MOBILE SELF-CONTAINED POWER VENDING STATION AND METHOD

• US 20090014460A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joseph M. Kobus II, Michael J. Ruedisueli
• Original Assignee: Joseph M. Kobus II, Michael J. Ruedisueli
• Inventors: Ruedisueli, Michael J., Kobus, Joseph M. II
• Application Number:
  US11/776,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20090014460A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/135
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/12 in which metering is on a time basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A system for charging a power source of an electronic device includes a mobile self-contained power vending station that includes a central processor, a payment processing device, a DC power source, a DC to AC power inverter, and an AC outlet. The central processor, after detecting a valid payment from the payment processing device activates the DC to AC power Inverter thereby providing electricity to the power source of the electronic device via the AC outlet.

Claims

1. A system for charging a power source of an electronic device, the system comprising:

a mobile self-contained power vending station including;

a central processor;

a payment processing device;

a DC power source;

a DC to AC power inverter; and

an AC outlet;

wherein the central processor, upon detecting a valid payment from the payment processing device, activates the DC to AC power inverter thereby providing electricity to a power source of an electronic device via the AC outlet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile self-contained power vending station further includes a state-of-charge sensor;

and

wherein the central processor detects the state-of-charge level of the DC power source via the state-of-charge sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mobile self-contained power vending station further includes a notification apparatus;

and

wherein the central processor activates the notification apparatus, upon detecting, via the state-of-charge sensor, a lesser state-of-charge level of the DC power source than a predetermined state-of-charge level.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the system further comprises a central data station.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the notification apparatus comprises a wireless communications device;

and

wherein the central processor activates the wireless communications device in order to transmit a notification to the central data station, upon detecting, via the state-of-charge sensor, a lesser state-of-charge level of the DC power source than a predetermined state-of-charge level.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile self-contained power vending station further includes a usage detection sensor;

and

wherein the central processor detects, via the usage detection sensor, the power source of the electronic device is connected to the AC outlet.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the AC outlet is a GFCI outlet and the electricity provided is 110 VAC.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile self-contained power vending station further includes a user Interface.

9. A system for charging a power source of an electronic device, the system comprising:

a mobile self-contained power vending station including;

a central processor;

a payment processing device;

a wireless communications device;

a DC power source;

a state-of-charge sensor;

a usage detection sensor;

a DC to AC power inverter;

an AC outlet;

a user interface;

a central data station including a communications device;

wherein the central processor, upon detecting a valid payment from the payment processing device and upon detecting, via the usage detection sensor, a power source of an electronic device is connected to the AC outlet, activates the DC to AC power inverter thereby providing electricity to the power source of the electronic device; and

wherein further the central processor activates the wireless communication device in order to transmit a notification to the central data station, upon detecting, via the state-of-charge sensor, a lesser state-of-charge level of the DC power source than a predetermined state-of charge level.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the mobile self-contained power vending station further Includes a solar panel.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the AC outlet comprises a GFCI outlet and the electricity provided is 110 VAC.

12. A method for charging a power source of an electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a mobile self-contained power vending station including;

a central processor;

a payment processing device;

a notification apparatus;

a DC power source;

a state-of-charge sensor;

a usage detection sensor;

a DC to AC power inverter;

an AC outlet;

a user interface;

providing a central data station;

detecting a lesser state-of-charge level of the DC power source than a predetermined state-of-charge level;

disabling the payment processing device upon detection of a lesser state-of-charge level of the DC power source than the predetermined state-of-charge level; and

notifying the central data station of the lesser state-of-charge level via the notification apparatus.

13. The method of claim of 12, the method further comprising:

upon notification, replacing the mobile self-contained power vending station with a second mobile self-contained power vending station including a DC power source comprising a higher state-of charge level than the predetermined state-of-charge level.

14. The method of claim 12, the method further comprising:

upon notification, replacing the DC power source with a second DC power source composing a higher state-of-charge level than the predetermined state-of-charge level.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the AC outlet comprises a GFCI outlet and the electricity provided is 110 VAC.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile self-contained power vending station further includes a solar panel.

17. A method for charging a power source of an electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a mobile self-contained power vending station including;

a central processor;

a payment processing device;

a wireless communications device;

a DC power source;

a state-of-charge sensor;

a usage detection sensor;

a DC to AC power inverter;

at least one GFCI outlet;

a user interface;

providing a central data station;

determining a higher state-of-charge level of the DC power source than a predetermined state-of-charge level;

accepting payment from a user;

determining validity of payment;

determining a charging time period;

displaying instructions on the user interface for the user to select the at least one GFCI outlet;

displaying instructions on the user interface for the user to connect a power source of an electronic device to the at least one GFCI outlet;

detecting the power source of the electronic device is connected to the at least one GFCI outlet;

activating the DC to AC power inverter;

displaying the charging time period on the user interface;

activating the at least one GFCI outlet for the duration of the charging time period;

displaying the remaining charging time period on the user interface;

determining power consumption of the electronic device;

displaying instructions on the user interface for the user to insert additional payment;

deactivating the at least one GFCI outlet at the end of the charging time period;

deactivating the DC to AC power inverter; and

displaying a notice on the user interface signifying a complete charging period.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

detecting a lesser state-of-charge level of the DC power source than a predetermined state-of-charge level;

disabling the payment processing device upon detection of a lesser state-of-charge level of the DC power source than the predetermined state-of charge level; and

notifying the central data station of the lesser state-of-charge level via the wireless communication device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

upon notification, replacing the mobile self-contained power vending station with a second mobile self-contained power vending station including a DC power source comprising a higher state-of charge level than the predetermined state-of-charge level.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

upon notification, replacing the DC power source with a second DC power source comprising a higher state-of-charge level than the predetermined state-of-charge level.