Abstract: A modulating circuit adapted to modulate between an energy harvesting mode and a wireless transmitter mode is disclosed which includes a solar cell, an energy-harvesting circuit, a first switch coupling the solar cell to the energy harvesting circuit and controlled by a first control line, a second switch coupling the solar cell to a programmable current source and controlled by a second control line, a transmitter/energy harvesting mode circuit adapted to select between a transmitter mode and an energy harvesting mode, and a symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to encode data to be communicated by the solar cell, the symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to adjust the programmable current source to thereby provide a metered current to the solar cell.

Abstract: A system may include a solar cell and a modulator connected to an output of the solar cell. The system may receive a signal. When the signal being in a first state corresponding to modulation, the modulator may modulate voltage output of the solar cell and cause the solar cell to perform optical transmission. When the signal is in a second state corresponding to energy harvesting, the modulator to cease modulation of the output of the solar cell.

Abstract: A modulating circuit adapted to modulate between an energy harvesting mode and a wireless transmitter mode is disclosed which includes a solar cell, an energy-harvesting circuit, a first switch coupling the solar cell to the energy harvesting circuit and controlled by a first control line, a second switch coupling the solar cell to a programmable current source and controlled by a second control line, a transmitter/energy harvesting mode circuit adapted to select between a transmitter mode and an energy harvesting mode, and a symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to encode data to be communicated by the solar cell, the symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to adjust the programmable current source to thereby provide a metered current to the solar cell.

Abstract: A modulating circuit adapted to modulate between an energy harvesting mode and a wireless transmitter mode is disclosed which includes a solar cell, an energy-harvesting circuit, a first switch coupling the solar cell to the energy harvesting circuit and controlled by a first control line, a second switch coupling the solar cell to a programmable current source and controlled by a second control line, a transmitter/energy harvesting mode circuit adapted to select between a transmitter mode and an energy harvesting mode, and a symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to encode data to be communicated by the solar cell, the symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to adjust the programmable current source to thereby provide a metered current to the solar cell.

Abstract: A modulating circuit adapted to modulate between an energy harvesting mode and a wireless transmitter mode is disclosed which includes a solar cell, an energy-harvesting circuit, a first switch coupling the solar cell to the energy harvesting circuit and controlled by a first control line, a second switch coupling the solar cell to a programmable current source and controlled by a second control line, a transmitter/energy harvesting mode circuit adapted to select between a transmitter mode and an energy harvesting mode, and a symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to encode data to be communicated by the solar cell, the symbol-to-current mapping circuit adapted to adjust the programmable current source to thereby provide a metered current to the solar cell.

Abstract: A modulating circuit is disclosed which includes a switch, wherein the switch comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a transistor, wherein the transistor comprises a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, a power converter, wherein the power converter comprises a power input, a multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer comprises an output, and a feedback controller, wherein the feedback controller comprises a first output, a third input, and a fourth input, wherein the power input is coupled to the first terminal, wherein the second terminal is coupled to the fourth terminal, wherein the third terminal is coupled to the first output, wherein the third input is coupled to the fourth terminal, wherein the fourth input is coupled to the output.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided, the image sensor comprising a plurality of photo-diode pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, an energy harvesting output bus connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels, an image sensing output bus connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels, and a plurality of switching buses connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels to direct an output of a varying percentage of the plurality of photo-diode pixels to either the energy harvesting output bus or the image sensing output bus.

Abstract: A modulating circuit is disclosed which includes a switch, wherein the switch comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a transistor, wherein the transistor comprises a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, a power converter, wherein the power converter comprises a power input, a multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer comprises an output, and a feedback controller, wherein the feedback controller comprises a first output, a third input, and a fourth input, wherein the power input is coupled to the first terminal, wherein the second terminal is coupled to the fourth terminal, wherein the third terminal is coupled to the first output, wherein the third input is coupled to the fourth terminal, wherein the fourth input is coupled to the output.

Abstract: An energy-harvesting system capable of wireless communication is disclosed which includes a solar cell adapted to generate charge from incident light on the solar cell; an energy-harvesting circuit coupled to the solar cell, the energy-harvesting circuit adapted to convey charge from the solar cell to an energy reservoir; a data communication circuit adapted to encode data to be communicated by the solar cell by adjusting the voltage across the solar cell into at least two states including 1) an open circuit (OC) state, where the current through the solar cell is substantially zero, and 2) a maximum power point (MPP) state, where power (V×I) drawn from the solar cell is maximum, wherein the solar cell in response to the changes in its voltage and the incident light emits luminescent radiation with an intensity corresponding to the at least two states, thereby forming a wireless transmitter.

Abstract: An energy-harvesting system capable of wireless communication is disclosed which includes a solar cell adapted to generate charge from incident light on the solar cell; an energy-harvesting circuit coupled to the solar cell, the energy-harvesting circuit adapted to convey charge from the solar cell to an energy reservoir; a data communication circuit adapted to encode data to be communicated by the solar cell by adjusting the voltage across the solar cell into at least two states including 1) an open circuit (OC) state, where the current through the solar cell is substantially zero, and 2) a maximum power point (MPP) state, where power (V×I) drawn from the solar cell is maximum, wherein the solar cell in response to the changes in its voltage and the incident light emits luminescent radiation with an intensity corresponding to the at least two states, thereby forming a wireless transmitter.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided, the image sensor comprising a plurality of photo-diode pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, an energy harvesting output bus connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels, an image sensing output bus connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels, and a plurality of switching buses connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels to direct output of a varying percentage of the pixels to either the energy harvesting output bus or the image sensing output bus.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided, the image sensor comprising a plurality of photo-diode pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, an energy harvesting output bus connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels, an image sensing output bus connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels, and a plurality of switching buses connected to the plurality of photo-diode pixels to direct output of a varying percentage of the pixels to either the energy harvesting output bus or the image sensing output bus.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided, comprising a plurality of photo-diode pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, an energy harvesting output bus connected to the pixels, an image sensing output bus connected to the pixels, and a plurality of switching busses, the switching buses connected to the pixels to direct output of a varying percentage of the pixels to either the energy harvesting output bus or the sensing bus.

Abstract: An apparatus having a plurality of photonic devices electrically coupled to each other, each photonic device selectively configured to operate in a first mode as a light generating device when an electrical current is provided to the device by converting electrical energy to light. The device is further configured to operate in a second mode as a photovoltaic cell when no electrical current is provided to the device by converting light to electrical energy. A switching network coupled to the plurality of photonic devices. Each switch in the switching network may be configured to allow selection of the first or second mode for a respective photonic device of the plurality of photonic devices. The switching network may be coupled to a bi-direction DC-DC converter.

Abstract: The invention presents a dual-mode hybrid high occupancy capacity vehicle (HHOCV) with a novel electrical energy and power storage application, electrical energy and power source and charging system in conjunction with additional methods to maximize the energy and rate of use such that the overall system is far superior to multiple personal transportation vehicles and roadway based catenary mass transit systems, including, but not limited to petroleum-only fueled high occupancy capacity vehicles. The HHOCV exhibits a novel battery charging system by taking advantage of existing track/trolley/catenary facilities for electrically charging its electrical storage media at a high energy rate so as to minimize disruption of such charging services, and is not confined by physical boundaries or limitations and may travel off the power source to the existing common roadways returning only to be recharged.

Abstract: The invention presents a dual-mode hybrid high occupancy capacity vehicle (HHOCV) with a novel electrical energy and power storage application, electrical energy and power source and charging system in conjunction with additional methods to maximize the energy and rate of use such that the overall system is far superior to multiple personal transportation vehicles and roadway based catenary mass transit systems, including, but not limited to petroleum-only fueled high occupancy capacity vehicles. The HHOCV exhibits a novel battery charging system by taking advantage of existing track/trolley/catenary facilities for electrically charging its electrical storage media at a high energy rate so as to minimize disruption of such charging services, and is not confined by physical boundaries or limitations and may travel off the power source to the existing common roadways returning only to be recharged.