Method and system for enablement and management of ad hoc electric energy consumption
First Claim
1. A method of providing electric energy to a customer having an electrically-powered device, comprising:
- a) connecting, by the customer, the electrically-powered device to an electrical outlet of an apparatus, the electrical outlet being in a default state in which electrical energy is not output from the electrical outlet;
b) inputting, by the customer, a mode of payment to the apparatus;
c) providing, by the apparatus, electrical energy to the electrically-powered device coupled to the electrical outlet, by switching the electrical outlet so that it provides electrical energy to a device coupled thereto; and
d) providing a payment record to the customer when the customer has finished use of the apparatus.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing electric energy in an ad hoc manner to a customer having an electrically-powered device, includes an electric connection unit configured to electrically connect to the electrically-powered device, the electric connection unit being in a default state in which electrical energy is not output from the electric connection unit. An input unit is configured to receive input, by the customer, of a mode of payment. A control unit is configured to control operation of the apparatus. An output unit is configured to provide a payment record to the customer when the customer has finished using the apparatus. The control unit controls operation of the electric connection unit to thereby allow electric energy to flow from the electric connection unit to the electrically-powered device coupled thereto, when the control unit has determined that the mode of payment provided to the input unit is acceptable.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of providing electric energy to a customer having an electrically-powered device, comprising:
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a) connecting, by the customer, the electrically-powered device to an electrical outlet of an apparatus, the electrical outlet being in a default state in which electrical energy is not output from the electrical outlet;
b) inputting, by the customer, a mode of payment to the apparatus;
c) providing, by the apparatus, electrical energy to the electrically-powered device coupled to the electrical outlet, by switching the electrical outlet so that it provides electrical energy to a device coupled thereto; and
d) providing a payment record to the customer when the customer has finished use of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for providing electric energy in an ad hoc manner to a customer having an electrically-powered device, comprising:
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an electric connection unit configured to electrically connect to the electrically-powered device, the electric connection unit being in a default state in which electrical energy is not output from the electric connection unit;
an input unit configured to receive input, by the customer, of a mode of payment;
a control unit configured to control operation of the apparatus; and
an output unit configured to provide a payment record to the customer when the customer has finished using the apparatus, wherein the control unit controls operation of the electric connection unit to thereby allow electric energy to flow from the electric connection unit to the electrically-powered device coupled thereto, when the control unit has determined that the mode of payment provided to the input unit is acceptable. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for providing electric energy in an ad hoc manner to a customer having an electrically-powered device, comprising:
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an apparatus that includes;
an electric connection unit configured to electrically connect to the electrically-powered device, the electric connection unit being in a default state in which electrical energy is not output from the electric connection unit;
an input unit configured to receive input, by the customer, of a mode of payment;
a control unit configured to control operation of the apparatus; and
an output unit configured to provide a payment record to the customer when the customer has finished using the apparatus, wherein the control unit controls operation of the electric connection unit to thereby allow electric energy to flow from the electric connection unit to the electrically-powered device coupled thereto, when the control unit has determined that the mode of payment provided to the input unit is acceptable; and
at least one external system that is communicatively connected to the apparatus, and that performs a billing process for determining an amount of money to be billed the user, and that bills the user accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification