System and method for providing power to electrical devices

• US 20030020477A1
• Filed: 07/30/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Goldstein, Tim
• Granted Patent: US 6,570,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/415
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves

Abstract

An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises an electronic component, a sensing element, a power supply element, and logic. The sensing element is coupled to the electronic component. The sensing element is configured to sense an occurrence of an event and to transmit a data signal indicative of the occurrence. The power supply element is configured to receive energy from the sensing element and to power the electronic component with electrical energy. The electrical energy is derived from the energy received from the sensing element. The logic is configured to receive the data signal from the sensing element and to control operation of a component of the system based on a value of the data signal.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an electronic element;

a sensing element coupled to said electronic component, said sensing element configured to sense an occurrence of an event, said sensing element further configured to transmit a data signal indicative of said occurrence;

a power supply element configured to receive energy from said sensing element and to power said electronic component with electrical energy, said electrical energy derived from said energy received from said sensing element; and

logic configured to receive said data signal from said sensing element and to control operation of a component of said system based on a value of said data signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said occurrence is a detection of light by said sensing element, wherein said received energy is solar energy from said light, and wherein said power supply element is configured to convert said solar energy into said electrical energy.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing element comprises a mechanical switch, wherein said occurrence is an activation of said switch, wherein said received energy is mechanical energy induced from said activation, and wherein said power supply element is configured to convert said mechanical energy into said electrical energy.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a contact lens coupled to said sensing element, said electronic component, and said power supply element.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing element comprises a mechanical switch positioned such that said switch is engaged by and moved by an eyelid of a user wearing said contact lens when said user blinks said eyelid.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing element is configured to extract said received energy from another occurrence of said event.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing element comprises an antenna, wherein said occurrence is a reception of a signal by said antenna, wherein said received energy is mechanical energy induced via vibration of said antenna, and wherein said power supply element is configured to convert said mechanical energy into said electrical energy.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing element is configured to extract said received energy from said occurrence.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said occurrence is a chemical reaction, and wherein said received energy is generated from said chemical reaction.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said occurrence is a chemical reaction within a human body, and wherein said received energy is generated from said chemical reaction.

11. A system, comprising:

an electronic component;

a non-battery means for sensing an occurrence of an event and for providing electrical energy to said electronic component, said non-battery means configured to transmit a data signal indicative of said occurrence; and

logic configured to receive said data signal and to control operation of a component of said system based on a value of said data signal.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a contact lens coupled to said electronic component and to said non-battery means.

13. A method, comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus having a sensing element and an electronic component;

sensing an occurrence of an event via said sensing element;

transmitting a data signal from said sensing element in response to said occurrence;

controlling said apparatus based on a value of said data signal;

harnessing electrical energy via said sensing element; and

providing said electrical energy to said electronic component.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said occurrence is a detection of light by said sensing element, and wherein said method further comprises the step of:

converting solar energy from said light into said electrical energy.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said sensing element comprises a mechanical switch, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

activating said mechanical switch; and

converting mechanical energy induced via said activating step into said electrical energy.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said apparatus comprises a contact lens.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said harnessing step comprises the step of extracting said electrical energy from another occurrence of said event.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said sensing element comprises an antenna, wherein said occurrence is a reception of a signal via said antenna, and wherein said method further comprises the step of:

resonating said antenna; and

converting mechanical energy induced via said resonating step into said electrical energy.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said resonating step is performed in response to another signal received by said antenna.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said harnessing step comprises the step of extracting said electrical energy from said occurrence.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said occurrence is a chemical reaction, and wherein said electrical energy is generated from said chemical reaction.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said occurrence is a chemical reaction within a human body, and wherein said electrical energy is generated from said chemical reaction.