Recognition: Eric Zeman / Android Authority
- Future foldable Samsung phones could function as fitness tracking devices.
- The company is currently exploring ways to equip its foldable devices with serious health sensors.
- These sensors could measure blood pressure and other health data.
Samsung could work on adding health sensors to its future foldable phones. A patent granted to the company (h / t LetsGoDigital) shows it’s a technology for measuring blood pressure and other health data through foldable phones with inward-flip displays like the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold 2.
The patent document contains illustrations showing how health surveillance works on foldable Samsung phones. They use a Galaxy Fold design with health sensors placed both inside and outside the fold. A description shows that the technology can also be applied to clamshell devices.
One of the images shows two sensors placed under the lower part of the flexible screen. Placing an index finger on either or both sensors will give health readings. It appears that the phone is taking a picture, converting pixel intensity to pulse wave amplitude (a measure of how blood flows through your finger), and using an amplitude conversion model to collect health information.
The device also calculates the pressure exerted by the finger. To do this, the finger must be clamped between the two foldable displays (see picture above). In this case, the health data will be displayed on the cover of the foldable phone.
Alternatively, Samsung may choose to put the health sensors on the outside of the foldable phone. Measurements can be taken by pressing the palm of the hand against the device. There is also a way to get measurements by grasping both ends of the phone.
According to the patent, this technology can measure multiple health metrics on foldable phones. These include measurements for blood pressure, vessel age, aortic pressure waveform, stress, fatigue, and more. Essentially a lot of the things your smartwatches are doing right now.
There’s no word on when Samsung will implement these health monitoring features on foldable phones. The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are good candidates, but there is no way of knowing whether or not they will get the new technology.
