Apple Granted Patent For 'Dual Mode' Headphone That Doubles As A Speaker

[Jacob Black]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday granted Apple a patent covering a next-generation headphone design that automatically transforms into a stereo loudspeaker on the fly, potentially laying down a blueprint for future EarPods, AirPods or Beats models.

Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,565,490 for "Dual mode headphones and methods for constructing the same" details a headphone system —over-the-ear, on-ear or in-ear — capable of switching operating modes from personal listening to speaker depending on its orientation.

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Controlling output volumes are onboard sensors that determine the headphone's current position, its orientation in space and proximate location to a user's head. For example, when the driver cups are facing inward and the proximity sensor detects a nearby object, thus indicating on-head use, the device bypasses the built-in amplifier. Once a user activates "speaker mode," perhaps by flipping the ear cups outward and laying the system on its side, output volumes ratchet up to loudspeaker levels.

On-ear headphones like clip-on models, as well as in-ear formats like EarPods and the new AirPods, are also compatible with Apple's invention. The same sensor and amplifier arrangement applies, but on a smaller and more compact scale suitable for use with pint size driver and armature designs.

Alternative embodiments include a snap band headphone, the ability to actuate speaker mode manually via a button interface, support for external amplifiers, secondary sound ports for earbud style headphones and more.

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Perhaps more telling is Apple's AirPods. Proving the invention can indeed be implemented in an earbud design, the new wireless earbuds incorporate both motion and proximity sensors, as well as intelligent onboard processing for pairing, communications and other advanced functionality. AirPods even include a take on the "earbud as speaker" concept with "Find My AirPods," which helps users locate a lost bud by playing a loud pinging noise. The lost-and-found feature does not incorporate a discrete amplifier, as detailed in today's patent, but the basic idea is there.

Apple's dual mode headphone patent was first filed for in May 2011 and credits Edward C. Hyatt as its inventor.