A US patent published today indicates that Apple is working on a wireless headphone system capable of replacing the 3.5mm headphone jack included on current iPhones, AppleInsider reports.
The patent describes headphones that can be connected via Lightning cable for charging and audio signals, but can also store data wirelessly via a buffer.
The headphones' built-in processor and memory can handle seamless transitions between wireless and wired connections, in addition to buffering audio if the wireless connection is interrupted. The patent suggests a processor from Intel or AMD, or a system-on-a-chip from ARM. It also mentions wireless protocol options including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC.
While images published with the patent depict an on-ear configuration with a traditional padded band, the patent itself describes a "head-fitting headphone, an ear-fitting headphone—such as ear buds, or any other type of headphone."
One thing the patent doesn't address is how Apple would develop a cost-effective manufacturing process: a wireless, Lightning-compatible set will almost certaintly be more expensive to manufacture than 3.5mm EarPods included with every iPhone and iPod.
Patents don't always turn into products, but Apple has been rumored to be considering the elimination of 3.5mm headphone jacks on its mobile devices. Many iPhone fans aren't thrilled; an online petition circulated in January asking Apple to keep the 3.5mm connection, nabbing more than 300,000 signatures.
"Not only will this force iPhone users to dole out additional cash to replace their hi-fi headphones," the petition complained, "it will singlehandedly create mountains of electronic waste—that likely won't get recycled."