Apple patent applications detail noise-cancellation tech using voice recognition

In a series of patent applications, Apple has outlined how it plans to combat noisy environments by using voice recognition to activate and control noise-cancellation technologies.

By changing the noise-cancellation process to fit specific voices, Apple thinks it can better manage noise-ridden spaces, especially for mobile devices while making calls or recording voice memos.

Four patent applications relating to this technology were uncovered by AppleInsider at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:

• User-Specific Noise Suppression for Voice Quality Improvements
• Active Noise Cancellation Decisions in a Portable Audio Device
• User Interface Tone Echo Cancellation
• System and Method for Removing TDMA Audio Noise

For your mobile phone to understand your voice better, you would have to train it, either on your Mac/PC or directly on your phone. The more training the system receives, the more accurate the noise-cancellation technology can determine the user's voice, making call quality and voice recording much more outstanding.

If you've ever worked at a fast-food restaurant on the drive-through line (yes, I did in high school), you'll know how incredibly difficult it can be picking up on a single voice in a car full of people talking. The same is true when you take a phone call from someone in a crowd of people. Apple's proposed noise-cancellation technology would be able to pick out the voice profile of the caller and separate any other background sounds.

The proposed technology could be initially implemented during the iPhone setup process, giving users a baseline voice profile that the phone could use. By continuing to train the voice recognition system, the noise cancellation would only get better.

Is this a game-changing technology that should be a feature of a future iPhone? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!