WO2011070217A1 - Appareil portable à pile photovoltaïque - Google Patents

Appareil portable à pile photovoltaïque Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011070217A1
WO2011070217A1 PCT/FI2009/050989 FI2009050989W WO2011070217A1 WO 2011070217 A1 WO2011070217 A1 WO 2011070217A1 FI 2009050989 W FI2009050989 W FI 2009050989W WO 2011070217 A1 WO2011070217 A1 WO 2011070217A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electronic device
actuator
solar cell
cell module
basis
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2009/050989
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Erno LÄHTEENMÄKI
Original Assignee
Nokia Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nokia Corporation filed Critical Nokia Corporation
Priority to PCT/FI2009/050989 priority Critical patent/WO2011070217A1/fr
Publication of WO2011070217A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011070217A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/21—Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
    • H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/04—Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/12—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Definitions

  • the invention relates to handheld electronic apparatuses comprising a solar cell, and in particular to optimizing charging in such devices.
  • Solar cells are increasingly available for providing an auxiliary source of power for various handheld devices, such as mobile phones.
  • Solar cell modules are available to be incorporated into handheld devices.
  • a solar cell module may be included in a battery cover of a mobile phone.
  • the efficiency of solar cell charging is highly dependent on the orientation of a solar cell with respect to the sun.
  • the angle between the sun and the solar cell is not optimal for charging efficiency, due to the sun's movement even if the device was originally placed optimally.
  • an apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: control an actuator of a handheld electronic device to move at least one portion of the electronic device in relation to movement of a light source to increase light energy absorption by a solar cell module of the electronic device.
  • an apparatus comprising means for controlling an actuator of a handheld electronic device to move at least one portion of the electronic device in relation to movement of a light source to increase light energy absorption by a solar cell module of the electronic device.
  • a method for controlling a handheld electronic apparatus with a solar cell module.
  • An actuator of the electronic device is controlled to move at least one portion of the electronic device in relation to movement of a light source to increase light energy absorption by the solar cell module.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an electronic device with a solar cell module
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus according to an embodiment
  • Figure 3 illustrates movement of the electronic device according to an embodiment
  • Figure 4 illustrates an electronic device according to an embodi- ment
  • Figure 5 illustrates an electronic device and a support according to an embodiment
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate electronic devices according to some embodiments
  • Figure 8 illustrates a method according to an embodiment
  • Figure 9 illustrates a method according to an embodiment.
  • a handheld electronic device 10 may comprise a solar cell module 20 on a cover portion of the device.
  • the solar cell module 20 could be integrated in a battery cover of an electronic device or a first portion of an electronic device which is movable in relation to a second portion of the device.
  • solar cells may be positioned in various outer portions of an electronic device.
  • the solar cell module 20 may be formed by solar cells integrated in a display of the electronic device.
  • the efficiency of solar cell charging is highly dependent on the orientation of the solar cell with respect to a light source, such as the sun.
  • the solar cells may be non-polarizing or polarizing. In the case of polarizing solar cells, even if the solar cell module 10 is positioned upwards to face the sun, the orientation of solar cell arrays with respect to the sun may have a significant influence on the efficiency of sunlight absorption.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified embodiment of an apparatus accord- ing to an embodiment.
  • the units of the apparatus may be part of the electronic device 10.
  • the apparatus comprises a controller 210, a solar cell module or unit 220, a memory 230, and an actuator 240.
  • an automatic light source tracking system for electronic devices is provided.
  • the controller 210 may be ar- ranged to control the actuator 240 to move at least one portion of the electronic device 10 in relation to movement of a light source. In some embodiments this refers to moving of the entire electronic device 10, but it is possible to move only a portion of the electronic device 10 comprising the solar cell module 20. This facilitates achievement and/or maintenance of substantially an optimal di- rection of an absorbing surface of the solar cell module 220 with respect to the light source for providing as efficient solar cell based charging as possible.
  • the electronic device 10 may be arranged to substantially track light source movement in order to increase solar energy absorption. No external devices are required to automatically control the electronic device 10 to be in an optimal direction with respect to the light source to enable increased solar energy absorption.
  • the controller 210 may be arranged to implement one or more algorithms providing an appropriate control output to the actuator 240 in accordance with the interface applied between the actuator 240 and the controller 210. For instance, the controller 210 may be arranged to control the actuator on and off, or provide more sophisticated instructions to the actuator 240, to achieve an optimal orientation of an absorbing surface of the solar cell module 220 with respect to the light source. Some further embodiments for arranging such algorithms are illustrated below in connection with Figures 8 and 9.
  • the electronic device may also comprise a magnetometer 250 and/or a light sensor 260, the output of which may be used in some embodiments by the controller 210.
  • the apparatus may be implemented as an electronic digital com- puter, which may comprise memory, a processing unit with one or more processors, and a system clock.
  • the processing unit may be adapted to implement the controller 210.
  • the processing unit may be controlled by a sequence of program instructions transferred to the processing unit from the memory, such as the memory 230 illustrated in Figure 2.
  • An embodiment provides a computer program embodied on a computer-readable storage medium.
  • Such computer program comprises one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least some of the actuator control related functions illustrated below in connection with Figures 3 to 9.
  • Such computer program code is stored in at least one memory of the electronic device, for instance the memory 230.
  • the memory and the computer program code are configured, with at least one processor of the apparatus, to provide means for and cause the apparatus to perform at least some of the actuator control features illustrated below in connection with Figures 3 to 9 below.
  • the computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form.
  • the actuator control features could be implemented as part of charging management and/or actuator control software, for instance.
  • At least some units of the apparatus could be in a form of a chip unit or some other kind of hardware module for controlling a handheld electronic device.
  • Such hardware module comprises an interface to connect the hardware module with the mobile communication device mechanically and/or functionally.
  • the hardware module may form a part of the electronic device 10.
  • Some examples of such a hardware module include a sub-assembly or an accessory device.
  • Such apparatus providing the controller 210 could be a chipset or an integrated circuit suitable for use in a mobile station or a portable computer, for instance.
  • At least some of the features of the apparatus illustrated further be- low could be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC).
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuits
  • Other hardware embodiments are also feasible, such as a circuit built of separate logic components.
  • a hybrid of these different implementations is also feasible.
  • the apparatus and the controller 210 are depicted as a single entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.
  • the controller 210 could comprise a specific functional module for carrying one or more of the steps in Figures 8 or 9.
  • the solar cell module 220 and the actuator 240 are illustrated as single entities, and it will be appreciated that there may be a separate controller or interface unit for the actuator 240 (e.g. a motor driving unit) and the solar cell module 220, to which the controller 210 may be connected.
  • the apparatus such as the electronic device 10 comprising the units of Figure 2, may comprise other structural and/or functional units, not discussed in more detail here.
  • the electronic device 10 comprises one or more batteries which may be charged by current from the solar cell module 220, a charger, and battery, and a charging manager.
  • a user interface of the electronic device 10 may be arranged to provide the user with access to control operations of the controller 210.
  • the presently disclosed light source tracking functionality may be switched on and off on the basis of an input from the user.
  • the various embodiments of the electronic device 10 may include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDA), portable computers, imaging devices, gaming devices, media players, such as music or video storage and playback appliances, Internet appliances permitting Internet access and browsing, as well as other handheld electronic units or terminals that incorporate a solar cell module.
  • the electronic device 10 may comprise any combination of these devices.
  • the electronic device 10 is a mobile communications device comprising one or more radio units and at least one antenna for wireless communications.
  • the solar cell module 20 is positioned in the electronic de- vice 10 such that an absorbing surface of the solar cell module 20 is essentially in a vertical direction when the electronic device 10 is positioned in its rest position on a vertical surface.
  • the electronic device can be positioned in the rest position on the support such that the solar cells face are upwards and the absorbing surface of the solar cell module 20 is substantially perpendicular to the sun at noon.
  • the electronic device 10 is controllable to rotate to substantially optimize the direction of the absorbing surface of the solar cell module 220 of the electronic device in view of charging efficiency.
  • the electronic device 10 may be lying on a surface, being illustrated as seen from the direction of a light source.
  • the electronic device 10 is rotated to track the light source movement gradually from an initial position 300a to further positions 300b, 300c.
  • the rotation may be arranged in forward and/or reverse directions.
  • a control algorithm of the controller 210 is arranged to define if forward or re- verse rotation is required.
  • the algorithm of the controller 210 may be arranged to define whether forward or reverse rotation enables the optimal direction to be achieved with the least movement.
  • the actuator 240 is or comprises a vibration motor, for instance an uneven load vibration motor.
  • the vibration motor can be controlled to move the electronic device to a predefined extent.
  • the vibration motor may be controlled to rotate the device 10 by a predefined angle, such as an angle se- lected from a domain of 1 to 15 degrees.
  • the vibration motor may cause rotation in forward and/or reverse directions.
  • vibration motors available enabling such controllable movement of a housing.
  • One example of a vibration motor causing predefined movement of housing is disclosed in EP101 1249.
  • the protrusion 400 may extend from a side of the electronic device 10 opposite to a side of the solar cell module 20.
  • the protrusion may be ball-shaped, for instance.
  • the protrusion is controllable to rotate the electronic device 10.
  • Figure 5 illustrates another example, in which the electronic device 10 is placed on a support 500, such as a charging stand.
  • the electronic device 10 and the support may be designed so that the actuator 240 in the electronic device 10 may rotate the support 500 together with the electronic device 10.
  • the controller 240 may be arranged to control rotation of the electronic device 10 and the support 500 so that the solar cell module 20 is directed towards a light source.
  • the electronic device 10 may be arranged to be moved by the internal actuator 240 in various other ways and directions.
  • the moving of the at least one portion of the electronic device 10 into a more optimal position in relation to movement of a light source is to be understood broadly to cover changing of the orientation and/or center of gravity of the at least one portion of the electronic device.
  • the ab- sorbing surface may have an angle of 0 to 90 degrees in a direction perpendicular with respect to the sun at noon, for instance. In some embodiments the angle may be varied.
  • the actuator 240 or a second actuator is configured to cause a support 600 to protrude from a cover of the apparatus to change the angle between the absorbing surface of the solar cell module 20 and the light source.
  • Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment, in which the electronic device comprises a first portion 700 and a second portion 702, and the second portion 702 is movable with respect to the first portion.
  • the solar cell module 20 may be positioned in the movable portion 702, for instance on top of a ro- tatable or sliding cover.
  • the actuator 240 is arranged to move the second portion 702 with respect to the first portion 700.
  • the controller 210 may be arranged to control the actuator 240 to move the second portion 702 and thus the direction of the solar cell module 20.
  • the angle between the absorbing surface of the solar cell module 20 and a light source may be automatically optimized to increase light energy absorption.
  • the electronic device 10 may comprise two or more actuators or actuating elements for moving the device.
  • a second actuator such as a motor
  • the controller 210 may be arranged to detect a need for moving the electronic device 10 on the basis of inputs from one or more of the units 220, 230, 250, 260. With reference to the example of Figure 7, for instance, it will be appreciated that the features below also apply to embodiments in which only a portion of the electronic device 10 is moved.
  • the controller 210 executes one or more predefined algorithms for detecting the need to move the electronic device 10 in order to be able to track sun movement. Such algorithm may be executed periodically, for instance.
  • data indicative of required actuator control ac- tions associated with different times of day is predefined.
  • the procedure may simply read a control action corresponding to the current time and control the actuator 240 accordingly. For instance, there could be a pattern causing the actuator to move the electronic device 10 by a predefined amount every 30 minutes.
  • an output from the magnetometer 250 and/or other devices providing information on the current direction of the electronic device 10 is applied by the controller 210.
  • Figure 8 illustrates an algorithm which may be applied by the controller 210 for initial movement of the electronic device 10 to an optimal direction and/or later for updating the direction of the electronic device to track sun movement.
  • an estimate of an optimal direction of (at least a portion of) the electronic device 10 is defined.
  • the controller 210 may thus access a predefined table or data in some other form indicating optimal directions at different times of day.
  • the controller 210 may calcu- late the estimate of the optimal direction.
  • the control is based on calculating an estimated direction of the sun on the basis of current time.
  • the current direction of the electronic device 10 is defined 820.
  • an output from the magnetometer 250 arranged as a digital com- pass may be applied.
  • the estimate of an optimal direction is compared with the current direction of the electronic device 10 to determine if there is a need to change the direction of the electronic device 10. If, on the basis of a check 830, there is a need to change the direction, the controller 210 activates the actuator 240 to change the direction of the electronic device.
  • the procedure checks 850 the current direction and compares 860 the current direction with the estimate of the optimal direction during the movement of the electronic device 10. If the optimal direction is achieved, the controller 210 controls 870 the actuator 240 to stop, and the procedure may return to step 810. Otherwise, the procedure returns to step 850.
  • the procedure may define an optimal angle range in relation to the sun, and the electronic device 10 may be controlled to move to have the angle between the absorbing surface of the solar cell module 20 and the sun within the predefined angle range.
  • current, voltage, or some other parameter indicating the status of the solar cell module 220 is applied by the controller 210 for determining if the electronic device 10 needs to be moved.
  • Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment in which a current level value dependent on a current light energy absorption level may be applied by the controller 210.
  • the level of current from the solar cell module 220 is de- termined.
  • This current level value may be defined also for charging management purposes in the electronic device 10.
  • the current level is compared 920 with predetermined limits, which may be stored in the memory 230.
  • the limits may be automatically adapted.
  • the limit setting is flexible and dynamically adapted in accordance with a current usage context. For instance, the limits may be set on the basis of current time and/or weather conditions. Thus, different limits may be applied in sunny and cloudy conditions. Those conditions may also change rapidly, for instance between checking whether the current position or angle of the electronic device 10 is optimum in relation to the sun.
  • the actuator is controlled 840 to move the device, for instance by rotating the device.
  • an output from a light sensor 260 indicating a current quantity of light is used by the controller 210.
  • the output from the light sensor 260 is applied as the criterion in the steps of Figure 9 instead of or in addition to the current level.
  • the electronic device 10 is arranged to prevent the apparatus from being moved is response to the current light quantity level falling below a threshold value.
  • a precondition of a minimum light level may be checked before execution of the light source tracking procedure, such as the algorithm illustrated in connection with Figure 8 or 9. This enables unnecessary and possibly disturbing movement to be avoided in low-light conditions or when the electronic device is in a pocket, for instance.
  • step 810 could be carried out after step 820.
  • the actuator is controlled in step 840 to move the device 10 to a predetermined extent or for a predetermined time, after which the procedure returns to step 820.
  • the procedure illustrated in connection with Fi- gure 9 is applied in a "trial and error" manner.
  • the controller 210 may be arranged in step 920 to compare a current parameter value from the solar cell module 220 with at least one preceding parameter value before previous movement. For instance, if there is a substantial gap between the current level and the predefined limits, the controller 210 may control the electronic device 10 to turn five degrees. This may be done in both directions from the initial po- sition. The current levels are then checked in order to determine if a more optimal orientation is available for the electronic device 10. Thus, by trying small movements and comparing with previous current level(s), the direction of the electronic device may be optimized to achieve as high a charging current as possible.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne, selon un mode de réalisation illustratif non limitatif, un procédé de commande d'un appareil électronique portable (10) équipé d'un module photovoltaïque (220). Un actionneur (240) de l'appareil électronique (10) est commandé pour déplacer une partie au moins de l'appareil électronique (10) en fonction du mouvement d'une source lumineuse de manière à accroître l'absorption d'énergie lumineuse par le module photovoltaïque (220).
PCT/FI2009/050989 2009-12-09 2009-12-09 Appareil portable à pile photovoltaïque WO2011070217A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/FI2009/050989 WO2011070217A1 (fr) 2009-12-09 2009-12-09 Appareil portable à pile photovoltaïque

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/FI2009/050989 WO2011070217A1 (fr) 2009-12-09 2009-12-09 Appareil portable à pile photovoltaïque

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011070217A1 true WO2011070217A1 (fr) 2011-06-16

Family

ID=44145139

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI2009/050989 WO2011070217A1 (fr) 2009-12-09 2009-12-09 Appareil portable à pile photovoltaïque

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2011070217A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005318671A (ja) * 2004-04-27 2005-11-10 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 充電ボックスとモバイル機器
JP2006033623A (ja) * 2004-07-20 2006-02-02 Ntt Docomo Inc 携帯端末
JP2007124347A (ja) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-17 Sharp Corp 可搬型電子機器
JP2008278001A (ja) * 2007-04-26 2008-11-13 Kyocera Corp 電子機器

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005318671A (ja) * 2004-04-27 2005-11-10 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 充電ボックスとモバイル機器
JP2006033623A (ja) * 2004-07-20 2006-02-02 Ntt Docomo Inc 携帯端末
JP2007124347A (ja) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-17 Sharp Corp 可搬型電子機器
JP2008278001A (ja) * 2007-04-26 2008-11-13 Kyocera Corp 電子機器

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