Patent Publication Number: US-2012047036-A1

Title: Transaction system which combines vehicle battery charging with other services

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The use of electric vehicles is on the increase. Electric or hybrid automobiles are now common. In some regions of the world, electric bikes are common. Congestion in urban areas and tighter environmental legislation makes electric vehicles more attractive. 
     Vehicle battery charging stations support growth of the electric vehicle industry. These charging stations supply electricity for a fee. Current charging times are measured in hours. 
     It would be desirable to provide a vehicle battery charging station that offers additional services to customers. 
     SUMMARY 
     A transaction system which combines vehicle battery charging with other services is provided. 
     The transaction system includes a vehicle battery charging system, a display, an input device, a payment peripheral, and a self-service computer for displaying choices for a battery charging service and at least one other service via the display, for recording a user selection of the battery charging service and the at least one other service via the input device, for obtaining payment for the battery charging service via the payment peripheral, for operating the vehicle battery charging system to apply charging current to a vehicle battery, and for facilitating completion of the at least one other service. 
     An example transaction method includes displaying choices for services, including a vehicle battery charging service and at least one other service by a self-service computer, recording customer selection of the vehicle battery charging service and the at least one other service by the self-service computer, obtaining payment for the battery charging service by the self-service computer, initiating charging of a vehicle battery by the self-service computer, and providing the at least one other service during the charging of the vehicle battery by the self-service computer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example transaction system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example transaction method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , transaction system  10  includes processor  12 , which executes transaction software  30  for controlling battery charging system  14  during a vehicle battery charging transaction and for providing other services to vehicle battery charging customers. 
     Transaction software  30  may be written as a web application which displays screen data in the form of web pages written using hypertext markup language (HTML), JavaScript, Java, or other suitable web page development language. The web pages may include hyperlinks for selecting subsequent web pages for display. 
     Processor  12  may execute web browser software for displaying the web pages. The web browser software may be configured for kiosk mode to hide web browser window toolbars and controls. Processor  12  may execute additional software to prevent a customer from accessing unauthorized web sites, accessing files, operating system software, or basic input-output system (BIOS) firmware, and to prevent the customer from rebooting. 
     Transaction software  30  includes charging module  32 , which activates charging, monitors the state of charge, and provides an indication of the state of charge, such as percent charged and time remaining till full charge. 
     Transaction software  30  further includes one or more service modules  34 , which offer services other than charging services to vehicle battery charging customers. 
     In an example embodiment, battery charging system  14  may include a power source and a power cable for connecting the power source to vehicle  26 . The power source applies charging current from the power source to charge battery  36  (or batteries) in vehicle  26 . Transaction software  30  provides battery charge status and records payment for charging and other services. 
     Electric vehicles may include any type of personal transportation, such as automobiles, bikes, scooters, and golf carts. Electric vehicles further include hybrid vehicles, such as gasoline-electric hybrids, in which electric power is not the only source of power for transportation. 
     Services offered in addition to charging services may provide assistance while battery  36  is charging. However, depending on the venue, there is no requirement to choose the battery charging service. In some venues, customers may select any of the other services without selecting the battery charging service. 
     Transaction software  30  may require payment for some services and not for others. 
     Based upon the venues where transaction system  10  is located and the services it offers, customers either leave or remain in their vehicles while the vehicle batteries  36  are charging. Charging may take hours. 
     Customers remaining in their vehicles may choose to work, watch movies or purchase other entertainment, shop online, or perform other tasks. Customers leaving their vehicles may choose to work, shop, run errands, or perform other tasks. 
     For example, transaction system  10  may display maps and provide directions to customers who wish to run errands while their batteries  36  are charging. 
     As another example, transaction system  10  may process bill payments for customers while their batteries  36  are charging. 
     As another example, transaction system  10  may process banking transactions for customers while their batteries  36  are charging. 
     As another example, transaction system  10  may provide entertainment while their batteries  36  are charging. Entertainment may include display or downloading or dispensing of content including but not limited to games, live or pre-recorded music, movies, television broadcasts, and radio broadcasts. Entertainment may also include tickets to local entertainment events for those customers who do not remain in their vehicles. 
     For example, customers may watch content via display  18 . As an alternative, customers may download content to customer entertainment devices, such as cell phones. As yet another alternative, customer may receive content in a dispensed storage medium, such as a DVD. As yet another alternative, transaction system  10  may be located a drive-in theater where content is displayed on a large outdoor screen. 
     As another example, transaction system  10  may provide promotional services while their batteries  36  are charging. For example, at shopping malls, leisure centers, and service centers, transaction system  10  may provide on screen advertising and display coupons and other special promotions to customers. Advertisers may purchase advertising time. Transaction software  30  may provide coupons or promotions to customers in paper or electronic form. 
     As another example, transaction system  10  may provide general internet access services while their batteries  36  are charging. Customers may use the internet access to accomplish any online need to obtain information or to complete an online transaction. For example, customers may check email, download photos, or search for information. 
     Services offered may be based upon the location of transaction system  10 . 
     For example, transaction system  10  may be located at a parking site, such as a parking garage or parking meter. Transaction software  30  may process payment for both charging services and parking services. 
     As another example, transaction system  10  may be located at or near a transportation location, such as an airport, bus station, train station, pier, or rental car facility. “Park and ride” customers may plug in their vehicles, view transportation schedules (e.g., bus and train schedules), and obtain tickets. Transaction software  30  processes payment for both charging services and transportation services. Transaction software  30  may provide tickets or reservations in paper or electronic form. 
     As another example, transaction system  10  may be located at or near a restaurant. Transaction software  30  may process payment for charging services, obtain reservations, and display a menu of the restaurant. If the restaurant is a drive-in restaurant, transaction software  30  may process payment for food as well as charging services. 
     Combinations of any of the above examples based upon location and purpose are also envisioned. 
     Further, transaction system  10  may be part of or retrofitted to existing street objects, such as lamp posts and parking meters. 
     Processor  12  may be coupled to a global communication network  28 , also known as the internet. The connection may be a wired or wireless connection. 
     Processor  12  executes an operating system, such as a Microsoft operating system, and is part of a computer system with memory  16 , display  18 , input device  20 , payment peripheral  22 , and printer  24 . 
     Display  18  and input device  20  may be combined as a touch screen. 
     Payment peripheral  22  may include but not be limited to a coin acceptor, a currency acceptor, and a card reader. 
     Printer  24  may include a receipt printer, but may also print maps, tickets, or other documents, depending on the services offered by transaction system  10 . 
     Processor  12  may be coupled to additional peripherals tailored to services being provided. 
     For example, if transaction system  10  provides banking services, transaction system  10  may include additional features and functions of a self-service banking machine known as an automated teller machine (ATM). The corresponding peripherals may include but not be limited to a cash money dispenser, a cash money acceptor (or cash money recycler), and a check imaging unit. 
     As another example, if transaction system  10  provides entertainment services, transaction system  10  may include additional features and functions of a self-service entertainment kiosk, such as a DVD dispensing kiosk or a digital download kiosk. The corresponding peripherals may include but not be limited to a media dispenser, a media identification label reader (radio frequency identification or barcode label reader), a media reader, a media writer, and a wireless media download peripheral. 
     As another example, if transaction system  10  provides tickets for transportation, entertainment, or other purposes, transaction system  10  may include a ticket dispensing peripheral. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , an example transaction method is illustrated. 
     In step  40 , transaction software  30  displays a first image or screen, which may include a start or home page. Transaction software  30  may also display an attract loop containing promotions when system  10  is not in use and waiting for a user. 
     In step  42 , transaction software  30  records a user selection to begin a transaction. 
     In step  44 , transaction software  30  displays another screen containing choices for available services, including a battery charging service. The screen may include links to subsequent pages for completing ordering of individual services. 
     In step  46 , transaction software  30  records a user selection for a battery charging service and one or more other services. 
     For example, the user may choose a selection for displaying local restaurants, directions to the restaurants, and any special coupons or other promotions offered by the restaurants. 
     In step  48 , transaction software  30  displays a second screen, confirming the vehicle battery charging service and any other services that require payment from the user. 
     In step  50 , transaction software  30  obtains payment for the services. 
     In step  52 , transaction software  30  displays a vehicle battery charging screen with instructions for completing battery charging. 
     In step  54 , transaction software  30  operates battery charging system  14  to charge battery  36 . 
     In step  56 , transaction software  30  authorizes navigation to pages for completing other selected services and displays the pages upon user selection. 
     Transaction software  30  may include battery status and time remaining as part of the other pages. Transaction software  30  also includes a link to selecting additional services. 
     Transaction software  30  returns to the start page after all services have been completed. System  10  is then ready for use by another user. 
     Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.