Window frame with integrated solar electric cell and illumination

Abstract

A window frame features solar electric cells on its exterior side that provide solar electricity for buffer storage in rechargeable batteries housed also in the window frame. Also integrated in the window frame are light emitting diodes that are activated during absence of daylight and powered from the solar electricity stored in the batteries. In that way a simple and compact system is provided for solar powered interior lighting that may be easily maintained and retrofitted in existing buildings.

1 . A solar powered lighting system for integration with a window frame having an exterior side and an interior side, comprising:
 one or more solar electric cells configured to be mounted on the exterior side of the window frame; and   one or more electric lights configured to be mounted on the interior side of the window frame, wherein the one or more solar electric cells and the one or more electric lights are configured to be electrically coupled to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more solar electric cells and the one or more electric lights are configured to be electrically coupled to one another through the window frame. 
     
     
         3 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery storage compartment configured to be electrically coupled to the one or more solar electric cells and the one or more electric lights. 
     
     
         4 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a switching device configured to be mounted on an interior side of the window frame. 
     
     
         5 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 4 , wherein the switching device includes a light sensor, and wherein the switching device is configured to activate the one or more electric lights when an intensity of outdoor light falls below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         6 . A solar powered lighting system for integration with a window, the window including a window glass and a window frame, and having an exterior side and an interior side, the solar powered lighting system comprising:
 one or more solar electric cells configured to be mounted on the exterior side of one or both of the window glass and the window frame; and   one or more electric lights configured to be mounted on the interior side of the window, wherein the one or more solar electric cells and the one or more electric lights are configured to be electrically coupled to one another.   
     
     
         7 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more solar electric cells and the one or more electric lights are configured to be electrically coupled to one another through the window frame. 
     
     
         8 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a switching device configured to be mounted on an interior side of the window frame. 
     
     
         9 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 8 , wherein the switching device includes a light sensor, and wherein the switching device is configured to activate the one or more electric lights when an intensity of outdoor light falls below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 8 , wherein the switching device includes a motion sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery storage compartment configured to be electrically coupled to the one or more solar electric cells and the one or more electric lights. 
     
     
         12 . The solar powered lighting system of  claim 11 , wherein the battery storage compartment is configured to be mounted to the window frame on the interior side of the window. 
     
     
         13 . A window having an exterior side and an interior side, the window comprising:
 a window frame;   a window glass;   one or more solar electric cells on an exterior side of the window; and   one or more electrical lights on an interior side of the window.   
     
     
         14 . The window of  claim 13 , wherein the window glass is treated with a surface coating. 
     
     
         15 . The window of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more electrical lights are oriented so as to illuminate the window glass when light is emitted from the one or more electrical lights. 
     
     
         16 . The window of  claim 15 , wherein the surface coating is configured to diffract light such that, when light is emitted from the one or more electrical lights, the window glass appears illuminant. 
     
     
         17 . The window of  claim 13 , wherein the window glass is etched. 
     
     
         18 . The window of  claim 17 , wherein the etched window glass is configured to diffract light such that, when light is emitted from the one or more electrical lights, the window glass appears illuminant. 
     
     
         19 . The window of  claim 13 , further comprising a switching device mounted on an interior side of the window frame. 
     
     
         20 . The window of  claim 19 , wherein the switching device includes a light sensor, and wherein the switching device is configured to activate the one or more electric lights when an intensity of outdoor light falls below a predetermined threshold.