Systems and methods for directing light towards a solar cell
A device includes a first solar cell, a mirror configured to direct light towards a second solar cell of an additional device, and one or more motors configured to adjust an orientation of the mirror. The device actuates the mirror to a first orientation and receive, from the additional device, a first signal associated with a first intensity of the light received by the second solar cell at the first orientation of the mirror. Based at least in part on the first signal, the device actuates the mirror to a second orientation. The device further receives, from the second device, a second signal associated with a second intensity of the light received by the second solar cell at the second orientation of the mirror, and causes, based at least in part on the second signal, the one or more motors to actuate the mirror to a third orientation.
1 . A first device comprising:
a solar cell;
a mirror;
one or more motors configured to adjust an orientation of the mirror;
a receiver;
one or more processors; and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
causing the one or more motors to actuate the mirror to a first orientation,
receiving, using the receiver, a first signal transmitted by a second device, the first signal representing first data indicating light intensity at the second device,
causing the one or more motors to actuate the mirror to a second orientation,
receiving, using the receiver, a second signal transmitted by the second device, the second signal representing second data indicating the light intensity at the second device, and
causing the one or more motors to actuate the mirror to a third orientation.
2 . The first device of claim 1 , further comprising a visible-light blocking film disposed at least partially over the mirror.
3 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first signal and the second signal represent infrared (IR) light emitted via an IR emitter of the second device.
4 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
receiving a third signal transmitted by the second device, the third signal representing third data indicating the light intensity at the second device; and
causing, based on the first data, the second data, and the third data, the one or more motors to actuate the mirror to a fourth orientation.
5 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein causing the one or more motors to actuate the mirror to the third orientation is based on the first data and the second data.
6 . The first device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor, wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
receiving, from the sensor, sensor data;
determining, based at least in part on the sensor data, at least one of:
an acceleration experienced by the first device, or
a variation of light within an environment of the first device; and
causing, based at least in part on the at least one of the acceleration or the variation of light, the one or more motors to actuate the mirror to a fourth orientation associated with refraining from directing the light to the second device.
7 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more motors are configured to adjust the orientation of the mirror about one or more axes.
8 . The first device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a bracket, stake, or clamp for securing the first device within an environment.
9 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a light emitting element and a motion sensor, wherein the first device is configured to emit light using the light emitting element in response to detection of motion by the motion sensor.
10 . The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a light emitting element and a passive infrared sensor.
11 . A first device comprising:
a base;
an emitter;
a mounting portion;
a solar cell positioned between the base and the mounting portion;
one or more processors; and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
determining first data representing a first light intensity value for the solar cell,
transmitting, using the emitter, the first data to a second device comprising a mirror configured to direct light toward the solar cell,
determining second data representing a second light intensity value for the solar cell, and
transmitting, using the emitter, the second data to the second device.
12 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the first device includes one or more connections for coupling to a battery of a second device so as to enable electrical energy generated by the solar cell to be used to charge the battery of the second device.
13 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a mounting face including one or more mounting elements.
14 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a receptacle adapted to receive a second device.
15 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
determining, based on the first data and the second data, third data representing a mean value, and
transmitting, using the emitter, the third data.
16 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
determining, based on the first data and the second data, third data representing a root mean square value, and
transmitting, using the emitter, the third data.
17 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
determining third data corresponding to a charge level of a battery; and
transmitting, using the emitter, the third data.
18 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
determining third data corresponding to a temperature; and
transmitting, using the emitter, the third data.
19 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising determining, based on a determined power level, a transmission frequency, and wherein the second data is transmitted based on the determined transmission frequency.
20 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media store computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising determining, based on a light intensity level, a transmission frequency, and wherein the second data is transmitted based on the determined transmission frequency.
21 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the solar cell is arranged such that, when the first device is oriented in a first orientation with the base pointed downwards, the solar cell is oriented downward.
22 . A method comprising:
determining, at a first electronic device having a camera device mounted thereto, a first intensity value based on light received at a solar cell of the first electronic device;
transmitting, by an infrared (IR) emitter of the first electronic device, a first signal representing first data indicating the first intensity value;
receiving, by an IR receiver of a second electronic device, the first signal;
determining, by the second electronic device based on receiving the first signal, the first data indicating the first intensity value; and
adjusting, based on the receiving the first signal and using a motor of the second electronic device, an orientation of a mirror of the second electronic device.
23 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising:
determining, at the first electronic device, a second intensity value based on light received at the solar cell of the first electronic device; and
transmitting, by the IR emitter of the first electronic device, a second signal representing second data indicating the second intensity value,
wherein adjusting the orientation of the mirror is based on the first data and the second data.
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the camera device comprises a video doorbell device.
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the second electronic device comprises a pathlight device.