Alternative power for a portable computer via solar cells

• US 6,445,376 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Parrish, Sean T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US09/932,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20010050680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 345/211, 345/102, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 320/101, 136/243, 136/252
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/00 Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes

Abstract

A system for prolonging the operational life of a battery-powered laptop or notebook computer. Solar cells are incorporated into the chassis or display screen of a notebook computer so that the solar cells can provide power to any component of the notebook computer and/or help with the charging, powering, and/or regulation of a battery used as a power source. In one embodiment, solar cells are mounted near the light source so that unused light energy from the light source can be captured.

Claims

1. A method of providing power in a portable computer which includes a display panel assembly having a display screen, the method comprising:

providing a light source for generating light within the display panel;

positioning the light source within the display panel to deliver light to and illuminate the display screen wherein, due to the positioning of the light source with respect to the display screen, not all of the light generated by the light source is delivered to the display screen, thereby resulting in wasted light;

providing a plurality of solar cells, wherein each of said solar cells has at least one surface that is configured to capture light; and

positioning the plurality of solar cells within the display panel such that at least two of said solar cells lie in different planes from each other, with each of said at least two solar cells being positioned adjacent to the light source and with at least one light capturing surface substantially facing the light source so as to capture portions of the wasted light from the light source and convert the wasted light that is captured by the solar cells into electrical power.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of positioning comprises disposing the at least two solar cells on portions of the surface of the light source.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of positioning comprises disposing each of the at least two solar cells on a surface that is immediately adjacent the light source.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the light source is cylindrical in shape.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source has an aperture for delivering light to the display screen and wherein the act of positioning comprises:

configuring the solar cells in at least two planar arrays; and

positioning one of the at least two planar arrays of solar cells on the side of the light source opposite the aperture.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the light source has an aperture for delivering light to the display screen and wherein the act of positioning comprises:

configuring the solar cells in two planar arrays; and

positioning the two planar arrays with one on either side of the aperture.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the light source is cylindrical in shape.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the solar cells are amorphous thin film solar cells.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the light source has an aperture for delivering light to the display screen and wherein the act of positioning comprises disposing the solar cells on substantially the entire surface of the light source, except that portion defining said aperture.

10. A method of manufacturing a portable computer comprising:

providing a chassis including a microprocessor powered by a rechargeable battery;

rotatably connecting a display panel which includes a display screen to the chassis;

disposing a light source, for generating light, within a cavity in the display panel so as to deliver light to and illuminate the display screen and the cavity in which the light source is mounted, wherein, due to the positioning of the light source with respect to the display screen, not all of the light generated by the light source is delivered to the display screen, resulting in wasted light;

providing a plurality of solar cells, each of said solar cells having at least one surface that is configured to capture light; and

disposing said solar cells within the display panel and in the cavity in which the light source is mounted such that at least two of said solar cells lie in different planes from each other and are each positioned adjacent to the light source with at least one light capturing surface substantially facing the light source so that at least two solar cells are each exposed to portions of the wasted light from the light source, so as to convert the wasted light to which the at least two solar cells are exposed into electrical energy.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing an interface that converts the light energy received by the solar cells from the light source into an electric potential usable in the computer.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing an electrical connector for connecting the electric potential to the display screen.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing an electrical connector for connecting the electric potential to a direct current component in the computer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing a power source; and

connecting the power source to the direct current component so that the power source supplements the power provided to the direct current component by the electric potential.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing a power source; and

connecting the power source to the interface so that the electric potential may be used to recharge the power source.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the act of providing a power source comprises providing a rechargeable battery.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing at least one power source; and

connecting the at least one power source to the interface so that the electric potential is coupled to the at least one power source.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the act of disposing comprises positioning the at least two solar cells on portions of the surface of the light source.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the act of disposing comprises positioning each of the at least two solar cells on a surface that is immediately adjacent the light source.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the light source is cylindrical in shape.

21. A display panel assembly for a portable computer comprising:

a display screen;

means, positioned within the display panel, for generating light within the display panel so as to deliver light to and illuminate the display screen wherein, due to the positioning of the means for generating light with respect to the display screen, not all of the light generated by the means for generating light is delivered to the display screen, thereby resulting in wasted light; and

means for capturing light located within the display panel, said means for capturing light comprising a plurality of members wherein each of said members have at least one surface that is configured to capture light, at least two of said members lying in different planes from each other and each of said at least two members being positioned adjacent to the means for generating light with at least one light capturing surface substantially facing the means for generating light so as to capture portions of the wasted light from the means for generating light and convert the wasted light that is captured by the means for capturing light into electrical power.

22. The display panel assembly of claim 21, wherein the at least two members are disposed on portions of the surface of the means for generating light.

23. The display panel assembly of claim 21, wherein each of the at least two members is disposed on a surface that is immediately adjacent the means for generating light.

24. The display panel assembly of claim 23, wherein the means for generating light is cylindrical in shape.

25. The display panel assembly of claim 21, wherein the means for capturing light defines at least two planar arrays, the means for generating light has an aperture for delivering light to the display screen and one of the at least two planar arrays is positioned on the side of the means for generating light opposite the aperture.

26. The display panel assembly of claim 21 wherein the means for capturing light defines two planar arrays, the means for generating light has an aperture for delivering light to the display screen and the two planar arrays are positioned with one on either side of the aperture.

27. The display panel assembly of claim 26, wherein the means for generating light is cylindrical in shape.

28. The display panel assembly of claim 21 wherein the means for capturing light defines amorphous thin film solar cells.

29. The display panel of claim 21 wherein the means for capturing light is disposed on substantially the entire surface of the light source except for a portion of the surface of the light source which defines an aperture for delivering light to the display screen.