The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 64 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we highlight Apple's granted patent that discusses the possible uses for the 'hidden port' that's built into the Apple Watch that's note being utilized as of yet. Apple notes that the Apple Watch may be able to physically plug into a future MacBook to recharge it and more. Of course Apple has a wireless charging solution in the works to perform this very same task in an easier fashion. Which of the two methodologies will be chosen to come to market first is unknown at this time.

Granted Patent: Apple Watch Connector

Apple's newly granted patent 9,445,633 covers their invention relating to the Apple Watch Connector and possible future features. In some embodiments, an attachment member may include one or more electronic components and spring pins or other conductors connectable to a wearable device. In some embodiments, the attachment member may additionally include a connector operable to connect the wearable device to another electronic device. Such connection may allow transfer of power and/or communications between the attachment member and the electronic device and/or between the wearable device and the electronic device via the attachment member.

In Apple's patent FIG. 9C noted below we're able to see an example electronic attachment member 902 with the band connector 904 connected to a computing device / MacBook #908. This configuration may allow power from the MacBook to be provided to the band segment portion #902, a component of the band segment portion (such as a battery for the purpose of charging the battery).

This configuration may also allow data to be transmitted between the MacBook and the Apple Watch band segment portion #902 to allow transfer of files and/or other data, remote commands, software and/or other updates, and so on.

Although the computing device 908 is illustrated as a MacBook, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the computing device 908 may be any kind of computing device such as an iPhone, iMac, iPad, iPod touch and so on.

Apple's patent FIG. 9E noted above shows the example electronic attachment member with the band connector connected to a charger.

To review some of the finer details of granted patent 9,445,633 which was filed in May 2015, click here.

Patently Apple briefly touched on this patent application back in April of this year in a report titled "Apple Invents an Apple Watch Band with Individual Smart Links that Could Add New Functionality." We originally missed the importance of highlighting patent FIGS. 9E and 9C which we've now done in this granted patent report.

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.