A patent that AppleInsider.com [3] has unearthed sheds interesting new light on the idea that Apple [4] is investigating a smartwatch [5]. The patent [6] was first filed back in August 2011, and is for a "Bi-stable spring with flexible display." This is essentially the same mechanics as a slap-bracelet, married to digital circuitry and a flexible wrap-around display. There's also mention of a kinetic charging system, which means that like old self-winding watches the natural motion of your arm would keep it charged.

When snapped around the wearer's wrist, the screen forms a continuous display, with the device sensing which way the arm is pointing so the display can be easily read. The "watch" would communicate wirelessly with a companion device like a smartphone or tablet, and relevant info would be shown on the display.

Previously this year [7] we've heard rumors that Apple has a 100-strong steam working [5] on the "iWatch" project, and there's also been mention of a "curved" display. Apple's patent indicates that the company is definitely interested in exploring this technology, and the concepts in the patent show that Apple has already come up with smart ways to side-step the problems of limited battery life and small displays that the current crop of smartwatches [8] suffer.

Can Apple inject some life into the digital smartwatch sector? Do you like this somewhat Tron-like design?