Apparatus, method and article for providing to a user device information regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage devices at a portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine

摘要

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Availability of charged portable electrical energy storage devices available at a collection, charging and distribution machine are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user or a user's vehicle. Once the mobile device of a user or a user's vehicle comes within close proximity of the collection, charging and distribution machine or within a particular area surrounding the collection, charging and distribution machine, the collection, charging and distribution machine or a collection, charging and distribution machine management system communicates an alert (e.g., over a cellular network, short range wireless signal or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network) to the mobile device or vehicle indicating how many portable electrical energy storage devices are available at the distribution machine.

主权项

1. A method of operating a system for providing information regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage devices at a collection, charging and distribution machine for collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices, the method comprising:
receiving, by the system for providing information regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage devices, information regarding presence of a user device; and in response to the received information regarding presence of the user device, communicating to the user device, by the system for providing information regarding availability of portable electrical energy storage devices, information regarding an availability of a portable electrical energy storage device at a collection, charging and distribution machine.