Patent Filing Reveals Apple’s Latest Inductive Charging System

A new inductive charging invention by Apple has been revealed today in a patent application published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). According to PatentlyApple, the patent relates to inductive power transmission and more specifically to “tessellated inductive power transmission coil configurations”, capable of charging multiple devices utilizing complex areas. While a number of previous Apple filings have also detailed wireless charging systems, it remains to be seen when the company will finally bring such a product to the market.

Apple’s system for inductive power transmission may include at least one interface surface and a plurality of triangular coil elements positioned underneath the interface surface, such that at least one edge of the respective triangular coil element is adjacent to an edge of at least one other of the triangular coil elements. Each of the triangular coil elements may be operable to inductively transmit power to at least one coil of at least one electronic device and/or inductively receive power from the coil of the electronic device.

“Each of the triangular or square coil elements may be operable to inductively transmit and/or receive power independently. Each triangular coil element may be operable to detect the proximity of one or more inductive coils of one or more electronic devices and inductively transmit power upon such detection. Each triangular coil element may be operable to inductively transmit power at different frequencies, power levels, and/or other inductive power transmission characteristics and may be capable of adjusting transmission to the requirements of one or more receiving devices.

Multiple of the triangular coil elements may be operable to inductively transmit and/or receive power cooperatively”.

Apple’s newly published patent application was originally filed in Q1 2014.