A system for providing solar charging capabilities is described. The system for providing solar charging capabilities may comprise a backpack having a first pocket and an outer surface; a first solar panel being mounted onto the outer surface of the backpack; a battery being placed into the first pocket, wherein the battery is configured to be electrically connected to more than one solar panel. By providing such a backpack, a user of the backpack may charge electronic device while using the backpack or while the backpack is at rest.

An intelligent umbrella includes a wireless communication transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device and an integrated computing device, the integrated computing device including one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive the commands or messages, via the wireless communication transceiver from the mobile computing device and to generate instructions, signals, commands and/or messages, based, at least in part on the received commands or messages from the mobile computing device. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate the generated instructions, signals, commands or messages to one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to cause the one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to move in a specified manner.

An intelligent shading object, comprises a plurality of shading elements, a shading element deployment mechanism, a support structure, and a base unit. A shading element deployment mechanism deploys a plurality of shading elements independently of each other. A support structure is coupled to the shading element deployment mechanism. A base unit is coupled to the support structure to provide stability to the support structure, the shading element deployment mechanism, and the plurality of shading elements.

A solar-powered umbrella has a cap structure that is connected by hinges to struts. The struts are relatively rigid and positioned above the umbrella shade and house solar panels. When the umbrella is opened and closed, the struts rotate via the hinges from an open to closed position. When the solar panels are exposed to the sun, light is converted to electrical energy to charge a rechargeable battery. The battery supplies power to one or more USB ports. A user can recharge an electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer) by connecting to a port of the umbrella using a cable.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for providing directions haptically such that sight and hearing can continue unimpeded. In one exemplary embodiment, a wearable device (such as earphones, ear rings, gloves, glasses, or other wearable objects) configured as disclosed herein receives directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action. The wearable device has multiple haptic output units and generates, through one of those units, a haptic output based on the directions. This allows the user to receive the directions through touch rather than looking at their mobile device or from audio.

An umbrella includes a frame assembly including a support pole and a canopy support structure associated with the support pole. At least a portion of the canopy support structure is movable relative to a central axis of the canopy support structure. An actuation mechanism including an actuator is operably coupled to a portion of the canopy support structure. The actuation mechanism is selectively operable to move the canopy support structure to at least one of automatically transform the umbrella to an open configuration and automatically transform the umbrella to a closed configuration.

An intelligent umbrella includes a wireless communication transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device and an integrated computing device, the integrated computing device including one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive the commands or messages, via the wireless communication transceiver from the mobile computing device and to generate instructions, signals, commands and/or messages, based, at least in part on the received commands or messages from the mobile computing device. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate the generated instructions, signals, commands or messages to one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to cause the one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to move in a specified manner.

The invention relates to a sun protection device comprising a base body and a support structure for a clampable surface structure, the structure having a plurality of support elements, and a device for the utilization of solar energy, characterized in that the support elements (1; 10) divide the surface structure (7; 17) in covering regions (7.1, 7.2; 17.1, 17.2) and in that at least one support element (1; 10) is designed as a solar panel.

A shading system includes a base assembly, core assembly, a sensor expansion module coupled to the core assembly module, wherein the sensor expansion module includes one or more arm support assemblies; one or more arms connected to the one or more arm support assemblies. The base assembly includes one or more motors, one or more processors; one or more memory modules; a base motor controller; and computer-readable instructions, which when executed communicate movement direction and distance instructions to a base motor controller. The base assembly includes one or more motors, wherein the base motor controller converts the received movement direction and/or distance instructions to movement direction and/or distance commands, and communicates the movement direction and/or distance commands to the one or more motors to physically move the base assembly.

An umbrella includes a base assembly, a core assembly connected to the base assembly, the core assembly including a skin covering, a tubular assembly; and an electronics housing and an arm expansion assembly connected to the core assembly to expand or retract one or more umbrella arms. The electronics housing includes an opening or a space through which the tubular assembly passes and the electronics housing is located underneath the skin covering. The electronics housing also includes one or more sensor assemblies to capture sensor measurements in an area surrounding the umbrella.