Power management circuitry and solar cells
First Claim
1. A method of powering a portable electronic device using a plurality of solar cells, comprising:
- determining that a battery of the portable electronic device is drained; and
in response to determining the battery is drained, switching the plurality of solar cells to a first operational state that facilitates the generation of a startup voltage to power the portable electronic device, wherein the switching comprises connecting the plurality of solar cells in a series configuration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This is directed to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing circuitry that can be used to control multiple solar cells to generate power for a portable electronic device. For example, in response to determining that one or more of the solar cells is generating a reduce voltage output (e.g., due to a partial obstruction of one or more of the solar cells), the connections among the solar cells can be configured to generate a constant preset voltage, as long as a subset of the solar cells is operating. The voltage generated by the solar cells can then be boosted to a value suitable for powering the portable electronic device and/or any of its individual components. As another example, the connections among the solar cells can be configured to generate a startup voltage to directly power the portable electronic device and/or any of its components.
24 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of powering a portable electronic device using a plurality of solar cells, comprising:
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determining that a battery of the portable electronic device is drained; and in response to determining the battery is drained, switching the plurality of solar cells to a first operational state that facilitates the generation of a startup voltage to power the portable electronic device, wherein the switching comprises connecting the plurality of solar cells in a series configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of powering a portable electronic device using a plurality of solar cells, comprising:
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determining that a battery of the portable electronic device is not drained; and in response to determining the battery is not drained, switching the plurality of solar cells to an operational state that facilitates the generation of a constant preset voltage as long as a subset of the plurality of solar cells is operating, wherein the switching comprises connecting the plurality of solar cells in a series/parallel configuration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A portable electronic device comprising:
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a battery; a plurality of solar cells; and bootstrap circuitry for; determining that the battery is drained; and in response to determining the battery is drained, switching the plurality of solar cells to a first operational state that facilitates the generation of a startup voltage to power the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for powering a portable electronic device, comprising:
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a battery; a plurality of solar cells; a plurality of switches, wherein at least one switch of the plurality of switches is connected between a pair of solar cells of the plurality of solar cells; and circuitry that; monitors a charge of the battery; detects a reduced voltage output of the plurality of solar cells; and controls the plurality of switches. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification