BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a portable lighting device in general. More particularly, it relates to a lantern with solar powered battery.
Lanterns have been used for illumination purposes since ages. Solar powered lanterns are also well known in the prior art.
These solar powered lanterns include a rechargeable battery and a solar panel which has the capability to charge the battery directly from sun rays. However, such solar powered lantern function only as a light source and does not provide an option to power other electronic devices from the rechargeable battery.
In light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for a portable lighting device with a rechargeable battery that allows a user to run various devices operable on the electricity generated by the rechargeable battery.

SUMMARY
An object of the present invention is to provide a portable lighting device that allows a user to run various devices operable on the electricity generated by the rechargeable battery of the portable lighting device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable lighting device that filters the short wavelength light rays.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable lighting device that is configured to generate alternating current.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a portable lighting device that is configured to generate direct current.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable lighting device powered from the electricity generated from a photovoltaic module. The portable lighting device includes a rechargeable battery, one or more light emitting diodes, a diffuser and one or more electronic module. The photovoltaic module generates electricity from solar energy which is stored in the rechargeable battery. The one or more light emitting diodes generate light using the charge stored in the rechargeable battery. The diffuser filters the short wavelength rays from the light emitted by the one or more light emitting diodes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the diffuser diffuses or scatters the light. The electronic modules are configured to operate on the charge stored in the battery. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic modules are used to power one or more electronic devices.
Therefore, the portable lighting device so formed allows a user to run various electronic devices, compared to conventional solar powered portable lighting devices. Examples of electronic devices include, but are not limited to a fan, a universal charger, a multimedia device, a cassette player, a gaming console, a Personal Digital Assistant, a cell phone, a handheld portable device, a laptop, an electronic utility device, a computer and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an environment wherein various embodiments of a portable lighting device of the present invention may be practiced;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable lighting device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a portable lighting device that allows a user to run various devices operable on the electricity generated by the rechargeable battery. The portable lighting device includes a rechargeable battery, one or more light emitting diodes, a diffuser and one or more electronic module. A photovoltaic module generates electric energy from the solar energy. The electric energy is stored in the rechargeable battery in the form of a charge. This stored electric energy is used by the light emitting diodes to irradiate light and to operate one or more electronic module. The diffuser filters the short wavelength rays from the light emitted by the one or more light emitting diodes.
FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 100 wherein various embodiments of a portable lighting device of the present invention may be practiced.
Environment 100 includes a photovoltaic module 102, a portable lighting device 104, and a cable 106.
Photovoltaic module 102 is a packaged interconnected assembly of one or more solar cells. The photovoltaic module 102 converts solar energy received from the sun to electrical energy. Photovoltaic module 102 is connected with portable lighting device 104 through cable 106. Portable lighting device 104 irradiates light using the electrical energy supplied by the photovoltaic module 102 through cable 106.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable lighting device 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Portable lighting device 200 includes a rechargeable battery (not shown in figure), one or more light emitting diodes (not shown in figure), a diffuser 202 and one or more electronic module, such as a first electronic module 204, and a second electronic module 206.
Rechargeable battery (not shown in figure) is configured to store charge. In an embodiment of the present invention, the rechargeable battery stores the electrical energy generated by photovoltaic module 102 in the form of a charge. In an embodiment of the present invention, photovoltaic module 102 is integrated with portable lighting device 200. Details corresponding to the rechargeable battery have been provided in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.
Light emitting diodes are a semiconductor device that emits visible light. The light emitting diodes are connected to the rechargeable battery. The light emitting diodes (not shown in figure) irradiate light using the charge stored in the rechargeable battery. Details corresponding to the light emitting diodes have been provided in conjunction with FIG. 3.
Diffuser 202 encloses the light emitting diodes in such a manner that the light emitted by the light emitting diodes passes through diffuser 202. Diffuser 202 is configured to filter the short wavelength light rays from the light emitted by the light emitting diodes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the diffuser 202 diffuses or scatters the light uniformly such that the light emitted from the light emitting diodes appears to be a soft light. In an embodiment of the present invention, diffuser 202 is hollow and bears continuous ridges along its surface. In various embodiments of the present invention, diffuser 202 is of various shapes. The shape of diffuser 202 include, but is not limited to, a cube, a cuboid, a circular cylinder, a triangular cylinder, a pentagonal cylinder, a prism, a cone and a sphere. In an embodiment of the present invention, diffuser 202 is composed of a transparent material. Examples of the transparent material include, but are not limited to transparent polycarbonate, transparent plastics, fiberglass and glass with UV filtering properties.
The electronic module is connected with the rechargeable battery and is configured to perform various operations using the charge stored in the rechargeable battery. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the electronic module is an electronic device. In a second embodiment of the present invention, electronic module is a charging unit configured to charge an electronic device. Examples of the electronic device include, but are not limited to, a portable fan, a universal charger, a multimedia device, a cell phone, a watch, a battery, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Frequency Modulation (FM) radio, a game console and a laptop.
For example, electronic modules, such as first electronic module 204, and second electronic module 206 are charging units and are configured to power one or more electronic devices. In an embodiment of the present invention, first electronic module 204 is a cell phone charger and is configured to power one or more cell phones. In an embodiment of the present invention, second electronic module 206 is a television charger and is configured to power one or more television.
In an embodiment of the present invention, electronic module is a radio, such as a FM radio. FM radio is integrated within portable lighting device 200. FM radio is a device for receiving a radio signal based on the frequency band and generates audio signals. FM Radio includes an antenna 208, an FM tuner 210, a speaker 212, and a volume controller 214. Antenna 208 is a transducer designed to receive radio waves. FM Tuner 210 tunes the signals received from antenna 208. The radio waves received by antenna 208 are converted into electrical signals. Speaker 212 converts the signals received from FM Tuner 210 to audio signals. Volume controller 214 is connected with speaker 212 and controls the volume of the audio signals transmitted by speaker 212. In an embodiment of the present invention, various such electronic modules are integrated with portable lighting device 200.
In various embodiments of the present invention, electronic module may include one or more parts of the electronic device. For example, electronic module may include antenna 208, FM tuner 210 and volume controller 214. However, speaker 212 may not be the part of the electronic module. A user may attach the speaker or headphone with the electronic module to hear the radio.
Housing 216 encloses portable lighting device 200 and forms the body of the portable lighting device 200. Housing 216 includes a base plate 218, a base 220, a transparent body 222, a cover 224, a stud 226 and a handle 228. In an embodiment of the present invention, housing 216 is composed of polycarbonate (PC) blended with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). In an embodiment of the present invention, housing 216 is composed of a rigid material. Examples of right materials include, but are not limited to, bulletproof material, fiber and plastic. The present invention is not limited to a particular shape or size of housing 216. In an embodiment of the present invention, housing 216 is a hollow triangular structure with three walls. Examples of the shape of housing 216 include, but are not limited to, a cube, a cuboid, a circular cylinder, a triangular cylinder, a pentagonal cylinder, a prism, a cone and a sphere.
Base plate 218 is a flat structure and forms the base of housing 216 to support portable lighting device 200. Base 220 is placed over base plate 218. The rechargeable battery is enclosed in base 220. In an embodiment of the present invention, base 220 is a hollow triangular structure with walls. Details corresponding to the base 220 and rechargeable battery have been provided in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. In an embodiment of the present invention, base 220 is a hollow triangular structure with walls. Transparent body 222 is a hollow structure with walls and is mounted on base 220 to house the light emitting diodes and diffuser 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shape of transparent body 222 is in accordance with the shape of the base 220 to allow proper fitting. Transparent body 222 protects the light emitting diodes and allows the light emitted by them to pass through. In various embodiments of the present invention, the transparent body 222 is made of a transparent material. Examples of the transparent material include, but are not limited to, transparent polycarbonate, glass, plastic, fiber glass and bullet proof material.
Transparent body 222 is covered by a cover 224 at the top. Cover 224 is a planar structure supported on transparent body 222 by means of vertical studs 226, such as stud 226a, stud 226b, and stud 226c (not shown in figure). Studs 226a, 226b and 226c are rods that form the framework and render strength to the portable lighting device 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the stud 226 is composed of a rigid material. Examples of the rigid material include, but are not limited to, metal, plastic, fiber, alloy and the like. The cover 224 is provided with a handle 228 to facilitate easy handling and lifting of the portable lighting device 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, base 220 and cover 224 bear grooves on their upper surface and lower surface respectively. Details corresponding to the grooves have been explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.
Switch 230 is present on the cover 224 to operate the light emitting diodes. Switch 230 is switched ON/OFF to start/stop the operation of the light emitting diodes. Switch 232 is present on one of the walls of the base 220 to disconnect the power supply from the rechargeable battery to the light emitting diodes and electronic modules.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Portable lighting device 300 includes a rechargeable battery 302, one or more light emitting diodes 304, a diffuser 202, a third electronic module 306, a fuse 308, a housing 216, a first ‘O’ ring 310, a second ‘O’ ring 312, a third ‘O’ ring 314, and a gasket 316.
Rechargeable battery 302 is configured to store the electric energy generated by the photovoltaic module. This energy is used to power the light emitting diodes 304, the electronic modules of portable lighting device 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, examples of rechargeable battery include, but are not limited to Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nickel Zinc (NiZN) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery.
Light emitting diodes 304 are arranged in rows supported on a central printed circuit board 318 positioned within housing 216. The present invention is not limited to a particular arrange of light emitting diodes 304. Printed circuit board 318 mechanically supports and electrically connects the light emitting diodes 304. Light emitting diodes 304 are arranged in a series-parallel combination to maximize the efficiency of light emitting diodes. In an embodiment of the present invention, light emitting diodes 304 act as a reading light and allows a user to focus the light on a particular surface. Light emitting diodes 304 are smaller in size, consumers less energy, have a longer life and more reliable in comparison with conventional sources of light.
Third electronic module 306 is an electronic circuit associated with the FM radio. In an embodiment of the present invention, third electronic module 306 is a printed circuit board for the FM radio. Third electronic module 306 mechanically supports and electrically connects the antenna 208, FM tuner 210, speaker 212 and volume controller 214 of the FM radio. In an embodiment of the present invention, third electronic module 306 includes a combination of de-modulator, preamplifier and power amplifier which eliminates a need for a variable capacitor being used to tune stations.
Fuse 308 is connected to the rechargeable battery 302 and functions to interrupt the power supply from rechargeable battery 302 to light emitting diodes 304 and the electronic modules. Thus, fuse 308 avoids electronic device failure, and any accident in various situations, such as short circuit and over flow of current.
Third electronic module 306 and fuse 308 are disposed within the base 220 of housing 216. In an embodiment of the present invention, third electronic module 306 is placed on base plate 218 of housing 216.
‘O’ ring, such as third ‘O’ ring 310, second ‘O’ ring 312, third ‘O’ ring 314 is an elastomeric loop with a disc-shaped cross-section, designed to be seated in a groove and compressed during the assembling of the housing 216 and portable lighting device 200. ‘O’ ring is configured to create a secure seal at the interface. For example, first ‘O’ ring 310 is seated in groove 320 of base 220 and securely connects base 220 to diffuser 202. Similarly, second ‘O’ ring 312 is seated in groove 322 of base 220 and securely connects the base 220 to the transparent body 222 of the portable lighting device 200. Third ‘O’ ring 314 is seated in groove 324 of cover 224 and securely connects the cover 224 to the diffuser 202.
Gasket 316 is a mechanical seal filling groove 326 of cover 224 and securely connects the cover 224 with transparent body 222.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device 200, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Portable lighting device 200 includes rechargeable battery 302, light emitting diodes 304 (not shown in figure), diffuser 202, housing 216, first ‘O’ ring 312, second ‘O’ ring 314, and gasket 316. FIG. 4 illustrates the concentric arrangement of light emitting diodes 304, diffuser 202, and transparent body 222 of the housing 216.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device 200, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Portable lighting device 200 includes rechargeable battery 302 (not shown in figure), light emitting diodes 304, diffuser 202, first electronic module 204, second electronic module 206, housing 216, ‘O’ ring 308, and ‘O’ ring 310.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the portable lighting device 200, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Portable lighting device 200 includes rechargeable battery 302, base 220, a first electronic module 204, a second electronic module 206, a third electronic module 306, printed circuit board 318 for light emitting diodes
First electronic module 204 and second electronic module 206 are ports that allows a user to power any electronic device.
Base 220 encloses a space within which the one or more electronic module and the rechargeable battery are disposed. Switch 232 is provided on one of the walls of the base to control the flow of electric charge from rechargeable battery 302.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the portable lighting device is a solar lantern. The portable lighting devices utilize solar energy to generate light. The portable lighting devices use light emitting diodes to provide efficient and high intensity lighting mechanism. Light emitting diodes are reliable, have long life and consume less electrical energy. This enables the portable lighting device to run for a longer time on the same battery without recharging.
The portable lighting device uses a diffuser to filter the short wavelength light emitted by the light emitted diodes. The diffuser also scatters the light so that it doesn’t appear to be coming from a single concentrated source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the portable lighting device is used as a reading light. Further, because of its portable size and shape, the portable lighting device is easy to carry.
The portable lighting device may include various electronic devices of daily needs, such as an FM radio, a fan, a flash light, a CD player, a multimedia device, a universal charger, a game etc. The portable lighting device provides an option to charge other electronic devices that are not integrated with the lighting device. This enables all the electronic devices to get charged from the portable lighting device.
In the description herein for the embodiments of the present invention, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of an embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in a specific embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the present invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the embodiments of the present invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present invention, but that the present invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

CLAIMS

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1) A portable lighting device powered from the electricity generated from a photovoltaic module, the portable lighting device comprising:
a rechargeable battery for storing the charge generated by the photovoltaic module;
one or more light emitting diodes to irradiate light using the charge stored in the rechargeable battery;
a diffuser filters the light irradiated by the one or more light emitting diodes; and
one or more electronic module connected with the rechargeable battery, wherein the one or more electronic module is operable on the charge stored in the rechargeable battery.
2) The portable lighting device of claim 1 further comprising a housing for accommodating the portable lighting device.
3) The portable lighting device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electronic module is a source of alternating current.
4) The portable lighting device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electronic module is a source of direct current.
5) The portable lighting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more electronic module is a radio.
6) The portable lighting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more electronic module is a multimedia device.
7) The portable lighting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more electronic module is a charging unit.
8) The portable lighting device of claim 7, wherein the charging unit is configured to power a cell phone.
9) The portable lighting device of claim 7, wherein the charging unit is configured to power television.
10) The portable lighting device substantially as herein above described in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.

ABSTRACT
A portable lighting device powered from the electricity generated from a photovoltaic module has been provided. The photovoltaic module converts solar energy to electrical energy. The portable lighting device includes a battery, one or more light emitting diodes, a diffuser and one or more electronic modules. The battery stores the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module and powers the light emitting diodes and the electronic modules. The diffuser diffuses the light emitted by the light emitting diodes to produce soft light.