The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 05, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 22, 1999
Ching-Hsing Luo, Tainan 70101, TW;
Other;
Abstract
An infrared remote controller is provided with power by a capacitor supplied by an electrical power supply preferably including a photovoltaic panel which converts light into electricity. A main switch closes the circuit between the power capacitor and the controller. An interface circuit having at least one diode, but preferably at least two in parallel to minimize resistance, connects the power supply to the capacitor. This interface circuit may also include a power level testing circuit, preferably one utilizing a light emitting diode (LED). A rechargeable battery may be included in the power source for greater power reserve. A voltage reference or voltage regulator is recommended between the capacitor and the infrared remote controller. The sizing of the capacitor in accordance with the consumption requirements of an infrared remote controller and the operating voltage enables a very simple circuit overall. Comparatively quick recovery times between uses of the remote controller are enabled by the capacitor. The combination of the capacitor powered infrared remote controller and the reserve power provided by a rechargeable cell minimizes both the size of the photovoltaic panel and the size of the device overall.