Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to a system that includes an iPhone comprising a protective case and an internal inductive charging assembly positioned within the case. This would be designed for iPhones using inductive charging beginning with iPhone X. Today, 9to5Mac is convinced that a new Smart Battery Case is due and you have to wonder if it will use the technology from this patent-pending invention.

The internal inductive charging assembly comprises a receive inductive coil positioned within the case. The system also comprises a charger in electrical communication with the internal inductive charging assembly of the iPhone.

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.

Internal inductive charging assembly #120 of the iPhone may also include at least one alignment magnet #124 that may be positioned within the center of receive inductive coil.

Apple's patent FIG. 11 above shows a back view of an example protective case that may include a case battery that may be formed or positioned within the case body to an inductive coupling assembly.

Apple's continuation patent 20180351393 was filed back in August, though the work has been ongoing since 2015. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.