Because inductive charging is awesome.
Per a new patent entitled “Inductive charging between electronic devices” over at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple is researching the integration of multiple inductive charging coils into MacBooks and iPads to use them as wireless chargers for other devices.
The company has apparently been researching device-to-device inductive charging technology since March 2016, when the now-granted patents around it were first filed. It is notable that Apple seems to be particularly interested in this area, filing for multiple patents relating to the technology, and it has now applied for 40 new claims.
Apple’s patent highlights how multiple mobile Apple devices, such as the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, could create an ecosystem of wireless charging together. Images included in the patent present a significant number of different coil placements for a range of portable Apple devices to facilitate this system.
The patent offers a wide variety of possible implementation for device-to-todevice charging, such as how the lid of a MacBook could contain a series of upward-facing inductive coils, allowing devices to charge by being rested on top of it. Coils could also be placed on the palm rests and trackpad of a MacBook.
Wireless charging could also be two-way, with both devices able to transmit and receive power via inductive coils, allowing users to choose which device is charged. Specialized software could also determine the charge order based on which device has a greater amount to charge.
The patent describes the incorporation of carefully-positioned inductive charging coils on every Apple mobile device. The proposed system would allow for a huge number of possible device combinations and placements.
Apple has also considered an assortment of software integrations for the device-to-device wireless charging system. When a smaller device is placed on the display of a larger device, such as an Apple Watch on the front of an iPad, the iPad’s display could indicate its “alignment condition” and charge percentage.
Another user interface idea within the patent suggests that if the screen of an iPad is obstructed by a charging iPhone on top of it, the iPad’s UI could display content on the unobstructed part of the screen. There are also provisions for scenarios in which the iPhone could be used to display the content that has been obstructed on the iPad’s screen, such as a row of home screen apps.
The arrival of MagSafe charging on the iPhone 12 demonstrates Apple’s interest in wireless charging solutions, and the depth of the company’s research shows how thoroughly such systems are being considered. In spite of this, patents can only serve as proof of what Apple is researching. They do not necessarily indicate what the company may implement and the contents of many patents never reach final consumer products.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors, Patently Apple, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office