Samsung may have discarded with the idea of having a camera in its smartwatch as its first Galaxy Gear didn’t have it, but it looks like LG wants to pursue that train of thought. A German website spotted a patent filing by the other Korean OEM for a design of a smartwatch that will have the ability to take pictures without bringing out your smartphone. But as with all patents, it’s not a guarantee that this will actually turn into a commercially-viable product.
LG filed a patent with the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USTPO) for a smartwatch and the distinguishing feature is that it has a camera module on it. Well, to be more specific, it will be built in on the strap. The patent shows several ways that it can integrate a camera but it’s all into the strap instead of the actual body. One shows an adjustable wrist band so that the user can adjust the camera angle as well.
There is also an option to have an additional metal link in the wristband and this is the one that will have the camera. There is also the possibility of placing a spring click that can be placed anywhere on the strap of your smartwatch. As for the real-world application of having a camera on your wrist, some possibilities include taking a picture of your food for calorie intake tracking or even scanning a QR code that you come across when you’re walking at the mall or in a park.
There is also a phrase in the patent filing that says “mobile terminal” features. While there are no details included, this may mean that the planned smartwatch will come with cellular connectivity. You’ll be able to use the smartwatch and its camera without having your phone nearby.
Since this is just a patent filing, don’t expect any news soon about a new LG smartwatch. Even if they’re actually developing it, it’s still early stages. So we’ll just have to make do with our camera-less smartwatches for now.
VIA: Let’s Go Digital
