Abstract:
The present invention discloses devices and methods for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices. Methods include the steps of: upon engagement of a mobile device with a fast-charging advertising (FCA) device, operationally connecting with the mobile device in order to determine whether the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging; interfacing with a fast-charging module configured to provide fast-charging capability to an enabled mobile device; and upon determining the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging, activating an FCA capability, wherein the FCA capability includes: providing at least one billing option for a billing selection; offering at least one advertising option for an advertising selection; and upon acceptance of the billing selection and the advertising selection: initiating fast-charging of the mobile device via the fast-charging module; and broadcasting an ad during the fast-charging. Preferably, the FCA device is embodied in the fast-charging module, an FCA station, or an FCA system card.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to devices and methods for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices. 
         [0002]    Modern electronic appliances are becoming ubiquitous for personal as well as business use. It cannot be overstated that with the evolution of such devices, mobility has emerged as a key driver in feature enhancement for technological innovation. Significantly, the advent of modern mobile devices having ever-shorter charging times has led to users being detained at the charging location without leaving the mobile device unattended during charging. For existing devices, charging times on the order of an hour are typical, while newer devices have enabled “fast-charging” capabilities on the order of a few minutes. Such short charging times in turn open up opportunities for utilizing the time that a user is waiting for the device to be charged. 
         [0003]    It would be desirable to have devices and methods for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices. Such devices and methods would, inter alia, take advantage of tangential technological enhancements in mobile devices as mentioned above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    It is the purpose of the present invention to provide devices and methods for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices. 
         [0005]    It is noted that the term “exemplary” is used herein to refer to examples of embodiments and/or implementations, and is not meant to necessarily convey a more-desirable use-case. Similarly, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” are used herein to refer to an example out of an assortment of contemplated embodiments and/or implementations, and is not meant to necessarily convey a more-desirable use-case. Therefore, it is understood from the above that “exemplary” and “preferred” may be applied herein to multiple embodiments and/or implementations. 
         [0006]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention enable devices and methods for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices. 
         [0007]    Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a method for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices, the method including the steps of: (a) upon engagement of a mobile device with a fast-charging advertising (FCA) device, operationally connecting with the mobile device in order to determine whether the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging; (b) interfacing with a fast-charging module configured to provide fast-charging capability to an enabled mobile device; and (c) upon determining the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging, activating an FCA capability, wherein the FCA capability includes: (i) providing at least one billing option for a billing selection; (ii) offering at least one advertising option for an advertising selection; and (iii) upon acceptance of the billing selection and the advertising selection: (A) initiating fast-charging of the mobile device via the fast-charging module; and (B) broadcasting an ad during the fast-charging. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the mobile device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a hand-held electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a peripheral device having an integral battery, a slave battery, an external flash component, an external camera component, an external audio component, and an external display component. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the FCA device is embodied in at least one device selected from the group consisting of: the fast-charging module, an FCA station, and an FCA system card. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the step of providing and the step of offering are performed, at least in part, remotely on at least one portal selected from the group consisting of: an FCA portal, an ad portal, and a billing portal. 
         [0011]    Preferably, at least one billing option is selected from the group consisting of: a free fast-charging option during the step of broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during the step of broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during exemption from the step of broadcasting, and a regular-charging option for an allotted charging duration during the step of broadcasting, an online payment, a direct payment, a credit card payment, a third-party payment, an installment payment, and a prepaid FCA account debit. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the advertising selection is based on at least one criterion selected from the group consisting of: an advertiser purchase, a user profile, user-specific usage-data from data-analytics portals, a geographic location of the FCA device, a business location of the FCA device, an FCA-device owner preference, a user-specific location-data history, weather data, an FCA user-preference profile, a category selection, and a selection group. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the step of broadcasting is performed on at least one device selected from the group consisting of: the mobile device, the FCA device, a secondary display device, a secondary audio component. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the step of broadcasting is performed by at least one operation selected from the group consisting of: transmitting the ad via a direct or indirect network download, delivering the ad from the FCA device, and retrieving the ad from a pre-cached storage location. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the method further includes the step of: (d) prior to the step of activating, securing all operations and all data associated with the FCA device. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the method further includes the step of: (d) prior to the step of broadcasting, checking for at least one ad update. 
         [0017]    According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a fast-charging advertising (FCA) device for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices, the FCA device including: (a) a CPU for performing computational operations; (b) a memory module for storing data; (c) a connectivity module for operationally connecting to a network via a communication capability; (d) a billing module configured for providing at least one billing option for a billing selection; (e) an advertising module configured for offering at least one advertising option for an advertising selection; and (f) an interface module configured for: (i) upon engagement of a mobile device with the FCA device, operationally connecting with the mobile device in order to determine whether the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging; (ii) interfacing with a fast-charging module configured to provide fast-charging capability to an enabled mobile device; and (iii) upon determining the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging, activating an FCA capability, wherein the FCA capability is configured for: (A) upon acceptance of the billing selection and the advertising selection, initiating fast-charging of the mobile device via the fast-charging module; and (B) upon acceptance of the billing selection and the advertising selection, broadcasting an ad during the fast-charging. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the mobile device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a hand-held electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a peripheral device having an integral battery, a slave battery, an external flash component, an external camera component, an external audio component, and an external display component. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the CPU, the memory module, the connectivity module, the billing module, the advertising module, and the interface module are embodied, at least in part, in at least one device selected from the group consisting of: the fast-charging module, an FCA station, and an FCA system card. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the providing and the offering are performed, at least in part, remotely on at least one portal selected from the group consisting of: an FCA portal, an ad portal, and a billing portal. 
         [0021]    Preferably, at least one billing option is selected from the group consisting of: a free fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during exemption from the broadcasting, and a regular-charging option for an allotted charging duration during the broadcasting, an online payment, a direct payment, a credit card payment, a third-party payment, an installment payment, and a prepaid FCA account debit. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the advertising selection is based on at least one criterion selected from the group consisting of: an advertiser purchase, a user profile, user-specific usage-data from data-analytics portals, a geographic location of the FCA device, a business location of the FCA device, an FCA-device owner preference, a user-specific location-data history, weather data, an FCA user-preference profile, a category selection, and a selection group. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the broadcasting is performed on at least one device selected from the group consisting of: the mobile device, the FCA device, a secondary display device, a secondary audio component. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the broadcasting is performed by at least one operation selected from the group consisting of: transmitting the ad via a direct or indirect network download, delivering the ad from the FCA device, and retrieving the ad from a pre-cached storage location. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the FCA device further includes: (g) a security module configured for securing all operations and all data associated with the FCA device. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the FCA capability is further configured for: (C) prior to the broadcasting, checking for at least one ad update. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the billing module, the advertising module, and the interface module are embodied, at least in part, in the memory module. 
         [0028]    According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a method for doing business, the method including the steps of: (a) configuring a fast-charging advertising (FCA) device for: (i) upon engagement of a mobile device with, operationally connecting with the mobile device in order to determine whether the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging; (ii) interfacing with a fast-charging module configured to provide fast-charging capability to an enabled mobile device; and (iii) upon determining the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging, activating an FCA capability, wherein the FCA capability includes: (A) providing at least one billing option for a billing selection; (B) giving at least one advertising option for an advertising selection; and (C) upon acceptance of the billing selection and the advertising selection: (I) initiating fast-charging of the mobile device via the fast-charging module; and (II) broadcasting an ad during the fast-charging; and (b) offering the initiating for sale. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the providing and the giving are performed, at least in part, remotely on at least one portal selected from the group consisting of: an FCA portal, an ad portal, and a billing portal. 
         [0030]    Preferably, at least one billing option is selected from the group consisting of: a free fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during exemption from the broadcasting, and a regular-charging option for an allotted charging duration during the broadcasting, an online payment, a direct payment, a credit card payment, a third-party payment, an installment payment, and a prepaid FCA account debit. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the advertising selection is based on at least one criterion selected from the group consisting of: an advertiser purchase, a user profile, user-specific usage-data from data-analytics portals, a geographic location of the FCA device, a business location of the FCA device, an FCA-device owner preference, a user-specific location-data history, weather data, an FCA user-preference profile, a category selection, and a selection group. 
         [0032]    According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a method for doing business, the method including the steps of: (a) configuring a fast-charging advertising (FCA) device for: (i) upon engagement of a mobile device with, operationally connecting with the mobile device in order to determine whether the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging; (ii) interfacing with a fast-charging module configured to provide fast-charging capability to an enabled mobile device; and (iii) upon determining the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging, activating an FCA capability, wherein the FCA capability includes: (A) providing at least one billing option for a billing selection; (B) giving at least one advertising option for an advertising selection; and (C) upon acceptance of the billing selection and the advertising selection: (I) initiating fast-charging of the mobile device via the fast-charging module; and (II) broadcasting an ad during the fast-charging; and (b) offering the broadcasting for sale. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the providing and the giving are performed, at least in part, remotely on at least one portal selected from the group consisting of: an FCA portal, an ad portal, and a billing portal. 
         [0034]    Preferably, at least one billing option is selected from the group consisting of: a free fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during exemption from the broadcasting, and a regular-charging option for an allotted charging duration during the broadcasting, an online payment, a direct payment, a credit card payment, a third-party payment, an installment payment, and a prepaid FCA account debit. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the advertising selection is based on at least one criterion selected from the group consisting of: an advertiser purchase, a user profile, user-specific usage-data from data-analytics portals, a geographic location of the FCA device, a business location of the FCA device, an FCA-device owner preference, a user-specific location-data history, weather data, an FCA user-preference profile, a category selection, and a selection group. 
         [0036]    According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a non-transitory computer-readable medium, having computer-readable code embodied on the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer-readable code having program code for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices, the computer-readable code including: (a) program code for, upon engagement of a mobile device with a fast-charging advertising (FCA) device, operationally connecting with the mobile device in order to determine whether the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging; (b) program code for interfacing with a fast-charging module configured to provide fast-charging capability to an enabled mobile device; and (c) program code for, upon determining the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging, activating an FCA capability, wherein the FCA capability includes: (i) program code for, providing at least one billing option for a billing selection; (ii) program code for, offering at least one advertising option for an advertising selection; and (iii) program code for, upon acceptance of the billing selection and the advertising selection: (A) initiating fast-charging of the mobile device via the fast-charging module; and (B) broadcasting an ad during the fast-charging. 
         [0037]    Preferably, the mobile device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a hand-held electronic device, a wearable electronic device, a peripheral device having an integral battery, a slave battery, an external flash component, an external camera component, an external audio component, and an external display component. 
         [0038]    Preferably, the FCA device is embodied in at least one device selected from the group consisting of: the fast-charging module, an FCA station, and an FCA system card. 
         [0039]    Preferably, the providing and the offering are performed, at least in part, remotely on at least one portal selected from the group consisting of: an FCA portal, an ad portal, and a billing portal. 
         [0040]    Preferably, at least one billing option is selected from the group consisting of: a free fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during the broadcasting, a paid fast-charging option during exemption from the broadcasting, and a regular-charging option for an allotted charging duration during the broadcasting, an online payment, a direct payment, a credit card payment, a third-party payment, an installment payment, and a prepaid FCA account debit. 
         [0041]    Preferably, the advertising selection is based on at least one criterion selected from the group consisting of: an advertiser purchase, a user profile, user-specific usage-data from data-analytics portals, a geographic location of the FCA device, a business location of the FCA device, an FCA-device owner preference, a user-specific location-data history, weather data, an FCA user-preference profile, a category selection, and a selection group. 
         [0042]    Preferably, the broadcasting is performed on at least one device selected from the group consisting of: the mobile device, the FCA device, a secondary display device, a secondary audio component. 
         [0043]    Preferably, the broadcasting is performed by at least one operation selected from the group consisting of: transmitting the ad via a direct or indirect network download, delivering the ad from the FCA device, and retrieving the ad from a pre-cached storage location. 
         [0044]    Preferably, the computer-readable code comprising further includes: (d) program code for, prior to the activating, securing all operations and all data associated with the FCA device. 
         [0045]    Preferably, the computer-readable code comprising further includes: (d) program code for, prior to the broadcasting, checking for at least one ad update. 
         [0046]    These and further embodiments will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0047]    The present invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0048]      FIG. 1  is a simplified high-level schematic diagram of the system architecture for a fast-charging advertising device for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 2  is a simplified top view of an exemplary fast-charging advertising station engaged with an exemplary mobile device, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 3  is a simplified top view of an exemplary fast-charging advertising system card and the system card engaged with various exemplary devices, according to alternate embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 4  is a simplified flowchart of the major process steps for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0052]    The present invention relates to devices and methods for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices. The principles and operation for providing such devices and methods, according to the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and the drawings. 
         [0053]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a simplified high-level schematic diagram of the system architecture for a fast-charging advertising device for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. A fast-charging advertising (FCA) device  2  is shown having a CPU  4 , a memory module  6 , a connectivity module  8 , a billing module  10 , an advertisement module  12 , and an interface module  14 . Optionally, FCA device  2  includes a security module  16  for securing all FCA device operations and data. 
         [0054]    Interface module  14  is configured to be operationally connected to a fast-charging module  18  and a mobile device  20  for providing fast-charging detection and capability during ad broadcast and charging. Advanced, state-of-the-art technology provides enablement for such fast-charging detection and capability as disclosed in co-pending patent applications by Aronov et al. 
         [0055]    Connectivity module  8  is configured to be operationally connected to a distributed network  22  (e.g., a cloud-computing environment such as the Internet) for exchanging data with an FCA portal  24 . FCA device  2  may exchange data via APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) with an external billing portal  26  (e.g., PayPal) and an external ad portal  28  (e.g., individual advertisers, advertising alliances, ad networks, and/or usage-data analytics portals) directly via distributed network  22  and/or indirectly via FCA portal  24 . 
         [0056]    It is noted that no relative dimensions are implied in the system architecture of  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, billing module  10 , advertisement module  12 , and interface module  14  may be located in whole or in part on memory module  6  and/or FCA portal  24 , and may be implemented on FCA device  2  in whole or in part in software, firmware, and/or hardware components. Moreover, fast-charging module  18  may include integrated software, firmware, and/or hardware components (e.g., controllers, electrical circuitry, and connectors). 
         [0057]      FIG. 2  is a simplified top view of an exemplary fast-charging advertising station engaged with an exemplary mobile device, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. An exemplary FCA station  30  is shown having a receiving-area holder of a fast-charging module  32 . Fast-charging module  32  may optionally include an FCA slot  34  for operationally connecting an FCA system card according to alternate embodiments of the present invention. Fast-charging module  32  is configured for securely engaging a charge-receiving device, such as an exemplary mobile device  36 . Fast-charging module  32  may be co-located on FCA station  30  or may be located in the vicinity of FCA station  30 . 
         [0058]    FCA station  30  may optionally include a display device  38 , an audio component  40  (e.g., a speaker and/or microphone) an input device  42  (e.g., a keypad and/or a touchpad), and an FCA slot  44  for operationally connecting an FCA system card according to alternate embodiments of the present invention. Display device  38 , audio component  40 , and input device  42  may optionally be located in the vicinity of, and operationally connected to, FCA station  30  without being physically attached to FCA station  30 . 
         [0059]    Furthermore, a secondary display device and/or audio component (not shown) may optionally be located in the vicinity of, and operationally connected to, FCA station  30  as an alternate option for ad broadcast. As intended herein, the term “broadcast” is used to refer to any form of advertisement type (e.g., an ad display image(s), an ad video, and/or an ad audio) and advertisement placement (e.g., displayed and/or played locally on a mobile-device, on an FCA station, and/or on an external audio/video component in the FCA-station vicinity). Moreover, the “broadcast” operation (i.e., “broadcasting” the ad) includes transmitting the ad via a direct or indirect network download, delivering the ad from the FCA device, or retrieving the ad from a pre-cached storage location (e.g., a database on the mobile device). 
         [0060]    FCA station  30  further includes all the system componentry shown in FCA device  2  of  FIG. 1 . Implementations of FCA station  30  in typical use cases include installations at: bus and train stations, public buildings and parks, private lobbies, malls, university campuses, as well as restaurant and business checkout counters. 
         [0061]      FIG. 3  is a simplified top view of an exemplary fast-charging advertising system card and the system card engaged with various exemplary devices, according to alternate embodiments of the present invention. An exemplary FCA system card  50  is shown having an exemplary micro-card form factor (e.g., a system-on-chip or SOC). FCA system card  50  includes all the system componentry shown in FCA device  2  of  FIG. 1 . As schematically represented in  FIG. 3 , FCA system card  50  is configured to be operationally engaged with FCA slots in FCA station  30 , fast-charging module  32 , and an exemplary fast-charging battery module  52  having fast-charging connectors  54  and an FCA slot  56 . 
         [0062]    The connectivity module (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) of FCA system card  50  may be configured to operationally connect to a distributed network, as described above with regard to  FIG. 1 , either directly or by operationally connecting to a communication capability integrated in FCA charging station  30 , fast-charging module  32 , or mobile device  34  when operationally engaged. 
         [0063]      FIG. 4  is a simplified flowchart of the major process steps for advertising during fast-charging of mobile devices, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. The process starts when a mobile device is operationally connected to an FCA device in order to charge the mobile device (Step  60 ). The mobile device to be charged may include charge-receiving devices such as: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a hand-held electronic device, a wearable electronic device, and a peripheral device having an integral battery. Such peripheral devices may include: a slave battery (i.e., primarily a charge-delivering device), an external flash component, an external camera component, an external audio component, and an external display component. As intended herein, the term “charged” is used to refer to a full charge of a mobile device. The term “not charged” is used to refer to any charge state other than a full charge of a mobile device. 
         [0064]    Optionally, the FCA system secures all FCA operations and/or communications (Step  62 ). The FCA system then determines whether the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging by detecting the type of battery in the mobile device, only fast-charging mobile devices can be enabled for fast-charging (Step  64 ). Upon engagement with the FCA device, an FCA client application is activated on the mobile device in order to: (1) allow access to the FCA device, and (2) provide the user with FCA billing and advertisement options. Such an FCA client application may be located either in the mobile-device memory, in an independent memory component of the fast-charging battery installed in the mobile device, or in an FCA system card. 
         [0065]    If the mobile device is not enabled for fast-charging, then the FCA system may optionally broadcast an advertisement during the first minute of regular (i.e., conventional and typically slow) charging (Step  66 ), and the process ends (Step  68 ). If the mobile device doesn&#39;t have the necessary hardware and software for fast-charging, then the FCA capability is not activated, and the FCA system switches to slow-charging mode. 
         [0066]    If the mobile device is enabled for fast-charging in Step  64 , then the FCA system activates the FCA capability (Step  70 ). The user of the mobile device then selects a billing option (Step  72 ). Billing options may include: free fast-charging during advertisement broadcasting, paid fast-charging with or without advertisement broadcasting, and regular charging during the first minute of advertisement broadcasting, online payment, direct payment, credit card payment, third-party payment, installment payment, prepaid FCA account debit. The specific type of billing options is defined by the FCA system at the time that the FCA capability is activated in Step  70 . 
         [0067]    The user then selects an advertising option (Step  74 ). Advertisements may be selected automatically by the FCA system based on various criteria including: an advertiser purchase, a user profile, user-specific usage-data (e.g., web search history) from data-analytics portals (e.g., Google Analytics), geographic location of the FCA device, business location of the FCA device (e.g., a branded store), an FCA-device owner preference, a user-specific location-data history, and/or weather data. Advertisements may also be selected by the user based on various options including: an FCA user-preference profile, a category selection (e.g., men&#39;s clothing, sports, cooking, and name brands), and/or a selection group (e.g., choosing one ad from three choices). The specific type of advertising option may be defined by the FCA system at the time that the FCA capability is activated in Step  70 . 
         [0068]    Optionally, the FCA system then may check for advertisement updates (Step  76 ). The FCA system then initiates fast-charging of the mobile device (Step  78 ), while also broadcasting the advertisement during the fast-charging process (Step  80 ). As mentioned above, the ad broadcast may occur on the mobile device, the FCA device, a secondary display device and/or audio component (in the vicinity of, and operationally connected to, the FCA device), or any combination thereof. Ad broadcast to the mobile device may occur via the FCA device, or via the FCA portal. Ad broadcast continues until the mobile device is disconnected from the FCA device, and the process ends (Step  68 ). 
         [0069]    While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, and other applications of the present invention may be made.