Solar lighting with pay-as-you go technology
US9437070B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2015 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S50/12
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for providing solar lighting and power to a customer by using pay-as-you-go (PAYG) technology. The PAYG technology allows a customer to make incremental payments for a solar energy system that includes a lighting unit. The payments can be made through a smartphone. A cable is used to connect an audio jack of the smartphone and a PV power jack of the lighting unit. Analog AC signals including data about activation, payment, usage and status are transmitted over the cable between the service provider and lighting unit, through a smartphone. The power jack of the lighting unit is also used to connect to a solar panel of a charging unit and a battery of the lighting unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.