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08-04-2011, 02:44 PM #1
Apple Reportedly Tinkering With Inductive iDevice Charging Mechanism
Innovation is the spirit that drives Apple, say the company's biggest fans. Well, if it's innovation you want, it will be innovation that you get - assuming, of course, that reports of a possible new iDevice charging mechanism ultimately come to pass.
Based on details gleaned from a patent application surfacing publicly this week (via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), Apple has designs on a new inductive charging system. The patent in question is titled "Using an Audio Cable as an Inductive Charging Coil." The application outlines in general terms how the charging mechanism would work.
In a nutshell, the process is defined as a technique that involves "winding an audio cable for the electronic device around a charging mechanism multiple times so that one or more conductors in the audio cable form an inductive receiving coil."
Subsequently, a magnetic field is created through the charging mechanism to "induce a current in the inductive receiving coil." In the final step of the process, the induced current in the inductive receiving coil is used to charge a rechargeable battery for the electronic device.
If eventually developed and put into practice, Apple would likely employ the mechanism for its iDevice line and use headphones to facilitate power and direct it back to the iPhone, iPod, or iPad being charged.
Sources: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, FreePatentsOnline, Apple Insider
08-04-2011, 03:13 PM #2
08-04-2011, 03:14 PM #3
So what are the benefits of this over just slapping your iDevice into a dock..?
08-04-2011, 03:24 PM #4
Apple should just pay royalties to use touchstone. No charging cable and wifi sync(iOS 5) makes a physical port unneeded.
08-04-2011, 03:37 PM #5
08-04-2011, 04:24 PM #6
This is what I call SO not user friendly! Lol I'm trying to make my own case that charges kind of wirelessly. Making out of tin foil. 0.o :0
08-04-2011, 05:52 PM #7
I have some products that charge wirelessly. In fact, sonicare toothbrushes have been doing that for about 10 years. For something like a toothbrush, that's great. For something like a phone, I find it impractical, unless we start making charging pads everywhere.
08-04-2011, 06:08 PM #8
Wait, can't I just take "114 Power Cord" and plug it into my phone?
08-04-2011, 07:21 PM #9
08-04-2011, 08:15 PM #10
08-04-2011, 10:02 PM #11
08-05-2011, 12:34 AM #12
09-20-2011, 03:01 PM #13
I'm an official rep from Energizer and we agree - having charging pads everywhere is the goal! The World Power Consortium has created the Qi (chee) standard, which we offer in the Energizer Inductive Charger. Inductive charging is something we're likely to see built right into our infrastructure in the future, so don't be surprised if we enjoy charging stations built right into surfaces in tabletops, counters and cars. Engadget Primed: how wireless and inductive charging works -- Engadget