System and method to power an electric-powered device using light energy
AssigneeBellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
InventorMark Kirkpatrick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for and method of powering an electric-powered device associated with a vehicle is described that utilizes an adapter that receives current from an energy-converting cell and the vehicle battery. The adapter may forward current to the device from either one or a combination of the two current sources thereby charging or operating the device.
Claims26
A system for powering an electric-powered device in connection with a vehicle, comprising:
- an energy-converting cell that can convert light energy received from a light source into electrical current;
- an adapter in communication with the cell and a battery of a vehicle, wherein the adapter receives current from both the cell and the battery;
- and
- an outlet on the adapter that is connectable to an electric-powered device;
- wherein the adapter can draw current from either the battery or the cell or a combination thereof and forward any cumulative current as power to the device.
A system for powering an electric-powered device in connection with a vehicle, comprising:
- an energy-converting cell that can convert light energy received from a light source into electrical current;
- an adapter in communication with the cell and a battery of a vehicle, wherein the adapter receives current from both the cell and the battery;
- an outlet on the adapter that is connectable to an electric-powered device;
- and
- a switch on the adapter having two positions, a first position wherein when the adapter detects any current coming from the cell, the adapter provides the current to the device and shuts off current from the battery, and a second position wherein the adapter receives current from the cell and determines a power output for the current, thereby optionally drawing additional current from the battery to supplement the current from the cell, to generate a pre-determined power level for the device.
A system for powering an electric-powered device, comprising:
- energy-converting means for converting light energy received from a light source into electrical current;
- current-controlling means for controlling current flow, the current-controlling means in communication with the energy-converting means and a battery of a vehicle, wherein the current-controlling means receives current from both the energy-converting means and the battery;
- and
- output means for outputting current, the output means being part of the current-controlling means and connectable to an electric-powered device;
- wherein the current-controlling means can draw current from either the battery or the energy-converting means or a combination thereof and forward any cumulative current as power to the device.
A method of powering an electric-powered device associated with a vehicle, comprising:
- exposing an energy-converting cell to a light source, the cell being able to convert light energy received from a light source into electrical current;
- electrically connecting an adapter with the cell and a battery of a vehicle, wherein the adapter receives current from both the cell and the battery, the adapter having an outlet that is connectable to the device, wherein the adapter can draw current from either the battery or the cell or a combination thereof;
- and
- communicating the electrical current received by the adapter with the device, thereby powering the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.