Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2001-08-28
Diamond, Alan (Department: 1753)
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Photoelectric
Panel or array
C136S245000, C136S291000, C320S101000, C320S114000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281425
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of handheld computing devices and, in particular, to an apparatus and method of recharging a handheld computing device using solar power.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Handheld computing devices such as, for example, the Palm Pilot manufactured and sold by 3Com Corporation, of Santa Clara, Calif., typically use standard battery chemistries including ni-cad, lithium-ion, and nickel-metal hydride. In order to recharge these batteries, operators may use standard recharging options such as, for example, conventional AC outlets. However, mobile users who are in remote locations oftentimes do not have access to conventional AC outlets. As a result, they oftentimes have no way of recharging the batteries of their handheld computing devices.
Conventional solar panel battery chargers have been used to recharge the batteries of a wide variety of electronic devices. Such solar chargers may be available from companies such as, for example, Personal Solar Inc. of Miami Beach, Fla., Powerline Solar Products Inc. of Duluth, Ga., and Sunwize Technologies Inc. of Kingstown, N.Y. However, these conventional solar panel charges typically rely on traditional solar panel designs, which are fragile, inflexible, and are relatively heavy. Conventional solar panel battery chargers are therefore typically stand-alone devices that are relatively heavy and awkward, and must be coupled to the electronic device to be recharged.
Conventional solar battery chargers typically incorporate crystalline panels, glass amorphous sheet panels, or metal-backed panels. However, there are several disadvantages to these conventional solar panels. For example, the problem with crystalline and glass amorphous sheet panels is that they are extremely fragile and can crack easily, which renders them useless for further recharging. Moreover, these conventional glass-backed panels are heavy, which render them impracticable for use with handheld computing devices.
Conventional metal-backed panels incorporate a thin sheet of metal as a backing material, which makes them less fragile than glass-backed panels. However, they are not flexible. As a result, the shape and configuration of the panels are limited to the original form of the metal backing. Moreover, the metal backing also adds a considerable amount of weight to the panel.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an apparatus and method of recharging a handheld computing device using solar power that overcomes the disadvantages described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for recharging a handheld computing device using solar power. A recharger housing includes a first slot for receiving a handheld computing device. A solar panel support member is slidably attached to the recharger housing. A solar panel is connected to the solar panel support member for recharging the handheld computing device when the solar panel support member is in an extended position. The solar panel may preferably be comprised of an insulative, flexible material. The solar panel support member may preferably be positioned in a retracted position or an extended position. The recharger housing may further include a recharging interface positioned within the first slot, the recharging interface adapted to interface with the handheld computing device. The recharger housing may also include a second slot for receiving the solar panel support member and the solar panel when the solar panel support member and the solar panel are in the retracted position. A recharging indicator may also be provided, which may preferably extend through a top side of the recharger housing. The recharger housing may preferably include a top side, a bottom side, a back side, a first side, and a second side. The recharging interface may preferably be positioned within the first slot adjacent to the bottom side of the recharger housing. The solar panel support member and the solar panel may preferably be positioned adjacent to the back side of the recharger housing. The solar panel support member may preferably extend from the first side of the recharger housing to the second side of the recharger housing. The recharging housing may further include a first flange portion and a second flange portion. The first flange portion may preferably be connected to the first side of the recharger housing and may extend inward from the first side. The second flange portion may preferably be connected to the second side of the recharger housing and may extend inward from the second side. The solar panel support member may preferably be substantially parallel to the back side of the recharger housing when the solar panel support member is in the extended position.
Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for recharging a handheld computing device using solar power. A recharger housing includes a first slot for receiving a handheld computing device. A solar panel support member is slidably attached to the recharger housing. A flexible solar panel is connected to the solar panel support member. The solar panel support member and the flexible solar panel are in a retracted position within a second slot of the recharger housing. The solar panel support member and the flexible solar panel may preferably be substantially parallel to a back side of the recharger housing.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of recharging a handheld computing device using solar power. A recharger housing including a first slot is provided. A solar panel support member is slidably attached to the recharger housing, and the solar panel is connected to the solar panel support member. A handheld computing device is inserted into the first slot. The solar panel support member is positioned in an extended position, and the handheld computing device is recharged. The handheld computing device may preferably be recharged during operation of the handheld computing device. The recharger housing may further include a recharging interface positioned within the first slot. The handheld computing device may preferably be in communication with the recharging interface. The recharger housing may further include a second slot, and the solar panel support member may preferably be positioned in a retracted position within the second slot. The solar panel may preferably be comprised of a flexible material.
The invention provides the foregoing and other features, and the advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5522943 (1996-06-01), Spencer et al.
patent: 5626686 (1997-05-01), Yoshida
patent: 5656914 (1997-08-01), Nagele et al.
patent: 5942877 (1999-08-01), Nishimura
patent: 6084379 (2000-07-01), Buniatyan
patent: 6131018 (2000-10-01), De Crouy-Chanel et al.
3Com Corporation
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Diamond Alan
LandOfFree
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