Next-Gen AirPods Case Could Charge iPhone, Apple Watch Wirelessly

Last month the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) published a trove of patents pertaining to exciting new Apple technologies — one of which is described as being a next-generation AirPods charging case, which would not only be waterproof, but also be capable of wirelessly charging an iPhone or Apple Watch, along with the AirPods, themselves.

While the underlying concept of an AirPods case is simple enough to understand, the implications of this patent, if executed in the form of a tangible product, could ultimately be of great benefit to users in the future. In essence, Apple envisions taking an AirPods case, styled similarly to the current AirPods charging case, and employing within it a secondary charging system that would be capable of doubling as an “external charging dock,” by which users could charge devices that merely come in contact with the outer shell.

“Such devices can include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple’s iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple’s iPhone devices), video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., ‘holographic projection systems’), gaming systems, PDAs, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple’s iPad devices), laptop (e.g. MacBooks) or other mobile computers,” Apple’s patent filing reads, in part, while adding that “Some of these devices can be configured to provide audio, video or other data or sensory output.”

 As shown below, the fundamental basis of this invention is what Apple describes as a “wireless power transmitting component” (Fig. 23; #2330), which would enable the case, itself, to conductively charge an external accessory or electronic device — meaning a device placed on top of the case while it’s laying flat on a table.

While the figure clearly shows an external device — in this instance, an Apple Watch (#2301) — being charged, it’s important to note that as long as the external device is aligned accordingly with the “wireless power transmitting component” (#2330), the case could in theory be used to charge other electronic devices, as noted above, including but not limited to an iPhone, iPad, iPod, MacBook, etc.

The case could also boast one or more sensors to help a user determine when a device is appropriately in place and ready to start receiving power, according to some embodiments. For example, the external electronic device or accessory, when aligned with the transmitting component, could boast an infrared proximity sensor that would issue a signal indicating that the device is aligned appropriately and that wireless charging has initiated.

As shown in Fig. 28 and 29 below, another embodiment of the next-generation AirPods charging case illustrates a “liquid-tight electrical connector,” meaning that the electrical connectors (#2800) could boast air-tight seals that are either resistant or insusceptible to liquid penetration. In simpler terms, the case could be waterproof.

While there’s no doubt that Apple would follow the waterproofing standards set forth by the International Protection Rating and Electrochemical Commission (IEC), various embodiments of the patent conflict in regards to what IPXX rating the case would actually be certified with. The iPhone 7, for instance, boasts an IP67 rating meaning that it can withstand water immersion at up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) for 30 minutes.

Featured Image via 9to5Mac

 

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