Apple has taken out a patent for a solar-powered computer that has a reverse screen made of smart glass placed over solar cells.
The tech giant was awarded the patent on Tuesday, ComputerWorld.com reported.
The patent describes a two-sided display for a laptop that would allow the portable computer to be powered or at least recharged with solar energy.
The screen facing the user would look like an ordinary computer screen, but the reverse side would feature something special: "electrochromic glass," which is also called "smart glass" or "switchable glass."
The patent submission explained, "Electrochromic glass, which is sometimes referred to as electrically switchable glass, may receive control signals (e.g., voltage control signals) from control circuitry.
"The control signals can be used to place electrochromic glass in either a transparent (light-passing) state or a translucent (light-blocking) state."
The laptop's "almost sci-fi" top screen would feature glass that can appear solid and opaque or transparent, TechCrunch reported.
When the top surface is transparent, the solar charging cells built into the laptop can use ambient light to recharge the battery.
"For example, photovoltaic cells may be interposed between a glass layer (rear plate) and liquid crystal display structures for display," the patent stated.
The idea is that distinct layers in the computer's top surface can perform different functions; some possible options are an embedded Apple logo, touch sensors or a secondary display.
"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 stated.
The patent, which was first filed in 2010, proposes that the laptop's solar cells could produce 100 milliwatts to 1 watt or more.
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