Systems and methods for replenishing fuel-cell-powered portable devices
First Claim
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1. A method for making available to users of fuel-powered portable devices fuel for the portable devices, the method comprising:
- entering an agreement with a user to make available to the user fuel for a fuel-cell-powered portable device of the user;
receiving a request for authorization to transfer fuel from one refilling station of a system comprising a plurality of geographically-distributed filling stations to the portable device of the user; and
, authorizing the request.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Portable electronic devices such as portable telephones, portable computers and the like may obtain power from fuel cells that consume fuel from fuel stores of the portable devices. A network of refilling stations permits users of portable devices to main the devices operational by frequently topping up the fuel stores. Payment systems combine payments for fuel with larger payments for other transactions to avoid the overhead of processing individual payments for very small amounts.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for making available to users of fuel-powered portable devices fuel for the portable devices, the method comprising:
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entering an agreement with a user to make available to the user fuel for a fuel-cell-powered portable device of the user;
receiving a request for authorization to transfer fuel from one refilling station of a system comprising a plurality of geographically-distributed filling stations to the portable device of the user; and
,authorizing the request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for maintaining a fuel-powered portable device in an operational state, the method comprising:
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during a period of time, carrying the portable device while the device is in an operational state in which it consumes fuel from an internal fuel store and using the portable device;
during the period, transacting commercial transactions at each of several different businesses, each of the businesses having a filling station co-located with the business, the filling station capable of providing fuel to the portable device;
substantially concurrently with transacting each of the commercial transactions, and commencing while the fuel store of the portable device is partially filled, connecting the portable device to a filling station of the business with which the transaction is being made and transferring some fuel into the fuel store of the portable device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for providing services to a fuel cell system connected to a device, wherein the method comprises:
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forming a customer account on a system;
forming a fuel cell system identifier for a fuel cell system connected to the device on the system;
linking the fuel cell system identifier to the customer account;
disposing a copy of the fuel cell system identifier on the device;
generating an authorization sequence linked to the customer account for providing services by a service station to the fuel cell system;
connecting the fuel cell system to the service station;
generating a request for authorization to provide services from the service station to the system;
generating a verification from the device to the service station confirming that the device can receive services;
transmitting an authorization from the system to the service station, wherein the authorization approves the device for receiving the services; and
,providing the services to the device at the service station based, or a terminating the request for service if the authorization is not received.
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24. A method for replenishing a supply of fuel in a portable device, the method comprising:
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connecting the portable device to a filling station and permitting the filling station to replenish the supply of fuel in the portable device; and
,before, during or after permitting the filling station to replenish the supply of fuel in the portable device adding a payment amount for replenishing the supply of fuel in the portable device to a payment transaction relating to goods or services other than replenishing the supply of fuel in the portable device;
wherein the payment transaction has an amount substantially greater than the payment amount for replenishing the supply of fuel in the portable device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification