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The present HomePod is cylindrical, and the present HomePod mini is nearer to a sphere. However actually, these shapes are simply housings that enclose a sequence of normal audio system contained in the system, and that is not what Apple desires.
As an alternative, in a newly printed patent software referred to as “Versatile Audio system,” Apple describes audio audio system that may bend and are literally cylinders, spheres, or different non-flat surfaces.
In its patent software of simply over 10,000 phrases, Apple offers surprisingly few examples of what such versatile audio system may very well be used for. However dig into the main points of why that is needed.
“Audio system with versatile parts can assist simpler integration and higher compatibility with numerous digital gadgets similar to head-mounted shows, laptops, smartphones and wearable gadgets,” stated Apple. “In some cases, parts similar to magnets, diaphragms and partitions in speaker housings are versatile and may be manipulated in numerous folded, bent or curved configurations.”
“In different examples, a speaker wall can embrace sections joined by hinges that enable flexibility or deformation of parts of the speaker,” he continues. “The versatile speaker described right here may be applied in quite a lot of client gadgets to make the most of restricted package deal area and enhance deformability of client gadgets.”
“Restricted packaging area” right here refers back to the total quantity of the system itself, not the dimensions of the cardboard field by which it’s shipped. It may very well be as small as a headset speaker, as huge as a wall, or simply proper for a HomePod mini.
“Client electronics are being designed in quite a lot of sizes and shapes, making versatility more and more vital in our ever-connected setting,” the patent software states. “Audio system are generally embedded in client electronics similar to head-mounted shows, headphones, smartphones, good watches, laptops and different wearable gadgets.”
“The packaging of such audio system is difficult and is pushed by the dimensions, form, and audio capabilities of each the speaker and the digital system by which it’s embedded,” he continues.
In both case, the loudspeaker should comprise a “housing having partitions defining a cavity, an electromagnet positioned inside the cavity” and “configured to selectively generate a primary magnetic subject and lengthening by means of the cavity. A everlasting magnet disposed inside and configured to generate a second magnetic subject, and a diaphragm configured to vibrate throughout interplay of the primary and second magnetic fields to generate sound waves. ”
That is the outline of almost each speaker ever made, however Apple is now proposing one technique to enhance flexibility by way of hinges and ribs.
“Audio system could embrace ribs spaced aside for again quantity,” and “every rib extends alternately from one wall to the opposite, and the ribs vibrate.” It varieties a circulation channel for the air produced within the diaphragm.”
This produces a speaker enveloping system with a sequence of probably inflexible speaker components. This isn’t the identical as having a very versatile speaker.
Patent particulars exhibiting distort a speaker right into a curve
“(However in one other instance) the versatile layer may very well be a part of a show constituted of a number of of glass, polymer, or liquid crystal,” Apple stated. “The versatile layer, the transducer, or each can deform underneath bending stress such that the loudspeaker is configured to generate sound waves in each the undeformed and deformed states.”
This enables sure Apple speaker panels to be wrapped round poles on the whim of the consumer. Additionally, the sound could fluctuate based mostly on the form the consumer creates within the meeting.
“The sample of vibrations produced by the transducer may be modified based mostly on the curvature detected by the sensor,” they conclude.
This patent software is credited to Chanjuan Feng and the prolific Paul X. Wang. Each labored on the speaker designs for his newest 24-inch iMac.