Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200112195) for “inductive charging between electronic devices” that would its various devices to recharge each other.
For example, an iPhone could be placed on an iPad screen for inductive charging. An Apple Watch could be placed on an iPhone or iPad for inductive charging. Or an iPhone or an iPad could be placed on an inductive charting pad on a Mac laptop for inductive charging.
In the patent filing, Apple notes that some electronic devices include one or more rechargeable batteries that may require external power to recharge. Often, these devices may be charged using a common or standardized electrical connector or cable. For example, some devices may be charged using a universal serial bus (“USB”) connector or cable.
Apple says that, however, despite having standardized connectors and cable, each device may require a separate or dedicated power supply to charge. In some cases, having separate power supplies for each device may be burdensome to use, store, and/or transport, the company adds. Apple thinks its inductive charging work could offer a better solution.
Here’s the summary of the patent filing: “An electronic device and methods for inductively charging an electronic device using another external electronic device. The electronic device may include an enclosure, a battery positioned within the enclosure, and an inductive coil coupled to the battery.
“The inductive coil may have two or more operational modes, including a power receiving operational mode for wirelessly receiving power and a power transmitting operational mode for wirelessly transmitting power. The electronic device may also have a controller coupled to the inductive coil for selecting one of the operational modes.”
