Google revealed during their I/O developers conference last week that they will be making a strong push into the wearables department with their Android Wear system. Probably unrelated, but it has also come to light that rival tech giant Microsoft will also be exploring the medium – rather unsurprisingly.

In a patent filed with the US Trademark and Patent Office (USTPO), an abstract from the “Wearable Personal Information System” details just how the unit would be put together and how it works:

“The system may include a portable information device having a housing including a top surface defined at least partially by a display, a bottom surface configured with a central region in which an optical sensor, electrical connector, and data connector are positioned, the housing enclosing an internal volume in which a processor is provided, the top surface and bottom surface being coupled by a perimeter side edge extending there between, and a mounting structure formed at least partially around the perimeter side edge of the housing,” the abstract reads.

From the background description Microsoft details how wrist-worn wearable units have been developed in the past for exercise and outdoor activities, but that they are cumbersome to clean, replace the straps and can malfunction if exposed to the wearer’s sweat.

It becomes a bit clearer into which segment Microsoft will be wading into to make a difference – fitness:

“The use of multiple components in this manner can be bulky and make exercise awkward. As a result, the adoption of such portable electronic devices during exercise is not as widespread as it could be.”

It is just a patent filing for how the device will work and what components it will use, but doesn’t offer any thing in terms of operating system, exact functions or what the final product will look like.

We will just have to wait and see what happens…

[Source – USTPO]