Samsung is working on a way to make smartphones an ally in the user's health, and to that end, it has patented a method that places health sensors under the screen. Called “Foldable electronic device and bioinformation estimation method using the same,” the feature was discovered by the folks at LetsGoDigital, who even made a rendering of how it would work in the future Galaxy z fold 3.

According to information obtained by the Dutch folks at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the technology can be used both in the Fold, which folds into a tablet shape, and in the future generation of Z Flip, which folds into a clamshell shape. The health sensors under the screen would work in a few different ways, according to the patent filing and accompanying images.

By placing your index finger on one or both sensors, image data can be obtained. The pixel intensity is converted into a pulse wave amplitude, and then information about your health is gathered using an amplitude conversion model. If only one sensor is triggered, the information will be displayed on the internal screen. If both are covered, the information will be displayed on the exterior of the flagship.

Mobile oximeter

The patent filed by Samsung showed that both the Z Fold and Z Flip could have some functions similar to the oximeters, devices widely used in hospitals to measure the oxygenation level in patients' lungs. In this specific case, the finger would be positioned on one of the health sensors under the smartphone screen, which would be closed by “pressing” the region until the data was collected.

According to the information obtained from the document, the sensors under the screen of the folding ones would also capture other information related to the health of patients: such as blood pressure, vascular age (which would indicate the condition of the carotid artery and cholesterol levels), aortic pressure, arterial stiffness, vascular compliance, stress index (already available in some smartwatches) and fatigue level, which is directly linked to the stress index.

The document also says that Samsung intends to adopt some parameters to establish the accuracy with which the sensors under the screen of folding brand will provide information about the user's health. To do this, it is possible to provide data such as gender, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of whoever is holding the smartphone. The sensors will also take into account factors such as temperature and humidity of the environment, for even more accurate feedback.

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