AppleInsider has uncovered a patent application by Apple that shows the California tech giant is developing a hybrid audio system based on the principle of sound conduction by the bones of the skull. This technology allows you to listen to music without traditional headphones, capturing vibrations at certain points in the skull.
It is worth noting that this idea is not new and similar devices have been on the market for quite some time, however, due to their dubious convenience and mediocre sound quality, they still remain a curiosity. Bone conduction provides good bass transmission, but tangible problems are observed with high frequencies. In addition, these headphones can be uncomfortable for everyday use.
Apple's patented bone conduction sound system is unusual in that it combines bone conduction itself with conventional airborne sound transmission, which should overcome the shortcomings of other similar systems.
The company explains that the audio signal can be filtered and divided into three categories corresponding to low, medium and high frequencies. The combined low and mid frequency signal will be transmitted through the user's skull, while the high frequency component will play in the usual way. The patent suggests that the tweeter will not block the ear canal, as with conventional headphones. Thus, the system developed by Apple combines the advantages of both methods of sound transmission.
It is worth noting that the company has previously explored bone conduction technology to enable active noise cancellation. Only in this case, the principle of operation was reversed: the device read vibrations from certain parts of the skull to suppress noise.
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Source: 3dnews.ru