Integrated radio and solar panels
AssigneeVivint, Inc.
InventorMaha Achour
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar panel array structure is used in network communications that comprises at least one support structure configured to support a solar panel array, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a metal portion. The metal portion comprises antenna connections that are configured to allow the metal portion to be used as a radio antenna. In some cases, a radio transceiver is connected to the antenna connections. A separate radio antenna may also be connected to the support structure or to the solar panel array. The radio transceiver may be used to transmit data through a wireless communication network.
Claims23
A solar panel array structure for network communications, the structure comprising:
- at least one support structure configured to support a solar panel array, the at least one support structure comprising a metal portion, wherein the metal portion at least one of links the solar panel array to a building, is embedded in the solar panel array, is an elongated support beam of the solar panel array, and is an at least partially reflective sun collector for the solar panel array;
- and
- antenna connections to the metal portion, the antenna connections configured to allow the metal portion to be used as a radio antenna.
A solar panel array structure for network communications, the structure comprising:
- a plurality of support structures configured to support a solar panel array, wherein the plurality of support structures at least on of links the solar panel array to a building, is embedded in the solar panel array, is an elongated support beam of the solar panel array, and is an at least partially reflective sun collector for the solar panel array;
- a radio antenna mounted to at least one of the plurality of support structures;
- and
- a radio transceiver connected to the radio antenna and mounted to at least one of the plurality of support structures.
A method of administering a wireless data network, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of solar panel arrays supported by a plurality of support structures, wherein the plurality of support structures at least one of links the plurality of solar panel arrays to a building, is embedded in the plurality of solar panel arrays, is an elongated support beam of the plurality of solar panel arrays, and is an at least partially reflective sun collector for the plurality of solar panel arrays;
- connecting a plurality of radio transceivers to the plurality of solar panel arrays, the plurality of radio transceivers using the plurality of support structures as antennas;
- and
- transmitting data between the plurality of radio transceivers via the plurality of support structures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.