From Forbes.
--
August 30, 1999
High tech Dracula
By Lisa Alcalay Klug
Software engineer Adrian Crisan was driving home
from an "invent session" at a corporate retreat when
he began contemplating new ways to recharge his
laptop. The bed-and-breakfast where he had spent
the last few days wasn't exactly wired for business
travelers, so keeping his laptop plugged in during
discussions was a constant challenge.
As his journey dragged on, Crisan fell into a relaxed
state of concentration. Eventually, sparks flew and
soon enough Crisan envisioned a souped-up
keyboard relying on the basic methodology of
hydroelectric dams. A system of magnets, coils and
a capacitor could channel the kinetic energy of
keystrokes into electric energy suitable for
recharging a laptop. Voila--the makings of a patent
application for his employer, Compaq Computer
(nyse: CPQ).
"I have no idea how I made the connection between
hydroelectric power and the notebook," says Crisan,
although his father, a professor of electrical
engineering, specializes in power systems at the
University of Houston. "One of the things that I've
learned from these invent sessions is that most
inventions [come from] making interesting
connections that other people won't see."
This summer, the U.S. Patent Office awarded
Crisan, a Transylvanian émigré, a patent for his
energy-sucking design, transforming him into a kind
of high tech Dracula sought by national publications.
"Everybody is entitled to their 15 minutes of fame. It
seems that mine is turning into an hour," says
Crisan, who left Romania for the states in 1984 but
still speaks with an accent. "Having all this attention,
while nice from time to time, is also somewhat
distracting and daunting," he says, adding, "I could
get used to it though."
He may have to. "This could be the answer that has
otherwise been elusive going back to 'Day One' of
portable computers," says Kurt King, an analyst at
Bank of America/Montgomery Securities in San
Francisco, who previously worked as a portable
computing product manager. "We've seen many
dramatic improvements in the technology that drives
portable computers but improved battery technology
is still the Holy Grail."
Crisan's solution, Patent No. 5,911,529, works when
a computer user types on keys rigged with tiny
magnets and coils. The action produces a
mini-current that flows to a capacitor, which, in turn,
sends the cumulative juice to the machine's thirsty
battery. It might add about a pound to a machine's
weight, but it adds little resistance to keys. Compaq
won't discuss any as-yet unannounced products,
says spokesperson Eileen Quinn, so there's no
telling when auto-charging laptops could become
available.
Crisan has received two other U.S. patents and is
awaiting word on another five. Within Compaq, he
has also submitted 27 suggestions for new
developments. Although he specializes in software,
about 80% of his suggestions relate to hardware,
classifying him as a unique "everyware" designer.
"Here's a creative thinker who is an engineer. He has
both sides of the brain working," says Brian Walker
of Creative Realities in Boston, a consulting firm that
facilitated the workshop Crisan attended. "Think
about it: hitting your keys and capturing the energy.
It's a brilliant idea. How come nobody thought of it
sooner? The answer is nobody made the connection
that Adrian made."
What's ironic is that such innovations are not part of
his day job. "Technically, I'm not a specialist in
hardware, laptops, power supplies or peripherals,"
says Crisan, who officially serves as manager of a
web-based tools development team in Compaq's
commercial desktop division. "I'm doing this for fun."
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