Photovoltaic keyboard

Last updated

A photovoltaic keyboard, or solar keyboard, [1] [2] is a wireless computer keyboard that charges its batteries from a light source such as the sun or interior lighting, addressing a major drawback of wireless computer peripherals that otherwise require regular replacement of discharged batteries.[ citation needed ]

Contents

One such device is the Logitech K750, which was announced by the company in 2010.[ citation needed ] In 2018 Microsoft filed a patent describing how solar panels could be used to extend battery life for Microsoft's Surface Pro. [3]

Logitech K750

The Logitech K750 has a set of photovoltaic cells on the top edge, charges from any light source including sunlight and under a standard bulb, can work up to three months in total darkness, and includes software to display battery charging status. It is a full-sized keyboard, including the usual movement keys and NumPad section on the right side, with low-profile keys much like a laptop. [4] There are two models, compatible with Windows or Macintosh operating systems. [1] [5]

Even though the keyboard is not officially supported in Linux, a third-party application named Solaar provides functionality akin to the original Logitech software, such as battery and connection status indications, and allows device pairing/unpairing. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Logitech K760

Another Logitech keyboard, the K760, is also PV powered. It is smaller than the Logitech K750 and communicates with the computer via Bluetooth. It was positively reviewed by David Carnoy of CNET, who praised its sleek, stylish design, and its ability to be seamlessly integrated with Apple products. Although he found it slightly bulky to carry around and criticized the lack of carrying case provided by Logitech, he concluded that in the long run, it would save a user money, and was a better deal than Apple's Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer mouse</span> Pointing device used to control a computer

A computer mouse is a hand-held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is typically translated into the motion of the pointer on a display, which allows a smooth control of the graphical user interface of a computer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal digital assistant</span> Multi-purpose mobile device

A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a handheld PC, is a multi-purpose mobile device which functions as a personal information manager. PDAs have been mostly displaced by the widespread adoption of highly capable smartphones, in particular those based on iOS and Android, and thus saw a rapid decline in use after 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smartphone</span> Handheld mobile device

A smartphone is a mobile device that combines the functionality of a traditional mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. It typically has a touchscreen interface, allowing users to access a wide range of applications and services, such as web browsing, email, and social media, as well as multimedia playback and streaming. Smartphones have built-in cameras, GPS navigation, and support for various communication methods, including voice calls, text messaging, and internet-based messaging apps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile computing</span> Human–computer interaction in which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage

Mobile computing is human–computer interaction in which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage and allow for transmission of data, which can include voice and video transmissions. Mobile computing involves mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software. Communication issues include ad hoc networks and infrastructure networks as well as communication properties, protocols, data formats, and concrete technologies. Hardware includes mobile devices or device components. Mobile software deals with the characteristics and requirements of mobile applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile phone feature</span> Mobile phone capability or application

A mobile phone feature is a capability, service, or application that a mobile phone offers to its users. Mobile phones are often referred to as feature phones, and offer basic telephony. Handsets with more advanced computing ability through the use of native code try to differentiate their own products by implementing additional functions to make them more attractive to consumers. This has led to great innovation in mobile phone development over the past 20 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Wireless Keyboard</span> Wireless keyboards made by Apple Inc.

The Apple Wireless Keyboard is a wireless keyboard built for Macintosh computers and compatible with iOS devices. It interacts over Bluetooth wireless technology and unlike its wired version, it has no USB connectors or ports. Both generations have low-power features when not in use. It was discontinued on October 13, 2015, and was succeeded by the new Magic Keyboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logitech Media Server</span> Open-source streaming audio server

Logitech Media Server is a streaming audio server supported by Logitech, developed in particular to support their Squeezebox range of digital audio receivers.

Various accessories for the PlayStation 3 video game console have been produced by Sony and third-party companies. These include controllers, audio and video input devices like microphones, video cameras, and cables for better sound and picture quality.

A Bluetooth stack is software that is an implementation of the Bluetooth protocol stack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OLPC XO</span> Laptop computer

The OLPC XO is a low cost laptop computer intended to be distributed to children in developing countries around the world, to provide them with access to knowledge, and opportunities to "explore, experiment and express themselves". The XO was developed by Nicholas Negroponte, a co-founder of MIT's Media Lab, and designed by Yves Behar's Fuseproject company. The laptop is manufactured by Quanta Computer and developed by One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Bluetooth Low Energy is a wireless personal area network technology designed and marketed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group aimed at novel applications in the healthcare, fitness, beacons, security, and home entertainment industries. It is independent of classic Bluetooth and has no compatibility, but Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) and LE can coexist. The original specification was developed by Nokia in 2006 under the name Wibree, which was integrated into Bluetooth 4.0 in December 2009 as Bluetooth Low Energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic Mouse</span> Computer mice developed and released by Apple Inc.

The Magic Mouse is a multi-touch wireless mouse sold by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Foxconn. The first-generation Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and introduced multi-touch functionality to a computer mouse. Taking after the iPhone, iPod Touch, and multi-touch MacBook trackpads, the Magic Mouse allows the use of multi-touch gestures and inertia scrolling across the surface of the mouse, designed for use with macOS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smartwatch</span> Wearable computer in the form of a watch

A smartwatch is a portable and wearable computer device in a form of a watch; modern smartwatches provide a local touchscreen interface for daily use, while an associated smartphone app provides management and telemetry, such as long-term biomonitoring. While early models could perform basic tasks such as calculations, digital time telling, translations, and game-playing, smartwatches released since 2015 have more general functionality closer to smartphones, including mobile apps, a mobile operating system, and WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity. Some smartwatches function as portable media players, with FM radio and playback of digital audio and video files via a Bluetooth headset. Some models, called watch phones, have mobile cellular functionality such as making telephone calls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logitech Unifying receiver</span> USB wireless receiver

The Logitech Unifying Receiver is a small dedicated USB wireless receiver, based on the nRF24L-family of RF devices, that allows up to six compatible Logitech human interface devices to be linked to the same computer using 2.4 GHz band radio communication. Receivers that are bundled with a Logitech product are paired with the device at the factory. When purchasing a replacement receiver or connecting multiple devices to one receiver, pairing requires the free-of-charge Logitech Unifying software, available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. On Linux the Solaar software can be used to adjust the configurations. Although not compatible with Bluetooth, devices pair to Unifying Receivers in a similar way. Peripherals remain paired, and can then be used on systems not supporting the software. Logitech receivers compatible with the Unifying protocol can be identified by the orange Unifying logo, which distinguishes them from Logitech Nano receivers of similar appearance, which pair in a similar manner but only with a single device, without using the Unifying protocol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wireless keyboard</span> Computer keyboard wirelessly connected to a computer

A wireless keyboard is a computer keyboard that allows the user to communicate with computers, tablets, or laptops with the help of radio frequency (RF), such as WiFi and Bluetooth or with infrared (IR) technology. Wireless keyboards in the current market are commonly accompanied by a wireless mouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Wireless Controller</span> Primary game controller for the Xbox platform

The Xbox Wireless Controller is the primary game controller for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S home video game consoles, also the official controller for use in Windows-based PCs, and compatible with other operating systems such as macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The controller maintains the overall layout found in the Xbox 360 controller, but with various tweaks to its design, such as a revised shape, redesigned analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and triggers, along with new rumble motors within the triggers to allow for directional haptic feedback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steam Link</span> Hardware and software product by Valve

Steam Link is a hardware and software product developed by Valve Corporation for streaming Steam content from a personal computer or Steam Machine wirelessly to a mobile device or other monitor. Steam Link was originally released as a hardware device alongside the debut of Steam Machines in November 2015. Valve discontinued the Steam Link hardware device in November 2018, in favor of supporting its software-based Steam Link application for mobile devices and smart televisions, as well as providing Steam Link as a software package for the Raspberry Pi microcomputer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logitech Harmony</span> Line of smart remotes and home automation products made by Logitech

Logitech Harmony is a line of remote controls and home automation products produced by Logitech. The line includes universal remote products designed for controlling the components of home theater systems and other devices that can be controlled via infrared, as well as newer smart home hub products that can be used to additionally control supported Internet of things (IoT) and Smart home products, and allow the use of mobile apps to control devices. On April 10, 2021, Logitech announced that they would discontinue Harmony Remote manufacturing.

References

  1. 1 2 Biggs, Jogn (2011). "Logitech K750 Is The World's First Solar Keyboard". techcrunch.com. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  2. ↑ Fingas, Roger (2011). "Review - Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 Review". macnn.com. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  3. ↑ http://www.freepatentsonline.com/10528083.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. ↑ Estrada, Maren (June 29, 2018). "The wireless keyboard that lasts forever without new batteries or recharging is back down to $40". Boy Genius Report. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2023– via Yahoo! Finance.
  5. ↑ Clancy, Heather (2011). "Green Gadget of the Week: Logitech solar keyboard for Mac". zdnet.com. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  6. ↑ "PWR-Solaar/Solaar". GitHub . 27 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "Photovoltaic Wireless Keyboard Test" (in German). Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  8. ↑ "'Solaar' Lets You Manage Logitech's Unifying Receiver on Linux". 8 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Logitech's Solar Powered Keyboard is Just What We Need". 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Logitech's Latest Innovation: a Wireless Keyboard Powered by Light". 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  11. ↑ CARNO, DAVID (June 16, 2012). "Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760" (in German). Retrieved 2020-03-23.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.