Today, Apple's iPhone LED flash doubles as a flashlight which at times could really come in handy trying to find things in the dark or even provide light to guide a person on a path. Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that describes a new accessory device that provides a similar flashlight-like feature that attaches to an Apple Watch band.  

Modular Light Assembly for Apple Watch

Apple's invention relates to accessory devices for Apple Watch that provides an external light source separate from the display of the wearable device.

Accessory devices may include a modular light assembly designed to attach to the wearable device as well as a band (e.g., wristband) of the wearable device.

A modular light assemblies may include one or more discrete light sources that can be controlled (i.e., turned on or off) in a number of ways. For example, the accessory device, when attached to Apple Watch, may be in communication with the watch such that an input to the wearable device can send a command to the accessory device to alter the state of the light sources. In other words, the input can change the state from an unilluminated (off) state to an illuminated (on) state, or vice versa.

Additionally, an accessory device may include a button used to change the state of the light sources. By integrating a modular light source, Apple Watch may rely upon the light source mode, as opposed to a display of a watch, for illumination.

Moreover, when the modular light sources includes a dedicated (i.e., separate) battery, the wearable device is less susceptible to the display draining the wearable device battery.

Also, wearable devices are commonly worn by a user during physical activity, including aerobic activity (e.g., jogging, running). Moreover, wearable devices are also commonly worn by a user while the user is swimming. Accordingly, the user may expose the wearable device to liquid. In this regard, modular light assemblies described herein may include liquid-resistant features, such as seals or O-rings, that prevent liquid ingress to sensitive components.

Systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can provide a modular light assembly that, when used with a wearable device, provides a dedicated illumination device. The modular light assembly can be controlled by a user through interaction with a feature located on the modular light assembly and/or through interaction with the display of the wearable device or other input mechanism of the wearable device.

Apple's patent  FIG. 1 below illustrates a perspective view of an Apple Watch with an accessory device integrated into the Apple Watch band; FIG. 2 illustrates the accessory separated from an Apple Watch.

Apple's  FIG. 6 above illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an accessory device, showing a modification to a housing assembly to enable an alternate communication mode; FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an accessory device, showing a modification to a housing assembly to secure with a band.

To review its full details, review patent application 20230393635.