Future Apple Watch might have color changing bands - Patent

Apple has been granted a new patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office which describes a way to add a color change function to the Apple Watch band that adjusts its color depending on users’ clothing.

Apple Watch bands could change colors based on users’ outfits

Spotted by AppleInsider, the company is exploring a new Apple Watch band tech that will allow users to color-coordinate it with the color of their clothes. It would not only deliver a very unique and personalized experience but also eliminate the need to buy multiple Watch bands to match different outfits

The patent states:

Users may desire the ability to customize their watch bands to express variety and style.” For example, a user may desire a watch band of a particular color based on the user’s selection of clothing, other wearable articles, environment, or another preference.

The filing describes the new watch bands with electrochromic features like an applied voltage that can cause a variety of colors and color combinations to be displayed by a single band.

The central examples revolve around bands that are made from a fabric that is itself woven from filaments while the patent tries to describe every possible use of its core idea the central examples revolve around bands that are made from a fabric that is itself woven from filaments.

Some or all of the filaments can include electrochromic features. For example, one or more of the filaments can include a conductor and an electrochromic layer.

The electrochromic layer can be electrically connected to the conductor so that voltage applied to the conductor is communicated to the electrochromic layer. The electrochromic layer can include a polymer layer… (which) can react, in the presence of an applied voltage, to change its colour, as described further herein

The report mentioned that the patent is credited to four inventors, three of whom previously worked on research for touch-sensitive fabrics for a future HomePod — Zhengyu Li, Chia-Chi Wu, and Qiliang Xu.