KR20150050900A - Electric Socket Having Automatic Payment Function - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric socket having an automatic payment function, more specifically, to an electric socket having an automatic payment function capable of supplying power to an unmanned management structure by acquiring a supplying certification through wireless and wired communications with a mobile device or an electronic device. The electric socket comprises: a microprocessor (11); a communications unit (12) capable of having wireless and wireed communications with the user terminal by the microprocessor (11); a supply control port (14) to control the opening and closing of the supply depending on the payment information from the communications unit (12); and a supply unit (P) that supplies power to outside by the connection of the supply control port (14). The microprocessor (14) may transmit unique identification code (ID) to the user terminal (various mobile devices (231), device for exclusive use (232), and the user PC), may obtain the payment information from the user terminal, and may control the supply controlling port (14) depending on the acquired payment information.

Description

[0001] Electric Socket Having Automatic Payment Function [

The present invention relates to an electric socket having an automatic payment function, and more particularly to an electric socket having an automatic payment function for acquiring supply authentication through wireless or wired communication with a mobile device or an electronic device, .

Various devices or systems for unattended sales along with the development of electronic technology are known. Unmanned sales technology started from a vending machine and expanded to various types of merchandise sales. In addition to the development of an electronic payment system, various payment methods have been applied to unattended sales. Commodities that can be applied to unattended sales range from tangible goods to intangible goods. In the case of an intangible article, it is generally possible to store it in a medium, and if it can be transmitted in the form of an electrical signal, the communication means is used as the transport means and the billing system is applied separately. On the other hand, the type of goods should be made in the form of a vending machine or a special type of exhibition space and payment system should be prepared.

As a prior art related to unmanned sales, Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2008-0076480 entitled 'Unattended automatic sales system' exists. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic sales system that enables a plurality of products to be withdrawn while allowing the display of products of various specifications and packaging conditions.

Another prior art related to a general merchandise automation system is disclosed in Patent Pub. No. 2012-0031752, " Automated Beverage Sales System Using Smart Cup ". The prior art includes a smart cup on which an information tag recording amount information and user recognition information is formed; A beverage dispenser for reading the information tag of the Smart Cup and comparing the remaining amount with a beverage sales price, controlling the beverage sales enabled / disabled state according to a result of the comparison, and controlling a payment settlement request through a communication network according to a user's selection; And a billing server for deciding whether or not to approve payment based on the currently available amount of money when payment request data is transmitted from the beverage dispensing machine.

The prior art does not disclose a method of automatic charging of power or a device associated therewith.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art and has the following purpose.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric socket having an automatic payment function which enables unauthorized sale of electric power by making payment approval and supply of electric power control device through wireless or wired communication through a mobile device or a dedicated terminal .

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electrical socket having an automatic payment function comprises a microprocessor; A communication unit capable of performing wired or wireless communication with a user terminal under the control of the microprocessor; A supply control port whose opening and closing is controlled in accordance with the settlement information from the communication unit; And an output unit for supplying power to the outside by connection of the supply control port, wherein the microprocessor transmits a unique identification code (ID) to the user terminal (various mobile devices, dedicated equipment, user PC) Obtain payment information from the user terminal, and control the supply control port in accordance with the obtained payment information.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor performs wired or wireless communication with a dedicated application installed in the user terminal through a communication unit.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electric socket electrically connected to an electric outlet that can be connected to an electric appliance and capable of supplying electric power to the electric appliance is provided with a power connection pin electrically connected to the electric outlet; A communication port for enabling communication with the electric device; Opening / closing cover; And a receiving body for transmitting a unique identification code (ID) to the user terminal in the receiving body, obtaining payment information from the user terminal, and determining whether to supply power according to the obtained payment information Is received.

The electric socket according to the present invention has an advantage that the electric power seller can automatically construct the electric power sales system at low cost by making the settlement automatically through the wireless or wired communication, . For example, the electric socket according to the present invention can be installed in the same place as a parking lot, and it is possible to charge the electric car during parking by making automatic payment and automatic supply possible, thereby replacing the expensive electric car charger It has the advantage of being able to do. Further, the electric socket according to the present invention has an advantage of being able to conduct a safe transaction in that payment approval is made through a mobile device or a dedicated terminal equipped with a dedicated application. As a result, a building owner (electric seller) can construct a power control system at a low cost, and an electric vehicle user can easily and conveniently perform charging, thereby contributing to the spread of electric vehicles. In addition, the device according to the present invention can be modified to suit the purpose of the connection of the socket, so that it can correspond to different types of cord for power connection for each country and for each device, Power can be sold to any device.

1 illustrates an external structure and an internal structure of an electric socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 illustrates an operating structure of an electric socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a process of settlement and supply by an electric socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment in which an electric socket according to the present invention can be connected to an electric vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following description, components having the same reference numerals in different drawings have similar functions, so that they will not be described repeatedly unless necessary for an understanding of the invention, and the known components will be briefly described or omitted. However, It should not be understood as being excluded from the embodiment of Fig.

The electric socket according to the present invention means an intermediate apparatus that can supply electric power from an external power source to an electric device. The external power source may be, but is not limited to, a power station or a charging station. The electrical socket may have any structure that allows external power to be supplied to an electrical device, such as an electric vehicle, for example. Therefore, the electric socket may include any device capable of powering or charging the electric device through the connection of the electric device with an external power source.

1 illustrates an external structure and an internal structure of an electric socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electric socket 10 according to the present invention includes a microprocessor 11; A wireless communication unit (12) capable of wireless communication with a mobile device under the control of the microprocessor (11); A wired communication unit 15 which can be connected to an external dedicated terminal or a communication network under the control of the microprocessor 11; A relay switch 16 for opening / closing the electric power supply according to the result of obtaining the supply approval from the wireless communication unit 12 or the wired communication unit 15; A malfunction detection sensor 17 for detecting an operating error such as a short or overcurrent of the power supply wiring; A current sensor 18 for enabling a level of power charge to be measured in real time; A power monitoring and supply control port 14 for controlling the power supply relay relay switch 16, the malfunction detection sensor 17 and the current sensor 18; And an AC / DC converter 13 for supplying DC power to the entire system. In addition, the electrical socket 10 may include a connection plug P, for example, connected to a charging unit (not shown) of the electric vehicle to enable power supply.

The connection plug P may have the function of supplying electric power to the necessary device or, if necessary, communicating with the device. For example, the connection plug P may comprise a connector P1 for power supply and communication ports P2 and P3 for wired communication with an external device or a dedicated terminal. The connector P1 may be suitably formed according to a single-phase or three-phase power supply or a rated capacity. For example, the connector P1 may have a different structure or shape depending on the area. The communication ports P2 and P3 may be appropriately formed according to a communication protocol. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the structure or the standard of the connector P1 or the communication port P2, P3.

The electric socket 10 according to the present invention can be installed in any place where power can be supplied, and can be installed, for example, in a general building, a parking lot, an electric charging station, a gas station, or an empty space formed in a vehicle road. The electric socket 10 can be connected to an external electric power source having a shape similar to a plug-in.

The electric socket 10 can have a cover for protecting the connection plug P and the cover can be installed to be opened or closed automatically or manually. A device for various additional functions can be installed in the connection plug P and the present invention is not limited by whether or not such additional units are installed.

The microprocessor 11 can control the operation of the entire electric socket 10. The electric socket 10 according to the present invention is capable of communicating with a mobile device such as a smart phone or a server connected to the Internet or a device connected to the communication port P1 or P2 of the connection plug P, Or to supply power to the user according to the supply authorization code transmitted through the device connected to the connection plug P. [ The electric socket 10 according to the present invention allows a user to make a request for and settle a power use, and as a result, receive a supply approval code so that a payment can be confirmed. And thus the power use permission for the user can be determined. In addition, the power supply can be measured in real time so that it can be settled according to the actual supply amount, or the amount of power corresponding to the settlement amount can be supplied. If necessary, it may have the ability to settle amounts of excess or shortfall.

The microprocessor 11 includes a ROM 111 having a built-in basic program for operating the electric socket 10 according to the present invention and a RAM 112 for temporary storage of data in operation Storage device. The ROM 111 or RAM 112 may be in any form known in the art. Further, the electric socket 10 according to the present invention may have a storage medium. The ROM / RAM memory 111 may have a function of storing the state of the electric socket 10 with a predetermined period of time and storing the processing result of the power supply. On the other hand, the monitoring situation can be stored in the storage medium. Thus, the data stored in the storage medium can be transmitted to the management center at regular intervals.

The microprocessor 11 can control the communication units 12 and 15 to transmit or receive information or data from a dedicated terminal, a mobile device or a dedicated server of the user. The communication units 12 and 15 may be, for example, a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module or a Zigbee module or a LAN (Local Area Network) module. The microprocessor 11 can transmit the unique identification code (ID) of the electric socket 10 to the external control device such as a user's dedicated terminal, a mobile device and a server connected to the network via the communication units 12 and 15. [ Then, the external control device can transmit the received unique identification code (ID) to the payment server to proceed with settlement and receive the result. If the settlement is successful, the external control device can deliver the supply approval code to the microprocessor 11 through the communication units 12 and 15. [

The microprocessor 11 controls the relay switch 16 via the supply control port 14 in accordance with the received supply authorization code so that power can be supplied to the user via the output unit P. [ The microprocessor 11 determines the opening and closing time of the relay switch 16 via the supply control port 14 in accordance with the settlement charge. The relay switch 16 may be any switch known in the art, for example, a contact relay or a semiconductor relay (SSR).

The malfunction detection sensor 17 can detect a malfunction such as a user's power connection jack being connected to the connection plug P improperly to cause an over current or a short circuit due to installation error. On the other hand, the current sensor 18 has a function of measuring in real time the power actually supplied to the user.

Various types of malfunction detection sensors 17 or current sensors 18 may be applied to the electric socket according to the present invention and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

The electric socket 10 of this patent is supplied with power through an external power source S and supplies power to the user through a connection plug P.

The electric socket 10 according to the present invention may have various structures and various additional devices. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto.

An embodiment of the operating structure of the electric socket according to the present invention will be described below.

2 illustrates an operating structure of an electric socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control module 21 may be a device such as a microprocessor, and may control the communication module 221 and the power control module 222. The communication module 221 enables wired / wireless communication with the dedicated terminal 232 or the mobile device 231 owned by the user, the dedicated server 234 connected to the network, and the user PC 233. The communication module 221 may receive the result of the wire / wireless communication and transmit the related data to the control module 21.

The control module 21 may have a unique identification code ID and a unique identification code ID may be provided to the user via the communication module 221. The user may use the power usage fee Related information from a dedicated server 234 connected to the network. The user can request the power supply to the control module 21 by using an application program or an application installed in advance in various mobile devices 231, dedicated terminal 232 or user PC 233. [

The user inputs a unique identification code (ID) embedded in the control module 21 through the communication module 221 through various terminals such as various mobile devices 231, a dedicated terminal 232 and a user PC 233 Can be obtained. And transmits the obtained unique identification code (ID) to the dedicated server 234 connected to the network through the terminal. Accordingly, the dedicated server 234 transmits information such as the power unit price or the payment means stored in the database on the basis of the acquired unique identification code (ID) to various mobile devices 231, dedicated terminals 232, (233). The user selects a power consumption amount and a payment means according to the information received from the dedicated server 234, and makes a payment request to the dedicated server 234 again. The dedicated server 234 may make a payment request to the settlement related organization in response to the payment request of the user. The settlement result is stored in the database and the settlement result may be transmitted to the terminal such as various mobile devices 231, dedicated terminal 232 or user PC 233 accessed by the user.

The communication between the terminal accessed by the user and the dedicated server 234 may be made of an encrypted code, for example, the settlement result may be transmitted in an encrypted state. On the other hand, the payment result may include an anti-falsification code. The anti-falsification code may be generated in a predetermined manner, for example, between the control module 21 and the dedicated server 234, and may be automatically generated each time communications is performed. If the payment result is a failure, the user is notified of the failure through the terminal accessed by the user, and the power use request is stopped or retried. If the payment result is successful, the result is transmitted to the control module 21 through the terminal do.

The control module 21 decrypts the encrypted settlement result and transmits a power supply command to the power control module 222, which connects the relay switch 241 contact to start power supply. The control module 21 determines the power supply time from the currently received payment information and can measure the amount of power used through the current sensor 18 in real time. When the end of use is calculated, the last used amount of power is calculated, and if there is a difference from the first payment amount, the payment information database stored in the dedicated server 234 can be updated through the terminal connected to the user.

The control module 21 can appropriately control the operation of the relay switch 241 in accordance with a signal transmitted from the malfunction detection sensor 17 or the current sensor 18, for example, during the power supply process.

The operating structure shown in FIG. 2 is exemplary, and the electric socket according to the present invention can be operated in various ways, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

The electric socket according to the present invention can be used for electric power supply of electric and electronic devices such as, for example, an electrically operated vacuum cleaner, a forklift or an electric car.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of settlement and supply by an electric socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electric socket 31 may be installed in, for example, a parking lot of a building, a rest area of a road, or a dedicated service area. The user can communicate with the electric socket 31 through various terminals 331 to supply electric power to the electric device 32 such as the cleaner 321, the automobile 322 or the forklift 323. Also, it is possible to communicate with the dedicated service server 34 through the terminal to obtain data necessary for power supply, perform payment, and transmit the result to the electric socket 31 again.

The electric socket 31 calculates the electric power supply time based on the payment information received from the terminal, and supplies electric power corresponding to the electric power supply time. Specifically, the electric power supply time can be calculated from the electricity rate unit price information and the payment amount information acquired in advance from the dedicated server 34. [ Also, the power supply device 31 can monitor the amount of electric power charged in real time, and determine whether the actual usage amount and the settlement charge match after completion of the electric power supply. If the actual usage amount and the settlement charge do not match, the information is transmitted to the dedicated server 34 through the terminal to update the settlement information, or stored in the memory built in the power supply 31, Information can be transmitted to the dedicated server 34 to update the payment information.

Thus, the electric socket 31 according to the present invention can be applied to the electric power supply of the electric device 32 operated by electricity. For example, the electric socket according to the present invention can be easily installed on a wall surface of a building, and can be supplied by a user himself or herself and can be easily operated. Thus, the power supply of all devices requiring electricity is unattended, . That is, for example, it has an advantage that it is installed at the same place as a parking lot, so that charging can be performed in a state where the electric vehicle is stopped for a long time. This makes it possible for the user to settle and automatically supply power to the electric socket according to the present invention, thereby reducing the cost of installing and operating the electric vehicle charging equipment.

In addition, the electric socket according to the present invention can prevent the unauthorized use of the safe transaction and the electricity because the dedicated application is requested for payment approval and power supply through various user terminals 331 such as a mobile device, a dedicated device or a user PC .

4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment of a structure in which an electric socket according to the present invention is connected to an electric device such as an electric vehicle to supply electric power.

4A and 4B, the electric socket 40a according to the present invention can be made into a plug-in shape and connected to an electric outlet 40b connected to an electric appliance such as an electric car. The electric socket 40a according to the present invention may have a connection unit 41 and an opening and closing cover 43 having a power connection pin 411 and a communication port 412. [ An operation indicator lamp 441 for indicating whether electric power can be supplied to the outside of the body 42, and a supply indicator lamp 442 for indicating whether the electric power is supplied or not may be provided. Each device for controlling the payment approval and supply described above can be incorporated in the body 42. The opening and closing cover 43 may have an opening and closing unit 431 and the opening and closing unit 431 may be formed to be opened or closed automatically or manually in accordance with the supply start or supply completion. The electric socket 40a according to the present invention can receive power from the outside by the cable C1 and supply power to the external electric device through the electric outlet 40b.

The electric outlet 40b connected to the electric socket 40a according to the present invention can be connected to an electric appliance such as an electric car and connected to the electric socket 40a so that electric power is supplied to the electric appliance can do.

When the electric power supply approval is made by the process as described above, the opening / closing cover 43 is manually or automatically opened so that the user can connect the electric outlet 40b to the electric socket 40a. A coupling switch 451 for fixing the connection state can be provided in the electric outlet 40b. The electric socket 40a can confirm the connection status and can receive the relevant information about the device connected through the communication port 412 as necessary. When the connection state is confirmed, the electric socket 40a can start power supply. Information relating to the electric appliance or information related to the electric socket 40a can be transmitted or received through the communication port 412 between the electric socket 40a and the electric appliance in the electric power supply process as required.

The electric socket 40a according to the present invention can be made in various shapes or structures, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

The electric socket 40a according to the present invention can automatically make payment through wireless or wired communication by various terminals possessed by the user and can supply electric power accordingly, Is reduced. For example, the electric socket 40a according to the present invention can be installed in the same place as a parking lot, and it is possible to charge the electric vehicle conveniently by making automatic payment and automatic supply during parking, so that a separate charging station need not be installed . Further, the electric socket according to the present invention has an advantage of being able to conduct a safe transaction in that payment approval is made through a mobile device or a dedicated terminal equipped with a dedicated application. Further, the electric socket 40a according to the present invention can be installed in any parking space, such as a parking lot of a building where a car can be parked, so that a building owner installs the system at a low cost, and the electric car user can easily and conveniently charge So that it is possible to contribute to the spread of electric vehicles.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . The invention is not limited by these variations and modifications, but is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

10: electrical socket 11: microprocessor
12: wireless communication unit 13: AC / DC switch
14: supply control port 15: wired communication unit
16: Relay switch 17: Malfunction detection sensor
18: current sensor 21: control module
31: electrical socket 32: electrical equipment
34: Service server
40a: electric socket 40b: electric outlet
41: connection unit 42: body
43: opening / closing cover
111: memory 221: communication module
222: power control module 231: mobile device
232: dedicated terminal 233: PC
234: dedicated server 241: relay switch
321: Cleaner 322: Car
323: Forklift truck 331: Terminal
411: Connection pin 412: Communication port
431: opening / closing unit 441: indicator lamp
442: Supply indication lamp

Claims (3)

In an electric socket having a payment function,
A microprocessor 11;
A communication unit (12) capable of performing wired or wireless communication with the user terminal under the control of the microprocessor (11);
A supply control port (14) whose opening and closing is controlled in accordance with the settlement information from the communication unit (12); And
And an output unit (P) for supplying power to the outside by connection of the supply control port (14)
The microprocessor 11 can transmit a unique identification code (ID) to the user terminal (various mobile devices 231, dedicated device 232, user PC), obtain payment information from the user terminal, And controls the supply control port (14) according to the obtained payment information. The electrical socket according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor (11) performs wired or wireless communication with a dedicated application installed in the user terminal through communication units (12 and 15). 1. An electric socket electrically connected to an electric outlet that can be connected to an electric appliance and capable of supplying electric power to the electric appliance,
A power connection pin 411 electrically connected to the electrical outlet;
A communication port 412 for enabling communication with the electric device;
An opening / closing cover 43; And
And a receiving body (42)
A unique identification code (ID) is transmitted to the user terminal in the receiving body 42, payment information can be obtained from the user terminal, and a supply control for determining whether to supply power in accordance with the acquired payment information Wherein the module is received.

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