Apple patents a 1-meter-range wireless charging system

Apple patents a 1-meter wireless charging system

(PhysOrg.com) -- According to a recently submitted patent application by Apple, wireless charging may be a whole new boost. That patent, which is entitled "Wireless power utilization in a local computing environment" is a system designed to exploit research in the area of mid range wireless power transfer physics. This means that the device listed in the patent is designed to use of a wireless near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power transmission in order to power devices that are within the 1 meter range. Think wireless charging without having to be on a specialized charging mat.

While at this point no specific devices have been proposed by Apple based on this patent the prospects are tantalizing at best. The idea of being able to charge your iPhone or iPad simply by having it near your desktop or lap Mac is one that would appeal to many users who already have their USB ports occupied with peripheral devices instead of using it as a substitute for finding an outlet nearby. Since this could, in theory allow for charging anywhere at any time, it would represent a step up from the current generation of induction charging pads, since the charging pad itself needs to be plugged into an outlet in order to give your devices the juice that the need.

While nothing is definite at this point, this patent may explain why Apple has chosen not to create an inductive wireless charging device for iPods, iPhones, and iPads currently. Given Apple's tendency to take existing technology and turn it on its head, this would not be a completely out of left field.

Explore further: Hitachi Maxell to join the wireless charging market

FrankHerbert

Jun 15, 2011

This comment has been removed by a moderator.

_nigmatic10

3.5 / 5 (8) Jun 15, 2011

If apple could put a patent on life, they would, just so they can control you and make you all mindless apple lemmings. For some, they don't need the patent.

Isis

not rated yet Jun 15, 2011

Those guys who's fillings tune radio stations are going to have a blast with this! Wait, 1 meter range... arms length... who started all the wire hating anyway?!

LKD

1.5 / 5 (8) Jun 15, 2011

Those guys who's fillings tune radio stations are going to have a blast with this!

That is a myth, and can not happen in any way.

Wireless products can pretty much be better in all cases. If this is VERY safe and realistic, it'll be a great day for science.

ettinone

2.3 / 5 (3) Jun 15, 2011

iCancer

Plus 1

Mahal_Kita

3 / 5 (2) Jun 16, 2011

Since you transmit electromagnetic waves you can power your cellphone with a gadget I stumbled upon about 25 years ago. No biggie. 25 years ago this gadget was forbidden because you tapped electromagnetic waves from someone else. That is no longer true. You can truely 'trickle' load your cellphone with the energy your own computer produces. I will post the schematics in time and someone can then miniaturize the gadget. We could market it together and whipe Apple off the table ;-)

Skultch

1 / 5 (2) Jun 16, 2011

iInfertility

My testicles are already retreating.

Imagine you are trying to have kids. You go to a party and hang out next to the couch for a couple hours. This thing is sitting on the end table at crotch height. You are inches away and don't even know. The device in your back pocket (cuz in the front would be bad) is pulling an Amp or so right through your boys.

orgon

The experiment with splitting of water into hydrogen and peroxide with radiowaves demonstrates, we should keep not only our testicles in safety before Apple chargers...

http://www.youtub...lIm5a1Lc

BTW The founder of this phenomena tried to heal cancer with radiowaves so passionately, he himself died of cancer later.

deepsand

2.8 / 5 (11) Jun 16, 2011

"While at this point no specific devices have been proposed ... "

Hm-mm; that gives rise to serious doubts re. the legitimacy of said patent application.

On the other hand, we read "This means that the device listed in the patent ... "

Will the real facts please step forward?

Shelgeyr

1 / 5 (3) Jun 17, 2011

iTesla.

Although, honestly, I've got to give the nod to FrankHerbert on this one. Perfect comment, right off the bat. 5 stars.

poof

1 / 5 (2) Jun 17, 2011

iHeardJobsHasCancerSoHisGoingOutPlanIsToGiveItToEveryone

hudres

not rated yet Jun 18, 2011

I would not get too worked up yet. There is a long road between an applications and an issued patent.

sandeepsan

not rated yet Jun 20, 2011

Will you guys belive it,if i say this is my final year BE project and i implemented the same for 1.7 meters on april 2010-in India????????

NotAsleep

not rated yet Jun 21, 2011

You won't be able to draw an Amp from this using any product, much less your boys. EM radiation at the levels this is likely to produce will be unharmful considering safe EM power extends into the range that can destroy consumer electronics.

I'm disappointed that no one has questioned the inefficiency of having something produce a pulsing EM field throughout the day. This would only be practical in crowded areas (trains, planes, restaurants) where there aren't enough plugs for everyone

Whoops, I'm beside myself after having crossed two totally different effects.

What makes this development unique is that it will use an oscillating magnetic field to power things from a distance, NOT radiation (radio waves) like are currently used. This is currently considered completely safe for the human body although studies continue to look into similar effects from overhead power lines.

Still ridiculously inefficient compared to just plugging the phone into a wall

NotAsleep,

Good stuff. Thanks.

I'm disappointed that no one has questioned the inefficiency of having something produce a pulsing EM field throughout the day.

Couldn't the device that is to be charged send a low energy signal to the base to tell it to turn on? I'm thinking of a wireless version of the 802.3af protocol with PoE switches.

It's possible, I'm just biased against anything that sends out energy indiscriminately in all directions without a really good reason. We're entering a world where laziness pushes new products on the market, starting with the TV remote control, that result in a constant power drain. It's small but it adds up.

I actually had a friend that flipped his breakers when he left for a week-long vacation once to avoid the power drain of all these devices. He came back to a rotten smelling house. As it turns out, the refrigerator should always have power, haha

You could sure make a fun desk toy with something like this, though...

Yeah, it is significant over time. I unplug almost everything from the wall, every day. The only things I leave plugged in are major appliances and media stuff. I could probably also unplug my audio and TV at night, though. Yeah, that's lazy.

This kinda reminds me of WISPs that use omni antennae all over the place, cuz they're cheaper than sectors, per dBi gain. SOOOO much RF out there. New equipment that is great at dealing with interference on public bands (2.4 and 5 GHz) further deincentivizes (word? haha) WISPs from conducting proper freq mgmt. I wonder if there is any unforeseen affects with double/triple harmonic interference. Probably not, but like you, I hate a waste and am also biased. I have to climb these leaky towers every now and then, which may or may not be hurting my fertility.