Solar cells on portable devices
First Claim
1. A method for arranging and connecting a plurality of solar cells on a portable device, each solar cell configured to have a voltage output when activated, the method comprising:
- connecting the plurality of solar cells so that a combined voltage output of the plurality of solar cells, when all solar cells from the plurality of solar cells are activated, is substantially close to a preset voltage value; and
arranging the plurality of solar cells on the portable device so that said preset voltage is maintained if a substantial fraction of solar cells from the plurality of solar cells are activated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Solar cells are integrated into a portable device. Multiple cells are arranged on the surface of the device such that a number of solar cells may always be functional and produce a desired voltage even if the rest is obstructed. Information regarding solar cells'"'"' functions or performances can be displayed either on the device'"'"'s main display or on top of the solar cells. Solar cells are typically stacked with other layers made of transparent or semi-transparent materials. These layers are glued with shock absorbent materials. Some of these layers may be used for display or input purposes, and some layers may be coated with various materials or they may be etched with product logos or other patterns. This stack of layers may be attached to the device'"'"'s frame through a shock absorber.
72 Citations
45 Claims
-
1. A method for arranging and connecting a plurality of solar cells on a portable device, each solar cell configured to have a voltage output when activated, the method comprising:
-
connecting the plurality of solar cells so that a combined voltage output of the plurality of solar cells, when all solar cells from the plurality of solar cells are activated, is substantially close to a preset voltage value; and arranging the plurality of solar cells on the portable device so that said preset voltage is maintained if a substantial fraction of solar cells from the plurality of solar cells are activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A portable data processing system, comprising:
-
a processing system; a memory coupled to the processing system; a set of solar cells coupled to the processing system, the set of solar cells including a first group of solar cells having at least one solar cell and a second group of solar cells having at least one solar cell, each group of solar cells coupled in series with the processing system and the memory to provide power to the processing system and the memory, the first group of solar cells capable of providing sufficient power to the processing system and the memory when the second group of solar cells is at least partially obstructed, and the second group of solar cells capable of providing sufficient power to the processing system and the memory when the first group of solar cells is at least partially obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A portable data processing device, comprising:
-
a frame; a processor coupled to the frame; a solar cell layer coupled to the processor; and a shock-absorbing material coupling the solar cell layer to the frame, the solar cell to provide power to the processor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for displaying instantaneous power output from a solar cell on a portable data processing device, the solar cell having a maximum power output, wherein the solar cell is attached to a first side of the data processing device, the method comprising:
-
measuring an instantaneous power output from the solar cell; computing a ratio between the measured instantaneous power output and the maximum power output; and displaying the ratio on the first side of the device, wherein a second side of the data processing device comprises a display and a user input device. - View Dependent Claims (24)
-
-
25. A portable data processing device, comprising:
-
a processor coupled to a memory; a solar cell, the solar cell having a maximum power output, the solar cell disposed on a surface of the data processing device; and a display to display an instantaneous power output, the display being disposed on the surface. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for displaying a cumulative power output from a solar cell, the method comprising:
-
measuring a power output from a solar cell; recording cumulatively said power output for a substantial period of time; converting the recorded power output for said substantial period of time into an environmentally friendly value; generating an environmentally friendly message using the environmentally friendly value; and displaying the environmentally friendly message. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
-
-
31. An apparatus for use on a portable device, the device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is coupled to the processor, the apparatus comprising:
-
a solar cell, said solar cell coupled to the device; means for measuring an energy transferred to the device, wherein said energy is generated from said solar cell; and means for communicating the measured energy value to the processor. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
-
-
34. A portable media player, comprising:
-
an enclosure having a total exterior surface area of less than about 30,000 mm2; a media processing system disposed within the enclosure; an input device disposed on the exterior surface of the enclosure, the input device coupled to the media processing system to select media, stored on a storage device which is coupled to the media processing system and which is disposed within the enclosure, for presentation; a battery coupled to the media processing system and to the storage device and to the input device; and a solar energy device coupled to at least one of the battery, the media processing system, the storage device, and the input device, the solar energy device being an integral part of the enclosure and being disposed on at least one exterior surface of the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
-
-
37. A portable media player, comprising:
-
an enclosure having an exterior surface; a media processing system disposed within the enclosure; an input device disposed on the exterior surface of the enclosure, the input device coupled to the media processing system to select media, stored on a storage device which is coupled to the media processing system and which is disposed within the enclosure, for presentation; a battery coupled to the media processing system and to the storage device and to the input device to provide power; a solar energy device coupled to at least the battery to recharge the battery, the solar energy device being an integral part of the enclosure; and a shock absorbing material coupling the solar energy device to the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (38)
-
-
39. A portable data processing system, comprising:
-
a base unit having an input device; a display unit coupled to said base unit, said display unit having a first side and a second side, wherein said second side includes at least one of (a) a product logo, or (b) a company logo; a display screen deposited on said first side of said display unit; and a solar panel deposited on said second side of said display unit. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
-
Specification