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Patent would let iPhone and MacBook adjust volume depending on ambient noise in room

Apple is no stranger to filing patent applications and vigorously enforcing the patents it holds. Over the years, we have been teased with visions of interesting features and gadgets that have come in the form of patent applications.

Apple has filed a new patent application for a method of automatically controlling the volume of Apple devices like the iPhone and MacBook computers. The patent application outlines a method for using a sound sensor to adjust the audio output of a device.

The sound sensor would listen to the ambient noise level in a room and adjust the volume adaptively based on the sound level in the room. Adjusting the volume is said to include determining an average sound level and a peak sound level in the environment.

Adjusting the volume of a device based on the noise in the environment is hardly new technology. There have been cars, trucks, and motorcycles for years that adjust the volume of the radio depending on factors like road noise and how fast you drive.

The patent application was filed in July of 2007 by Peter Mahowald. In May of 2008, an Apple patent for a method of placing solar cells behind the LCD of a portable device surfaced.


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A bit much
By clovell on 1/23/2009 6:47:35 PM , Rating: 2
This sounds more like a nice feature than a new invention...




RE: A bit much
By TomZ on 1/23/2009 7:14:56 PM , Rating: 1
Yeah, I think that "real" inventors probably don't consider patenting "inventions" like this one because they don't really see the value.

But from Apple's standpoint, even if the patents themselves are a bit weak, building a war chest consisting of a large number of patents with which to battle their competitors makes sense.


RE: A bit much
By Reclaimer77 on 1/23/2009 9:02:08 PM , Rating: 4
Ummm, audio head units back in the early 1990's for some cars had this feature standard. When you rolled down your window, for example, and the loud air would rush in, the volume would automatically turn up to compensate.

Almost 20 years later this is patent worthy by Apple ? Somebody help me on this one..


RE: A bit much
By jordanclock on 1/23/2009 10:06:13 PM , Rating: 3
You must have forgotten: Every thing can be patented again if you just add "with a computer" or "on the internet" to the end of it.


RE: A bit much
By icanhascpu on 1/23/2009 10:32:15 PM , Rating: 1
Site where you found this?


RE: A bit much
By Reclaimer77 on 1/24/2009 8:04:24 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Site where you found this?


??

No site. I thought it was common knowledge. My step brother owned such a vehicle and I remember thinking how it was the coolest feature EVER. Of course I was younger and more impressionable and thought my brother walked on water heheh.


RE: A bit much
By FITCamaro on 1/24/2009 9:03:39 AM , Rating: 3
Yeah cars have had auto-volume stereos for years. My car has a setting to how much it will adjust the volume as did the Cobalt.


RE: A bit much
By ChronoReverse on 1/24/2009 11:14:10 AM , Rating: 2
Even my cheapo GPS does this in fact.


RE: A bit much
By Smilin on 1/27/2009 9:48:47 AM , Rating: 2
Site? Dude it doesn't have to exist on the intarwebs to be true.

I've got the proof of this in the form of a button on my car stereo. They are very common.


RE: A bit much
By Spivonious on 1/26/2009 3:32:21 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, my 03 Focus has this feature standard. They call it AVC.


RE: A bit much
By clovell on 1/24/2009 1:31:34 PM , Rating: 4
It's also blatantly anti-competitive.


Shenanigans will ensue
By wwwebsurfer on 1/24/2009 8:52:52 AM , Rating: 2
So now all I need is a small, keychain-sized device that emits a in-audible frequency that will still be detected by the 'pod so we can deafen all the users in a room...




RE: Shenanigans will ensue
By Screwballl on 1/26/2009 12:26:49 PM , Rating: 2
Try something around 19.8 or 18.8 kHz to really annoy the kids or people using these applications.
I myself can hear it from 18.8 on down and I am 31.


It doesn't take the cake
By wordsworm on 1/24/2009 1:56:26 PM , Rating: 2
I don't think Apple will ever be able to out-do itself when it tried to patent the apple and sue NYC for using an apple for its logo. In a world of absurdities, surely it would reign as king.




Sound sensors?
By DanoruX on 1/27/2009 1:03:08 AM , Rating: 2
Last time I checked, we called them "microphones"...




Hmmm...
By therealnickdanger on 1/27/2009 2:55:38 PM , Rating: 2
It appears that I have trouble controlling THE VOLUME OF MY VOICE!!




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