Transaction card for transferring solar power

Abstract

A transaction card is provided for communicating data relating to a transaction. The transaction card includes a solar layer, a transaction card layer, and a power transfer layer. The solar layer includes at least one solar panel capable of converting light into electricity, the transaction card layer supports the solar layer and includes a magnetic strip, and the power transfer layer includes circuitry capable of receiving electricity from the solar layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transaction card, comprising:
 a transaction component for storing account data associated with the transaction card;   at least one storage component for storing electricity;   at least one solar panel capable of converting light into electricity;   a power circuit layer to receive electricity from the solar panel; and   a power output layer to charge a storage component of the at least one storage component or a battery pack of an external device via:
 a wireless power transfer component configured to enable the transaction card to charge the storage component or the battery pack of the external device based on the transaction card being placed proximate to the external device, or 
 electrical contacts configured to make contact with corresponding electrical contacts of the external device to enable transfer of power from the transaction card to the external device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The transaction card of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one storage component comprises an ultra-thin battery. 
     
     
         3 . The transaction card of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction component comprises at least one of:
 a magnetic strip,   an integrated circuit (IC) chip,   a radio frequency (RF) antenna, or   an RF identification (RFID) tag.   
     
     
         4 . The transaction card of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless power transfer component comprises a near-field communications (NFC) antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The transaction card of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless power transfer component comprises an inductive coil. 
     
     
         6 . The transaction card of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts are further configured to interface with a power transfer cable. 
     
     
         7 . The transaction card of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar panel is on a first side of the transaction card, and
 wherein the transaction card further comprises:
 at least one other solar panel on a second side of the transaction card. 
   
     
     
         8 . A device, comprising:
 at least one storage component for storing electricity;   at least one solar panel capable of converting light into electricity;   a power circuit layer to receive electricity from the solar panel; and   a power output layer to charge a storage component of the at least one storage component or a battery pack of an external device via:
 a wireless power transfer component configured to enable the device to charge the storage component or the battery pack of the external device based on the device being placed proximate to the external device, or 
 electrical contacts configured to make contact with corresponding electrical contacts of the external device to enable transfer of power from the device to the external device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one storage component comprises an ultra-thin battery. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one of:
 a magnetic strip,   an integrated circuit (IC) chip,   a radio frequency (RF) antenna, or   an RF identification (RFID) tag.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless power transfer component comprises a near-field communications (NFC) antenna. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless power transfer component comprises an inductive coil. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the electrical contacts are further configured to interface with a power transfer cable. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one solar panel is on a first side of the device, and
 wherein the device further comprises:
 at least one other solar panel on a second side of the device. 
   
     
     
         15 . A transaction card, comprising:
 a transaction component for storing account data associated with the transaction card;   a battery for storing electricity;   at least one solar panel capable of converting light into electricity;   a power circuit layer to receive electricity from the solar panel; and   a power output layer to charge an external battery of an external device via:
 a wireless power transfer component configured to enable the transaction card to charge the external battery of the external device based on the transaction card being placed proximate to the external device, or 
 electrical contacts configured to make contact with corresponding electrical contacts associated with the external device to enable transfer of power from the transaction card to the external device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The transaction card of  claim 15 , wherein the transaction component comprises at least one of:
 a magnetic strip,   an integrated circuit (IC) chip,   a radio frequency (RF) antenna, or   an RF identification (RFID) tag.   
     
     
         17 . The transaction card of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless power transfer component comprises a near-field communications (NFC) antenna. 
     
     
         18 . The transaction card of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless power transfer component comprises an inductive coil. 
     
     
         19 . The transaction card of  claim 15 , wherein the electrical contacts are further configured to interface with a power transfer cable. 
     
     
         20 . The transaction card of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one solar panel is on a first side of the transaction card, and
 wherein the transaction card further comprises:
 at least one other solar panel on a second side of the transaction card.