A patent application granted by Apple by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shows how the Apple Watch could protect users from sunburn.
With the introduction of watchOS 5, Apple has added a number of new features and expanded some functions. One of these extensions can be found in the Weather app. Here you can now see not only the temperature but also the UV index. On Apple Watch Series 4 models, this value can be displayed directly on the "Infograph" and "Infograph Modular" watch faces.
What is the UV index?
The UV index (UVI) is an internationally standardized measure of the solar irradiance (ultraviolet radiation) that can cause sunburn. In general, the UV index is a measure of the strongest solar radiation around midday. The higher the UVI, the faster health damage such as sunburn can occur on unprotected skin. The value displayed on the Apple Watch should therefore serve as a guide. From a UV index of 3, additional protection is generally recommended - sunscreen, for example, would be recommended here.
“UV dosimetry and exposure alert”
The patent with registration number 10,132,680 could expand the function here. According to the description, Apple wants to install special sensors in the surface of the Apple Watch casing, which can measure the intensity of the radiation with the help of suitable software and then warn the user. In general, patents should be treated with caution. It is not uncommon for many such ideas to never make it into finished products.
