As technology advances, so do the possibilities of revolutionizing the way we experience the world. Meta Platforms Technologies has recently been granted a patent for their groundbreaking transducer innovation, which could revolutionize the way we experience audio in artificial reality environments.
The patent, US20230239626A1, presents a coil assembly with a metal bobbin, wire coil and PCB stiffeners, a speaker that renders micro noises in an artificial reality environment, and a speaker with optical MEMS sensors to detect diaphragm motion and move it out of rocking mode.
This transducer innovation could be used in a variety of applications, from gaming to virtual reality. In gaming, the device could be used to render realistic sounds such as footsteps, breathing, and other background sounds that help cue a listener that a person is present. In virtual reality, the device could be used to render realistic sounds like rustling of clothing, breathing, and other sounds of movement. This could greatly enhance the user’s experience in virtual environments.
The patent also includes a speaker for generating micro noises. This could be used to produce realistic sounds that can help create a more immersive experience in artificial reality environments. The speaker is also equipped with optical MEMS sensors to detect diaphragm motion and move it out of rocking mode. This could help reduce distortion and improve the sound quality in audio content rendered in artificial reality environments.
The metal bobbin and wire coil are designed to be lightweight, yet durable, to ensure that the audio device is portable and reliable. The PCB stiffeners provide additional support for the coil assembly, while the optical MEMS sensors provide a more accurate detection of diaphragm motion.
Meta Platforms’ transducer innovation could be a significant advancement in audio devices used in artificial reality environments. While the patent has been granted, it is still uncertain whether this technology will reach the market. Until then, it remains to be seen how this innovation might change the way we experience audio in virtual reality.