Abstract:
A point of sale battery distribution system includes a cabinet in which batteries may be stored, a user interface for facilitating selection and purchase of batteries, and doors which may be secured and freed to be opened based upon purchase transactions. Batteries stored in the cabinet may be charged by a charging system until purchase. The charging system may provide one or more charging voltages and regimes, and output of the charging system may be disabled by a control system when a door is open or freed to be open. An inventory management system may detect batteries stored in the cabinet and convey inventory information to remote systems for replenishment of the cabinet based upon purchases.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/720,275, entitled “VEHICLE BATTERY POINT OF SALE SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filed Oct. 30, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle battery distribution, and more particularly to techniques for allowing consumer-driven transactions and access to batteries through automated, self-contained vending systems. 
     Vehicle batteries are typically installed into vehicles as original equipment, and are replaced from time to time as the original batteries become aged. Conventional techniques for identifying, selecting, and obtaining replacement batteries have focused on visits to retail establishments where clerks or mechanics can identify the battery to be replaced, counsel the consumer regarding a replacement, sell the replacement, and install it in the vehicle. Increasingly, vehicle owners would like the option to replace the batteries themselves, and may turn to various retail establishments where they can either purchase a replacement battery based on known information, or bring their old battery in for comparison and identification of an appropriate replacement. The vehicle owner then may perform the replacement themselves and return the old battery for disposal. Such approaches are beginning to appear, but still in conventional retail settings (e.g., where batteries may be found on store shelves or requested from clerks). 
     While such systems generally function adequately, they are not with drawbacks. For example, retail establishments in which mechanics and clerks are relied upon for battery replacement may lead to delays, particularly where the vehicle owner must wait for the qualified personnel to become available and service their vehicle. Moreover, the vehicle owner must generally visit such establishments during regular business hours, which may be quite inconvenient for many people. Where more automated systems are provided, or where consumers may help themselves to store stocks, time constraints nevertheless are imposed at least to the extent that the vehicle owners must visit these establishments during the hours in which they are open. 
     While certain automated systems have been developed for a range of consumer goods, these are not easily adapted to the offer, sale, and delivery of vehicle batteries. For example, while batteries may be offered without a fresh charge, most consumers would prefer to buy batteries that are “topped off” and ready for service. To the extent that retail establishments do not perform this type of operation for battery stocks, systems that would allow for the sale of freshly charged batteries would represent a significant improvement. Moreover, a technique that would free the vehicle owner of particular time and location constraints would also be significantly advantageous. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a vehicle battery point of sale technique designed to respond to such needs. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, for example, a vehicle battery distribution system, comprises a cabinet configured to hold batteries for purchase, the cabinet including at least one door that is selectively secured from opening and freed to open for extraction of a battery from the cabinet. A user interface is associated with the cabinet and configured to facilitate battery purchase transactions for the purchase of batteries disposed in the cabinet. A control system is coupled to the user interface and to the door and configured to control securing and freeing of the door in response to battery purchase transactions. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a vehicle battery distribution system, comprises a cabinet configured to hold batteries for purchase, the cabinet including at least one door that is selectively secured from opening and freed to open for extraction of a battery from the cabinet, and a user interface associated with the cabinet and configured to facilitate battery purchase transactions for the purchase of batteries disposed in the cabinet. A battery charging system receives power from a source and provides power to maintain a charge on the batteries disposed in the cabinet. A control system is coupled to the user interface and to the door and configured to control securing and freeing of the door in response to battery purchase transactions. The control system is also operative to cause disabling of output of the battery charging system when a door is open or freed to be opened. 
     In accordance with a further aspect, a vehicle battery distribution system, comprises a cabinet configured to be located both in an inside or an outside environment and to hold batteries for purchase, the cabinet including at least one door that is selectively secured from opening and freed to open for extraction of a battery from the cabinet, and a user interface associated with the cabinet and configured to facilitate battery purchase transactions for the purchase of batteries disposed in the cabinet. A battery charging system receives power from a source and provides power to maintain a charge on the batteries disposed in the cabinet, and a data exchange component is configured to exchange data with a remote system to facilitate the purchase transactions. A control system is coupled to the user interface and to the door and configured to control securing and freeing of the door in response to battery purchase transactions. Here again, the control system is operative to cause disabling of output of the battery charging system when a door is open or freed to be opened. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of an exemplary point of sale battery distribution system in accordance with aspects of the present techniques; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatical representation of certain of the functional components of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified view of a user interface for the same system; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatical representation of how data may be exchange between stocked batteries in the system and an inventory management system to ensure that proper back-stock is maintained to suit demand; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating exemplary logic in a transaction performed via a system of the type illustrated in the previous figures. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to the drawings, and referring first to  FIG. 1 , a point of sale battery distribution system is illustrated and designated generally by reference numeral  10 . The system comprises a cabinet  12  having a series of doors  14  on a front side. Behind each of the doors are batteries  16  that are offered for sale to vehicle owners, and more generally to consumers for any of a variety of needs. In the illustrated embodiment the cabinet is generally vertical, although various arrangements and configurations may envisaged. For example, the cabinet may be somewhat lower and generally horizontal, depending upon the types of batteries, their weight, and so forth. In general, it may be helpful to provide the batteries that weigh more at a lower position in the system and lighter batteries towards upper positions. The general layout of the configuration of the cabinet may also be altered from that shown. For example, while the doors  14  are illustrated on a front side of the cabinet, similar doors may be provided on a top side or even on lateral sides of a more horizontal cabinet. 
     The system  10  also includes an integral user interface  18  that allows users to search for, identify, and select appropriate batteries for their needs. The user interface preferably allows not only for some degree of education of the consumer, but also for selection of the batteries, performance of financial transactions for the purchase of a battery, and so forth. In addition to the user interface, one or more storage compartments  20  may be provided in or around the cabinet. Such storage compartments may be utilized for storing returned or used batteries that are brought by vehicle owners who purchase replacements. The recycled batteries disposed in a storage compartment may be collected from time to time as inventory is added to the system. Finally, as illustrated diagrammatically in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  receives power as indicated at reference numeral  22 , from any suitable source, such as the power grid. As discussed in greater detail below, this power may be used in the various operations of the system, for control and powering of the user interface, as well as for maintaining a charge on the batteries stored in the cabinet. Similarly, one or more data connections  24  may be provided to allow the system to exchange data with remote equipment (not shown). Such equipment may include local or remote inventory monitors, transaction systems (e.g., credit card companies), retail establishment networks, and so forth. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatical representation of certain of the functional components of the system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As noted above, a series of batteries  26  will be offered for sale and will be disposed in the cabinet described above. These batteries may be of any suitable type, rating, size, technology, and so forth. In presently contemplated embodiments, the batteries are suitable for cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, all terrain vehicles, and so forth, although any suitable batteries may be accommodated in the system. Where the size and physical configuration of the batteries differ, these may be accommodated by the size and layout of the support structure within the cabinet, doors that are accessed to withdraw the batteries and store the batteries when new inventory is added, and any charging structures. Control circuitry  28  serves to manage the various functions of the system. In certain embodiments this control circuitry may include application-specific or general purpose computers, microprocessors, or other processing circuitry. One or more such processing devices may be included in the system, and these will typically be supported by associated memory, power supplies, and so forth in a conventional manner. A user interface  30  is illustrated and generally corresponds to the interface  28  discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more readers  32  may be provided, such as for reading credit cards used in purchase transactions. Such readers may also include magnetic or field (e.g., radiofrequency) readers for reading retail establishment loyalty cards and so forth. 
     The system further includes one or more power management systems designated generally by reference numeral  34 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such power management systems may include circuitry that receives power, such as from the power grid, and converts the power to one or more forms to be used by the various functional components. For example, the power management system  34  may include circuitry for converting power to a DC form and for regulating the power for use by the control circuitry  28 , the user interface  30 , lights, signage, and audio components, and so forth. 
     Moreover, the power management system may also condition power for powering one or more battery chargers  36 . The battery chargers may be of a conventional nature, and will be adapted to maintain a charge on the batteries disposed within the system. Where more than one voltage rating is provided among the batteries, the charging circuitry may accommodate such ratings, maintaining the appropriate charge on the batteries when disposed in the cabinet for sale. As discussed in greater detail below, the chargers may function to maintain the charge on the batteries, but may be switched off when one or more of the doors of the system is opened, such as to withdraw a battery in a purchase transaction. The charging system may be similarly switched off during loading of new inventory. 
     In a presently contemplated embodiment, the chargers  36  are linked to the batteries via a power bus system including rails  38  or other conductors that contact terminals of the batteries to maintain a current path used to charge the batteries throughout the time they are disposed in the cabinet. Although a single bus system is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , where different voltages are provided among the batteries, multiple such bus systems may be separately provided to accommodate the different voltage levels. Similarly, while a single bus  38  or conductor is illustrated as extending toward multiple batteries, in practice it is contemplated that two such conductors will extend to positive and negative terminals of the batteries. These may be provided in an upper location within bays behind the cabinet doors such that batteries may be loaded from arrear of the cabinet, contact the rails, slide toward front positions behind the doors, and may be easily withdrawn upon opening the doors. 
     As illustrated diagrammatically in  FIG. 2 , each of the doors  14  is equipped with a controlled latch  40 , and one or more sensors  42 . The latches, which may comprise solenoid-operated electromechanical mechanisms, are normally locked, but may be unlocked by the control circuitry  28 , such as following a successful purchase transaction, thereby allowing the purchased battery to be extracted from the cabinet. The sensors  42  allow for detection that a door is open. As noted above, in a presently contemplated embodiment, power to the batteries is withdrawn upon opening one or more of the doors. This may be performed under the control of the control circuitry  28 . Moreover, such power may remain disabled so long as at least one of the sensors  42  detects that a door is open. Only after the sensor has detected the doors are closed will power re-enabled to the conductors used to recharge the batteries. 
     Finally, as designated by reference numeral  42  in  FIG. 2 , an inventory management or monitoring system may be provided within the system. Where provided, this inventory management system may serve to monitor the presence of particular batteries within the system. It is contemplated that while many different batteries could be offered for sale, the system may focus on certain common batteries which are moved in higher volumes. By detecting the presence or absence of such batteries, then, the inventory management/monitoring system  44  may allow this data to be conveyed to remote systems that prompt the replacement of sold batteries on a periodic or as-needed basis. 
     Certain techniques for maintaining charge on the batteries of the system may be the same as or similar to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/566,842, entitled Battery Charging Devices and Systems, filed on Aug. 3, 2012, in the name of Feuell et al., which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/531,996, filed on Sep. 7, 2011, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary user interface  30  that may be included in the system. As noted above, the user interface may be equipped with a card reader  32  adapted to read credit cards, debit cards, or any other suitable financial tool, as well as, for example, retail establishment loyalty cards, and so forth. In future implementations, such readers may be capable of detecting and interpreting data from such devices as smart phones, various handheld devices, cards and other supports storing vehicle or battery-related information, and the like. Moreover, a screen or display  46  is provided on which the user may view certain information, navigate to battery selections, view images of vehicles on which the batteries may be used. By way of example, the interface may conform to certain aspects of point of sale systems, such as that described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/275,081, entitled Battery Selection and Feedback System and Method, filed on Oct. 17, 2011, in the name of Gospodarek et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such systems may allow for users to become familiar with and comfortable with battery selections based upon questions and answers, recommendations, and the information delivered through the successive display of screens in response to the user touching the display itself or any buttons or other input devices associated with the interface. Certain selection buttons  48  may also be provided, such as to activate the opening of a door behind which a selected battery is positioned. Other user interface devices may clearly also be included, such as audible component (e.g., speakers, microphones, etc.). 
     As noted above, the system may be equipped for inventory management and reporting of inventory so that batteries normally kept on hand can be replenished as they are sold.  FIG. 4  diagrammatically illustrates a typical arrangement for this inventory management. The inventory management system  44  in this embodiment, is equipped with a radiofrequency reader that can interact with tags  50  disposed on the batteries  26 . Each of these tags may be uniquely encoded with information describing the battery, its model or size codes, and other information, where desired (e.g., manufacturing dates, manufacturing history, ship dates, etc.). By “pinging” the tags, the inventory management system can obtain information on which batteries and how many batteries are present in the system and may store this information as transactions occur, and transmit the information to remote systems, such as retail establishment, manufacturer or supplier computer systems, and so forth. Where desired, some or all of the data stored on the batteries may be encrypted and the encrypted code decrypted by the reader for the monitoring and control, inventory management and other functions performed. Other technologies for storage and access to such information may, of course be used. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates exemplary transactional logic  52  for performing a battery selection and purchase transaction on the system. As noted above, the system comprises what is essentially a stand-alone point of sale distribution hub which may be placed inside or outside of any desired location. For example, the system may be placed within a retain establishment, such as an auto parts store, retain store, or any other desired commercial location. However, due to the nature and configuration of the system, it may also be placed in outside environments, such as in front of retail establishments, at desired locations in service stations, and so forth so that transactions may be performed at hours other than those during which a conventional retail establishment is open for business. In all such cases, the system may be equipped to communicate both with a source of power and data to permit the batteries to maintain a sufficient or desired charge, and to allow for verification of transactional information (e.g., credit or debit card data). 
     The logic of  FIG. 5  begins at step  54  where the system is powered on and powers applied to the battery charger and there through to the batteries stored within the cabinet. At step  56 , the user interacts with the interface to determine what battery, if any, may be suitable for the desired replacement. Once the information is obtained by the user via the interface, a battery may be selected and the transaction performed as indicated at step  58 . This step may include, for example, prompting the user to dial-in or scan a credit card, debit card, or other financial device, followed by verification and authorization of the financial transaction as indicated at step  60 . This verification and authorization may comprise conventional techniques for contacting a credit or financial organization, obtaining authorization for the charge, accounting for the charge, and so forth. 
     With the purchase authorized, the system will power-off the charge rails or conductors as indicated at step  62  and enable opening of a door corresponding to the selected battery. In presently contemplated embodiments all charge rails for all doors are powered off at this stage, and the electronic latch for the door corresponding to the selected battery is energized (or de-energized depending upon its normal state) to allow opening of the door. At step  64 , then, the user opens the door and removes the battery. The configuration of the cabinet and supports may then allow for advancement of a battery behind the removed battery, such as on slides, rails, conveyers, or any other desired mechanism. At step  66 , then, the user closes the door. In some embodiments, the advancement of another battery may be delayed until the door is closed and verified as secure. Once the system detects that the door is properly shut, the inventory change may be detected as indicated at step  68 , the corresponding data may be logged and/or immediately transmitted to a remote inventory management system, and the system may return to step  54  where the entire system remains powered on and the charge of the remaining batteries is resumed. 
     While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.