Rumored ‘AirPods Studio’ may sport headphone rotation detection

Apple is rumored to be working on its first Apple-branded over-the-ear headphones (as compared to those made by its Beats Inc. subsidiary) dubbed “AirPods Studio.” If/when they see the light of day, they may include the ability to detect headphone rotation based on a new Apple patent filing (number 10,721,550).

Naturally, headphones are used to transport an audio signal from a source device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.) to a user’s ears. Almost always, characteristics of the audio signal may be controlled, such as turning the audio signal on or off, pausing the audio signal, changing the audio signal (e.g., switching from one song to another song), rewinding the audio signal, fast forwarding the audio signal, adjusting volume of the audio signal, adjusting treble of the audio signal, adjusting bass of the audio signal, etc. This control may typically be performed at the source device by the user using one or more input elements, such as buttons.

In response, the audio signal may be transformed before it reaches the headphones, according to Apple. The tech giant apparently wants users to be able to make such changes by head movements or gestures. 

Here’s the summary of the patent filing: “Some embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods of detecting headphone rotation to properly process user input to the headphones. The systems and methods described herein may be used, for example, to detect a gesture (e.g., a swipe) received as user input on a touch interface of the headphones, such as a touch interface integrated into an ear piece. 

“The gesture may be made in a particular direction, such as down toward Earth. However, headphones may be worn in a plurality of configurations, such as upright with the headband around the top of the head, downward with the headband around the back of the neck, or anywhere in between. Thus, the systems and methods described herein may be used to determine the rotation of the headphones in order to properly ascertain the intended gesture and perform an intended result.”