Patent ID: 6445376
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: G06F,G09G

Abstract:
A method of providing power in a portable computer which includes a display panel assembly having a display screen, the method comprising:providing a light source for generating light within the display panel; positioning the light source within the display panel to deliver light to and illuminate the display screen wherein, due to the positioning of the light source with respect to the display screen, not all of the light generated by the light source is delivered to the display screen, thereby resulting in wasted light; providing a plurality of solar cells, wherein each of said solar cells has at least one surface that is configured to capture light; and positioning the plurality of solar cells within the display panel such that at least two of said solar cells lie in different planes from each other, with each of said at least two solar cells being positioned adjacent to the light source and with at least one light capturing surface substantially facing the light source so as to capture portions of the wasted light from the light source and convert the wasted light that is captured by the solar cells into electrical power.