Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to a possible new health related app for the iPhone and Apple Watch. The patent covers computer user interfaces relating to techniques for managing walking steadiness data. Technically, this is now a patent fulfilled, as this new app was included with the release of iOS 16. Though Apple's support page has it linked to iOS 15. This report is for those who are interested in the patent that gave birth to this new iOS App.

While most patents are published well before they come to market, there are times, like now, where Apple patents are published after the product, app or service has come to market.

In their patent background, Apple notes that computers can be used to provide a user with feedback about the health of the user. For example, a computer can monitor a user's heartrate and provide the user with feedback about the user's heartrate. For another example, a computer can be used to monitor a user's blood oxygen level and provide the user with feedback about the user's blood oxygen level.

Today's invention covers techniques for managing walking steadiness data using electronic devices. For example, some existing techniques use a complex and time-consuming user interface, which may include multiple key presses or keystrokes. Existing techniques require more time than necessary, wasting user time and device energy. This latter consideration is particularly important in battery-operated devices.

Apple's patent Figures below in the 6-series illustrate exemplary user interfaces for managing walking steadiness data.

If you're interesting in the finer details of this invention, read the full patent application US 20220386896 A1.

Apple's patent behind tracking a women's menstrual cycle was also published today under US 20220387003 A1 well after it's official release. Those interested could review that patent, here.

Apple Inventors

Mariah Whitmore: Engineering Manager (Led technical cross functional product development of Walking Steadiness Feature on iOS)

Matthew Crowley; Heath System Designer

Ruchi Goswami: Software Engineering Manager 

James Kretlow: Special Projects, Health

Adeeti Ullal: Health Algorithms - Motion Technologies

Nicholas Felton: Human Interface Design

Robert Carlsen: iOS Software Engineer

Dimitri Cavander: Human Interface Design

Heather Daniel: Producer Human Interface Design

Eamon Gilravi (Gilmartin):  Designer / Writer