A newly granted Apple patent (number 11,438,683) for “user identification using headphones” hints that future AirPods, AirPod Pros, and AirPod Max models may be able to automatically tell who is wearing what device.
About the patent
Apple’s idea is to provide systems and processes for user identification using headphones associated with a first device (e.g., an iPhone) are provided. For example, first movement information corresponding to movement of a second electronic device (e.g., an AirPod is detected. Second movement information corresponding to movement of a third electronic device (e.g., an Apple Watch) is detected. A similarity score is determined based on the first movement information and the second movement information.
A user can be identified as an authorized user of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. Based on the identification, an output is provided to the appropriate electronic device.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Systems and processes for user identification using headphones associated with a first device are provided. For example, first movement information corresponding to movement of a second electronic device is detected. Second movement information corresponding to movement of a third electronic device is detected.
“A similarity score is determined based on the first movement information and the second movement information. In accordance with a determination that the similarity score is above a threshold similarity score, a user is identified as an authorized user of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. Based on the identification, an output is provided to the second electronic device.
