The user device can provide context for the blood pressure readings so that a reviewing doctor can make more informed decisions about the user's health. The user device can identify suitable times for resting, active, and stressed blood pressure measurements so that the measurements are most representative of these physical states of the user.

Apple's patent FIG. 7 noted above illustrates an example blood pressure measurement database; FIG. 8 illustrates an example graphical user interface for presenting a blood pressure measurement summary to the user; FIG. 9 illustrates an example graphical user interface for describing the user context associated with a blood pressure measurement.

Apple's patent FIG. 10 noted below illustrates an example graphical user interface for presenting a detailed view of a user's recorded blood pressure measurements.

Apple's patent filing covers more details on Example Processes, Graphical User Interfaces, Example System Architectures and Privacy.

On Privacy

Apple's patent covers example processes, graphical user interfaces and a segment on user privacy which is something that Apple works hard to protect.

In one segment Apple notes that their invention "contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to "opt in" or "opt out" of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services.

In another example, users can select not to provide location information for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to not provide precise location information, but permit the transfer of location zone information.

Apple further contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. For example, personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection should occur only after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities would take any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices."

During Apple's special iPhone event last month there was a segment on the new Apple Watch Series 3 and it was here that Apple's COO Jeff Williams covered Apple's work in a new heart study with Stanford Medicine on the heart rate side of heart care. Today's patent is about blood pressure monitoring and that could be next theoretically for Apple Watch series 4, as it's all part of the larger health project at Apple.

Apple's patent application 20170293727 was filed back in Q2 2016. For more details about this invention, click here. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.

On September 26, 2017 Patently Apple posted a report titled "The FDA Selects Apple and 9 other Tech Companies for Pilot Program Designed to Fast Track Mobile Device Innovations." The program is meant to let the companies get products pre-cleared rather than going through the agency's standard application and approval process that can take months. Apple is now working on making Apple Watch detect heart abnormalities.

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