On Tuesday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 46 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. In this particular report we briefly cover the ECG App patent for Apple Watch and a technical patent covering Micro Device Mass Transfer Tools. And as always, we wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple on Tuesday

The ECG App for Apple Watch

Apple's granted patent relates to devices and methods of using an Apple Watch to detect a user contact with one or more electrode(s) for the measurement of a physiological signal (e.g., ECG signals) for processing and/or display on the mobile or wearable device.

The mobile or wearable device can comprise one or more measurement electrodes, one or more reference electrodes, and processing circuitry coupled to the electrodes. In some examples, the device can include a stimulation circuit. The stimulation circuit can drive a stimulation signal on one of the measurement electrodes.

In some examples, the processing circuitry can detect a signal resulting from the stimulation signal and, based on the detected signal, determine whether a user is in contact with the one or more measurement electrodes. In some examples, upon determining that a user is in contact with the one or more measurement electrodes, the processing circuitry can measure a physiological signal of the user.

Apple's patent FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate example systems of measuring physiological signals (ECG); FIG. 6 illustrates an example system for measuring physiological signals; FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary process of physiological signal detection including contact detection and/or saturation detection.  

For more details, review granted patent US 11478193 B2

Micro Device Mass Transfer Tools

Apple's Patent Abstract: "A micro device transfer tool and methods of operation are described. In an embodiment, the micro device transfer tool includes an articulating transfer head assembly capable of six degrees of motion. A miniatured camera assembly may be secured near the point of contact for the articulating transfer head assembly to aid in system alignment. In an embodiment, an encoder system is described for alignment of a micro pick up array and target substrate using complementary concentric grating patterns. In an embodiment a miniaturized position sensor design is described for sensing position of various system components during alignment or pick and place processes."

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a perspective view of a micro device transfer tool; FIG. 2 is a bottom side perspective view of an articulating transfer head assembly; and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional side view illustration of a camera mounted on a z-adjustment stage.

For engineers interested in reviewing granted patent US 11480742 B1, click here.

Today’s Remaining Granted Patents