INTERFACE DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED SOLAR CELL(S) FOR POWER COLLECTION

摘要

Disclosed herein are embodiments of an interface device (100, 200) (e.g., a display, touchpad, touchscreen display, etc.) with integrated power collection functions. In one embodiment, a solar cell (110, 210) or solar cell array can be located within a substrate (10) at a first surface (11) and an array (120, 220) of interface elements can also be located within the substrate (10) at the first surface (11) such that portions of the solar cell(s) (110, 210) laterally surround the individual interface elements (121, 221) or groups thereof. In another embodiment, a solar cell (110, 210) or solar cell array (120, 220) can be located within the substrate (10) at a first surface (11) and an array of interface elements (120, 220) can be located within the substrate (10) at a second surface (12) opposite the first surface (11) (i.e., opposite the solar cell or solar cell array). In yet another embodiment, an array of diodes, which can function as either solar cells (110, 210) or sensing elements, can be within a substrate (10) at a first surface (11) and can be wired to allow for selective operation in either a power collection mode or sensing mode.