Device for improving the quality of an image covered with a semitransparent photovoltaic film

Abstract

Problem addressed: how to decrease the loss of visual quality in an image that appears when this image is placed behind a semitransparent photovoltaic sheet or film. Solution: on the one hand, increase the luminosity of the image by depositing a white-coloured or metallic or reflective layer on the side of the photovoltaic cells that is turned towards the image; and on the other hand, by modifying the luminosity, the contrast, and the colour saturation of the image.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 an electronic display configured to display an image illuminated by incident light and to reflect at least a part of said light; and   a photovoltaic sheet arranged adjacent to a surface of the image that receives the incident light, said photovoltaic sheet being arranged at a non-zero distance above the surface of the image and including (i) luminous transparent areas and (ii) areas covered with photovoltaic cells, one side of the photovoltaic cells being oriented toward the image and configured to receive the part of said light reflected by said image,   wherein the entire non-zero distance between the photovoltaic sheet and the surface of the image consists of one of (i) only air and (ii) only a transparent solid material.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic sheet is flexible. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic sheet is made from crystalline glass or organic glass. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic cells are made from crystalline silicon. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic cells are made from a plurality of photovoltaic layers, wherein at least one of the photovoltaic layers has a thickness that less than its length. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic sheet has a thickness that is less than its length. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic cells form a network of strips parallel to one another and separated by transparent strips. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent solid material has a refractive index greater than 1. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).