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ApplePatent applicationBatteries & energyInterest 4/10

Apple patents wireless charging that sends data with uneven signal strength

Apple describes a method for sending data from a device to a wireless charger while it is charging. The system adjusts the strength of the signal for different data bits to correct for natural changes in signal gain during transmission.

Why it mattersThis improves the reliability of data exchange between devices and chargers, which could enable smarter charging features in future accessories.

In the filing’s own words

A power receiving device can include a wireless power transfer coil configured to receive wireless power from a power transmitting device via inductive coupling between the power transmitting and the power receiving device and can include a data communication transmitter configured to transmit data across the inductive coupling to the power transmitting device in accordance with an amplitude modulation scheme. Data transmission across the inductive coupling can experience variable gain corresponding to a signal frequency of the data transmission. Data transmission across the inductive coupling can be adjusted to accommodate the differences in gain.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A power receiving device comprising: a wireless power transfer coil configured to receive wireless power from a power transmitting device via inductive coupling between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device; a rectifier coupled to the wireless power transfer coil and configured to output a corresponding rectified voltage; and a data communication transmitter coupled to the wireless power transfer coil and configured to transmit data across the inductive coupling to the power transmitting device in accordance with an amplitude modulation scheme, wherein data transmission across the inductive coupling between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device experiences variable gain corresponding to a signal frequency of the data transmission, wherein data representing ‘0’ data bits, when transmitted to the power transmitting device across the inductive coupling, experience a first amount of gain of the variable gain, and wherein data representing ‘1’ data bits, when transmitted to the power transmitting device across the inductive coupling, experience a second amount of gain of the variable gain, different than the first amount of gain, the data communication transmitter is further configured to: transmit data representing ‘0’ data bits using a first signal amplitude; and transmit data representing ‘1’ data bits using a second signal amplitude, different than the first signal amplitude, to compensate for a difference between the first amount of gain and the second amount of gain.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Data Communication Optimizations for Wireless Power Transfer Systems
Publication number
US20260280358A1
Application number
19447362
Filed
Jan 13, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

H02J 50/80 Electricity & electronicsH02J 50/10 Electricity & electronicsH04L 27/04 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.