Slashdot Mirror
Digital Camera Powered By a Fuel Cell
An anonymous reader notes a development from the world of photography that could spread to notebooks and cell phones. Canon has filed for a patent on a fuel cell-powered DSLR. The fuel cell would power not only the camera body but also all accessories attached to it, doing away with the need to power flashes (for example) with AA or other batteries. The patent covers other electronic devices generally, but is clearly directed toward DSLR cameras, given the diagrams and examples used. "Canon continues to push its fuel cell development by devising a method for powering not only the internal DSLR body electronics, but also external components such as lenses and hotshoe flashes."
Ethanol based fuel cells would seem to be perfect for this equipment, based on some professional photographers I've met in the past.
"One for you," pours vodka into the camera. "And one for me," while pouring some vodka into self. Rinse, repeat.
Anything think it's not OBVIOUS? We've been talking about fuel cells for YEARS. Now someone's come up with the idea to - and get this - Use it somewhere.
what gives them the ability to patent "using a fuel cell in a camera"
The exciting thing about these new fuel cells is the form factor- they are proposing fuel cells in the shape of a small cylinder, about 50 mm long by 14 mm diameter, with the positive and negative terminals on opposing ends. You can even use more than one in a device, by connecting them in series or parallel. Have no doubt that this innovative idea is worthy of a patent (at least from the current patent office).
Hydrogen bombs are the Next Logical Step in blowing up the customer.