On March 2, US time, the US Patent and Trademark Office issued Apple's patent application, revealing one of Apple's coolest inventions to date-the floating charging system.
On June+10 in 5438, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in the United States, South Korea's LG Company launched a "suspended mobile phone speaker", which immediately became the star of the exhibition. If Apple can really combine suspension and charging, it will be a more practical design than the simple suspension sound.
LG's "Suspended Phone Speaker"
Although Apple has always been known for its secrecy, in this patent document, Apple listed several possible application scenarios. One of the application scenarios is that the user puts the iPhone or Apple Watch on the floating platform and turns it on. The floating platform will suspend the iPhone or Apple Watch device, indicating that the device is charging. Users can set the Apple device to rotate and flip vertically on the same plane when charging, and even "dance" with your favorite iTunes music.
Apple wireless suspension charging simulation diagram
Another application scenario is that Apple can also use this floating platform in the Apple Store to display Apple products, so that consumers have an experience similar to being in a science fiction movie.
Its structure is described in Apple's patent application. The suspension system includes a suspension platform composed of coils, which can generate a magnetic field when energized, and objects that generate a magnetic field like permanent magnets, which can be suspended by the magnetic field when energized.
Structure diagram of apple suspension system
Apple also pointed out in the patent application that "the suspension platform in the suspension system may include sensors that can detect the position and motion of suspended matter, and it can also adjust its position and motion according to the position of suspended matter".
In some specific scenes, some parts of the suspension sensor can also be used as a component to make a mouse, so that the cursor controlled by the mouse can be controlled by moving these parts without real touch. In this application scenario, this controller can be used as a control handle or a virtual controller.
However, the rotation of this magnetic field system may lead to overheating problems. Therefore, Apple pointed out that the cooling of the system will be assisted by media other than air, such as water or liquid nitrogen.
Apple's patent application was filed in the third quarter of 20 15. As this is only a patent application, it is not clear when this kind of product will go on the market.