Apple has been granted several patents related to the “fall detection” feature since 2019. According to the list published by the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) last week, Apple once again introduced the “fall detection” function in sports scenarios, especially after a fall on a bicycle outdoors.
Image source Patently Apple
Apple’s current commercially available “fall detection” feature is aimed at the elderly and will send a distress signal to emergency contacts, hospitals, or emergency hotlines after a fall is detected. In its latest patent, Apple wants to expand the feature to include sports scenarios, and the patent shows several examples of applications.
Apple elaborated a detection method: users wear Apple Watch or wearable devices containing sensors, and other installed sensors on bicycles or other mobile devices, through the analysis of both data to determine whether there is a fall behaviour of the wearer.
