Schaumburg (IL) - Motorola has received a patent for LCD that can display images as well as create energy.  Patent 7,206,044 was granted on April 17th 2007 and outlines the company’s “Display and Solar Cell Device”.  The new displays could increase run times in future mobile phones and Motorola claims the displays could even eliminate the need for conventional charging.

The displays use embedded color filters that allow sunlight to reach the underlying solar cell.  Motorola claims this technique transmits light 75% better than traditional screens that use polarizing and reflective layers.  According to the patent, normal screens only let 6% of sunlight through to the bottom layer.

Other companies have tried putting solar cells in addition to a display, but modern mobile phones have very little surface real estate to spare.  Motorola says its new technique wastes no space because the display can serve a “parallel purpose” as a light collecting device for the solar cell.

Motorola claims OLED displays can also benefit from color filters and solar cells.

Motorola filed for the patent on October 31st, 2001.  You can read Motorola’s patent here .

Only one problem

May 05, 2007 10:25     

A large majority of phones are flip phones where the screen is covered when the phone is not in use.
David Pechacek report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Well David...

May 05, 2007 17:39     

I think maybe this tech will come in handy in many ways regardless of flip phones. Besides, many phones are also NOT flip phones and who knows....maybe they will be gravitating towards being touch screen and not so flippy.
JohnDoe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

No problem

May 05, 2007 18:46     

My flip has an LCD on the outside. Sounds like it would work
Bob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Good But...

May 05, 2007 22:52     

I don't own a cell phone, how can I benefit?
Geo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Take a look at the new A1200 "Ming" phone from Moto...

May 06, 2007 07:57     

Take a look at the new A1200 "Ming" phone from Moto. It has a transparent flip cover. Hmmm.
Michael Odenwalder report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Moto A1200

May 06, 2007 08:01     

Take a look at the new A1200 "Ming" from Moto. It has a transparent flip cover with the mic built into the back of the Moto Logo embedded in the transparent plastic. Hmmm.
Michael Odenwalder report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Think of the possibilities

May 06, 2007 12:33     

If 100 million cell phones had this technology, and each of them used only 10Wh (average) in recharging every day of the year, thats about $36 million saved per year, and who knows how many tons of pollutants saved!
Zach report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

a few potential problems...

May 06, 2007 15:19     

so this is 75% better than the average 6%? isn’t that a mere 10.5% of light? And flip phone or not, I carry my phone in my pocket where it is nice and dark, or when at home it's on a table inside where it is lighter than my pocket... but I doubt light enough to really help anything. Mayhaps this would do better for a car "on window display" or "Heads Up Display" of the future.
Caeden report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

not a problem

May 06, 2007 21:19     

it may be in your pocket most of the time, but phones can stay on in standby for days. its when you have it to your ear, talking, that you are sucking up battery juice. i'm sure they have differently designed phones in mind for this, and are not planning on putting this on every flip phone out there
bohhad report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

word Caeden

May 07, 2007 00:05     

you said it all mate
James report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0