New Apple patent: iPhone’s speaker volume will increase as you move away from it

[RaduTyrsina]

​

A new Apple patent has been uncovered recently, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It details a system that controls the volume lengths in the iPhone based on how close or far away the user is holding the device.

The patent is called “Adjustment of acoustic properties based on proximity detection”. In it, the inventors explain that the technology works using sensors that are able to calculate the distance between a user and its device. Based on those estimations, the system will instruct the volume sensors to maximize or minimize sensorial output.​​

In order to correctly calculate the distance between the two points, different types of sensors are used but also cameras and passive light sensors. The system is smart enough as to switch between different modes merely by judging the distance. For example, if you start a conversation by holding the iPhone to your ear but then get distracted and place it somewhere on the side of the bed, let’s say, the system will switch from “normal mode” to “speaker mode” automatically.

Apple has formerly implemented a proximity sensor with the iPhone 4 which proved to be quite problematic at first. However, the company resolved the issues months later. Therefore, Apple has the tools to implement the above outlined system into a future iPhone. But will it? We’re not certain of that at the moment. At least, not in the foreseeable future.

The patent dates back from 2008 and lists as inventors Justin Gregg, Michael Lee and Chad Seguin.

Source: AppleInsider

 

[niranarch]

Hi I just purchased and using an iphone 4s how can i see this function activated? I was using an android till now and had a wonderful app called upsounddown which will activate the speaker phone once you remove phone from your ears- Missing is so much!

View attachment 12521​

A new Apple patent has been uncovered recently, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It details a system that controls the volume lengths in the iPhone based on how close or far away the user is holding the device.

The patent is called “Adjustment of acoustic properties based on proximity detection”. In it, the inventors explain that the technology works using sensors that are able to calculate the distance between a user and its device. Based on those estimations, the system will instruct the volume sensors to maximize or minimize sensorial output.​​

In order to correctly calculate the distance between the two points, different types of sensors are used but also cameras and passive light sensors. The system is smart enough as to switch between different modes merely by judging the distance. For example, if you start a conversation by holding the iPhone to your ear but then get distracted and place it somewhere on the side of the bed, let’s say, the system will switch from “normal mode” to “speaker mode” automatically.

Apple has formerly implemented a proximity sensor with the iPhone 4 which proved to be quite problematic at first. However, the company resolved the issues months later. Therefore, Apple has the tools to implement the above outlined system into a future iPhone. But will it? We’re not certain of that at the moment. At least, not in the foreseeable future.

The patent dates back from 2008 and lists as inventors Justin Gregg, Michael Lee and Chad Seguin.

Source: AppleInsider