Remote-Control Power Supply for Discharged Device Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for billing electrical devices for power supply in public places are complex, costly, and often inoperable when the device's battery is fully discharged, requiring specific charging cables or active device participation.
Innovation Solution
A power supply unit with a remote-control module that detects device connection, provides initial power to charge the device, and maintains power supply upon receiving a validation message, allowing billing while preventing fraud through a blocking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a payment terminal is added to enable billing for charging operations, then billing capability is improved, but installation cost and maintenance cost substantially increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the billing function from the physical payment terminal and relocates it to a remote server. The power supply unit communicates charging status and usage data to the server, which handles all billing operations remotely. This eliminates the need for on-site payment terminals, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while preserving billing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary between the power supply unit and the billing server. This module transmits charging data (duration, energy consumed, device identifier) to the server, which then processes billing information. This intermediary approach enables remote billing without requiring expensive payment terminal hardware at the charging location.
2Reliability
If existing billing solutions are used that require device identification or active participation, then billing is enabled, but fully discharged devices cannot be charged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing immediate power supply upon device connection, before any billing verification or device identification is completed. The power supply unit starts charging the device right away, and only after the device is charged enough to become operational can billing procedures be executed. This ensures that even fully discharged devices can receive power immediately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional billing sequence. Instead of requiring device identification or active user input before power supply, the system first provides power and then performs billing operations. The billing process is reversed: power supply comes first, billing verification comes second. This inversion enables fully discharged devices to be charged immediately without requiring them to be operational for identification or authentication.
3Ease of operation
If power is supplied freely in public places, then accessibility is improved, but the cost of power and maintenance becomes a problem
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring charging parameters (energy consumed, duration, device identifier) and transmitting this data to the billing server. The server uses this feedback information to calculate and charge users for the power consumed. This feedback mechanism enables the system to track actual energy usage and bill users accordingly, transforming free power supply into a cost-recoverable service while maintaining public accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the billing system to automatically process charging transactions without requiring manual intervention. The power supply unit automatically records charging data, the server automatically calculates billing information, and users are automatically charged based on their usage. This self-service approach maintains ease of access while ensuring cost recovery through automated billing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device allowing the electrical powering of an electrical appliance, having a remote control module allowing the activation of the electrical supply of the electrical appliance and allowing the reception of messages, the device including means for detecting the connection of the electrical appliance, the detection of the connection triggering a phase of electrical powering of the electrical appliance for a first duration, and, on receipt of a message during the first duration, maintaining the electrical supply of the electrical appliance beyond the first duration.