Abstract:
An apparatus to provide controlled electrical energy in a substantially public setting includes a power control unit. The unit includes credential entering circuitry which, upon authentication, provides access to a supply of AC-type electrical energy which can be used to recharge batteries of a vehicle. Authentication can be carried out locally, or at a displaced access control system. An access credential can be entered via a card reader or a wires receiver.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The application pertains to controllable AC-type outlets. More particularly, the application pertains to such outlets which are coupled to security or monitoring systems where the respective outlet(s) can be activated by an access control card, or a wireless device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There is currently great interest in hybrid and electric cars. Viability of such vehicles will depend, in part, on the availability of infrastructure that makes recharging the vehicles easy and secure. 
         [0003]    It is predicted that hybrid and electric cars will soon be capable of using standard 110/220 VAC house current for recharging. This provides opportunities for businesses, such as work places, parking lots, motels and private residences such as condos, apartments and even houses to provide controlled electrical outlets in parking areas for recharging cars. 
         [0004]    Theft of electricity is obviously an issue. It will be necessary to prevent unauthorized users, such as non-resident/non-employees from plugging into an outlet in an open parking area, or, to prevent an unauthorized user, who parks next to an authorized vehicle and switches recharging plugs, from appropriating electricity charged to another&#39;s account. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a controllable outlet in accordance herewith; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating exemplary usage of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates additional details of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles thereof as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the application or claims to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
         [0009]    In a disclosed embodiment, non-billing security can be provided for electrical outlets using an access control system. In one aspect, in order to prevent un-authorized usage of outlets in a parking area, an access card and card reader, carried by an outlet, or power, control unit, can be associated with a specific outlet or outlets. Once an authorizing card has been scanned, and, accepted the outlet(s) can be energized. The outlet control unit and the associated access control system can detect when current flow through the outlet stops or slows, either by being unplugged or when charging is complete. The outlet can then be de-energized preventing unauthorized users from accessing and appropriating electrical energy from the outlet. 
         [0010]    The control system, or the outlet control unit, can provide alarms and logging functions to notify owners of usage (authorized and unauthorized). The control system can also provide information from attached meters for billing. Outlet activation can be prevented during specific times, such as when a resident is away or when peak energy rates are applicable by the control system, and/or the outlet control unit. 
         [0011]    An input signal can be provided to the outlet control unit that will activate or deactivate access to the power. The outlet control unit can include predetermined, security related functionality. For example, the following can be detected: When power is disconnected, indicating potential theft by unplugging current user and plugging in an unidentified user; when charging is complete, indicated by ‘flat-line’ of low current; and when current usage spikes, indicating that another user may have spliced into an existing charging line. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the outlet control unit can determine peak and low level current usage to notify the access control system when the current usage changes state. For example, when current becomes too high, an alarm can be generated. Alternately, when current goes low, an event can be generated to shut off the current flow to the outlet. 
         [0013]    Components can include a security control system along with the outlet control unit. The control system can be programmed to monitor and manage the outlet control unit. The outlet control unit can include a card reader, power outlet, outlet control circuits, power/current monitor and an optional meter. The card reader can respond to magnetic, optical or RF-type cards, all without limitation. The unit can also include a wireless receiver for receipt of authorizing signals from cell phones or other wireless control devices, all without limitation. 
         [0014]    Power control units can be located throughout parking facilities. Parking facilities can include outdoor lots, indoor lots, garages or even street parking spaces. Unit control circuits can energize or de-energize the outlet (110/220) via an inbound authorizing signal. The inbound signal can come from the authorizing, or access control system. The outlet, or power, control unit can monitor the current consumption from the outlet. If the current spikes, indicating someone splicing into the charging line, or drops to a low set point, indicating the vehicle is unplugged or charging is complete, the unit will output a signal to the control system. 
         [0015]    Normally the outlet is in a de-energized state. When a valid card is read (via the reader) and authorization is provided, the control system signals the outlet control unit to energize the outlet. Other circuitry in the control system, or the outlet control unit, may energize or de-energize the outlet based on other conditions where a card read is not needed. 
         [0016]    When the outlet is in an energized state, the control system can de-energize (send a signal) to the outlet in response to detecting various conditions. These can include: 
         [0017]      1 —If the time allotted expires 
         [0018]      2 —The time crosses into a high billing (time of use) period 
         [0019]      3 —A signal is received from a current monitor indicating a possible error condition, completion of charge or a disconnection 
         [0020]      4 —Another card swipe of an unauthorized user 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus  10  which includes an outlet control unit  12 . Unit  12  is coupled to a card access control panel  14  via wired or wireless links  14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c . While illustrated separately, it will be understood that the exact communications protocol is not a limitation hereof. Nor is the type of medium a limitation. The links  14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c  could, for example be implemented using a dedicated communications channel, or, an Internet protocol, without limitation. 
         [0022]    Unit  12  includes a secure housing  16 . Housing  16  carries a card reader  20  to provide an access credential, a current monitoring device  22 , an outlet control device  24 , and an electrical outlet  26  to which a vehicle to be recharged can be coupled. An optional electric meter  28  can also be provided. 
         [0023]    The unit  12  can also support various types of user input devices. For example, a key pad  20   a , best seen in  FIG. 2 , can also be provided as well as other types of input, or output devices, without limitation. For example, non-contact electronic credential providing devices, such as cellular-type devices, which wirelessly communicate with the unit  12  or control panel  14  via receivers such as  20 - 1  and  20 - 2 , come within the spirit and scope hereof. 
         [0024]    The current monitoring device  22  monitors current from the outlet  26 . If the current spikes or falls below a pre-set threshold, an indicating signal can be forwarded to the panel  14  via link  14   b . The outlet control device  24  energizes or de-energizes the outlet  26  in response to a control signal from the panel  14  via link  14   c.    
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates an implementation of the system  10  in a parking lot L. A plurality of units  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 ... 12 -n can be distributed throughout the parking lot, or garage, L. Owner&#39;s of vehicles, such as V 1 , V 2  . . . Vn in need of a charge can provide access information via card reader  20 , keypad  20   a , or receivers  20 - 1 ,  20 - 2  at the associated outlet control unit  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2  . . .  12 -n. Once the received access information is validated, or authentified, the control system, or panel,  14 , via link  14   c  and outlet control device  24  can activate the outlet  26  to charge the battery(s) on the respective vehicle Vi. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates additional aspects of the system  10 . Previously discussed elements are identified with the same identification numerals as above. 
         [0027]    The unit  12  can include a power indicator light  30  along with a switching circuit  32 , which could be implemented as an electro-mechanical relay, or one or more solid state switches, all without limitation. It will also be understood that the components of unit  12  can be implemented, at least in part with a programmable processor and associated control programs, pre-stored in non-volatile memory, indicated at  12   a . Furthermore, functionality from the control panel  14  can be incorporated into unit  12  for stand-along operation. 
         [0028]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. Further, logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be add to, or removed from the described embodiments.