When Apple was first granted a patent for Touch ID for Apple Watch back in 2017, it seemed like an odd duck to have it positioned on a side button and not applied to under the display. Then Apple surprised us by taking their invention and applying the Touch ID button to the top of the 2020 iPad Air. Technically, that made it a patent fulfilled but wasn't recognized as such because the focus device of the original patent was actually Apple Watch as noted in our cover graphic.

Apple had noted that their invention could be applied to "computers, touch sensitive devices, other wearable devices" and more. Considering that the Touch ID button works perfectly fine for iPad, Apple could very easily apply it to Apple Watch at some point in the future. Of course, Apple may decide to continue to add more health sensors in the limited internal space that the watch provides prior to advancing the Touch ID button.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below illustrates a view of one example of an Apple Watch with a biometric sensing system and button assembly on a sidewall; FIG. 4D is an exploded view of portions of the embodiment of a biometric sensing system; FIG. 3C is another view of portions of the embodiment of a biometric sensing system.

Apple's patent FIG. 3C below depicts an assembly of the flexible conduit #340 fitted to the button housing #303. The flexible conduit may include an upper portion #339 that is connected to a sensor (not shown) A second or sealing portion #341 of the flexible conduit is coupled to the first portion by a folded portion #343. The sealing portion may be generally flat and may interface with the seal to form a seal region.

Apple's latest patent application adds 20 new patent claims to advance and protect their invention from competitor and patent trolls. Out of the 20 new patent claims, Apple adds 15 claims under a new aspect of the invention titled "The input assembly." The first three new patent claims are as follows:

• An input assembly for an electronic device, the input assembly comprising: an enclosure defining an enclosed volume, an external surface, and an opening between the external surface and the enclosed volume; a housing shelf laterally extending into the opening; a compressible layer positioned on the housing shelf; an input member positioned on the compressible layer, the compressible layer being compressible to permit displacement of the input member relative to the housing shelf.

• The input assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a biometric sensor positioned internal to the input member and configured to produce an output signal in response to a touch on an input surface of the input member; a processing device in electronic communication with the biometric sensor; a memory device in electronic communication with the processing device; a display providing an input surface; at least one touch sensing device configured to receive touch input at the input surface.

• The input assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biometric sensor positioned internal to the input member and configured to produce an output signal in response to a touch on an input surface of the input member.

In the last new patent claim listed, Apple adds that this possible future Apple Watch seal comprises an elastomeric material.

For more details and to review the other 16 new patent claims, review Apple's patent application number 20220300041.