Apple's
newly awarded patent for wireless charging technology suggests the company may
be developing a product that would dramatically reduce the iPad's dependence on
having an electrical outlet nearby. That may be a boon for frequent flyers, but
it may not excite those who use their iPads on a couch, or in bed, or in some
other cozy at-home setting where recharging isn't an issue.
Wireless
charging may be in the works for iPad owners if Apple follows through on a
patent awarded to it by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Thursday.
The
tablet cover described in the patent would include "an inductive power
transmitter arranged to wirelessly pass power to a corresponding inductive
power receiver unit disposed within the tablet device by inductively
coupling."
The
patent includes a scenario in which the cover could include a battery of its
own that could be used as a supplemental power source: "In some cases ...
, the protective cover can include an internal source of power such as a
battery that can be used to store power that can subsequently be passed to the
tablet device by way of the inductive power transfer circuit."
Unsightly Problem
The
power supply would also be adaptive, according to the patent. It "can
supply power to the tablet device at a proper magnitude at a beginning of an
operation, as well as to continually monitor the power supply circuit and make
adjustments in real-time as needed providing the adaptive power the ability to
change in accordance with changes in the power requirements of the tablet
device."
The
patent is designed to offer a solution to a nagging problem with electronic
devices since their inception. "These devices continue to be plagued with
a need for corded power supplies," it states. "Typically, each
electronic device requires a separate power supply cord. These cords are a
burden to use, store and [carry] around as needed. Cords can be unsightly and
substantially hinder portable device mobility. Therefore, a method of delivering
useful power to a portable computing device, such as a tablet device, that is
both efficient and does not distract from the inherent aesthetics of the tablet
device is desired."
Playing Catch-up
Because
Apple is entering the wireless inductive power game so late, it could run into
intellectual property problems, according to Rob Enderle, president and
principal analyst with the Enderle Group.
"There's
a lot of prior work on inductive charging out there," he told
MacNewsWorld. "Qualcomm has a substantial amount of intellectual property
surrounding inductive chargers all the way up through cars."
The
patent does tip off Apple's future plans, he suggested. "It showcases that
Apple intends to do something with wireless charging, maybe create an accessory
based on that patent."
Even
if the rumors were true, and the next iPhone were to have a wireless charger,
Apple would still be lagging other players in the market, like Nokia, which
already has a wireless charger, Enderle argued.
"Apple
is used to being ahead of the curve, and right now they're following Samsung.
As a follower, it will be more difficult for Apple to maintain its premium
price," he contended. "Inductive charging seems to be one of the
logical places where Apple could level the field between them and
Samsung."
Poised for Proliferation
While
wireless charging technologies have been around for some time, they seem to be
poised for proliferation now. The technology recently received a boost from some
car makers that said they'd be installing wireless charges as standard
equipment.
"When
a car company talks about including it in their cars, the utility of it
rises," Enderle said.
Moreover,
consumers can expect to see wireless chargers becoming part of the landscape at
their favorite hangouts under an ambitious program being launched by Duracell
Powermat, makers of a line of wireless charging products.
Through
its Wireless Pollination initiative, the company is partnering with the likes
of General Motors, Madison Square Garden, Delta airlines and Starbucks to make
wireless charges available to their customers.
"We're
embedding this technology into their furniture," Ron Rabinowitz, CEO of Duracell
Powermat, told MacNewWorld.
"We
want to make sure that wireless charging will go from your home into public
places," he said. "This is going to be the start of the 'hockey
stick' for this category."
Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/77543.html
