GB2511270A

GB2511270A - A pay as you go electricity port

Info

Publication number: GB2511270A
Application number: GB1114057.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Goodyer; Rachel Goodyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-13
Filing date: 2011-08-13
Publication date: 2014-09-03
Also published as: GB201114057D0

Abstract

A pay as you go electricity port, comprises an automatic switch, a plug socket 7, an energy cost meter, and a payment station 5, wherein the automatic switch provides an amount of electrical power to the plug socket as measured by the energy cost meter up to an amount paid for through the payment station. The port may communicate with a remote master registration system which is able to send a code to the electricity port to enable operation. A user may have to complete an online registration process in order to use the port. Payment may be made via a card reader and a keypad enabling a user to pay using their credit or debit card, or via mobile telephone communicator to allow payment via a mobile phone. The energy cost meter may be operable to measure the electrical power used and calculate the cost from the used power. The switch is activated to supply power when payment is received and the power supplied does not exceed the payment. When the supplied electricity exceeds the value of the payment, the switch is deactivated and power is cut-off. The invention allows users to pay for charging their personal electrical devices.

Description

A Pay as You Go Electricity Port

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to power supply receptacles, and more particularly to automatic payment power supply receptacles.

Background

The present invention relates to automatic power supply receptacles. People who go to libraries, café's and other places where they like to use their computers and other personal electronic devices often need access to a power receptacle. The present invention allows the people who use power from the receptacle to pay for the power they use.

Prior Art

Previously publication CN201594675 revealed a fixed time plug. It included a plug socket and timer. Thus it satisfied people who wanted to operate an appliance plugged into the socket on time schedule.

Publication DE102008048657 revealed an adapter for the connection of an electrical consumer to a public charging station of a power network. It comprised: at least one charging station connection which was designed to provide a detachable, power-transmitting connection that transmitted power to a consumer and an adapter identification device was which was designed to cooperate with an identification device provided at the charging station in order to identify the adapter.

Publication FR2838015 revealed a sealed terminal box. The terminal box provided a charging facility for mobile telephones operating in public locations.

Publication US2007045411 revealed 1 pay for use power outlet comprising: a housing; a power management system disposed within the housing, the power management system including a transceiver apparatus; a collection apparatus in communication with the power management system; and an electrical outlet in electrical communication with the power management system. The collection apparatus was selected from a group consisting of a coin slot and bank, a card reader, a keypad, and a radio frequency identification (RFIO) reader.

In light of the foregoing discussion there is a need for a device that provides convenient power access to a user, and provides a convenient way for the master of the device to manage the power provided and money collected. The present invention arose in order to provide a device which overcomes disadvantages with the aforementioned devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a pay as you go electricity port, comprising an automatic switch, a plug socket, an energy cost meter, and a payment station, wherein the automatic switch provides an amount of electrical power to the plug socket as measured by the energy cost meter up to an amount paid for through the payment station.

The plug socket is dimensioned and arranged to accept standard plugs. Standard plugs include electrical cord plugs for consumer items such as mobile phone chargers, electric shavers, radios, TVs, fans, and the like. Standard plugs also include standardized cord plugs for more powerful machines such as washing machines, hot water heaters, dishwashers and the like. Standard plugs also include standardized plugs for heavy items such as industrial compressors, pumps, refrigerators, and other large machines. In one embodiment the plug socket is dimensioned and arranged to accept a standard UK appliance plug, and in another to accept a standard European appliance plug.

The energy cost meter measures electrical power that passes through the plug socket and calculates the value of the electrical energy that passes through the plug socket. The energy cost meter utilizes the value of the power to calculate the energy. The energy cost meter utilizes the amount of time that the power passes S through the plug socket as well.

The value of the power, for example in Euros per Kilowatt-hour, may be input into the pay as you go electricity port by a master who has an authorization code. In one embodiment value of the power is updated automatically from a central authority that is connected by the internet to the pay as you go electricity port.

The pay as you go electricity port meter includes a display. The display may be a value display which shows the value of the electrical power and the value of the electrical energy. The display may show other information such as information about the pay as you go electricity port master or needed by the pay as you go electricity port master. The display may show other information such as information helpful to the pay as you go electricity port meter display.

The pay as you go electricity port comprises payment station. The payment station allows the user of the pay as you go electricity port to input financial information.

This financial information is equivalent to money. The financial information pays for the electrical energy or authorizes payment from a financial institution.

In one embodiment the payment station comprises a debit/credit card reader. It reads personal account information from a debit/credit card. It also has an interface that allows the user to put in other authorizing information such as a personal identification number.

In one embodiment the payment station comprises a paper money reader or a coin input device. This allows the payment station to take cash from a user to pay for electrical energy.

The payment station has a means to select how the electrical energy is paid for.

The user can select that the amount of money or money equivalent that the payment station takes in be used to prepay for the electrical energy before the energy is used. The user can also select that payment occurs as the electricity is used.

In one embodiment the payment station comprises a near field device. The near field device enables the payment station to take a payment from another near field device. The other near field device could be a specially equipped mobile device.

The pay as you go electricity port comprises a money transaction means. In a preferred embodiment the money transaction means is part of the payment station.

The money transaction means sends the credit/debit card personal account information and the PIN to a financial services centre and receives information equivalent to money to pay for the value of the electrical energy that passes through the plug socket.

The pay as you go electricity port is adapted and arranged to a standard UK building electrical pattress. An electrical pattress is an adapting plate or mounting used to fix an object to a surface or a substrate where the difference in character between the object and that to which it is mounted prevents direct mounting. A pattress or pattress box is the container for the space behind electrical fittings such as power outlet sockets and light switches.

Terminals on the pay as you go electrical port are adapted to connect to electrical wires that come through a wall of the pattress. These wires supply the electrical power to the pay as you go electricity port. Other terminals on the pay as you go electricity port are adapted to connect to wires providing communication to the internet. Preferably the terminals are located on the pay as you go electricity port where they can be connected to the wires so that the when the pay as you go electricity port is inserted into the standard UK building electrical pattress the wires are hidden inside the enclosure of the pattress.

The pay as you go electricity port includes an automatic switch. The automatic switch is configured to turn on and off the electricity to the plug socket.

In one embodiment the automatic switch only turns the electricity on upon receiving an on switch signal from the payment station. The signal indicates that the payment station has received money or an equivalent to money to pay for the electrical energy.

In one embodiment the automatic switch is configured to switch on the electricity only upon receiving an on switch signal that indicates that the equivalent to money to pay for the value of the electrical power has been received and that the value of the electrical power has not been exceeded.

The automatic switch is configured to switch off if an on switch signal has not been received that indicates that the equivalent to money to pay for the value of the electrical power has been received and that the value of the electrical power has not been exceeded.

Preferably the pay as you go electricity port also comprises a master registration means which sends pre-specified information to a central authority that sends a code back to enable operation of the pay as you go electricity port.

In one embodiment the master registration means is operable by the master of the pay as you go electricity port. The master may be the owner, or a licensee, or renter, or a service person, or a supervising machine or supervising computer. The master registration means enables the registration of information about the master of the electricity port. The registration information is registered with the central authority. Preferably the master registration means includes an internet communication device which is connected to the internet. Preferably the central authority is also connected to the internet. The registration information may be details about the master or details about the pay as you go electricity port or both.

The master registration means mv he nrenrnqrammed to send the registration information to the central authority as soon as the master registration means is connected to the internet. Alternatively the master registration means may include a keypad or other user input device which enables the master to send the registration information to the central authority, preferably via the internet. The master registration means also include a code receiving means to receive an authorization code. Preferably the authorization code is provided by the central authority.

Preferably the authorization code is communicated back to the code receiving means in the master registration means via the internet connection. The master registration means compares the authorization code to a code list. In one embodiment the pay as you go electricity port will only operate and only provide electricity through the plug socket when the authorization code has been received and is on the code list. The code list may be pre-programmed into the master registration means.

Advantageously the pay as you go electricity port can send information to the central authority. Preferably the information is sent via the internet. The information sent to the central authority can include the identity of the pay as you go electricity port, the identity of the master, the identity of a person who paid the amount through the payment station, the amount of electricity used by each of these identified items or people, the power cost of this electricity, and other information.

The means the master registration device uses to provide electricity to the plug socket is a power switch. In one embodiment the power switch and the automatic switch are the same switch.

The invention is further explained, by way of examples, by the following description, to be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is an exemplary view according to the invention of the pay as you go electricity port in use.

Figure 2 is view of the front panel according to the invention of the pay as you electricity port.

Figure 3 is view of the pattress in which the pay as you go electricity port is adapted and configured to be inserted and to which it is adapted to be attached and cover.

Figure 4 is a view of the pay as you go electricity port for an embodiment that includes a front panel and a box enclosure.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail.

Referring to the Figures, there is shown in Figure 1 the invention, that is the pay as you go electricity port, in use. The pay as you go electricity port has a front panel, 10. A user has plugged an electrical cord plug into a plug socket in the front panel.

The user's device is drawing electrical energy from the plug socket. The power cost is shown on the display, 3.

Figure 2 shows the details of one embodiment of the front panel 10 of the pay as you go electricity port. Screws I are used to attach the panel to a wall. Preferably the screws attach the front panel to a pattress in the wall.

There is space on the front panel for a description 2 of the pay as you go electricity port. The description may include instructions to use it.

There is a display 3 located on the front panel. The display shows the cost of the energy used as measured by the energy cost meter. The display may also show the amount of money remaining if some energy has already been used that the user paid for. The display can show other information such as operating instructions.

In one embodiment the display is a touch screen allowing the user to input operation commands. In another embodiment there are buttons 4 which allow the user to operate the pay as you go electricity port.

One embodiment of the pay as you go electricity port comprises a payment station that is swipe point 5. A swipe point can read information from a debit/credit card or a mobile device such as a mobile phone that includes a near field technology device. The swipe point allows a user to transfer financial information to the pay as you go electricity port so that electrical energy can be paid for.

The front panel can include advertising information 6. The advertising information can indicate methods of payment that work with the pay as you go electricity port.

The front panel has a plug socket 7 adapted to take a standard plug from common electrical devices.

Figure 3 shows a pattress 8 that the pay as you go electricity port is adapted and configured to fit in and attach to. Fastener receptacles 13 are located to match the locations of the fasteners 1 and to accept them. Power and communication wires 9 supply power to the pay as you go electricity port and supply electrical power and an internet connection. In an alternative embodiment the pay as you go electricity port may comprise a wireless internet communication device.

Figure 4 shows the pay as you go electricity port as a standalone unit The front panel is attached to a rear enclosure. There are holes in the enclosure or front panel or terminals on the enclosure or front panel. These allow wires to be connected to the pay as you go electricity port which supply power and communications.

The invention has been described by way of examples only. Variations may be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention. Likewise it is understood that several embodiments, with modifications and alternatives have been described. Further embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art whom have read and understood this description. All such embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

The invention is made clear and further explained in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A pay as you go electricity port wherein an automatic switch provides an amount of electrical power to a plug socket as measured by an energy cost meter up to an amount paid for through a payment station.
2. A pay as you go electricity port wherein there is a master registration means to send pre-specified information to a central authority that sends a code back to enable operation of the pay as you electricity port.
3. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim wherein the plug socket is dimensioned and arranged to accept a standard UK appliance plug
4. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim wherein the energy cost meter measures electrical power that passes through the plug socket and calculates the value of the electrical power.
5. A pay as you go electricity port according to claim 4 wherein the energy cost meter includes a value display which displays the value of the electrical power.
6. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim wherein the payment station comprises a credit/debit card reader adapted to read personal account information from a credit/debit card.
7. A pay as you go electricity port according to claim 6 comprising a keypad to enable a person to type in a personal identification number, PIN, that authorizes use of the credit/debit card.
8. A pay as you go electricity port according to claims 6 and 7 comprising a money transaction means to send the credit/debit card personal account information and the PIN to a financial services centre and receive information equivalent to money to pay for the value of the electrical power.
9. A pay as you go electricity port according to claims 1 to 5 comprising a mobile phone communicator adapted to receive information from the mobile phone equivalent to money to pay for the value of the electrical power.
10. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim adapted and arranged to attach to a standard UK building electrical pattress.
11. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim comprising an electrical terminal adapted to connect to an electrical wire that supplies electricity to the pay as you go electricity port.
12. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim wherein the automatic switch is configured to switch on the electricity only upon receiving a signal that indicates that the equivalent to money to pay for the value of the electrical power has been received and that the value of the electrical power has not been exceeded.
13. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim wherein the automatic switch is configured to switch off if a signal has not been received that indicates that the equivalent to money to pay for the value of the electrical power has been received and that the value of the electrical power has not been exceeded.
14. A pay as you go electricity port according to any preceding claim comprising a master registration means to first enable the online registration of information about the master of the electricity port and information about the electricity port with a central authority and second receive an authorization code from the central authority.
15. A pay as you go electricity port according to claim 14 comprising an enabling device which enables operation of the switch only if it receives a signal from the master registration means that indicates that the authorization code has been received.