US 12,439,731 B2
Controlling device having an energy harvesting feature
Rex Xu, Foothill Ranch, CA (US); Steven McAllister, London (GB); Brian Ryan, Rowlands Gill (GB); and Huub Mulhof, Borne (NL)
Assigned to Universal Electronics Inc., Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed by Universal Electronics Inc., Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/523,378.
Application 18/523,378 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/376,922, filed on Oct. 5, 2023, granted, now 12,261,238.
Application 18/376,922 is a continuation of application No. 17/742,483, filed on May 12, 2022, granted, now 11,830,957, issued on Nov. 28, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0097063 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. H10F 77/42 (2025.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01)
CPC H10F 77/484 (2025.01) [H02J 7/35 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A controlling device, comprising:
a processing device;
a memory coupled to the processing device;
a transmitter coupled to the processing device;
an energy store coupled to the processing device, the memory, and the transmitter; and
a user input element coupled to the processing device;
wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processing device to cause the transmitter to transmit a command in response to a sensed depression of the user input element and wherein the user input element comprises a key cap, a PV cell disposed under the key cap and coupled to the energy store, a PV cell holder disposed under the PV cell, a rubber support disposed under the PV cell holder; and a printed circuit board disposed under the rubber support and coupled to the processing device, the printed circuit board carrying one or more switches for sensing a depression of the user input element and for sending a signal indicative of the sensed depression of the user input element to the processing device.