“On December 6, 2012, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals their intentions of integrating audio sensors and light emitters right into future displays,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.
“The new system could go far beyond just Macs and iDevices,” Purcher reports. “According to Apple, their new invention could apply to visors for video glasses, to televisions screens to intelligently control the audio for various kinds of action and even apply to next-generation in-vehicle systems that will respond more accurately to voice controls. It sure sounds like Apple has big plans for this invention.”
Purcher reports, “Apple states that television screen may be used as a diaphragm for sound sensing. In one embodiment, the sound sensing may be used in a feedback loop to adjust the volume of the television set when someone is talking or when there is high volume of ambient noise. For example, the television may turn down its volume when someone is talking and may increase its volume when there is a high level of ambient noise.”
Much more, including Apple’s patent application illustrations and diagrams, in the full article here.
That would be kind of funny. The kids are making a lot of noise, so it’s hard to hear the TV or your partner who is trying to talk to you, so you talk louder. What does the TV do? Get louder? Hope it’s not an infinite loop.
That is not the definition of ambient noise.
I don’t know about your kids, but mine definitely produce ambient sound.
Yah know once Apple opened the iPod/iPhone/iPad devices Pandora’s Box it has put everyone into a mad digital R&D scramble to invent the next big thing and winners take all more than ever before. Of course Apple is in a better position than most not only because they’re, well, Apple but they are far more trusted than the likes of Microsoft. Google replaces Microsoft as a real competitor and use the Microsoft Windows model which only is a guarantor of inconsistent user experience and the refuge of tinkering geeks without a life.