Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Audio Patent Explained

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is always looking for ways to improve its devices, most notably the iPhone and iPad. While the Cupertino based company does not implement every piece of technology that it patents, some ideas make their way into products at some point in time.

Most recently, Apple has filed for a patent that allows for a more advanced audio experience. In short, the company is looking for a way to improve audio performance regardless of how the user is holding the device.

While this may sound simple enough, there is quite a bit that goes into the technology including cameras, accelerometers, and much more.

Of course, if Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) ever brings this technology to its devices you will not have to worry about how it works. All you will need to know is that it is beneficial to your overall experience

The title of the patent is Orientation Based Audio.

For a clear understanding of what the patent covers, let’s look at the abstract:

“A method and apparatus for outputting audio based on an orientation of an electronic device, or video shown by the electronic device. The audio may be mapped to a set of speakers using either or both of the device and video orientation to determine which speakers receive certain audio channels.”

In terms of the abstract itself, this is one of the easier Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patents to understand.

Is this sort of technology really necessary? While you may not fully grasp the benefits, Apple feels that this is something that could change the audio experience for the better.

Here is a more in depth view of what the technology could potentially offer:

“Typically, although not necessarily, the audio processing router attempts to ensure that left and right channel audio outputs (whether front or back) are sent to speakers on the left and right sides of the device, respectively, given the device’s current orientation. Thus, front and rear left channel audio may be mixed and sent to the left speaker(s) while the front and rear right channel audio may be mixed and sent to the right speaker(s).  In alternative embodiments, the audio processing router may create or retrieve a default audio map based on the number of input audio channels and the number of speakers in the device and assume a default or baseline orientation, regardless of the actual orientation of the device.”

This is an interesting patent from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). It shows that the company is interested in improving audio output in future devices. This may be just the technology it needs to reach this goal.

The patent was filed for on November 22, 2011. The inventors are listed as Martin Johnson, Ruchi Goel, and Darby Hadley.