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Custom wireless retrofitted solar powered public telephone

  • US 9,614,398 B2
  • Filed: 11/27/2013
  • Issued: 04/04/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2012
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of retrofitting a solar panel system to provide power to a public telephone that includes at least one telephone component comprising a handset, the method comprising:

  • mounting a charge controller and a wireless unit in a pedestal of the public telephone, wherein the wireless unit is coupled to the charge controller and configured to access a wireless communications network;

    disconnecting a telephone landline from a line interface within circuitry of the public telephone;

    connecting a first end of a two-wire modular connector to the line interface and a second end of the two-wire modular connector to the wireless unit, wherein the public telephone is converted to enable wireless telecommunications through operation of the handset;

    attaching a solar panel to an outer surface of a surrounding enclosure that houses the public telephone, wherein the solar panel is configured to be substantially flat against the outer surface; and

    connecting the solar panel to existing wiring in the pedestal of the public telephone and to the charge controller coupled to the wireless unit, wherein the at least one telephone component is powered using energy output from the solar panel without requiring an additional power source,wherein the public telephone retrofitted with the solar panel system operates on the wireless communications network without connection to the telephone landline.

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