Apple's new patent application exposed, can iPad Pro charge Apple Pencil?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple relating to an updated version of the Apple Pencil that can be connected to an iPad Pro for charging.

Apple's invention provides an inductive interconnect system that enables wireless power transfer between a host device and an accessory device. The inductive interconnect system enables the accessory device to receive power from the host device in different rotational orientations. This simplifies how the accessory device receives power from the host device.

The wireless charging system includes an electronic transmitting device that transmits power and an electronic receiving device that receives power from the electronic transmitting device. According to the disclosure, the electronic transmitting device can be a host device that can perform various functions for a user, such as a tablet computer, a smart phone, and any other portable consumer electronic device; and the electronic receiving device can be an accessory device, such as a portable keyboard, a stylus, a smart pencil, and an iRELESS headset and any other suitable electronic device that can enhance the host function.

Apple's patent FIG. 20 below illustrates an exemplary wireless charging system where a host device 2000 (iPad) is aligned with an exemplary accessory device 2002 (Apple Pencil) that is configured to receive charging at any point along a 360° rotation.

Apple's patent FIG. 6 is an updated Apple Pencil, currently limited to iPad Pro, with a built-in receiving coil that enables it to be charged by connecting to iPad Pro; FIG. 7a is a simplified cross-sectional view of a point on the receiving coil of the receiving element of the updated Apple Pencil.

Apple's patent application published today by the U.S. Patent Office was originally filed back in Q3 2018.