Apple patent hints at iWatch-enabled weightlifting tracker

Tuesday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent for a “shoe wear-out sensor, body-bar sensing system, unitless activity assessment and associated methods” that could be used with the rumored iWatch.

The patent describes multiple embodiments of this new sensor. One is a sensor that will tell you when your shoes have worn too thin. Another is a “body-bar sensing system” that attaches to a “body bar” or barbell, counts bar movements, and indicates the number of repetitions on a display screen. The bar device incorporates Hall Sensors, accelerometers, and processors, while display duties are offloaded wirelessly to a secondary device. According to the patent, that second unit could be an MP3 player, phone, or watch — an indication the rumored iWatch may well be on its way to consumers in the near future.

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What the patent definitely marks is Apple’s clear bid for the Healthcare market. The company’s iOS 8, currently in pre-release, is said to feature a new “Health” app that allows users to enter medical data and record information about their workout sessions. The app is part of a collaborative project with Nike and the Mayo Clinic to create a Healthkit framework for Apple devices.

The watch, yet unnamed, is rumored to feature a flexible OLED screen allowing for a more form fitting watch. Apple Insider speculates the product will be released later this year.