A few days back, we reported that Energous received FCC certification for a wireless charging tech that can power up devices at a distance of up to three feet away. Now, two patent applications from Apple have been spotted, hinting at what the iPhone maker may offer its users in the wireless charging space in the future.
Allows you to prioritize devices
According to PatentlyApple, the two patents detail the wireless charging methods, where several devices can be charged simultaneously. The first patent details a feature that allows a user to choose the device that must be charged first. Apple’s second patent talks of putting the wireless charging equipment inside other objects like a vehicle or furniture.
Apple patent application suggests RF-based long-range wireless charging. According to 9to5mac, there are problems associated with the RF-based charging. First, as the distance of devices from the charger increases, the amount of power available to the devices drops. Second, there is a limit on the power that can be transmitted due to safety concerns. As a result, the net power available to the devices is even less. In such a scenario, Apple’s patent of prioritizing the devices to be charged seems a logical way out.
“The information that is used in identifying appropriate amounts of power to transmit to each of the electronic devices may include information such as user device charging priority settings, battery charge state information, device type information, usage history information, calendar information, and other information,” reads the patent.
In simple words, using this wireless charging tech, you will be able to tell the system to charge your iPhone first before charging the Apple Watch. According to VentureBeat, both the patents were filed in June of this year, and were published on Thursday. Both are yet to be approved.
Is the wait over for a true wireless charging tech?
Reports of Apple working on a distance wireless charging technology are not new. Last year, VentureBeat reported that Apple and Energous have been working together since 2014. Separately, a report from Bloomberg claimed that Apple is making efforts to launch a zero-contact wirelessly charged iPhone “as soon as 2017,” but is working to widen the gap between the devices and the charger. In 2017, Apple launched the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X integrated with Qi-compatible wireless charging capabilities.
Wireless charging is one technology that has long been rumored to come about, but has still to be made available in its true form. With Energous getting the first of its kind approval from FCC for a distance wireless charging system, tech experts must have surely upped their hopes for the technology.
Energous showed its technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January of this year, and hopes to come up with a product very soon. Further, the company told investors that it is also working to sell its technology outside the U.S. Following the FCC approval, Energous’s stock spiked up on the stock market, reaching as far as $32 (compared to below $9 at the start of the week). Roth Capital Partners believe the stock has the potential to cross the $45 mark in the next 12 months, according to CNBC.
