U.S. patent application number 13/559343 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-31 for apparatus, method and article for providing information regarding availability of power storage devices at a power storage device collection, charging and distribution machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to GOGORO, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jung-Hsiu Chen, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu. Invention is credited to Jung-Hsiu Chen, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu.
Application Number | 20130030920 13/559343 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54199459 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130030920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Yi-Tsung ; et
al. |
January 31, 2013 |
APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING
AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE
COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE
Abstract
A network of collection, charging and distribution machines
collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage
devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors).
Availability of charged portable electrical energy storage devices
available at a collection, charging and distribution machine are
communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user or a
user's vehicle. Once the mobile device of a user or a user's
vehicle comes within close proximity of the collection, charging
and distribution machine or within a particular area surrounding
the collection, charging and distribution machine, the collection,
charging and distribution machine or a collection, charging and
distribution machine management system communicates an alert (e.g.,
over a cellular network, short range wireless signal or wireless
fidelity (Wi-Fi) network) to the mobile device or vehicle
indicating how many portable electrical energy storage devices are
available at the distribution machine.
Inventors: |
Wu; Yi-Tsung; (New Taipei
City, TW) ; Taylor; Matthew Whiting; (North Bend,
WA) ; Luke; Hok-Sum Horace; (Mercer Island, WA)
; Chen; Jung-Hsiu; (Taoyuan City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wu; Yi-Tsung
Taylor; Matthew Whiting
Luke; Hok-Sum Horace
Chen; Jung-Hsiu |
New Taipei City
North Bend
Mercer Island
Taoyuan City |
WA
WA |
TW
US
US
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
GOGORO, INC.
New Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
54199459 |
Appl. No.: |
13/559343 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61511900 |
Jul 26, 2011 |
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61647936 |
May 16, 2012 |
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61534753 |
Sep 14, 2011 |
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61534761 |
Sep 14, 2011 |
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61534772 |
Sep 14, 2011 |
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61511887 |
Jul 26, 2011 |
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61647941 |
May 16, 2012 |
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61511880 |
Jul 26, 2011 |
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61557170 |
Nov 8, 2011 |
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61581566 |
Dec 29, 2011 |
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61601404 |
Feb 21, 2012 |
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61601949 |
Feb 22, 2012 |
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61601953 |
Feb 22, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.64 ;
705/26.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 1/02 20130101; B60L
2240/423 20130101; B60L 2240/662 20130101; H01M 10/425 20130101;
B60L 3/0061 20130101; B60L 2240/427 20130101; B60L 53/305 20190201;
B60L 2240/645 20130101; G06Q 30/0639 20130101; B60L 53/80 20190201;
G06Q 30/0267 20130101; B60L 53/68 20190201; B60L 2240/26 20130101;
B60L 2240/70 20130101; Y02T 90/14 20130101; B60L 3/0046 20130101;
Y04S 10/126 20130101; Y04S 30/14 20130101; B60L 2240/525 20130101;
B60L 2240/622 20130101; B60L 2250/22 20130101; G06F 3/0638
20130101; Y02T 10/64 20130101; Y02T 10/92 20130101; B60L 2240/429
20130101; G06F 3/0671 20130101; G06Q 10/02 20130101; B60L 1/14
20130101; B60L 2220/14 20130101; H01M 2220/30 20130101; H02J 7/00
20130101; B60L 50/66 20190201; H02J 7/00045 20200101; G06Q 30/0259
20130101; B60L 3/003 20130101; B60L 50/40 20190201; B60L 2210/14
20130101; B60L 2220/16 20130101; H01M 10/441 20130101; Y02T 10/70
20130101; B60L 7/06 20130101; B60L 2240/421 20130101; Y02T 10/7072
20130101; B60L 7/14 20130101; B60L 2240/14 20130101; G07C 5/00
20130101; G07C 5/0858 20130101; Y02T 10/72 20130101; B60L 55/00
20190201; B60L 2240/642 20130101; G01C 21/3476 20130101; H01M
10/482 20130101; B60L 50/51 20190201; B60L 2240/545 20130101; B60L
2270/46 20130101; B60L 2210/12 20130101; B60L 2240/12 20130101;
B60L 58/16 20190201; B60L 2200/12 20130101; B60L 2270/34 20130101;
H01M 10/4257 20130101; H02J 7/007 20130101; B60L 2220/46 20130101;
B60L 2250/20 20130101; G06Q 30/0253 20130101; H02J 4/00 20130101;
H02J 7/0013 20130101; Y02T 90/16 20130101; Y02T 90/169 20130101;
B60L 7/22 20130101; H01M 2220/20 20130101; B60L 53/65 20190201;
B60L 2210/30 20130101; B60L 2250/16 20130101; Y04S 50/10 20130101;
B60L 1/003 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; Y10T 70/7062 20150401;
G06F 3/0608 20130101; H01M 2010/4278 20130101; Y02E 60/00 20130101;
Y04S 30/12 20130101; B60L 58/10 20190201; Y04S 50/14 20130101; B60L
2250/18 20130101; B60L 2260/44 20130101; Y02T 90/12 20130101; B60L
58/26 20190201; B60L 2260/52 20130101; E05B 81/56 20130101; B60L
2250/10 20130101; G01C 21/3682 20130101; B60L 53/665 20190201; G06Q
30/0261 20130101; Y02T 90/167 20130101; B60L 15/2045 20130101; B60L
3/0069 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.64 ;
705/26.9 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20120101
G06Q030/00; G06Q 30/02 20120101 G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a system for providing information
regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage
devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine for
collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy
storage devices, the method comprising: receiving, by the system
for providing information regarding availability of portable
electrical energy storage devices, information regarding presence
of a user device; and in response to the received information
regarding presence of the user device, communicating to the user
device, by the system for providing information regarding
availability of portable electrical energy storage devices,
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device at a collection, charging and distribution
machine.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the presence of the user device is
within a wireless signal range of the collection, charging and
distribution machine.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices is part of the collection, charging and
distribution machine.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the communicating to the user
device includes: sending a message from the system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices to the user device over a wireless signal via a
local area network to which the system for providing information
regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage
devices is connected.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the communicating to the user
device includes communicating to the user device how many portable
electrical energy storage devices are available at the collection,
charging and distribution machine.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a request
originating from the user to reserve a portable electrical energy
storage device available at the collection, charging and
distribution machines; and in response to the request, reserving
for the user an available portable electrical energy storage device
at the collection, charging and distribution machine.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the available portable electrical
energy storage device is reserved for a limited amount of time for
the user.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving the information
regarding presence of the user device includes receiving the
information regarding presence of the user device based on global
positioning system data associated with a current location of the
user device.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the information regarding the
availability of the portable electrical energy storage device
includes information regarding a type of portable electrical energy
storage device and an associated price for the user to obtain the
type of portable electrical energy storage device.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the information regarding the
availability of the portable electrical energy storage device is
communicated to the user device in response to a request from the
user device.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: communicating to the
user device information regarding availability of portable
electrical energy storage devices at one or more of a plurality of
collection, charging and distribution machines within a particular
distance from the user device.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the user device is a wireless
mobile device.
13. A system for providing information regarding availability of
portable electrical energy storage devices at a collection,
charging and distribution machine for collection, charging and
distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices
comprising: at least one processor of the system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices; and at least one processor-readable memory of the
system for providing information regarding availability of portable
electrical energy storage devices that stores instructions
executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one
processor to: cause a user device to emit a wireless signal from a
user device; and in response to the emission of the wireless
signal, receive a communication at the user device including
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device at a collection, charging and distribution
machine.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication is a short
message service communication received over a wireless connection
to a local area network.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the instructions are executable
by the at least one processor to further cause the at least one
processor to: cause an indication of a number of portable
electrical energy storage devices available at the collection,
charging and distribution machine to be displayed on the user
device.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the instructions are executable
by the at least one processor to further cause the at least one
processor to: cause an indication to be displayed on a displayed
map, the indication indicative of whether a portable electrical
energy storage device is available at the collection, charging and
distribution machine.
17. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication including
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device is received from the collection, charging and
distribution machine.
18. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication including
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device is received from the collection, charging and
distribution machine via a collection, charging and distribution
machine management system remote from the collection, charging and
distribution machine.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores
instructions that when executed by a system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine
for collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical
energy storage devices, cause the system for providing information
regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage
devices to perform: receiving an indication of selection by a user
of a user interface element representing an available portable
electrical energy storage device to reserve the available portable
electrical energy storage device; and communicating the selection
to reserve the available portable electrical energy storage device
at a collection, charging and distribution machine.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19 wherein
the instructions further cause the system for providing information
regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage
devices to perform: communicating a confirmation that the available
portable electrical energy storage device has been reserved.
21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19 wherein
the instructions further cause the system for providing information
regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage
devices to perform: receiving an advertisement regarding an
available portable electrical energy storage device within a
particular range of a user device; and displaying the advertisement
on the user device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/511,900 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION,
CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES"
and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,936 entitled
"APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND
DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES" and filed
May 16, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P2), U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/534,753 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD
AND ARTICLE FOR REDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS
BATTERIES, BETWEEN COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES"
and filed Sep. 14, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.402P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,761 entitled
"APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND
CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES" and filed Sep.
14, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.403P1), U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/534,772 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD
AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER
STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASED ON USER PROFILES" and
filed Sep. 14, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.404P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,887 entitled
"THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES"
and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.406P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled
"THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES"
and filed May 16, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.406P2), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,880 entitled
"DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY"
and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.407P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/557,170 entitled
"APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER
STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES" and filed Nov. 8, 2011 (Atty. Docket
No. 170178.408P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/581,566 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER
STORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT" and filed Dec. 29, 2011 (Atty. Docket
No. 170178.412P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/601,404 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING
VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA" and filed Feb. 21, 2012 (Atty. Docket No.
170178.417P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/601,949 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING
LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND
DISTRIBUTION MACHINES" and filed Feb. 22, 2012 (Atty. Docket No.
170178.418P1), and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/601,953 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING
INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A
POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE"
and filed Feb. 22, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.419P1).
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to the distribution
of rechargeable electrical power storage devices (e.g., secondary
batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors), which may be
suitable for use in a variety of fields or applications, for
instance transportation and non-transportation uses.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There are a wide variety of uses or applications for
portable electrical power storage devices.
[0006] One such application is in the field of transportation.
Hybrid and all electrical vehicles are becoming increasingly
common. Such vehicles may achieve a number of advantages over
traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. For example,
hybrid or electrical vehicles may achieve higher fuel economy and
may have little or even zero tail pipe pollution. In particular,
all electric vehicles may not only have zero tail pipe pollution,
but may be associated with lower overall pollution. For example,
electrical power may be generated from renewable sources (e.g.,
solar, hydro). Also for example, electrical power may be generated
at generation plants that produce no air pollution (e.g., nuclear
plants). Also for example, electrical power may be generated at
generation plants that burn relatively "clean burning" fuels (e.g.,
natural gas), which have higher efficiency than internal combustion
engines, and/or which employ pollution control or removal systems
(e.g., industrial air scrubbers) which are too large, costly or
expensive for use with individual vehicles.
[0007] Personal transportation vehicles such as combustion engine
powered scooters and/or motorbikes are ubiquitous in many places,
for example in the many large cities of Asia. Such scooters and/or
motorbikes tend to be relatively inexpensive, particularly as
compared to automobiles, cars or trucks. Cities with high numbers
of combustion engine scooters and/or motorbikes also tend to be
very densely populated and suffer from high levels of air
pollution. When new, many combustion engine scooters and/or
motorbikes provide a relatively low polluting source of personal
transportation. For instance, such scooters and/or motorbikes may
have higher mileage ratings than larger vehicles. Some scooters
and/or motorbikes may even be equipped with basic pollution control
equipment (e.g., catalytic converter). Unfortunately, factory
specified levels of emission are quickly exceeded as the scooters
and/or motorbikes are used and either not maintained and/or as the
scooters and/or motorbikes are modified, for example by intentional
or unintentional removal of catalytic converters. Often owners or
operators of scooters and/or motorbikes lack the financial
resources or the motivation to maintain their vehicles.
[0008] It is known that air pollution has a negative effect on
human health, being associated with causing or exacerbating various
diseases (e.g., various reports tie air pollution to emphysema,
asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis as well as various
cardiovascular diseases). Such diseases take large numbers of lives
and severely reduce the quality of life of countless others.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] Zero tail pipe pollution alternatives to combustion engines
would greatly benefit air quality, and hence the health of large
populations.
[0010] While the zero tail pipe emissions benefit of all-electric
vehicles are appreciated, adoption of all-electric vehicles by
large populations has been slow. One of the reasons appears to be
the cost, particularly the cost of secondary batteries. Another one
of the reasons appears to be the limited driving range available on
a single charge of a battery, and the relatively long time (e.g.,
multiple hours) necessary to recharge a secondary battery when
depleted.
[0011] The approaches described herein may address some of the
issues which have limited adoption of zero tail pipe emission
technology, particularly in densely crowded cities, and in
populations with limited financial resources.
[0012] For example, some of the approaches described herein employ
collection, charging and distribution machines, which may be
otherwise be termed as kiosks or vending machines, to collect,
charge and distribute electrical power storage devices (e.g.,
batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Such machines may
be distributed about a city or other region at a variety of
locations, such as convenience stores or existing gas or petrol
filling stations.
[0013] The collection, charging and distribution machines may
maintain a stock of fully charged or almost fully charged
electrical storage devices for use by end users. The collection,
charging and distribution machines may collect, receive or
otherwise accept depleted electrical storage devices, for example
as returned by end users, recharging such for reuse by subsequent
end users.
[0014] Thus, as a battery or other electrical power storage device
reaches or approaches the end of its stored charge, an end user may
simply replace, exchange or otherwise swap batteries or other
electrical power storage devices. This may address issues related
to cost, as well as limited range and relatively long recharging
times.
[0015] As previously noted, secondary batteries and other
electrical power storage devices are relatively expensive. Thus, it
is beneficial to stock the least number of electrical power storage
devices possible, while still ensuring that demand for such is
satisfied.
[0016] For these reasons, the ability to have electrical power
storage devices available is important to commercial success of any
such endeavor. A number of approaches are described herein to
provide availability of charged electrical power storage devices to
meet current demand.
[0017] A method of operating a system for providing information
regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage
devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine for
collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy
storage devices may be summarized as including: receiving, by the
system for providing information regarding availability of portable
electrical energy storage devices, information regarding presence
of a user device; and in response to the received information
regarding presence of the user device, communicating to the user
device, by the system for providing information regarding
availability of portable electrical energy storage devices,
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device at a collection, charging and distribution
machine.
[0018] The presence of the user device may be within a wireless
signal range of the collection, charging and distribution machine.
The system for providing information regarding availability of
portable electrical energy storage devices may be part of the
collection, charging and distribution machine. The communicating to
the user device may include sending a message from the system for
providing information regarding availability of portable electrical
energy storage devices to the user device over a wireless signal
via a local area network to which the system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices is connected. The communicating to the user device
may include communicating to the user device how many portable
electrical energy storage devices are available at the collection,
charging and distribution machine. The method may further include
receiving a request originating from the user to reserve a portable
electrical energy storage device available at the collection,
charging and distribution machines; and in response to the request,
reserving for the user an available portable electrical energy
storage device at the collection, charging and distribution
machine. The available portable electrical energy storage device
may be reserved for a limited amount of time for the user. The
receiving the information regarding presence of the user device may
include receiving the information regarding presence of the user
device based on global positioning system data associated with a
current location of the user device. The information regarding the
availability of the portable electrical energy storage device may
include information regarding a type of portable electrical energy
storage device and an associated price for the user to obtain the
type of portable electrical energy storage device. The information
regarding the availability of the portable electrical energy
storage device may be communicated to the user device in response
to a request from the user device. The method may further include
communicating to the user device information regarding availability
of portable electrical energy storage devices at one or more of a
plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines within
a particular distance from the user device. The user device may be
a wireless mobile device.
[0019] A system for providing information regarding availability of
portable electrical energy storage devices at a collection,
charging and distribution machine for collection, charging and
distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices may be
summarized as including at least one processor of the system for
providing information regarding availability of portable electrical
energy storage devices; and at least one processor-readable memory
of the system for providing information regarding availability of
portable electrical energy storage devices that stores instructions
executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one
processor to: cause a user device to emit a wireless signal from a
user device; and in response to the emission of the wireless
signal, receive a communication at the user device including
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device at a collection, charging and distribution
machine.
[0020] The communication may be a short message service
communication received over a wireless connection to a local area
network. The instructions may be executable by the at least one
processor to further cause the at least one processor to: cause an
indication of a number of portable electrical energy storage
devices available at the collection, charging and distribution
machine to be displayed on the user device. The instructions may be
executable by the at least one processor to further cause the at
least one processor to: cause an indication to be displayed on a
displayed map, the indication indicative of whether a portable
electrical energy storage device is available at the collection,
charging and distribution machine. The communication including
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device may be received from the collection, charging
and distribution machine. The communication including information
regarding an availability of a portable electrical energy storage
device may be received from the collection, charging and
distribution machine via a collection, charging and distribution
machine management system remote from the collection, charging and
distribution machine.
[0021] A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores
instructions that when executed by a system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine
for collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical
energy storage devices, may cause the system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices to perform: receiving an indication of selection by
a user of a user interface element representing an available
portable electrical energy storage device to reserve the available
portable electrical energy storage device; and communicating the
selection to reserve the available portable electrical energy
storage device at a collection, charging and distribution
machine.
[0022] The instructions may further cause the system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices to perform: communicating a confirmation that the
available portable electrical energy storage device has been
reserved. The instructions may further cause the system for
providing information regarding availability of portable electrical
energy storage devices to perform: receiving an advertisement
regarding an available portable electrical energy storage device
within a particular range of a user device; and displaying the
advertisement on the user device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify
similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of
elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For
example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to
scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and
positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular
shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any
information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements,
and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the
drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a collection, charging and
distribution machine along with a number of electrical power
storage devices according to one non-limiting illustrated
embodiment, along with an electric scooter or motorbike, and an
electrical service provided via an electrical grid.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the collection, charging and
distribution machine of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting
illustrated embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices and locations of collection, charging and
distribution machines, such as that of FIG. 1, according to one
non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the collection, charging and
distribution machine management system of FIG. 3, according to one
non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 5 is an example user interface of a user mobile device
indicating availability of portable electrical energy storage
devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine,
according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of
providing information regarding availability of portable electrical
energy storage devices at a collection, charging and distribution
machine, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of
sending a message from a system for providing information regarding
availability of portable electrical energy storage devices useful
in the method of FIG. 6, according to one non-limiting illustrated
embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of
receiving a communication at a user device including information
regarding an availability of a portable electrical energy storage
device, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of
reserving an available portable electrical energy storage device at
a collection, charging and distribution machine, according to one
non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] In the following description, certain specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various
disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or
more of these specific details, or with other methods, components,
materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures
associated with vending apparatus, batteries, supercapacitors or
ultracapacitors, power converters including but not limited to
transformers, rectifiers, DC/DC power converters, switch mode power
converters, controllers, and communications systems and structures
and networks have not been shown or described in detail to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.
[0034] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the
specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and
variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be
construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as "including, but
not limited to."
[0035] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the
phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to
the same embodiment.
[0036] The use of ordinals such as first, second and third does not
necessarily imply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only
distinguish between multiple instances of an act or structure.
[0037] Reference to portable electrical power storage device means
any device capable of storing electrical power and releasing stored
electrical power including but not limited to batteries,
supercapacitors or ultracapacitors. Reference to batteries means
chemical storage cell or cells, for instance rechargeable or
secondary battery cells including but not limited to nickel cadmium
alloy or lithium ion battery cells.
[0038] The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein
are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning
of the embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows an environment 100 including a collection,
charging and distribution machine 102, according to one illustrated
embodiment.
[0040] The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may
take the form of a vending machine or kiosk. The collection,
charging and distribution machine 102 has a plurality of receivers,
compartments or receptacles 104a, 104b-104n (only three called out
in FIG. 1, collectively 104) to removably receive portable
electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors
or ultracapacitors) 106a-106n (collectively 106) for collection,
charging and distribution. As illustrated in FIG. 1, some of the
receivers 104 are empty, while other receivers 104 hold portable
electrical energy storage devices 106. While FIG. 1 shows a single
portable electrical energy storage device 106 per receiver 104, in
some embodiments each receiver 104 may hold two or even more
portable electrical energy storage devices 106. For example, each
of the receivers 104 may be sufficiently deep to receive three
portable electrical energy storage devices 106. Thus, for example,
the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 illustrated
in FIG. 1 may have a capacity capable of simultaneously holding 40,
80 or 120 portable electrical energy storage devices 106.
[0041] The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 may take
a variety of forms, for example batteries (e.g., array of battery
cells) or supercapacitors or ultracapacitors (e.g., array of
ultracapacitor cells). For example, the portable electrical energy
storage devices 106z may take the form of rechargeable batteries
(i.e., secondary cells or batteries). The portable electrical
energy storage devices 106z may, for instance, be sized to
physically fit, and electrically power, personal transportation
vehicles, such as all-electric scooters or motorbikes 108. As
previously noted, combustion engine scooters and motorbikes are
common in many large cities, for example in Asia, Europe and the
Middle East. The ability to conveniently access charged batteries
throughout a city or region may allow the use of all-electric
scooters and motorbikes 108 in place of combustion engine scooters
and motorbikes, thereby alleviating air pollution, as well as
reducing noise.
[0042] The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 (only
visible for portable electrical energy storage device 106z) may
include a number of electrical terminals 110a, 110b (two
illustrated, collectively 110), accessible from an exterior of the
portable electrical energy storage device 106z. The electrical
terminals 110 allow charge to be delivered from the portable
electrical energy storage device 106z, as well as allow charge to
be delivered to the portable electrical energy storage device 106z
for charging or recharging the same. While illustrated in FIG. 1 as
posts, the electrical terminals 110 may take any other form which
is accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy
storage device 106z, including electrical terminals positioned
within slots in a battery housing.
[0043] The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 is
positioned at some location 112 at which the collection, charging
and distribution machine 102 is conveniently and easily accessible
by various end users. The location may take any of a large variety
of forms, for example, a retail environment such as a convenience
store, supermarket, gas or petrol station, or service shop.
Alternatively, the collection, charging and distribution machine
102 may stand alone at a location 112 not associated with an
existing retail or other business, for example in public parks or
other public places.
[0044] Thus, for example, collection, charging and distribution
machines 102 may be located at each store of a chain of convenience
stores throughout a city or region. Such may advantageously rely on
the fact that convenience stores are often sited or distributed
based on convenience to the target population or demographic. Such
may advantageously rely on pre-existing leases on storefronts or
other retail locations to allow an extensive network of collection,
charging and distribution machines 102 to be quickly developed in a
city or region. Quickly achieving a large network which is
geographically well distributed to serve a target population
enhances the ability to depend on such a system and likely
commercial success of such an effort. Providing a system in which
users can be alerted to the availability of charged portable
electrical energy storage devices at collection, charging and
distribution machines in close proximity to the user also enhances
the ability to depend on such a system and likely commercial
success of such an effort. The ability to enable users to be
quickly alerted to the availability of charged portable electrical
energy storage devices at collection, charging and distribution
machines in close proximity to the respective user as well as
provide the ability for users to select and reserve the portable
electrical energy storage devices at the collection, charging and
distribution machine 102 is addressed herein.
[0045] The location 112 may include an electrical service 114 to
receive electrical power from a generating station (not shown) for
example via a grid 116. The electrical service 114 may, for
example, include one or more of an electrical service meter 114a, a
circuit panel (e.g., circuit breaker panel or fuse box) 114b,
wiring 114c, and electrical outlet 114d. Where the location 112 is
an existing retail or convenience store, the electrical service 114
may be an existing electrical service, so may be somewhat limited
in rating (e.g., 120 volts, 240 volts, 220 volts, 230 volts, 15
amps).
[0046] Neither the operator of the retail location 112, nor the
owner, distributor or operator of the collection, charging and
distribution machine 102 may wish to bear the costs of upgrading
the electrical service 114. Yet, quick charging is desired in order
to maintain an adequate supply of portable electrical energy
storage devices 106 available for use by end users. The ability to
quickly charge while maintaining existing or otherwise limited
rated electrical service is addressed in U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/511,900, entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND
ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE
DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES" and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. Docket
No. 170178.401P1).
[0047] Optionally, the collection, charging and distribution
machine 102 may include or be coupled to a source of renewable
electrical power. For example, where installed in an outside
location the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may
include an array of photovoltaic (PV) cells 118 to produce
electrical power from solar insolation. Alternatively, the
collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may be
electrically coupled to a microturbine (e.g., wind turbine) or PV
array positioned elsewhere at the location 112, for instance on a
roof top or pole mounted at a top of a pole (not shown).
[0048] The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may be
communicatively coupled to one or more remotely located computer
systems, such as back end or back office systems (only one shown)
120. The back end or back office systems 120 may collect data from
and/or control a plurality of collection, charging and distribution
machine 102 distributed about an area, such as a city. The
communications may occur over one or more communications channels
including one or more networks 122, or non-networked communications
channels. Communications may be over one or more wired
communications channels (e.g., twisted pair wiring, optical fiber),
wireless communications channels (e.g., radio, microwave,
satellite, 801.11 compliant). Networked communications channels may
include one or more local area networks (LANs), wide area networks
(WANs), extranets, intranets, or the Internet including the
Worldwide Web portion of the Internet.
[0049] The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may
include a user interface 124. The user interface may include a
variety of input/output (I/O) devices to allow an end user to
interact with the collection, charging and distribution machine
102. Various I/O devices are called out and described in reference
to FIG. 2, which follows.
[0050] FIG. 2 shows the collection, charging and distribution
machine 102 of FIG. 1, according to one illustrated embodiment.
[0051] The collection, charging and distribution machine 102
includes a control subsystem 202, a charging subsystem 204, a
communications subsystem 206, and a user interface subsystem
208.
[0052] The control subsystem 202 includes a controller 210, for
example a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic
controller (PLC), programmable gate array (PGA), application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or another controller capable of
receiving signals from various sensors, performing logical
operations, and sending signals to various components. Typically,
the controller 210 may take the form of a microprocessor (e.g.,
INTEL, AMD, ATOM). The control subsystem 202 may also include one
or more non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage
media, for example read only memory (ROM) 212, random access memory
(RAM) 214, and data store 216 (e.g., solid-state storage media such
as flash memory or EEPROM, spinning storage media such as hard
disk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage
media 212, 214, 216 may be in addition to any non-transitory
storage medium (e.g., registers) which is part of the controller
210. The control subsystem 202 may include one or more buses 218
(only one illustrated) coupling various components together, for
example one or more power buses, instruction buses, data buses,
etc.
[0053] As illustrated, the ROM 212, or some other one of the
non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media 212,
214, 216, stores instructions and/or data or values for variables
or parameters. The sets of data may take a variety of forms, for
example a lookup table, a set of records in a database, etc. The
instructions and sets of data or values are executable by the
controller 110. Execution of the instructions and sets of data or
values causes the controller 110 to perform specific acts to cause
the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 to collect,
charge, and distribute portable energy storage devices. Specific
operation of the collection, charging and distribution machine 102
is described herein and also below with reference to various flow
diagrams (FIGS. 14-16).
[0054] The controller 210 may use RAM 214 in a conventional
fashion, for volatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The
controller 210 may use data store 216 to log or retain information,
for example telemetric information related to collection, charging
and/or distribution or collection of the portable electric power
storage devices 106 and/or operation of the collection, charging
and distribution machine 102 itself. The instructions are
executable by the controller 210 to control operation of the
collection, charging and distribution machine 102 in response to
end user or operator input, and using data or values for the
variables or parameters.
[0055] The control subsystem 202 receives signals from various
sensors and/or other components of the collection, charging and
distribution machine 102 which include information that
characterizes or is indicative of operation, status, or condition
of such other components. Sensors are represented in FIG. 2 by the
letter S appearing in a circle along with appropriate subscript
letters.
[0056] For example, one or more position sensors S.sub.P1-S.sub.PN
may detect the presence or absence of portable electrical power
storage device 106 at each of the receivers 104. The position
sensors S.sub.P1-S.sub.PN may take a variety of forms. For example,
the position sensors S.sub.P1-S.sub.PN may take the form of
mechanical switches that are closed, or alternatively opened, in
response to contact with a portion of a respective portable
electrical power storage device 106 when the portable electrical
power storage device 106 is inserted into the receiver 104. Also
for example, the position sensors S.sub.P1-S.sub.PN may take the
form of optical switches (i.e., optical source and receiver) that
are closed, or alternatively opened, in response to contact with a
portion of a respective portable electrical power storage device
106 when the portable electrical power storage device 106 is
inserted into the receiver 104. Also for example, the position
sensors S.sub.P1-S.sub.PN may take the form of electrical sensors
or switches that are closed, or alternatively opened, in response
to detecting a closed circuit condition created by contact with the
terminals 110 of a respective portable electrical power storage
device 106 when the portable electrical power storage device 106 is
inserted into the receiver 104, or an open circuit condition that
results from the lack of a respective portable electrical power
storage device 106 in the receiver 104. These examples are intended
to be non-limiting, and it is noted that any other structures and
devices for detecting the presence/absence, the availability, or
even the insertion of the portable electrical power storage devices
106 into receivers may be employed.
[0057] For example, one or more charge sensors S.sub.C1-S.sub.CN
may detect charge of the portable electrical power storage devices
106 at each of the receivers 104. Charge sensors S.sub.C1-S.sub.CN
may detect the amount of charge stored by the portable electrical
power storage devices 106. Charge sensors S.sub.C1-S.sub.CN may
additionally detect an amount of charge and/or rate of charging
being supplied to ones of the portable electrical power storage
devices 106 at each of the receivers 104. Such may allow assessment
of current (i.e., temporal) charge condition or status of each
portable electrical power storage device 106, as well as allow
feedback control over charging of same, including control over rate
of charging. Charge sensors S.sub.C1-S.sub.CN may include any
variety of current and/or voltage sensors.
[0058] For example, one or more charge sensors S.sub.T1 (only one
shown) may detect or sense a temperature at the receivers 104 or in
the ambient environment.
[0059] The control subsystem 202 provides signals to various
actuators and/or other components responsive to control signals,
which signals include information that characterizes or is
indicative of an operation the component is to perform or a state
or condition in which the components should enter. Control signals,
actuators or other components responsive to control signals are
represented in FIG. 2 by the letter C appearing in a circle along
with appropriate subscript letters.
[0060] For example, one or more engine control signals
C.sub.A1-C.sub.AN may affect the operation of one or more actuators
220 (only one illustrated). For instance, a control signal
C.sub.CA1 may cause movement of an actuator 220 between a first and
a second position or change a magnetic field produced by the
actuator 220. The actuator 220 may take any of a variety of forms,
including but not limited to a solenoid, an electric motor such as
a stepper motor, or an electromagnet. The actuator 220 may be
coupled to operate a latch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222.
The latch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222 may selectively
secure or retain one or more portable electrical power storage
devices 106 (FIG. 1) in the receiver 104 (FIG. 1). For instance,
the latch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222 may physically
couple to a complimentary structure that is part of a housing of
the portable electrical power storage devices 106 (FIG. 1).
Alternatively, the latch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222 may
magnetically couple to a complimentary structure that is part of a
housing of the portable electrical power storage devices 106 (FIG.
1). Also for instance, the latch, lock or other mechanism may open
a receiver 104 (FIG. 1), or may allow a receiver 104 to be opened,
to receive a partially or fully discharged portable electrical
power storage device 106 for charging. For example, the actuator
may open and/or close a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1), to
selectively provide access to a portable electrical power storage
device 106 (FIG. 1) received therein. Also for example, the
actuator may open and/or close a latch or lock, allowing an end
user to open and/or close a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1), to
selectively provide access to a portable electrical power storage
device 106 (FIG. 1) received therein.
[0061] The control subsystem 202 may include one or more ports 224a
to provide control signals to one or more ports 224b of the
charging subsystem 206. The ports 224a, 224b may provide
bi-directional communications. The control subsystem 202 may
include one or more ports 226a to provide control signals to one or
more ports 226b of the user interface subsystem 208. The ports
226a, 226b may provide bi-directional communications.
[0062] The charging subsystem 102 includes various electrical and
electronic components to charge portable electrical power storage
devices 106 when positioned or received in the receivers 104. For
example, the charging subsystem 102 may include one or more power
buses or power bus bars, relays, contactors or other switches
(e.g., insulated gate bipolar transistors or IGBTs, metal oxide
semiconductor transistors or MOSFETs), rectifier bridge(s), current
sensors, ground fault circuitry, etc. The electrical power is
supplied via contacts that can take any of a variety of forms, for
instance terminals, leads, posts, etc. The contacts allow
electrical coupling of various components. Some possible
implementations are illustrated in FIG. 2. Such is not intended to
be exhaustive. Additional components may be employed while other
components may be omitted.
[0063] The illustrated charging subsystem 102 includes a first
power converter 230 that receives electrical power from the
electrical service 114 (FIG. 1) via a line or cord 232. The power
will typically be in the form of single, two or three phase AC
electrical power. As such, the first power converter 230 may need
to convert and otherwise condition the electrical power received
via the electrical services 114 (FIG. 1), for example for
rectifying an AC waveform to DC, transforming voltage, current,
phase, as well as reducing transients and noise. Thus, the first
power converter 230 may include a transformer 234, rectifier 236,
DC/DC power converter 238, and filter(s) 240.
[0064] The transformer 234 may take the form of any variety of
commercially available transformers with suitable ratings for
handling the power received via the electrical service 114 (FIG.
1). Some embodiments may employ multiple transformers. The
transformer 234 may advantageously provide galvanic isolation
between the components of the collection, charging and distribution
machine 102 and the grid 116 (FIG. 1). The rectifier 236 may take
any of variety of forms, for example a full bridge diode rectifier
or a switch mode rectifier. The rectifier 236 may be operated to
transform AC electrical power to DC electrical power. The DC/DC
power converter 238 may be any of a large variety of forms. For
example, DC/DC power converter 238 may take the form a switch mode
DC/DC power converter, for instance employing IGBTs or MOSFETs in a
half or full bridge configuration, and may include one or more
inductors. The DC/DC power converter 238 may have any number of
topologies including a boost converter, buck converter, synchronous
buck converter, buck-boost converter or fly-back converter. The
filter(s) 240 may include one or more capacitors, resistors, Zener
diodes or other elements to suppress voltage spikes, or to remove
or reduce transients and/or noise.
[0065] The illustrated charging subsystem 102 may also receive
electrical power from a renewable power source, for example the PV
array 118 (FIG. 1). Such may be converted or conditioned by the
first power converter 230, for example being supplied directly to
the DC/DC power converter 238, bypassing the transformer 236 and/or
rectifier 236. Alternatively, the illustrated charging subsystem
102 may include a dedicated power converter to convert or otherwise
condition such electrical power.
[0066] The illustrated charging subsystem 102 may optionally
include second power converter 242 that receives electrical power
from one or more portable electrical power storage devices 106
(FIG. 1) via one or more lines 244, for charging other ones of the
portable electrical power storage devices 106. As such, the second
power converter 242 may need to convert and/or otherwise condition
the electrical power received from portable electrical power
storage devices 106, for example optionally transforming voltage or
current, as well as reducing transients and noise. Thus, the second
power converter 242 may optionally include a DC/DC power converter
246 and/or filter(s) 248. Various types of DC/DC power converters
and filters are discussed above.
[0067] The illustrated charging subsystem 102 includes a plurality
of switches 250 responsive to the control signals delivered via
ports 224a, 224b from the control subsystem 202. The switches may
be operable to selectively couple a first number or set of portable
electrical power storage devices 106 to be charged from electrical
power supplied by both the electrical service via the first power
converter 230 and from electrical power supplied by a second number
or set of portable electrical power storage devices 106. The first
number or set of portable electrical power storage devices 106 may
include a single portable electrical power storage device 106, two,
or even more portable electrical power storage devices 106. The
second number or set of portable electrical power storage devices
106 may include a single portable electrical power storage device
106, two, or even more portable electrical power storage devices
106. The portable electrical power storage devices 106 are
represented in FIG. 2 as loads L.sub.1, L.sub.2-L.sub.N.
[0068] The communications subsystem 206 may additionally include
one or more communications modules or components which facilitate
communications with the various components of a back end or back
office system 120 (FIG. 1). The communications subsystem 206 may,
for example, include one or more modems 252 or one or more Ethernet
or other types of communications cards or components 254. A port
256a of the control subsystem 202 may communicatively couple the
control subsystem 202 with a port 256b of the communications
subsystem 206. The communications subsystem 206 may provide wired
and/or wireless communications. The communications subsystem 206
may include one or more ports, wireless receivers, wireless
transmitters or wireless transceivers to provide wireless signal
paths to the various remote components or systems. The remote
communications subsystem 206 may include one or more bridges or
routers suitable to handle network traffic including switched
packet type communications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other
networking protocols.
[0069] The user interface system 208 includes one or more user
input/output (I/O) components. For example, user interface system
208 may include a touch screen display 208a, operable to present
information and a graphical user interface (GUI) to an end user and
to receive indications of user selections. The user interface
system 208 may include a keyboard or keypad 208b, and/or a cursor
controller (e.g., mouse, trackball, trackpad) (not illustrated) to
allow an end user to enter information and/or select user
selectable icons in a GUI. The user interface system 208 may
include a speaker 208c to provide aural messages to an end user
and/or a microphone 208d to receive spoken user input such as
spoken commands.
[0070] The user interface system 208 may include a card reader 208e
to read information from card type media 209. The card reader 208e
may take a variety of forms. For instance, the card reader 208e may
take the form of, or include, a magnetic stripe reader for reading
information encoded in a magnetic stripe carried by a card 209. For
instance, the card reader 208e may take the form of, or include, a
machine-readable symbol (e.g., barcode, matrix code) card reader
for reading information encoded in a machine-readable symbol
carried by a card 209. For instance, the card reader 208e may take
the form of, or include, a smart card reader for reading
information encoded in a non-transitory medium carried by a card
209. Such may, for instance, include media employing radio
frequency identification (RFID) transponders or electronic payment
chips (e.g., near filed communications (NFC) chips). Thus, the card
reader 208e may be able to read information from a variety of card
media 209, for instance credit cards, debit cards, gift cards,
prepaid cards, as well as identification media such as drivers
licenses.
[0071] The user interface system 208 may include a bill acceptor
208f and a validator and/or coin acceptor 208g to accept and
validate cash payments. Such may be highly useful in servicing
populations who lack access to credit. Bill acceptor and validator
208f and/or coin acceptor 208g may take any variety of forms, for
example those that are currently commercially available and used in
various vending machines and kiosks.
[0072] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system 300 for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices and locations of collection, charging and
distribution machines, such as that of FIG. 1, according to one
non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0073] Shown is a collection, charging and distribution machine
management system 302 for providing locations of collection,
charging and distribution machines, such as, for example, machines
like the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 of FIG.
1 and for providing availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices to users at or near individual collection, charging
and distribution machines. For example, the collection, charging
and distribution machine management system 302 also provides
information regarding the availability at each collection, charging
and distribution machine 102 of portable electrical energy storage
devices, and in some embodiments, the types of portable electrical
energy storage devices 106 available. In some embodiments, the
collection, charging and distribution machine management system 302
may be the back end or back office system 120 shown in FIG. 1. In
other embodiments, the collection, charging and distribution
machine management system 302 may be part of or may in operable
communication with, the back end or back office system 120 shown in
FIG. 1.
[0074] For illustrative purposes, shown are two example areas, Area
X 306 and Area Y 304, which each contain one or more collection,
charging and distribution machines and one or more electrically
powered vehicles. As shown in FIG. 3, as an example, Area Y 306
includes collection, charging and distribution machine 308a;
collection, charging and distribution machine 308b; and vehicle
310a. For example, Area Y may be defined by a radius from vehicle
310a or from user mobile device 313 of a particular distance (e.g.,
10 kilometers), defined by a particular driving time (e.g., 10
minutes) from vehicle 310a or mobile device 313 and/or defined by a
particular driving distance from vehicle 310a or mobile device 313.
The driving time and/or driving distance may be calculated based on
the current location of the vehicle 310a and/or mobile device 313
and one or more of: the roads and driving routes available to the
particular collection, charging and distribution machine from the
current location of the vehicle 310a and/or mobile device 313,
current traffic conditions, preferred routes of the user,
historical driving routes of the user, the current direction the
user is traveling, etc. Area Y may also be defined by an area in
which the user device 313 or vehicle 310a is in close proximity to
a particular collection, charging and distribution machine (e.g.,
within walking distance, within zero to approximately 20 meters,
within short range wireless signal range, within wireless fidelity
(Wi-Fi) signal range, etc.) For example, a user carrying user
device 313 may be just outside a convenience store in which
collection, charging and distribution machine 308a is located. Area
X 304 includes collection, charging and distribution machine 308c,
collection, charging and distribution machine 308d and vehicle
310b. Area X may be defined by a radius from vehicle 310b of a
particular distance and/or defined by a particular driving distance
or driving time from vehicle 310b. Area X may also be defined by an
area in which the vehicle 310b is in close proximity to a
particular collection, charging and distribution machine (e.g.,
within walking distance, within zero to approximately 20 meters,
within short range wireless signal range, within wireless fidelity
(Wi-Fi) signal range, etc.) In other embodiments, each area
represents a different geographic location whose boundaries may be
defined by any number of criteria including, but not limited to:
property, neighborhood, district, municipality, city, population,
county, state, province, country, road, water, longitudinal or
latitudinal coordinates, boundaries or any other public, private,
physical or political boundary. Also, each area may contain fewer
or more collection, charging and distribution machines depending on
the boundary constraints.
[0075] The collection, charging and distribution machine management
system 302 is in operable communication with the collection,
charging and distribution machines 308a, 308b, 308c and 308d, and
one or more user mobile communication devices 313 (only one shown
as an example), such that data may be exchanged between the
collection, charging and distribution machine management system
302, the collection, charging and distribution machines 308a, 308b,
308c and 308d, and the user mobile communication device 313. This
data may represent actual, expected or predicted availability of
portable electrical energy storage devices 106 at one or more of
the collection, charging and distribution machines.
[0076] In some embodiments, an available portable electrical energy
storage device 106z may be an operable and fully or nearly fully
charged portable electrical energy storage device that has not yet
been reserved. Also, the collection, charging and distribution
machine management system 302, the collection, charging and
distribution machines 308a, 308b, 308c and 308d, and the user
mobile communication device 313 may, in some embodiments,
additionally or instead be in operable communication directly with
each other.
[0077] This communication between the various items, systems and
entities of FIG. 3 is enabled by the various communications
subsystems of these various items, systems and entities. For
example, this communication may be enabled by the various
communications subsystems of the distribution machines 308a, 308b,
308c and 308d, the collection, charging and distribution machine
management system 302, the vehicles 310a and 310b, and the user
mobile communications device 313. One or more of such communication
subsystems may provide wired and/or wireless communications (e.g.,
cellular, local area network connections, and/or short range
wireless connections using or being compatible with any operable
communications protocol and/or standard). The communications
subsystems of the items in FIG. 3 may include one or more ports,
wireless receivers, wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers
to provide wireless signal paths to the various remote components
or systems. The remote communications subsystems may include one or
more bridges or routers suitable to handle network traffic
including switched packet type communications protocols (TCP/IP),
Ethernet or other networking protocols.
[0078] For example, the collection, charging and distribution
machine management system 302 may receive an update from
collection, charging and distribution machine 308c indicating the
current inventory and/or availability of charged electrical energy
storage devices at collection, charging and distribution machine
308c. In some embodiments, the collection, charging and
distribution machine management system 302 may continually or
periodically monitor the inventories of charged electrical energy
storage devices of all or many of the collection, charging and
distribution machines. Also, the collection, charging and
distribution machines may continually or periodically provide
updates to the collection, charging and distribution machine
management system 302 regarding the inventory of charged electrical
energy storage devices of the respective collection, charging and
distribution machine. This information may be provided to mobile
device 313, vehicle 310a, and/or vehicle 310b continuously,
periodically, aperiodically and/or or in response to a request for
such information from mobile device 313, vehicle 310a, and/or
vehicle 310b. For example, this information may be provided to
mobile device 313, vehicle 310a, and/or vehicle 310b in response to
the mobile device 313 or vehicle 310a being detected by the
collection, charging and distribution machine management system 302
or a collection, charging and distribution machine within area Y as
being within area Y (e.g., within close proximity to collection,
charging and distribution machine 308a and/or collection, charging
and distribution machine 308b).
[0079] An alert may then be sent to the mobile device 313 or
vehicle 310a (e.g., via a text message, email, instant message,
status update on a social media network, automated phone call, as a
notification within a specific application, etc.) that there is an
available portable electrical energy storage device at the
particular collection, charging and distribution machine in close
proximity to the mobile device 313 and/or vehicle 310a. This alert
may be sent via any variety of communications channels including,
but not limited to, cellular telephone networks, computer wireless
fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks, satellite networks, short range wireless
signals, etc., or any operable combination thereof. Also, in some
embodiments, the locations of collection, charging and distribution
machines in other larger areas that surround the mobile device
and/or vehicle 310a and that have available portable electrical
energy storage devices may also or instead be provided to a
respective user of the mobile device 313 or vehicle 310a.
[0080] The alert may also include a selectable link, icon or other
user interface element that the user may select to reserve the
available portable electrical energy storage device associated with
the alert. Once the element is selected, information representing
this reservation is communicated to the collection, charging and
distribution machine management system 302 and/or the respective
collection, charging and distribution machine at which the portable
electrical energy storage device is available. This reservation
information is stored in a database of reservations maintained
centrally by the collection, charging and distribution machine
management system 302 and/or locally at the selected collection,
charging and distribution machine.
[0081] For example, the reservation may include a record in which
an available portable electrical energy storage device or unique
reservation number or code is associated with the user who reserved
the portable electrical energy storage device, such as by a user
identification or other user data communicated from the mobile
device 313, vehicle 310a, and/or vehicle 310b to the collection,
charging and distribution machine 102 or the collection, charging
and distribution machine management system 302 when the reservation
was being made. In some embodiments, each portable electrical
energy storage device may have an identification code or number
uniquely identifying the particular portable electrical energy
storage device. This portable electrical energy storage device
identification number or code may be associated with the user
identification number or code in the reservation record. The number
of available portable electrical energy storage devices available
at the selected collection, charging and distribution machine
location is then decreased by one by the collection, charging and
distribution machine management system 302 and/or by the selected
collection, charging and distribution machine.
[0082] The reservation may be for a limited time or have other
restrictions. After the limited time elapses and the user has not
removed the reserved portable electrical energy storage device at
the selected collection, charging and distribution machine, the
portable electrical energy storage device then becomes available
and this available status is updated in the collection, charging
and distribution machine management system 302 and/or the selected
collection, charging and distribution machine system.
[0083] The collection, charging and distribution machine system may
identify the user via the user interface of the collection,
charging and distribution machine by the user inputting particular
user credentials, a password, biometric data, the user
identification number or code, and/or by the card reader 208e
described above, etc. Also, the information regarding available
portable electrical energy storage devices may be communicated and
organized in any manner including in a list, as a group of
selectable icons, etc., that indicates particular collection,
charging and distribution machines have one or more available
charged portable electrical energy storage devices.
[0084] In some instances, particular collection, charging and
distribution machines may be further away from the user's current
location than other collection, charging and distribution machines
near the user that perhaps are currently experiencing higher
demand. Thus, the collection, charging and distribution machine
management system 302 may communicate to the user a redeemable
incentive for the user to exchange or return their portable
electrical energy storage devices to one of the collection,
charging and distribution machines that are further away from the
user than other closer collection, charging and distribution
machines that also have available portable electrical energy
storage devices. For example, the incentive may be redeemable as a
discount or credit on fees related to the use of one or more of the
plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines. Also,
users may be provided similar incentives to return or exchange
electrical energy storage devices before they are depleted or
almost depleted to head off or smooth out an anticipated spike in
demand.
[0085] In some embodiments, various options and features regarding
available portable electrical energy storage devices may be
generated and made available to the user. For example, a user's
historical route information may be utilized by the collection,
charging and distribution machine management system 302 to
anticipate which collection, charging and distribution machines the
user may likely to want to visit, and availability of charged
portable electrical energy storage devices at these particular
collection, charging and distribution machines may be communicated
to the user automatically as these portable electrical energy
storage devices at these locations become available (e.g., by
sending an alert to the user).
[0086] The availability of charged portable electrical energy
storage devices at these particular collection, charging and
distribution machines may also or instead be highlighted or given
special designations on a displayed map on the mobile device 313,
or may be indicated on the displayed map instead of locations of
other collection, charging and distribution machines at which
portable electrical energy storage devices are available. The
number and types of available portable electrical energy storage
devices at each collection, charging and distribution machine
location within area Y (e.g., within close proximity to the mobile
device 313 and/or the vehicle 310a) may also be displayed. For
example, the number of available high performance portable
electrical energy storage devices and other types of portable
electrical energy storage devices at each collection, charging and
distribution machine may be communicated to the user. These various
options may be selectable by the user via a mobile device 313, user
interface on the vehicle 310a, or other computing device.
[0087] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the collection, charging and
distribution machine management system 302 of FIG. 3, according to
one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0088] The collection, charging and distribution machine management
system 302 includes a control subsystem 402, a communications
subsystem 406, and a user interface subsystem 408. However, such a
system and associated functionalities may also be present in the
vehicle (e.g., vehicle 310a of FIG. 3) and/or the user mobile
device 313 also shown in FIG. 3.
[0089] The control subsystem 402 includes a controller 410, for
example a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic
controller (PLC), programmable gate array (PGA), application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or another controller capable of
receiving signals from various sensors, performing logical
operations, and sending signals to various components. Typically,
the controller 410 may take the form of a microprocessor (e.g.,
INTEL, AMD, ATOM). The control subsystem 402 may also include one
or more non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage
media, for example read only memory (ROM) 412, random access memory
(RAM) 414, and data store 416 (e.g., solid-state storage media such
as flash memory or EEPROM, spinning storage media such as hard
disk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage
media 412, 414, 416 may be in addition to any non-transitory
storage medium (e.g., registers) which is part of the controller
410. The control subsystem 402 may include one or more buses 418
(only one illustrated) coupling various components together, for
example one or more power buses, instruction buses, data buses,
etc.
[0090] As illustrated, the ROM 412, or some other one of the
non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media 412,
414, 416, stores instructions and/or data or values for variables
or parameters. The sets of data may take a variety of forms, for
example a lookup table, a set of records in a database, etc. The
instructions and sets of data or values are executable by the
controller 410. Execution of the instructions and sets of data or
values causes the controller 410 to perform specific acts to cause
the collection, charging and distribution machine management system
302 receive, send and/or to provide information to various external
devices regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices at particular collection, charging and distribution
machines and, in some embodiments, locations of collection,
charging and distribution machines that have available charged
portable electrical energy storage devices for use. Execution of
the instructions and sets of data or values may also cause the
controller 410 to perform specific acts to cause the collection,
charging and distribution machine management system 302 receive,
send, store, maintain, update and otherwise manage information
regarding reservations of various portable electrical energy
storage devices of various collection, charging and distribution
machines. Specific operation of the collection, charging and
distribution machine management system 302 is described herein and
also below with reference to various flow diagrams (FIGS. 6-9).
[0091] The controller 410 may use RAM 414 in a conventional
fashion, for volatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The
controller 410 may use data store 416 to log or retain information,
for example, information regarding portable electrical energy
storage device availability and reservations of portable electrical
energy storage devices, information regarding relative demand of
charged portable electrical energy storage devices between
geographical locations, information regarding historic usage
patterns of one or more of the plurality of collection, charging
and distribution machines, information regarding user vehicle
locations and telematic and/or telemetric user vehicle information,
information regarding portable electrical energy storage device
charge capacity, information regarding route information of users
of one or more of the charged portable electrical energy storage
devices, information regarding energy storage devices, telemetric
information related to collection, charging and/or distribution of
collection of the portable electric power storage devices 106
and/or operation of the collection, charging and distribution
machine management system 302 itself. The instructions are
executable by the controller 410 to control operation of the
collection, charging and distribution machine management system 302
in response to input from remote systems such as collection,
charging and distribution machines, collection, charging and
distribution machine service systems, user mobile devices, user
vehicles, and end user or operator input, and using data or values
for the variables or parameters.
[0092] The control subsystem 402 may also receive signals from
various sensors and/or components of a collection, charging and
distribution machine, such as the collection, charging and
distribution machine 102 of FIG. 1 via the communications subsystem
206 of collection, charging and distribution machine 102. This
information may include information that characterizes or is
indicative of operation, status, or condition of such components.
Sensors are represented in FIG. 2 by the letter S appearing in a
circle along with appropriate subscript letters. For example, one
or more position sensors S.sub.P1-S.sub.PN may detect the presence
or absence of portable electrical power storage device 106 at each
of the receivers 104. This information may be communicated to the
control subsystem 402. Also, one or more charge sensors
S.sub.C1-S.sub.CN may detect a charge level charge of the portable
electrical power storage devices 106 at each of the receivers 104.
This information may also be communicated to the control subsystem
402.
[0093] The communications subsystem 406 may include one or more
communications modules or components which facilities
communications with the various components of a collection,
charging and distribution machine, such as collection, charging and
distribution machine 112 of FIG. 1 and also the various components
of the collection, charging and distribution machines 308a, 308b,
308c and 308d of FIG. 3, the portable electrical energy storage
device transfer service 312 and the one or more user mobile
communication devices 313, such that data may be exchanged between
the collection, charging and distribution machine management system
302, the collection, charging and distribution machines 308a, 308b,
308c and 308d, and the user mobile communication device 313. The
communications subsystem 406 may, for example, include one or more
modems 452 or one or more Ethernet or other types of communications
cards or components 454. A port 456a of the control subsystem 402
may communicatively couple the control subsystem 402 with a port
456b of the communications subsystem 406. The communications
subsystem 406 may provide wired and/or wireless communications. The
communications subsystem 406 may include one or more ports,
wireless receivers, wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers
to provide wireless signal paths to the various remote components
or systems employing or making use of any operable wired and
wireless communications standard or protocol. The remote
communications subsystem 406 may include one or more bridges or
routers suitable to handle network traffic including switched
packet type communications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other
networking protocols.
[0094] The user interface system 408 includes one or more user
input/output (I/O) components (not illustrated). For example, user
interface system 408 may include a touch screen display operable to
present information and a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user
and to receive indications of user selections. The user interface
system 408 may include a keyboard or keypad, and/or a cursor
controller (e.g., mouse, trackball, trackpad, and/or touch screen)
to allow a user to enter information and/or select user selectable
icons in a GUI.
[0095] FIG. 5 is an example user interface 502 of a user mobile
device 313 indicating availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine
within close proximity to the mobile device 313, according to one
non-limiting illustrated embodiment. Also, the user interface 500
may be a user interface of the vehicle 310a shown in FIG. 3. Shown
is an alert 508 sent as a text message to the mobile device 313.
Once the mobile device is detected by a collection, charging and
distribution machine or the collection, charging and distribution
machine management system 302 as being within a particular area
surrounding the collection, charging and distribution machine, the
alert 508 is sent as a text message to the mobile device 313.
However, the alert may be sent in any variety of manners (e.g., via
email, instant message, status update on a social media network,
automated phone call, as a notification within a specific
application running on the mobile device 313, etc.) For example,
the mobile device 313 may be running an application associated with
a collection, charging and distribution machine, collection,
charging and distribution machine management system 302 and/or a
portable electrical energy storage device distribution system in
the foreground or background on the operating system of the mobile
device 313 which may request and/or receive information regarding
the availability of portable electrical energy storage devices and
provide alerts regarding the availability of portable electrical
energy storage devices. The alert may also provide additional
information such as the number of available portable electrical
energy storage devices at the particular collection, charging and
distribution machine and information regarding the exact location
e.g., address) of the collection, charging and distribution
machine.
[0096] The user may select a particular selectable user interface
element (e.g., the "select this link to reserve" element shown
within the alert 508) to reserve the available portable electrical
energy storage device at the collection, charging and distribution
machine corresponding to the alert. The user interface 502 may then
display a confirmation that the portable electrical energy storage
device has been reserved, the time remaining until the reservation
expires and directions from the user's current location to the
collection, charging and distribution machine referred to in the
alert 508.
[0097] FIG. 6 shows a high level method 600 of providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine,
according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0098] At 602, the collection, charging and distribution machine
102 or collection, charging and distribution machine management
system 302 receives information regarding presence of a user device
(e.g., presence of a user device within a particular range
surrounding the collection, charging and distribution machine). For
example, this information may include location data for user device
received via a GPS signal or via a wireless signal directly from
the user device. Also included may be additional information
regarding the quantity of available portable electrical energy
storage devices at the collection, charging and distribution
machine, the charge levels of the portable electrical energy
storage devices, the types of portable electrical energy storage
devices available, etc.
[0099] At 604, in response to the received information regarding
presence of the user device, the collection, charging and
distribution machine 102 or collection, charging and distribution
machine management system 302 communicates to the user device
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device at a collection, charging and distribution
machine. For example, this information may include the number of
charged available portable electrical energy storage devices at the
collection, charging and distribution machine 102.
[0100] FIG. 7 shows a low level method 700 of sending a message
from a system for providing information regarding availability of
portable electrical energy storage devices useful in the method of
FIG. 6, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0101] At 702, the collection, charging and distribution machine
102 or collection, charging and distribution machine management
system 302 sends a message to the user device over a wireless
signal via a local area network to which the system for providing
information regarding availability of portable electrical energy
storage devices is connected.
[0102] FIG. 8 shows a high level method 800 of receiving a
communication at a user device including information regarding an
availability of a portable electrical energy storage device,
according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0103] At 802, the user mobile device 313 emits a wireless
signal.
[0104] At 804, in response to the emission of the wireless signal,
the mobile device 313 receives a communication including
information regarding an availability of a portable electrical
energy storage device at a collection, charging and distribution
machine. For example, the emission of the wireless signal may be
received by the collection, charging and distribution machine 102
and this received information may be received directly from the
collection, charging and distribution machine 102 or the
collection, charging and distribution machine management system 302
that is in communication with the collection, charging and
distribution machine 102 and include the number of charged
available portable electrical energy storage devices at the
collection, charging and distribution machine 102.
[0105] FIG. 9 shows a high level method 900 of reserving an
available portable electrical energy storage device at a
collection, charging and distribution machine, according to one
non-limiting illustrated embodiment.
[0106] At 902, the mobile device 313 receives an indication of
selection by a user of a user interface element representing an
available portable electrical energy storage device to reserve the
available portable electrical energy storage device.
[0107] At 904, the mobile device 313 communicates the selection to
reserve an available portable electrical energy storage device at
the collection, charging and distribution machine 102. For example,
the mobile device 313 communicates the selection to the collection,
charging and distribution machine management system 302 and/or the
collection, charging and distribution machine 102 directly such
that the collection, charging and distribution machine management
system 302 and/or the collection, charging and distribution machine
102 system may reserve the selected portable electrical energy
storage device for the user.
[0108] The various methods described herein may include additional
acts, omit some acts, and/or may perform the acts in a different
order than set out in the various flow diagrams.
[0109] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block
diagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams,
schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/or
operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
each function and/or operation within such block diagrams,
flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or
collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or
virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the present
subject matter may be implemented via one or more microcontrollers.
However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be
equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits (e.g.,
Application Specific Integrated Circuits or ASICs), as one or more
computer programs executed by one or more computers (e.g., as one
or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one
or more programs executed by on one or more controllers (e.g.,
microcontrollers) as one or more programs executed by one or more
processors (e.g., microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually
any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or
writing the code for the software and/or firmware would be well
within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art in light of
the teachings of this disclosure.
[0110] When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory,
logic or information can be stored on any non-transitory
computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with any
processor-related system or method. In the context of this
disclosure, a memory is a nontransitory computer- or
processor-readable storage medium that is an electronic, magnetic,
optical, or other physical device or means that non-transitorily
contains or stores a computer and/or processor program. Logic
and/or the information can be embodied in any computer-readable
medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,
processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the
instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or
device and execute the instructions associated with logic and/or
information.
[0111] In the context of this specification, a "computer-readable
medium" can be any physical element that can store the program
associated with logic and/or information for use by or in
connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, and/or
device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, but is
not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device. More
specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable
medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette
(magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or the like), a
random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), and digital
tape.
[0112] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. To the extent that they are not
inconsistent with the specific teachings and definitions herein,
all of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S.
patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications
and non-patent publications referred to in this specification
and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including but not
limited to: U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,900
entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING
AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES" and
filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,936 entitled
"APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND
DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES" and filed
May 16, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P2), U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/534,753 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD
AND ARTICLE FOR REDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS
BATTERIES, BETWEEN COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES"
and filed Sep. 14, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.402P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,761 entitled
"APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND
CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES" and filed Sep.
14, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.403P1), U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 61/534,772 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD
AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER
STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASED ON USER PROFILES" and
filed Sep. 14, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.404P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,887 entitled
"THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES"
and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.406P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled
"THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES"
and filed May 16, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.406P2), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,880 entitled
"DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY"
and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.407P1), U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/557,170 entitled
"APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER
STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES" and filed Nov. 8, 2011 (Atty. Docket
No. 170178.408P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/581,566 entitled APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER
STORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT' and filed Dec. 29, 2011 (Atty. Docket
No. 170178.412P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/601,404 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING
VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA" and filed Feb. 21, 2012 (Atty. Docket No.
170178.417P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/601,949 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING
LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND
DISTRIBUTION MACHINES" and filed Feb. 22, 2012 (Atty. Docket No.
170178.418P1), and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/601,953 entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING
INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A
POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE"
and filed Feb. 22, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.419P1), U.S.
application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum
Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor and Huang-Cheng Hung as
inventors and entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR
COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH
AS BATTERIES" (Atty. Docket No. 170178.401), U.S. application Ser.
No. ______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke and
Matthew Whiting Taylor as inventors and entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD
AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER
STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES" (Atty. Docket No. 170178.403)
U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012 naming
Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Matthew Whiting Taylor as inventors and
entitled "DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT
ECONOMY" (Atty. Docket No. 170178.407), U.S. application Ser. No.
______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Matthew Whiting Taylor,
Yi-Tsung Wu, Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Huang-Cheng Hung as inventors
and entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY
OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES" (Atty. Docket No.
170178.408), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jul. 26,
2012, naming Ching Chen, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting
Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu as inventors and entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD
AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA" (Atty. Docket
No. 170178.417), and U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jul.
26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Yi-Tsung Wu, Jung-Hsiu Chen,
Yulin Wu, Chien Ming Huang, TsungTing Chan, Shen-Chi Chen and Feng
Kai Yang as inventors and entitled "APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE
FOR RESERVING POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT RESERVING POWER STORAGE
DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES" (Atty.
Docket No. 170178.423) are incorporated herein by reference, in
their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if
necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various
patents, applications and publications to provide yet further
embodiments.
[0113] While generally discussed in the environment and context of
collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy
storage devices for use with personal transportation vehicle such
as all-electric scooters and/or motorbikes, the teachings herein
can be applied in a wide variety of other environments, including
other vehicular as well as non-vehicular environments.
[0114] The above description of illustrated embodiments, including
what is described in the Abstract of the Disclosure, is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the
precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments and examples
are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in
the relevant art.
[0115] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in
light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the
following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit
the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification and the claims, but should be construed to include
all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents
to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not
limited by the disclosure.
* * * * *