Wireless Charging of active styluses using mobile devices

NFC Forum Wireless Charging Specification to be integrated into Universal Stylus Initiative styluses

The NFC Forum and the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding today that points out a collaboration plan to allow USI members to integrate the NFC Forum’s Near Field Communications (NFC) Wireless Charging Specification (WLC) in their products and to verify standards compliance by utilizing the NFC Forum Certification Program. The integration of WLC will allow rechargeable USI styluses to be wirelessly charged with a smartphone, mobile computing device or other NFC charging device at a power transfer rate of up to one watt.

“Wireless charging is an important part of the USI solution as power management and standard interfaces are key elements of an active stylus pen and contributes to a seamless USI user experience across multiple devices,” said Peter Mueller, chairman, USI. “This collaboration will allow USI to leverage the NFC wireless charging specification to develop charging solutions for USI styluses including the test and certification procedure. It will reference external standards and specifications like NFC Forum’s WLC and its certification program.”

The WLC enables a single antenna in an NFC-enabled device to manage both communications and charging. This solution makes it easier and more convenient to charge low-power IoT devices such as smart watches, fitness trackers, wireless earbuds, and other consumer devices like active styluses. The NFC communication technology also allows for setup and configuration of the active stylus while it is being charged.

USI claims to offer the only open, non-proprietary, active stylus solution available that is capable of simplifying consumers’ lives by having one stylus for use with multiple touch-enabled devices.

“Wireless charging eliminates the plug and connector hassle of modern digital life. The NFC Forum’s specification work in this area is well suited for charging USI styluses because it will enable a globally interoperable market,” said Koichi Tagawa, chair, NFC Forum. “Wirelessly rechargeable styluses are an ideal, practical application of the NFC Forum’s wireless charging specification and use of the NFC Forum certification program.”