Future Apple headphones and AirPods could have an exciting unique feature. The tech giant company claims that these wearable gadgets could soon have the new bio-authentication sensors it is working on.
The newly announced Apple AirPods is seen on a screen during a launch event on September 7, 2016 in San Francisco, California. Apple Inc. is expected to unveil latest iterations of its smart phone, forecasted to be the iPhone 7. The tech giant is also rumored to be planning to announce an update to its Apple Watch wearable device.
Also Read: Apple's NightWare Gets FDA Approval Over Watch App's Claim It Helps Treat PTSD-Related Nightmares
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published Apple's patent application, which is about their next-generation over-ear headphones and AirPods. The company's patent application covers methods and configurations of operation that uses a self-mixing interferometry sensor and signals.
Both of these were explained to have the ability to recognize user inputs, which include silent gesture and voice commands. Patently Apple reported that the self-mixing interferometry sensor will be configured to direct a beam of light toward the user's head location.
It was explained that this technology will work even if the device is worn on the user's head.
Next-gen AirPods could detect silent gestures
Apple's patent explained that future AirPods could use skin vibration or skin deformation detection. This will efficiently work to identify a user's silent gesture, such as tongue and jaw movements.
An attendee wears an Apple AirPods during a launch event on September 7, 2016 in San Francisco, California. Apple Inc. unveiled the latest iterations of its smart phone, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, the Apple Watch Series 2, as well as AirPods, the tech giant's first wireless headphones.
If the user forms word inaudibly and without exhaling, the movement will induce skin deformations at one or more locations on the head or scalp. The self-mixing interferometry sensor mounted on the wearable gadget's frame will be the one to detect the movement.
Future AirPods might have rotary volume control
According to Apple Insider, Apple is looking to address the issue of Siri on AirPods Pro and AirPods since many users complained that the AI assistant is not always listening to them.
The giant manufacturer said that it is looking to solve the issue by integrating more control on the wearable device. These include a rotary wheel volume control and touch-sensitive areas.
"Many traditional earbuds suffer from significant drawbacks that may limit the ability to control sounds, or other outputs, at the earbud," Apple explained in the patent, as reported by Apple Insider.
The company added that the additional controls will be helpful since earbuds and other devices that need connection may be unresponsive to voice commands.
For more news updates about Apple's new technologies, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
Related Article: Elon Musk's Neuralink Challenged by Key Ethical Questions Outlined by Researchers
This article is owned by TechTimes.
Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
