Apple’s Patent for New Smart Headphones Can Detect How They Are Worn

Just by listening to a user’s voice, technology in Apple’s new headphones can help you ensure that you never put on your headphones the wrong way again.

The new headphone technology will be able to detect how the headphones are being worn, solving the problem that some users have of wearing the headphones the wrong way. Using an array of new microphones, the audio accessory will be capable of switching channels automatically.

Addressing a Common Problem: Putting on Headphones the Wrong Way

In the patent application published on November 8th of this year at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Apple’s team clearly describes the new technology’s purpose: "System and method for automatic right-left ear detection for headphones." The new headphones can thus detect how the person is wearing the headset, automatically readjusting so that the left-channel audio will play out of the left-hand ear cup and the right-channel audio out of the right-hand ear cup. At the same time, the headphones themselves are not labeled with left and right designations in the design or direct labeling like other manufacturers have chosen to do.

The new technology consists of a set of five microphones placed strategically around each earcup - front, back, top, below to the left of the earcup and one inside towards the user’s ear. The technology listens to the user’s voice, checking the volume and thus figuring out which edge is closest to the person’s mouth and thus determines the orientation of the headphones. After the orientation is determined, the audio signal is then fed into each of the ear cups appropriately.

Another benefit of having multiple microphones is eliminating external noise when a person wearing the headset, makes calls or voice commands. Having five microphones in each ear cup of a pair of headphones would make it easier to isolate a person’s voice from background noise. In addition to making clearer phone calls, the technology would also help Siri better understand voice commands in varying surroundings. Apple has also filed a prior patent in October, "Electronic Devices with Configurable Capacitive Proximity Sensors," for proximity sensor electrodes in the earcup to hep determine the ear’s presence and shape to figure out if it is the left or right ear. Interestingly enough, the new technology can be used in a pillow to help figure out the way a person is sleeping.

Dual Mode Technology: Speaker on the Fly

Apple has been working on several headphone improvements, ranging from its patent on “Spatial Headphone Transparency” which adjusts an audio feed to sound like it is coming from a person’s surroundings instead of headphones. Another idea for a headphone that can function as a speaker has also been proposed called a “dual-mode” headphone as well as headphones that have sensors useful for healthcare and sports fitness monitoring. This next-generation headphone design can transform a stereo loudspeaker automatically, offering new technology integrations for potential EarPods, AirPods or Beats models in the future.

While Apple proactively files patents for many technology ideas, the company does not always necessarily develop these ideas into full-fledged products. However, headphones are potentially different given Apple’s keen interest in audio from iTunes to Apple Music, HomePod, Apple TV and now Apple’s own movie and TV shows. Well known industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also estimated in 2017 that Apple would sell 28 million AirPods or more this year.

Apple Developing High Voltage Battery Power Converters Used for Sports Cars Similar to Porsche

Apple has been working on ways to improve power transfer systems in electric vehicles, which could assist with running low power equipment inside cars, similar to Porsche and other electric car manufacturers.

Porsche’s Floor Battery, Image via Porsche

As the electric car market heats up spurred on by Tesla’s push for widespread charging stations across the United States and worldwide, new models have been appearing in well known car manufacturers, known for precision engineering such as Daimler (owner of Mercedes Benz) and also newer players such as Faraday Future.

Apple’s Proposal for Converter Architecture

Apple has applied for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, published October 11th of this year for "Converter Architecture.” The patent explains how power from a high voltage source could be converted to a lower voltage, and how this can be used in automotive systems.

Both electric and hybrid vehicles are usually power by a high energy source such as a high voltage battery. This system powers the car’s initial movement and also powers internal components and systems ranging from the dashboard to air conditioning, battery controllers and infotainment. Converters that are typically used today are inefficient and vary in their electrical output. This could in turn, damage low voltage components.

Apple has proposed a solution to use an unregulated direct current (DC) converter changing the high energy source into a lower voltage. This in turn, is passed on to a second regulated DC converter that will regulate the vehicle’s voltage. In addition, a second lower-voltage power source like a battery could be connected to a regulated converter and recharged. If the power sent to the regulated converter is below acceptable thresholds, then the second power source will offer a supplemental power, thus ensuring that the vehicle can fully power all connected components. This proposal is intended to assist in the conversion of battery power for both buses and automotive vehicles that have electric vehicle power trains.

Given the patent’s cited high voltage numbers of 800 volts (initial high source) to 48 volts (lower voltage for connected components), it can be expected that the patent is intended for high performance vehicles ranging from sports cars to buses. To put this voltage number in perspective, consider Tesla’s Model S, a luxury vehicle intended for consumers that is known for its initial fast acceleration. The Model S uses a battery voltage of 375 volts.

How and when Apple will use this system is not yet evident, although the company has also filed patents for sunroofs and headlight systems. Well known industry TF International Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kuo has predicted that Apple will come out with its own vehicle down the road, potentially between 2020 and 2025 with excellent integration of hardware, software and services. TF International Securities is a financial services group in the Asia-Pacific region. Ming Chi-Kuo regularly collects intelligence from his contacts in Apple's Asian supply chain, analyzes the data and compiles research notes for his investor clients. Ming Chi-Kuo has become well known as an Apple industry expert for his accurate assessments and predictions. Kuo predicts that a nw Apple Car would revolutionize the automobile market like the iPhone did in 2007.

“We expect that Apple Car, which will likely be launched in 2023–2025, will be the next star product. The reasons for this are as follows: (1) Potentially huge replacement demands are emerging in the auto sector because it is being redefined by new technologies. The case is the same as the smartphone sector 10 years ago; (2) Apple’s leading technology advantages (e.g. AR) would redefine cars and differentiate Apple Car from peers’ products; (3) Apple’s service will grow significantly by entering the huge car finance market via Apple Car, and (4) Apple can do a better integration of hardware, software, and service than current competitors in the consumer electronics sector and potential competitors in the auto sector.”

— Ming Chi-Kuo, TF International Securities analyst

At Elf, we have been working on a variety of connected car innovations with our automotive clients since 2016. Some of these models are now coming to market at the start of 2019. We are excited about the future for automotive vehicles and how we can contribute in the best way to provide consumers with delightful, intuitive experiences.

Apple's Patent for Foldable iPhone with Display Could Launch by 2020

Apple's recent patent filing for folding iPhone with a flexible display that clips on to clothing has sparked rumors about a foldable OLED iPhone. A financial analyst who works with Apple suppliers in Asia estimates launch by early 2020.

Hayden's concept on flexible screen 2016

Recent Patent History

2017 Patent: Flexible section in the middle of the Smartphone allows the entire body to bend without seams or a visible hinge

Back on Oct 12, 2017, Apple filed a patent for a new application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office called "Electronic Devices with Displays." The patent reveals Apple's interest in making devices that could be folded in half, describing a device with a 'flexible portion' that could be folded and would require having a 'flexible display' to do this without using seams or hinges. The USPTO application credits inventors Terry C. Shyu, Paul. S. Drzaic and Zhen Zhang for the flexible design and was issued to the patent office a year prior on Aug. 30, 2016.

The patent application describes a foldable display with an organic light emitting display layer (OLED) that is enclosed in a housing made from a variety of materials, ranging from plastic to glass, ceramics, fiber composites, stainless steel and/or aluminum. This latest concept could be applied to numerous devices ranging from MacBooks and iPads to Apple Watches and more.

Apple's patent filing also reveals that the technology can be achieved using next generation, micro LED display technology, which would also increase power savings for mobile devices.

2016 Patent: Flexible OLED display with a Hinged Main Body

A year earlier on Nov 22, 2016, Apple was granted a patent No. 9,504,170 for 'Flexible display devices' that describe an Phone with foldable full-screen display. It's clear that Apple has been researching and experimenting with options for a hinged iPhone format with no visible hinges or seams, but instead having a flexible, OLED display with a metal backing that is capable of being folded into half.

Apple's design would make it easier to fold the iPhone for easy storage similar to the clamshell cellphones that Motorola brought to mass markets in the '90s. In order to have a foldable format, Apple's design requires flexible components such as an OLED display with a metal structure for support. The patent proposes using nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium that is known for being elastic and having remarkable shape memory capabilities. The document also offers other options such as flexible polymers.

The patent goes into more detail about a device housing that has upper and lower sections, each of which is equipped with processors, sensors and smartphone circuitry. Upper housing could contain light sensors, cameras, display controllers and speaker modules. The bottom housing could hold microphones, CPU and GPU, a vibrator and other essentials. Both parts are attached via a hinge mechanism that allows for rotation and enables both parts to move together. The upper and lower housing are connected via flexible, printed circuit boards. The display is installed over the two structures and Apple documents how the flexible screen can include additional material for two or more folding options.

The new screen would be able to fold over itself similar to the clamshell cellphone, making it portable and also protecting the screen from weather and external elements. There is also a configuration for the display facing outward for easy operations. This second configuration allows for clipping on to a person's clothing via sawtooth detents. In order to prevent stress on the OLED part, Apple offers suggestions to ease tension with rollers to dispense and retract the OLED display when the hinge rotates. The patent describes two-hinge designs, cover glass and viewing angle details.

Apple's foldable iPhone patent was first filed in July 2014 and credits Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Andrew J. M. Janis and Teodor Dabov as its inventors.

Potential 2020 Release

The patent for this technology was first filed in July 2014, crediting Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Andrew J. M. Janis and Teodor Dabov as its inventors. While Apple has not shared any public details of its foldable smartphone concept, a financial analyst from Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, Wamsi Mohan, who works directly with Apple suppliers in Asia, suggests that the new foldable iPhone could be ready as early as 2020. Mohan also suggested that having a foldable smartphone and the trend towards larger iPhones in recent years could result in a smartphone that 'doubles up as a tablet." This device would offer the benefits of a larger iPad but the portability of a smartphone.

Collaboration with LG

Apple's newest patent filing in Oct of 2017 also overlaps with rumors about a collaboration with LG where LG was making a foldable OLED panel and a "rigid flexible printed circuit board" for a future iPhone model. LG is known for its large, rich color displays and has been working on the problem of having a cohesive display without a visible hinge mechanism for several years now. Other manufacturers like Samsung have teased out concepts, though no working flexible screen model is available yet for purchase by consumers.

The new technology could also find its way into other product lines like the MacBook or iPad.