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US5523776A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Photovoltaic array for computer display

Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
•
Filing: 1995-01-10
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Granted: 1996-06-04
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Expires: 2015-01-10
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Abstract

Abstract A display is constructed having a flat screen consisting of pixels which may be individually excited to create an image. The pixels are excitable between a light reflective and a transparent state in which they are visible in the reflective state and dark in the transparent state. A solar panel is mounted behind the flat screen to receive light transmitted by the transparent pixels. The solar panel converts the light to electric power to supplement the battery operation of the device.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gareth G. Hougham
  • 👤 Alfred Viehbeck

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 19:30
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1601; G06F1/26; H; H02; H02S; H02S99/00; G06F2200/00; G06F2200/16; G06F2200/161; G06F2200/1612; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 80 words
A display panel for a computer comprising: panel means to generate an image through the electrical excitation of a plurality of pixels, each said pixel being excitable between two states, one state in which the pixel is transparent and dark and a second state in which the pixel is reflective and visible; and means operatively associated with the pixel to receive light energy transmitted through said pixel in said transparent state and convert said transmitted light energy into electric energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 80 words
A display panel for a computer comprising: panel means to generate an image through the electrical excitation of a plurality of pixels, each said pixel being excitable between two states, one state in which the pixel is transparent and dark and a second state in which the pixel is reflective and visible; and means operatively associated with the pixel to receive light energy transmitted through said pixel in said transparent state and convert said transmitted light energy into electric energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A display panel for a computer as described in claim 1 wherein the means for converting light energy is at least one photovoltaic cell.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 113 words
A system for supplying supplemental power to an electrical device which utilizes a display, comprising: a display a screen constructed of a plurality of pixels, each said pixel being excitable between two states, one state in which the pixel is transparent and dark and a second state in which the pixel is reflective and visible; a solar panel constructed of at least one photovoltaic cell, said panel mounted behind the screen to receive light transmitted through the transparent pixels of the screen and convert the transmitted light energy into electric energy; and a power supply connected to the solar panel to receive the electric energy therefrom and apply it to the electrical device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 113 words
A system for supplying supplemental power to an electrical device which utilizes a display, comprising: a display a screen constructed of a plurality of pixels, each said pixel being excitable between two states, one state in which the pixel is transparent and dark and a second state in which the pixel is reflective and visible; a solar panel constructed of at least one photovoltaic cell, said panel mounted behind the screen to receive light transmitted through the transparent pixels of the screen and convert the transmitted light energy into electric energy; and a power supply connected to the solar panel to receive the electric energy therefrom and apply it to the electrical device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
A system for supplying supplemental power to an electrical device which utilizes a display as described in claim 3 wherein the states of the pixels are formed by the process of reversible electroplating.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4017725A Cited
US4209735A Cited
US4095217A Cited
JPS58149524A Cited
US5078480A Cited
US5039928A Cited
JPH0345986A Cited
JPH04362917A Cited
US5260885A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-06-04 1999-12-04 2000-06-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-06-04 2003-12-04 2004-06-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-06-04 2007-12-04 2008-06-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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