Infrared remote controller using solar rechargeable capacitor

• US 6,114,830 A
• Filed: 01/22/1999
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ching-Hsing Luo
• Original Assignee: Ching-Hsing Luo
• Inventors: Luo, Ching-Hsing
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Shawn
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US09/236,278
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 320/132, 320/DIG. 19, 320/DIG. 21, 320/101, 320/102
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

An infrared remote controller is provided with power by a capacitor supplied by an electrical power supply preferably including a photovoltaic panel which converts light into electricity. A main switch closes the circuit between the power capacitor and the controller. An interface circuit having at least one diode, but preferably at least two in parallel to minimize resistance, connects the power supply to the capacitor. This interface circuit may also include a power level testing circuit, preferably one utilizing a light emitting diode (LED). A rechargeable battery may be included in the power source for greater power reserve. A voltage reference or voltage regulator is recommended between the capacitor and the infrared remote controller. The sizing of the capacitor in accordance with the consumption requirements of an infrared remote controller and the operating voltage enables a very simple circuit overall. Comparatively quick recovery times between uses of the remote controller are enabled by the capacitor. The combination of the capacitor powered infrared remote controller and the reserve power provided by a rechargeable cell minimizes both the size of the photovoltaic panel and the size of the device overall.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an infrared remote controller, a voltage reference, a power supply, a power capacitor of at least 0.1 Faraday, and a main switch all electrically connected by a basic main circuit such that said power capacitor is in parallel with both said power supply and said infrared remote controller and is further in series with said power supply through an interface circuit with said main switch open and in series with said infrared remote controller with said main switch closed;

said power capacitor being electrically connected to said infrared remote controller through said voltage reference such that electrical power of fixed stabilized voltage is provided to said infrared remote controller from said power capacitor when said main switch is closed;

said interface circuit electrically allowing the flow of electricity from said power supply to said power capacitor and when said main switch is open said electricity from said power supply to said power capacitor effects charging of said power capacitor;

whereby closing of said main switch provides electrical power to said infrared remote controller from said power capacitor and opening of said main switch provides replenishment of the electrical charge held by said power capacitor.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said infrared remote controller is electrically connected to said power capacitor through a voltage regulator to fix and stabilize the voltage of the electricity provided said infrared remote controller by said power capacitor.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said power supply includes at least one battery.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said power supply includes at least one battery which is rechargeable.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said interface circuit includes at least one diode which prevents the flow of electricity from said power capacitor to said power supply.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein at least two diodes in parallel with respect to each other are included in said interface circuit in order to prevent the flow of electricity from said power capacitor to said power supply.

7. The device of claim 1 further including a testing circuit electrically connected to said interface circuit possessing a test switch which when closed indicates the power level of the power supply.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said testing circuit includes a light emitting diode (LED) and the power level of the power supply is indicated by the brightness of the LED.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said power capacitor possesses a charge capacity of at least one Faraday.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said power capacitor possesses a charge capacity of between one and three Faraday.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said power source includes at least one photovoltaic panel capable of converting light into electricity.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said interface circuit includes at least one diode which prevents the flow of electricity from said power capacitor to said power supply.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein at least two diodes in parallel with respect to each other are included in said interface circuit in order to prevent the flow of electricity from said power capacitor to said power supply.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein said power supply includes at least one rechargeable battery.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said interface circuit includes at least one diode which prevents the flow of electricity from said power capacitor to said power supply.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein at least two diodes in parallel with respect to each other are included in said interface circuit in order to prevent the flow of electricity from said power capacitor to said power supply.

17. The device of claim 16 further including a testing circuit electrically connected to said interface circuit possessing a test switch which when closed indicates the power level of the power supply.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said testing circuit includes a light emitting diode (LED) which indicates the power level of the power supply by the brightness of the LED.