Systems and methods for fuel cartridge distribution

Abstract

The invention relates to systems and methods that improve distribution of fuel cartridges. The cartridges include compatibility information. A controller on the device validates the compatibility information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge to the device. Invalid compatibility information, or absence of the compatibility information, then denies fuel flow to the device. This permits the device to validate that the cartridge and its contents are acceptable. This improves distribution by allowing the device or fuel cell manufacturer to implement cartridge selectivity by permitting cartridges from select manufacturers to provide fuel and denying cartridge of other manufacturers from providing fuel. Compatibility information stored in the cartridge memory may also be encrypted to prevent open access to the compatibility information. The compatibility information also improves fuel refilling distribution. In this case, the compatibility information permits a cartridge or device manufacturer to selectively control who can refill their cartridges.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 316,199, filed Dec. 21, 2005 and entitled, “Systems and Methods for Fuel Cartridge Distribution,” which a) claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to: i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 638,421 filed on Dec. 21, 2004, ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 677,424 filed on May 2, 2005, and iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 682,598 filed on May 18, 2005; and b) is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 877,766 filed Jun. 25, 2004 and, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 482,996 filed on Jun. 27, 2003, ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 483,416 and filed on Jun. 27, 2003, and iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 483,415 and filed on Jun. 27, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] In addition, the present invention allows the device or fuel cell manufacturer to implement cartridge selectivity. For example, the compatibility information allows a manufacturer to permit fuel flow from cartridges having a correct fuel or fuel mixture, or permit fuel flow from cartridges produced by a select set of cartridge suppliers while denying fuel flow from unauthorized cartridge suppliers.

[0009] The compatibility information also improves fuel refilling distribution. In this case, the compatibility information permits a cartridge or device manufacturer to selectively control who can refill their fuel cartridges.

Problems solved by technology

Portable fuel cell systems that generate electrical energy for portable applications such as electronics devices would be desirable, but are not yet commercially available.

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