In recent times, wearable gadgets have become an integral part of our lives. But they are not without their own set of challenges. A major problem is the distortion that occurs while using the listen-through feature on these wearables. During our conversations, our voice travels via two paths - an acoustic path and a bone conduction path. At the same time, there is the background noise from our surroundings. These different sources and types of audio input end up creating varying distortion patterns, leading to unnatural sounding audio which can degrade the overall user experience.
Newly acquired patent number US11743631B2, held by Qualcomm Inc., aims to make the user experience more natural-sounding and eliminate these distortions while using the listen-through feature of any wearable gadget. The device, according to the patent details, adjusts sounds according to the user's voice and external noises. It is designed to delineate these separate signals and process them differently, which ultimately results in a better, seamless auditory experience for the wearer.
Let's think about how this technology could affect our daily lives when it becomes mainstream. Suppose you are in a crowded cafe, and you want to speak to your friend who's sitting across the table. The background noise of others talking, the clatter of dishes, or even the background music could make your conversation difficult. But with this technology in your wearable gadget, the device has the ability to "zoom in" on the sound of your friend's voice and reduce the background noise, providing you with a less noisy and more intimate conversation.
Or imagine a bustling city street. The sounds of traffic, street vendors, and hundreds of conversations may create an overwhelming cacophony. But with this patented technology inside your convertible headset, you will be able to focus on your phone conversation without being bothered by the surrounding clamor.
But remember, as exciting as this technology is, these possibilities are contingent on the patent being developed into a real-world product. Patents, though a significant milestone, aren't assured to appear in the marketplace. As with any new technology, real-world testing and development must occur before seeing this feature live in action.
Nevertheless, should the technology behind Qualcomm's patent US11743631B2 become a reality, it will indeed revolutionize how we listen, communicate, and comprehend through our wearable gadgets, contributing to a more immersive and noise-free audio experience.