Portable Power Supply Network with Virtual Currency Billing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In camping settings, portable generators often run out of fuel, leading to a lack of electricity for campers, and there is no efficient system for sharing or compensating excess power among users, motivating individuals to purchase more generators and storage batteries.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system comprising portable generators, a server, and a virtual currency network that allows for the acquisition, conversion, and transfer of excess power into a virtual currency, enabling compensation and motivating users to supply and share power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If portable generators are used to supply power at campgrounds, then power can be generated for camping enthusiasts, but the generators will run out of fuel and be unable to generate electricity continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power supplyVSAvoidfuel duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple portable power supply devices into a networked system where devices can share power resources. When one generator runs out of fuel, other devices in the network can supply power to the same load, ensuring continuous operation without requiring each individual device to have unlimited fuel capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages power distribution and billing among multiple portable power supply devices. The server coordinates power sharing, tracks consumption, and handles virtual currency transactions, enabling reliable power supply through centralized management of distributed resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple portable generators are purchased to ensure continuous power supply, then power availability improves, but the cost and complexity of owning and managing multiple generators increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidnumber of generators

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal power supply network where multiple portable devices can serve both as power consumers and power suppliers. Each device can function independently or in combination with others, allowing a single device to replace the need for multiple dedicated generators through the sharing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the server monitors power status, fuel levels, and consumption patterns of all devices in the network. This feedback enables dynamic power allocation and billing adjustments, allowing the system to optimize power distribution without requiring users to manually manage multiple generators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If a power management system is implemented to share excess power among camping enthusiasts, then power utilization efficiency improves, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables portable power supply devices to automatically participate in power sharing without requiring complex manual management. Devices can autonomously supply excess power to the network, receive virtual currency compensation, and the server automatically handles billing and transaction recording, reducing the need for human intervention in system management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If virtual currency compensation is provided to power suppliers, then motivation to share power increases, but the need for complex billing and transaction management systems arises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser motivationVSAvoidbilling system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual billing and transaction management with an automated server-based system that handles virtual currency issuance, tracking, and transfer. The server automatically calculates compensation based on power supplied, issues virtual currency to suppliers, and deducts from consumers, eliminating the need for manual financial management while maintaining simplicity for end users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11447032B2Power reception/billing between multiple portable power supply devices

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A server acquires a reception amount which is an amount of power that a power supply device received from an engine-driven type generator, converts the reception amount into a virtual currency, transmits, to the power supply device, a money transfer instruction in order to instruct a money transfer, to the engine-driven type generator, of a virtual currency that the conversion unit converted the reception amount into. The power supply device generates a money transfer request in order to, in accordance with the money transfer instruction, performs a money transfer of virtual currency to a virtual currency wallet associated with the engine-driven type generator a virtual currency wallet associated with the server, and transmits the money transfer request to a virtual currency network.