A newly filed patent by Apple at the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) has shed light on a potential upcoming feature for AirPods. The patent indicates that Apple aims to improve the listening experience by accounting for the surrounding acoustics and creating a more immersive and natural sound output.
The patent proposes dynamically adjusting the acoustics of the earphones based on the surrounding environment. According to the patent description, this could help users enjoy audio or video content in different settings, such as while driving, relaxing on the grass, attending a lecture, commuting on a train, or watching TV at home.
To achieve this, the proposed algorithm will automatically adjust the sound pressure level and simulate the acoustics of the environment to enhance the listening experience. Additionally, the sound acoustics of the source audio or video file will also be fine-tuned. The patent also suggests that the Spatial Sound feature could play a crucial role in achieving this goal of creating a more immersive listening experience.
The AirPods’ superior sound quality is often praised for its balanced bass and crisp treble. It is made possible by a proprietary chip that optimizes sound performance and ensures smooth connectivity with Apple devices. The earbuds also boast beamforming microphones that filter out unwanted noise and provide clear voice quality for phone calls and Siri commands.
Additionally, the earbuds feature an adaptive equalizer that adjusts the music based on the shape of the wearer’s ear to ensure optimal sound quality. As Apple continues to develop new upgrades for future AirPods, this new patent reveals the company’s plans for enhancing the listening experience even further with technology that adjusts the acoustics of earphones based on the user’s environment.
Apple is aiming to enhance the binaural audio processing of its AirPods through the implementation of digital signal processing technologies, spatial audio functions, and microphones. This would allow for the simulation of real-life soundscapes directly at the listener’s eardrums, resulting in an “engaging” and “immersive” audio experience. By utilizing this technology, the sound quality is elevated and creates a sense of depth and space, making the audio content feel more lively and three-dimensional.
Apple has also recently filed a patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office for a touchscreen display on the AirPods charging case. The patent shows a small display on the charging case that could be used to display information about the AirPods, such as battery life, and also to receive touch input from the user.
Indeed, just because a company files a patent doesn’t always mean it will be implemented in a future product. However, Apple is known for continuously improving and innovating its products, and the company’s history of investing in audio technology suggests that there may be a good chance of this feature being incorporated into future AirPods.
Source: IT Home