Apple is a company with a very active imagination. The Cupertino-based giant has registered a patent describing a wireless charging method for its products. Users will be able to synch their gadgets both with iTunes and iCloud via Wi-Fi thanks to iOS 5. Taking into account this new feature, a Wi-Fi battery charging method does not seem a farfetched idea anymore.

How does this method work? According to Apple’s patent, iMacs or Macbooks will capture a NFMR (near-field magnetic resolution) energy source and then use it to charge iPads, iPhones or iPods wirelessly. Compatible wireless keyboard and mice could also be charged in this manner but they require coupling antennas, therefore charging peripherals is a bit more complicated. The gadgets to be charged need to be placed at a maximum distance of one meter in front of the iMac or Macbook.

The good news is that Apple’s wireless charging method can be used on older iMac versions as well. An USB device needs to be connected to the iMac so as to capture energy and transfer it to other iOS gadgets and peripherals. The bad news is that the charging field is active within an area of one meter; therefore users have to put their gizmos near the iMac which limits the functionality of wireless battery charging. Another issue is the level of radiation involved by such an energy field, especially now when WHO admitted that mobile phone radiation can cause cancer.

This might be one of the patents Apple will never put in practice, but it is good to know the company is preoccupied by such ideas.

By Radu Tyrsina
Source: Your Apple iMac may soon be wirelessly charging iPods, iPhones and iPads » Unwired View

Originally Posted by iDan

Apple is a company with a very active imagination. The Cupertino-based giant has registered a patent describing a wireless charging method for its products. Users will be able to synch their gadgets both with iTunes and iCloud via Wi-Fi thanks to iOS 5. Taking into account this new feature, a Wi-Fi battery charging method does not seem a farfetched idea anymore.

How does this method work? According to Apple’s patent, iMacs or Macbooks will capture a NFMR (near-field magnetic resolution) energy source and then use it to charge iPads, iPhones or iPods wirelessly. Compatible wireless keyboard and mice could also be charged in this manner but they require coupling antennas, therefore charging peripherals is a bit more complicated. The gadgets to be charged need to be placed at a maximum distance of one meter in front of the iMac or Macbook.

The good news is that Apple’s wireless charging method can be used on older iMac versions as well. An USB device needs to be connected to the iMac so as to capture energy and transfer it to other iOS gadgets and peripherals. The bad news is that the charging field is active within an area of one meter; therefore users have to put their gizmos near the iMac which limits the functionality of wireless battery charging. Another issue is the level of radiation involved by such an energy field, especially now when WHO admitted that mobile phone radiation can cause cancer.

This might be one of the patents Apple will never put in practice, but it is good to know the company is preoccupied by such ideas.

By Radu Tyrsina
Source: Your Apple iMac may soon be wirelessly charging iPods, iPhones and iPads » Unwired View

I would assume this to be an inductive charging system where the device to be charged is placed in a relatively low frequency magnetic field - perhaps even the mains frequency of 50 or 60 hz. A coil in the device to be charged would produce voltage as the magnetic field varies and that voltage would Charge the battery. Similar systems already exist, so I would wonder what new technology Apple would be adding.

We are already surrounded by this type of low frequency magnetic "radiation" and it is generally considered harmless. The radiation WHO reported on was high frequency, microwave (RF) radiation. That is known to be harmful at high levels, though it is hard to say at lower levels.

I'm sure it has been done before, i'm sure i've seen a picture of a black slab with mobile phnes etc placed on top of it and it charges the battery

Yep


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_charging

- Sig - How to stop being notified of new posts, in the IPF app, goto the subscribed tab, then swipe left/right on the threads you no longer want to follow - I bleed in 6 colours