Patent ID: 8364105

Claim:
A solar powered transmitter configured to transmit a radio-frequency control signal to a region, the transmitter comprising: an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, the elongated housing comprising a mount configured to permit the elongated housing to be rotated around a mount axis, the mount axis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis; a directional antenna disposed substantially along the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing, the directional antenna configured to be at least partially rotatable around the longitudinal axis; an antenna adjustment mechanism coupled to the directional antenna, the antenna adjustment mechanism configured to permit the directional antenna to be at least partially rotated around the longitudinal axis, the antenna adjustment mechanism accessible from outside the housing; a solar panel disposed in a solar panel housing portion of the elongated housing, the solar panel housing portion comprising an optical element that is substantially transparent to visible light and configured to transmit the visible light to the solar panel; a rechargeable power storage medium disposed in the housing, the rechargeable power storage medium configured to be recharged by the solar panel; and a radio-frequency transmitter disposed in the housing, the radio-frequency transmitter electrically coupled to the directional antenna in order to transmit the radio frequency control signal.