APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A portable electrical energy storage device security system for a portable electrical energy storage device, comprising:
- at least one controller; and
at least one communications module coupled to the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller is configured to;
receive information regarding authentication of an external device via the communications module; and
in response to receiving the information regarding authentication, unlock a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To avoid theft and tampering of the portable electrical energy storage devices, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is locked in and operably connected to the vehicle to which it provides power unless the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as that in a service center. Once within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device a locking mechanism in the vehicle or within the portable electrical energy storage device unlocks and allows the portable electrical energy storage device to be exchanged or serviced.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A portable electrical energy storage device security system for a portable electrical energy storage device, comprising:
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at least one controller; and at least one communications module coupled to the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller is configured to; receive information regarding authentication of an external device via the communications module; and in response to receiving the information regarding authentication, unlock a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a portable electrical energy storage device security system, the method comprising:
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receiving, by the portable electrical energy storage device security system, information regarding authentication of an external device; and making a determination, by the portable electrical energy storage device security system, regarding unlocking a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to allow a portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle, based on the information regarding authentication. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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14. The method of claim 14 wherein the receiving the information includes receiving the information regarding authentication via a wireless signal transmitted from a portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine, and wherein the wireless signal received from the collection, charging and distribution machine is not detectable outside a specified maximum range from a communications module of the portable electrical energy storage device security system.
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20. A portable electrical energy storage device, comprising:
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a battery cell; and a security system operably coupled to the cell, the security system configured to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle, based on information received wirelessly regarding authentication of an external device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification