Cover For Converting Electromagnetic Radiation in Electronic Devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for capturing at least a portion of the radio frequency (“RF”) radiation emitted from an electronic device or other external sources and converting it into electric current that can be used for a number of different functional purposes including to drive a circuit that provides an indication when the RF radiation is captured and its relative intensity. One of the advantages of these techniques is that users can be protected from the potential harmful effects of long-term exposure to the RF radiation emitted from electronic devices, particularly for wireless phones which are often held in close proximity to a user's body. The indication can provide users with an indication that the circuit is redirecting the RF radiation away from their bodies and dissipating it as electrical energy.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 capturing, with a first antenna coupled to a cover of an electronic device, at least a portion of radio frequency (“RF”) radiation emitted from a second antenna of the electronic device;   converting the captured RF radiation into electric current with a conversion circuit electrically coupled to the first antenna; and   feeding the electric current to an indicator circuit and a battery charging circuit;   wherein the indicator circuit is electrically coupled to the conversion circuit and generates an indication when the captured RF radiation is converted into the electric current; and   wherein the battery charging circuit is electrically coupled to the conversion circuit and is configured to charge a battery of the electronic device from the electric current.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first antenna is embedded in the cover separate from the second antenna of the electronic device. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the cover is fabricated of an insulating material. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the cover is a case adapted to be removably coupled to the electronic device. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the cover is integrated as part of the electronic device separate from the second antenna of the electronic device. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 generating an indication when the captured RF radiation is converted into electric current; and   charging the battery of the electronic device from the electric current with the battery charging circuit.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 harvesting solar energy from solar cells disposed on the cover; and   charging the battery of the electronic device from the harvested solar energy.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the charging of the battery from the harvested solar energy occurs independently of the charging of the battery from the electric current converted from the captured RF radiation. 
     
     
         38 . A cover for an electronic device, the cover comprising:
 a first antenna configured to capture at least a portion of radio frequency (“RF”) radiation emitted from a second antenna of the electronic device;   a conversion circuit electrically coupled to the first antenna, the conversion circuit configured to convert the captured RF radiation into electric current;   an indicator circuit electrically coupled to the conversion circuit, the indicator circuit configured to generate an indication when the captured RF radiation is converted into the electric current; and   a battery charging circuit electrically coupled to the conversion circuit, the battery charging circuit configured to charge a battery of the electronic device from the electric current converted from the captured RF radiation.   
     
     
         39 . The cover of  claim 38 , wherein the first antenna is embedded in the cover separate from the second antenna of the electronic device. 
     
     
         40 . The cover of  claim 39 , wherein the cover is fabricated of an insulating material. 
     
     
         41 . The cover of  claim 38 , wherein the cover is a case adapted to be removably coupled to the electronic device. 
     
     
         42 . The cover of  claim 38 , wherein the cover is integrated as part of the electronic device separate from the second antenna of the electronic device. 
     
     
         43 . The cover of  claim 38 , further comprising solar cells disposed on the cover, wherein the solar cells are configured for harvesting solar energy to charge the battery of the electronic device. 
     
     
         44 . The cover of  claim 43 , wherein the battery charging circuit is configured to charge the battery from the electric current converted from the captured RF radiation independently of the charging of the battery from the harvested solar energy. 
     
     
         45 . The cover of  claim 43 , wherein the first antenna is a passive antenna configured to couple with the RF radiation emitted from the second antenna of the electronic device through electromagnetic induction, and wherein the indication provided by the indication circuit is a visual indication. 
     
     
         46 . A cover for an electronic device comprising:
 a first antenna configured to capture at least a portion of radio frequency (“RF”) radiation emitted from a second antenna of the electronic device;   a conversion circuit electrically coupled to the first antenna, the conversion circuit configured to convert the captured RF radiation into electric current; and   an indicator circuit electrically coupled to the conversion circuit, the indicator circuit configured to generate an indication when the captured RF radiation is converted into the electric current;   wherein the first antenna is embedded in the cover separate from the second antenna of the electronic device; and   wherein the cover is fabricated of an insulating material and configured to couple to the electronic device.   
     
     
         47 . The cover of  claim 46 , further comprising solar cells disposed on the cover, wherein the solar cells are configured for harvesting solar energy to charge the battery of the electronic device. 
     
     
         48 . The cover of  claim 47 , further comprising a battery charging circuit electrically coupled to the conversion circuit, the battery charging circuit configured to charge a battery of the electronic device from the electric current. 
     
     
         49 . The cover of  claim 46 , wherein the cover is adapted to adhesively attach to the electronic device.