WO2013156956A1

WO2013156956A1 - Mobile device charging station

Info

Publication number: WO2013156956A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/053073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jurie Alexander FOURIE; Janine REGTIEN; Mark Sydney KITCHING
Original assignee: Fourie Jurie Alexander; Regtien Janine; Kitching Mark Sydney
Priority date: 2012-04-18
Filing date: 2013-04-18
Publication date: 2013-10-24

Abstract

A mobile device charging station (1) is provided. The charging station includes a plurality of electronically lockable deposit boxes (10), a central user interface with a keypad (12), an electronic storage medium and a processor. Each box is fitted with at least one electrical outlet. The processor is configured to receive a first pin code selected by a user and entered on the keypad (12) by the user and to store the first pin code in the storage medium; to select an unused deposit box and assign it to the first pin code; to identify the selected deposit box to the user; to lock the deposit box once it has been closed; to receive a second pin code entered by a user on the electronic keypad (12); to look up the second pin code in the storage medium; and to unlock the selected deposit box if the second pin code corresponds to the first.

Description

MOBILE DEVICE CHARGING STATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a charging station. More specifically, it relates to a charging station for charging the batteries of mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones, mp3 players, tablets and the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A number of different charging stations for mobile electronic devices currently exist. These charging stations commonly have a plurality of electricity outlets or dedicated charging points which are often exposed or, in more advanced configurations, located inside lockable compartments or deposit boxes. The deposit boxes are locked or unlocked with individual keys or are each fitted with a combination lock or electronic keypad. To use the charging stations users connect their mobile devices to the charging points and lock the deposit boxes for collection at a later time when the device has had sufficient time to charge.

The applicant is also aware of charging stations in which the individual boxes are controlled from a user interface such as a touch screen. These charging stations issue users with identification tokens when their devices have been secured in one of the compartments. These tokens are typically in the form of printed tickets containing a unique barcode generated by the charging station, which would have to be presented back to the charging station and scanned in order to verify that a customer wishing to retrieve his or her mobile device is provided with the correct mobile device. This procedure is problematic as identification tokens are easily lost or misplaced, making it difficult for the user to retrieve the device from the station. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a mobile device charging station comprising

a plurality of electronically lockable deposit boxes, each fitted with at least one electrical outlet,

a central user interface providing an electronic keypad,

an electronic storage medium, and

a processor in electronic communication with the user interface, deposit boxes and the electronic storage medium, characterised in that the processor is configured to

receive a first pin code entered by a user on the keypad and store the first pin code in the electronic storage medium;

select an unused deposit box from the plurality of deposit boxes and assign it to the first pin code;

identify the selected deposit box to the user;

lock the selected deposit box once it has been closed;

receive a second pin code entered by a user on the electronic keypad; look up the second pin code in the electronic storage medium; and unlock the selected deposit box if the second pin code corresponds to the first pin code.

Further features of the invention provide for the charging station to include a coin receiver in electronic communication with the processor; for the processor to receive a notification signal from the coin receiver when an appropriate amount has been inserted into the coin receiver, the processor being further configured to, upon receiving the notification signal, allow the first pin code to be entered, alternatively, allow the second pin to be entered. Still further features of the invention provide for a user to receive a visual notification as to which box he or she has been assigned; for the visual notification to be displayed on the user interface; for the visual notification to be a light located in close proximity to the selected deposit box, or for the light to be located inside the deposit box.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the doors of the deposit boxes to be fitted with electronic actuators and in which selected deposit boxes are opened automatically by the processor once assigned to a user or when the user has entered a second pin code matching a first pin code.

Further features of the invention provide for at least one sensor to be associated with each electrical outlet; for the sensor to be in electronic communication with the processor; for the sensor to notify the processor when a device is connected to it and charging; for the processor to only lock a selected deposit box once the sensor notifies it that a device inside a deposit box has been connected to the electrical outlet and is charging; and for the processor to notify a user, visually or audibly, that a device is connected properly.

A still further feature of the invention provides for the processor to be further configured to erase a stored pin code from the electronic storage medium once a deposit box assigned to the stored pin code has been unlocked.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the keypad to be an alphanumeric, alternatively a numeric, keypad provided on a front surface of the charging station; and for the keypad to be displayed on a touch-operated interface provided by the user interface.

The invention also provides a method of operating a mobile device charging station including a plurality of electronically lockable deposit boxes, each fitted with at least one electrical outlet, a user interface providing an electronic keypad, an electronic storage medium and a processor in electronic communication with the user interface, deposit boxes and electronic storage medium, the method being performed by the processor and comprising the steps of:

receiving a first pin code entered on the keypad;

storing the first pin code in the electronic storage medium;

selecting an unused deposit box and assigning the unused deposit box to the first pin code;

indicating to the assigned deposit box to the user;

locking the assigned deposit box once it has been closed;

receiving a second pin code entered by a user on the keypad;

looking up the second pin code in the electronic storage medium; and unlocking an assigned deposit box associated with a first pin code if the second pin code corresponds to a first pin code stored in the electronic storage medium. Furthers features of the invention allow for the method to include the steps of activating an alarm when a second pin code which does not correspond to a pin code currently stored in the electronic storage medium has been entered a number of consecutive times, typically 3 times, and for the alarm to be audible, visual, remote, or any combination of these.

A still further feature of the invention provide for the method to include the step of displaying instructions as to use of the charging station on the user interface or on an alternative information screen, the instructions corresponding at least partially to one or more steps of the method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying representations in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a charging station for mobile electronic devices in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a charging station as described with reference to Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a partial flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention where the method of operating the charging station includes the setting of a counter value if an incorrect pin code is entered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a charging station (1 ) for mobile electronic devices in accordance with the invention. The charging station (1 ) has eight electronically lockable deposit boxes (10), a user interface containing a keypad (12), a coin receiver (14), a processor and an electronic storage medium (not shown). The processor is in electronic communication with the deposit boxes (10), user interface, coin receiver (14) and storage medium. The electronically lockable deposit boxes (10) each contain a plurality of electrical outlets, each terminating in an electrical adapter commonly associated with the various different types of adapters associated with the most common makes of mobile electronic devices available on the market. As an alternative or in addition to the various adapters, each deposit box may be fitted with a standard electrical socket into which a user may plug their own chargers to enable their mobile devices to be charged.

A flow diagram illustrating the use of the charging station is illustrated in Figure 2. In use, a user inserts a specified amount of money into the coin receiver while the charging station is in an initial state (20). Once the required amount has been inserted (22), the coin receiver indicates that fact to the processor, which in turn indicates this to the user by means of the user interface. The user chooses a first pin code and enters (24) this first pin code into the keypad. The processor stores (26) the first pin code in the electronic storage medium, and assigns (28) the first pin code to an unused deposit box. It should be appreciated that prior to the assignment, the processor may look up the first pin code in the electronic storage medium and request the user to enter an alternative pin code if the pin code it chose has already been assigned to a different deposit box. On receipt of a valid first pin code, the processor unlocks (30) the unused deposit box. A user then connects (32) an appropriate cable, compatible with his or her mobile electronic device, located inside the deposit box to his or her mobile electronic device, which allows the device to charge. Upon closing the deposit box, the deposit box is locked (34) by the processor. As there are 8 deposit boxes, at least 8 separate pin codes can be stored in the electronic storage medium at any given time. After the deposit box has been locked, the charging station returns to its initial state (20).

When a user wants to retrieve his or her mobile electronic device, they reenter (36) their previously selected pin code, which is temporarily stored by the processor as a second pin code. The processor then looks up (38) the second pin code in the memory module and compares it to the codes currently stored. If a first pin code is found that matches the second pin code (40), the box associated with the first pin code is opened (42). After the box has been opened, the user's selected pin code is erased (44) from memory, and the box is marked as unused. The charging station then returns to its initial state (20). If it is found that the second pin code that has been entered (36) does not match a pin code currently stored, the charging station will also return to its initial state (20).

It should be appreciated that the invention described with reference to Figure 1 alleviates the problem of a token or code that a user receives from a charging station which they may lose by the time that they want to remove their mobile electronic device from the charging station. Allowing users to select their own pin codes allows them to use codes they are familiar with and which they are less likely to forget. The use of a single user interface and keypad for the operation of a plurality of deposit boxes also reduces manufacturing costs associated with the provision of a keypad for each individual deposit box.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the charging station will have a security feature built in to prevent the theft of a mobile device, or to inform others that a theft is probably being attempted. A partial flow diagram of such a system is shown in Figure 3. The part of the flow diagram in Figure 2 dealing with inserting money (22) up to the locking of a device inside a deposit box (34) remains the same and is removed from the flow diagram of Figure 3. However, the part of the flow diagram dealing with the removal of a device from a safety deposit box is shown to be different. Figure 3 shows how the charging station may alert others that someone may be trying to obtain access to a safety deposit box without knowledge of a valid, stored pin code. If a pin code is entered which is not stored in the electronic storage medium, a "counter value" is increased by one (46), and the machine returns to its initial state (20). Prior to returning to the initial state, the counter value is checked (48). Should the counter value reach a predetermined value, in the present embodiment a value of 3, an alarm is activated (50). The alarm may be in the form of an audible alarm, a visible alarm, a silent alarm, a remote alarm or the like. This may indicate to, for example, a security guard that someone is possibly attempting to fraudulently obtain access to a safety deposit box.

It is envisaged that a master key, master pin code or master reset may be input or performed on the charging station once the alarm has been activated to reset the counter to a value of zero. The charging station will typically be locked down and completely inoperable if the counter value has reached the predetermined value. If the alarm has not yet been activated, but the counter has been increased to more than zero, the charging station may be configured to reset the value of the counter to zero after a specific event has occurred, such as upon the correct entry of a valid, stored pin code, the lapsing of a predetermined amount of time, or the like. Any similar method of indicating possible suspicious behaviour may be incorporated into the charging station.

It is envisaged that payment may not only take place at the start of use of the station, but only once a user wishes to retrieve his or her mobile electronic device from the deposit box. A double payment system, where an initial payment and a post-payment are made, is also foreseen. In a double payment system a user may also be charged according to the amount of time that his or her mobile device was connected to the station.

It is further envisaged that a notification system that indicates to the user which deposit box he or she has been assigned is provided in the form of a light in close relation to the assigned deposit box, or in the form of a light inside the deposit box that is switched on when that deposit box is to be used. Furthermore, the user may be provided with a series of prompts or informative messages when input is required from them. These prompts or informative messages may be displayed to the user on the ser interface, alternatively on in information screen provided on the charging station.

The deposit boxes' doors may normally be in a closed position, or an open position. A self-closing door or angled deposit box may allow for the doors to close by themselves if they are left alone. Boxes may also be allowed to stay open when not in use. In such an instance the locking mechanism will be activated once payment has been received. Doors may also include an electronic actuator, which may open or close the doors automatically when needed. This may also serve to indicate to the user which box he or she has been assigned. It is also envisaged that the electrical outlets within the deposit boxes may be provided with sensors that will indicate when a mobile electronic device is correctly connected to the electric outlet, and the mobile electronic device is charging. Preferably, the sensors will also be in electronic communication with the processor. The processor may indicate to a user whether his or her mobile electronic device is correctly connected. It may also be possible for the deposit box to be unable to lock when a device is not correctly connected inside it so as to avoid a user returning to their device and finding that it has not been charged while locked inside a safety deposit box.

It is still further envisaged that the electronic storage medium may have stored on it a list or table of pin codes that are considered "too easy" to guess by unscrupulous users which may try to obtain access to a locked deposit box by guessing a pin code. This list may include pin codes such as "1234", "1 1 1 1 ", "9876", or any similar pin code which consist of a number of digits which are successive numbers, which are all identical, or the like. The pin codes within this list will not be available for use. In an embodiment of the invention which uses such a list, a first pin code entered by a user will be compared to the pin codes contained in the list. If the user has entered a pin code which is considered to be "too easy" to guess, the user may be prompted to enter another pin code which is not as easy to guess. This process will typically continue until a user has entered a pin code which cannot be found within the list. It should be noted that although the examples listed above contain only four digits, a pin code with more digits may also be used by or required for use of the system, for example a pin code with five, six or even more digits.

The above description is by way of example only and it should be appreciated that numerous changes and modification may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the operating sequences described may be varied in a number of different ways.

Claims

A mobile device charging station (1 ) comprising

a plurality of electronically lockable deposit boxes (1 0), each fitted with at least one electrical outlet,

a central user interface providing an electronic keypad (12), an electronic storage medium, and

a processor in electronic communication with the user interface, deposit boxes (1 0) and the electronic storage medium, characterised in that the processor is configured to

receive a first pin code entered on the keypad (12) and store the first pin code in the electronic storage medium ;

select an unused deposit box from the plurality of deposit boxes (10) and assign it to the first pin code;

identify the selected deposit box to the user;

lock the selected deposit box once it has been closed;

receive a second pin code entered on the electronic keypad (12); look up the second pin code in the electronic storage medium; and

unlock the selected deposit box if the second pin code corresponds to the first pin code.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in Claim 1 which includes a coin receiver (14) in electronic communication with the processor.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in claim 2 wherein the processor receives a notification signal from the coin receiver (14) when an appropriate amount has been inserted into the coin receiver (14) and, upon receiving the notification signal, allows the first or second pin code to be entered.

4. A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is further configured to provide a visual notification to a user as to which box he or she has been assigned. A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in claim 4 wherein the visual notification is displayed on the user interface or is in the form of a light located in close proximity or inside of the selected deposit box.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which doors of the deposit boxes are fitted with electronic actuators and in which selected deposit boxes are opened automatically by the processor once assigned to a user or when the user has entered a second pin code matching a first pin code.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes at least one sensor associated with each electrical outlet, each sensor being in electronic communication with the processor and configured to notify the processor when a device is connected to it and is charging.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the processor is further configured to only lock a selected deposit box once the sensor notifies it that a device inside the deposit box has been connected to the electrical outlet and is charging.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the processor notifies a user that their device is properly connected and is charging.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the processor is further configured to erase a stored pin code from the electronic storage medium once a deposit box assigned to the stored pin code has been unlocked.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the keypad (12) is an alphanumeric or a numeric keypad provided on a front surface of the charging station (1 ). A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the keypad (12) is displayed on a touch- operated interface provided by the user interface.

A mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the processor is configured to activate an alarm when a second pin code which does not correspond to a pin code currently stored in the electronic storage medium has been entered a predetermined number of consecutive times.

A method of operating a mobile device charging station (1 ) including a plurality of electronically lockable deposit boxes (10) each fitted with at least one electrical outlet, a user interface providing an electronic keypad (12), an electronic storage medium and a processor in electronic communication with the user interface, deposit boxes (10) and electronic storage medium, the method being performed by the processor and comprising the steps of:

receiving a first pin code entered on the keypad (12) by a user;

storing the first pin code in the electronic storage medium;

indicating the assigned deposit box to the user;

locking the assigned deposit box once it has been closed;

receiving a second pin code entered by a user on the keypad (12); looking up the second pin code in the electronic storage medium ; and unlocking an assigned deposit box associated with a first pin code if the second pin code corresponds to a first pin code stored in the electronic storage medium.

A method of operating a mobile device charging station (1 ) as claimed in Claim 14 which includes the step of displaying instructions as to use of the charging station on the user interface or on an information screen, the instructions corresponding at least partially to steps of the method.