Portable cellular phone with integral solar panel

• US 5,898,932 A
• Filed: 03/24/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James C. Zurlo, Mark L. Schulcz
• Original Assignee: James C. Zurlo, Mark L. Schulcz
• Inventors: Zurlo, James C., Schulcz, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH C
• Application Number:
  US08/823,337
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/572, 455/573, 455/574, 455/575, 455/90, 455/351, 455/343, 455/127, 455/66, 320/101, 320/115, 320/102, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 455/573
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1607 Supply circuits converters H02M; filters therefor H02M1/14; voltage stabilisers G05F1/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers

Abstract

A new and improved portable cellular phone with integral solar panel including a portable cellular telephone with a rectangular configuration having a front face, a rear face, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space. The front face has a plurality of operating components including a display, a plurality of keys, a microphone, and a speaker situated thereon for allowing conventional usage of the telephone. A planar rectangular solar panel is coupled to the rear face of the telephone. The solar panel is adapted to convert ambient light into electric power. At least one rechargeable battery is situated within the interior space of the telephone and electrically connected to the operating components of the phone for supplying power thereto. Finally, power connection circuitry is electrically connected between the solar panel and the batteries. The power connection circuitry is adapted to permit the flow of power from the solar panel to the at least one battery and further preclude the flow of power from the at least one battery to the solar panel.

Claims

1. A new and improved portable cellular phone with integral solar panel comprising, in combination:

a portable cellular telephone with a rectangular configuration having a front face, a rear face, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space, the front face having a plurality of operating components including a display, a plurality of keys, a microphone, and a speaker situated thereon for allowing conventional usage of the telephone;

a planar rectangular solar panel coupled to the rear face of the telephone, the solar panel having a size equivalent to that of the rear, the solar panel adapted to convert ambient light into electric power, wherein the solar panel has an area of at least 15 square inches;

a pair of rechargeable batteries situated within the interior space of the telephone and electrically connected to the operating components of the phone for supplying power thereto, the rechargeable batteries further adapted to recharge upon the receipt of power;

a conventional recharging stand including a rectangular base with a rectangular inset portion formed in a top face thereof and a pair of contacts formed within the rectangular inset portion and connectable to a conventional electric receptacle via a cord, wherein the telephone is equipped with a pair of auxiliary contacts situated on a bottom face thereof and electrically connected to the batteries to allow the same to receive power from the recharging stand, the recharging stand having a switch for allowing the selective supply of power to the contacts and a charging light situated on the top face of the base for indicating that the power is being supplied; and

power connection means electrically connected between the telephone, solar panel, recharging stand, and the batteries, the power connection means adapted to permit the flow of power from the solar panel to the batteries and further preclude the flow of power between the batteries and further to the solar panel, the power connection means also adapted to permit the flow of power from the recharging stand only to the batteries and the telephone and further permit the flow of power from the batteries only to the telephone, wherein the power connection means includes an array of diodes.