Galaxy Z Fold with blood pressure sensor display: Samsung patents innovative PPG sensor
Shortly after Samsung announced the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, Patently Apple was able to track down an interesting patent recently filed by Samsung. It describes a sensor that could allow a whole range of devices to measure the user's blood pressure. According to the patent filing, the sensor would be suitable for smartwatches, tablets, notebooks and foldable smartphones.
The patent's illustrations feature the sensor on a foldable smartphone. The patent describes how a PPG sensor, such as the one in the Galaxy Watch7, is integrated directly into the display. The pixels of the screen replace the red and green LEDs that are usually used to measure the user's pulse and blood oxygen saturation (via the reflected light). The color and brightness of the light emitted by the pixels can be adjusted depending on how the display is touched in order to ensure the best possible signal-to-noise ratio at all times.
The pixels also function as a sensor at the same time, as they are supposed to be light-sensitive. PPG sensors usually only measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. In order to calculate blood pressure, a pressure sensor is used in addition to the PPG sensor, which determines how firmly the user presses their finger on the display.
It is unclear just how precise blood pressure data is via such a sensor. Even the Galaxy Watch7 has to be calibrated with a conventional blood pressure monitor in order to provide accurate readings.
The Huawei Watch D2 uses a much more complex setup, requiring an inflatable wristband that acts as a blood pressure cuff, while users have to hold their wrist at heart level for accurate readings. As usual, patents do not necessarily mean that Samsung is actually planning to launch such a product.
Source(s)
USPTO via Patently Apple
