Apple Computers (AAPL) has fired an opening shot in the wireless charging patent warfare. Patently Apple reports that the now Jobs-less firm has filed for patent protection on inductive wireless charging for iPhone, iPod, and iPad. The patent “Using an Audio Cable as an Inductive Charging Coil,” is available at the U.S. Patent Office website.
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he patent application in typical Apple style, calls for a “wireless” charging solution that uses wires. Apple wants to use headphone wires rather than supplying a power cable. The wired wireless charging system includes a tower that would sit atop your desk. According to MIT’s Technology Review, to charge an iPhone, specially designed earphones must be wrapped around the tower multiple times. Finally, the earbuds are to be placed on the device, where special conductive metal mesh would begin funneling electricity to your device.
TR says the charging tower is an eyesore, wrapping earphones around it would be a hassle and the whole thing is decidedly un-Apple-like in its unwieldy and cumbersome nature. Other opinions are “Incredibly impractical,” “ridiculous,” “like an iPhone scratching post,” “Tolkien-esque.”
TR and Gizmodo believe this patent application is a “red herring” and Apple has other things in mind. Back in May 2011, MacRumors noted Apple’s interest in WiTricity, As MacRumors pointed out an international patent application filed by Apple which cites the original MIT paper as the foundation of WiTricity’s business plan.
rb-
I have already covered wireless electricity a couple of times. The obelisk charging patent is so out of character for Apple design that I believe it is a head-fake. With their closed eco-system, Apple can create a closed version of the WiTricity technology and charge a premium for it.
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.