Apple's latest patent allows the tech company to make a Mac Book using solar energy Computerworld reported Tuesday.
Apple received approval for the laptop computer that would operate only on solar cells or photovoltaics Computerworld reported.
The electronic device display module has the same type of screen as Apple's regular Mac Book Computerworld reported. The patent calls for the computer's interior screen to have a conventional screen. The patent suggests an electrochromic glass for the back of the screen Computer World reported. The electrochromic glass is also known as smart glass or glass that can be substituted.
"Electrochromic glass, which is sometimes referred to as electrically switchable glass, may receive control signals (e.g., voltage control signals) from control circuitry," Apple said in its entry for the patent Computerworld reported. "The control signals can be used to place electrochromic glass in either a transparent (light-passing) state or a translucent (light-blocking) state," Apple said in the statement Computerworld reported.
Apple envisions the smart glass being able to show the company logo through another diode layer that gives off light, and background light Computerworld reported.
"To ensure that display is evenly illuminated, the back light unit that provides backlight for display... may be provided with light-emitting diodes that are arranged along more than one of the edges of the light guide layer in the back light unit," Apple said in the statement Computerworld reported.
Plans also call for the solar cells to absorb light on its travels into and out of the glass Computerworld reported. The cells are then changed into electricity at 10 milliwatts or greater.
Apple envisions the solar cells could create at least 100 milliwatts to one watt so the Mac Book's battery could fully charge, or keep the laptop computer running while a consumer operates it Computerworld reported.
