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AppleGranted patentAudio & voiceInterest 7/10

Apple patents head-worn device that adds spatial audio to external speakers

Apple describes a head-worn device, such as a headset, that uses a microphone to detect audio coming from an external speaker. The device then applies specific filters to create a 3D sound effect, making the audio from the external source feel like it is coming from a specific direction relative to the user.

Why it mattersThis technology could make watching movies or listening to music on a TV or computer feel more immersive by blending external sound with personal audio.

In the filing’s own words

A head-worn device can determine that a playback device is outputting audio content. A microphone of the head-worn device can sense the audio content that is output by the playback device. Spatial filters can be applied to one or more audio channels of additional audio content that complements the audio content output by the playback device. The resulting spatialized audio can be played through speakers to a user wearing the head-worn device.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: obtaining a microphone signal produced by a microphone of a head-worn device; determining that a playback device, a distance away from a user wearing the head-worn device, is outputting audio content from one or more speakers of the playback device; determining that the microphone signal includes the audio content that is output by the one or more speakers of the playback device; and applying one or more filters to one or more audio channels based on a location of the playback device resulting in spatialized audio that is used to drive speakers of the head-worn device, wherein a camera of the head-worn device is used to determine that visual content presented by the playback device is associated with the audio content, and in response to the visual content being associated with the audio content, the one or more filters are applied to the one or more audio channels resulting in the spatialized audio that is used to drive the speakers of the head-worn device.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Enhanced audio using personal audio device
Patent number
US12732770B2
Application number
18563269
Filed
Jun 3, 2022
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
20

Classified under

H04S 7/304 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.