Solar lighting with pay-as-you go technology
First Claim
1. A method of managing an apparatus, comprising:
- transmitting an activation message from a server to a mobile device, wherein the activation message is for the apparatus and the apparatus receives the activation message using a cable that connects the apparatus to an audio jack of the mobile device,wherein the apparatus comprises;
a jack configured to facilitate bidirectional communication between the apparatus and the mobile device; and
an amplifier that converts an analog signal received from the mobile device through the cable into a plurality of digital pulses by collapsing areas of the analog signal that are below a first voltage threshold and raising areas of the analog signal that are above a second voltage threshold, wherein the apparatus decodes the activation message transmitted from the server to the mobile device by measuring a width of a digital pulse to determine a bit value.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for providing solar lighting and power to a customer by using pay-as-you-go (PAYG) technology. The PAYG technology allows a customer to make incremental payments for a solar energy system that includes a lighting unit. The payments can be made through a smartphone. A cable is used to connect an audio jack of the smartphone and a PV power jack of the lighting unit. Analog AC signals including data about activation, payment, usage and status are transmitted over the cable between the service provider and lighting unit, through a smartphone. The power jack of the lighting unit is also used to connect to a solar panel of a charging unit and a battery of the lighting unit.
62 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method of managing an apparatus, comprising:
-
transmitting an activation message from a server to a mobile device, wherein the activation message is for the apparatus and the apparatus receives the activation message using a cable that connects the apparatus to an audio jack of the mobile device, wherein the apparatus comprises; a jack configured to facilitate bidirectional communication between the apparatus and the mobile device; and an amplifier that converts an analog signal received from the mobile device through the cable into a plurality of digital pulses by collapsing areas of the analog signal that are below a first voltage threshold and raising areas of the analog signal that are above a second voltage threshold, wherein the apparatus decodes the activation message transmitted from the server to the mobile device by measuring a width of a digital pulse to determine a bit value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of managing an apparatus comprising:
-
transmitting an activation message from a server to a mobile device, wherein the activation message is for the apparatus and the apparatus receives the activation message using a first cable that connects the apparatus to an audio jack of the mobile device, wherein the apparatus comprises a jack configured to facilitate bidirectional communication between the apparatus and the mobile device, and wherein the first cable comprises; a first end configured to connect to the jack of the apparatus and comprising only two conductors, and a second end configured to connect to an audio jack of the mobile device and comprising three or more conductors. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of managing an apparatus comprising
transmitting an activation message from the server to a mobile device, wherein the activation message is for the apparatus and the apparatus receives the activation message using a cable that connects the apparatus to an audio jack of the mobile device, wherein the cable comprises: -
an input connector configured to connecting to the audio jack, the input connector comprising; a first conducting portion for transmitting a first signal; a second conducting portion for transmitting a second signal or a third signal; and a third conducting portion for transmitting the second signal or the third signal; an output connector configured for connecting to the apparatus comprising; a fourth conducting portion; and a fifth conducting portion; and a circuit electrically connecting the first and third conducting portions to the fourth conducting portion and the second conducting portion to the fifth conducting portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A system for managing an apparatus comprising:
-
one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for; transmitting an activation message from the system to a mobile device, wherein the activation message is for the apparatus and the apparatus receives the activation message using a cable that connects the apparatus to an audio jack of the mobile device, wherein the apparatus comprises; a jack configured to facilitate bidirectional communication between the apparatus and the mobile device; and an amplifier that converts an analog signal received from the mobile device through the cable into a plurality of digital pulses by collapsing areas of the analog signal that are below a first voltage threshold and raising areas of the analog signal that are above a second voltage threshold, wherein the apparatus decodes the activation message transmitted from the system to the mobile device by measuring a width of a digital pulse to determine a bit value.
-
Specification