Earlier this morning we posted a report titled "A New Apple Invention Covers Inductive Charging Between iOS Devices & even a MacBook" which detailed how a single major device could act as an inductive charging pad for multiple devices. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also published additional inductive charging patent applications today covering a potential future inductive charging iPhone Case and a method for improving the efficiency of inductive power transfers.

Apple's Patent Background

Many electronic devices include one or more rechargeable batteries that require external power to recharge. Often, these devices may be charged using the same or similar connection type; for example, via universal serial bus ("USB") or other electrical connections. Electrical connection types may vary, and multiple devices often require separate power supplies with different power outputs. These separate power supplies are burdensome to use, store, and transport from place to place.

Apple's Invention Inductive Coupling Assembly for Electronic Devices

Apple's invention covers a system that includes an electronic device comprising an enclosure and an internal inductive charging assembly positioned within the enclosure.

The internal inductive charging assembly comprises a receive inductive coil positioned within the enclosure. The system also comprises a charger in electrical communication with the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device. The charger comprises a transmit inductive coil aligned with the receive inductive coil.

The transmit inductive coil is configured to be in electrical communication with the receive inductive coil of the electronic device. Additionally, the system comprises an inductive coupling assembly positioned between the electronic device and the charger. The inductive coupling assembly comprises a field-directing component configured to be in electrical communication with at least one of the transmit inductive coil of the charger, or the receive inductive coil of the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device.

Apple also presents a new protective case for the iPhone that comprises a body and an inductive coupling assembly positioned at least partially within the body. The inductive coupling assembly comprises an alignment component and a field-directing component surrounding the alignment component. The field-directing component is operatively configured to be aligned with and in electrical communication with a receive inductive coil of the electronic device.

Apple's patent figures above show various angles of this new iPhone case with FIG. 3 showing a back view of the case with the charger plugged in.

And lastly, a third patent application on inductive charging was published today that relates to electromagnetic inductive power transfer, and in particular to adaptive power control systems for maximizing the efficiency of inductive power transfer. Considering that both are patent applications, the timing of such products to market is unknown at this time.

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