US20190322187A1 - Multifunctional utility box with electronic paper display and vehicle charging station - Google Patents
Multifunctional utility box with electronic paper display and vehicle charging station Download PDFInfo
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- US20190322187A1 US20190322187A1 US16/378,217 US201916378217A US2019322187A1 US 20190322187 A1 US20190322187 A1 US 20190322187A1 US 201916378217 A US201916378217 A US 201916378217A US 2019322187 A1 US2019322187 A1 US 2019322187A1
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- Prior art keywords
- utility box
- utility
- electronic paper
- charging
- paper display
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
- B60L50/20—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power generated by humans or animals
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
- B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
- B60L53/12—Inductive energy transfer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
- B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
- B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
- B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
- B60L53/305—Communication interfaces
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
- B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
- B60L53/31—Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
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- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
- G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
- G09F9/37—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being movable elements
- G09F9/372—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being movable elements the positions of the elements being controlled by the application of an electric field
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
- H02G3/081—Bases, casings or covers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/08—Access point devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
- B60L2200/12—Bikes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
- B60L2240/70—Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2250/00—Driver interactions
- B60L2250/16—Driver interactions by display
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
- G09F19/22—Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W84/00—Network topologies
- H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
- H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
- H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/72—Electric energy management in electromobility
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
- Y02T90/12—Electric charging stations
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
- Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
- Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/655,015 filed Apr. 9, 2018 entitled ‘MultiFunctional Utility Box with Electronic Paper Display” and provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/728,984 filed Sep. 10, 2018 entitled “Multifunctional Utility Box with Electronic Paper Display and Vehicle Charging Station”, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- the present disclosure contemplates various systems, methods, and apparatuses for overcoming the above drawbacks accompanying the related art.
- One aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure is a system for providing a multifunctional utility box.
- the system includes a utility box for housing and providing access to utility equipment, the utility box being fixed at an outdoor location and including one or more external surfaces enclosing an interior cavity containing the utility equipment.
- the system further includes an electronic paper display disposed on a first surface from among the one or more external surfaces.
- the system may include a wireless router configured to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box.
- the wireless router may be disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box.
- the wireless router may include one or more antenna elements that protrude from the interior cavity of the utility box.
- the electronic paper display may receive power from a power source disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box.
- Another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure is a method of providing a multifunctional utility box.
- the method includes disposing an electronic paper display on a first surface from among one or more external surfaces of a utility box that houses and provides access to utility equipment.
- the utility box may be fixed at an outdoor location and the one or more external surfaces enclose an interior cavity containing the utility equipment.
- the method may include configuring a wireless router to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box.
- the method may include disposing the wireless router within the interior cavity of the utility box.
- the method may include disposing one or more antenna elements of the wireless router to protrude from the interior cavity of the utility box.
- the electronic paper display may receive power from a power source disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box.
- the system draws power from power provided to utility boxes at intersections with electronic traffic signals.
- the power may be used to power an electronic paper display module, which may include advertising displayed thereon.
- the power may be further used to power a charging rack for vehicles.
- the vehicles may include scooters and bicycles.
- the charging may be accomplished by plugging in vehicles to the charging rack and charging the battery in the vehicle through the corded connection, or may be charged wirelessly through induction charging.
- the charging rack may include architecture which allows for the rental of the vehicles directly from the charging rack.
- the charging rack may have a locking mechanism which may be controlled by software, including a smartphone application. The application may be used to rent a vehicle and unlock it form the rack.
- the app may also be used to return the vehicle, ending the rental by placing the vehicle in the rack.
- the charging rack may include several sensors which may help determine the presence of any vehicle in the charging rack, or a particular type of vehicle, for example, a scooter or a bicycle, or to determine if a particular vehicle is in the proximity of the rack.
- FIG. 1 shows a utility box on a sidewalk adjacent to a city intersection
- FIG. 2 shows the same view as FIG. 1 but with the utility box replaced with an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 3 shows another example of an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 4 shows another example of an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 5 shows a simplified block diagram of an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the multifunctional utility box system including the utility box and charging rack;
- FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the charging rack including a first section for scooters, and a second section for bicycles;
- FIG. 8A shows a top plan view of the embodiment of the charging rack from FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8B shows a front plan view of the embodiment of the charging rack from FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8C shows a side plan view of the embodiment of the charging rack from FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 9A shows a top plan view of another embodiment of the charging rack.
- FIG. 9B shows a front plan view of another embodiment of the charging rack
- FIG. 9C shows a side plan view of another embodiment of the charging rack.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B show perspective views of two sections of another charging rack with FIGS. 10A showing a first section for scooters and FIG. 10B showing a second section for bicycles;
- FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a scooter stand
- FIG. 12 shows a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the scooter stand of FIG. 11 .
- the present disclosure encompasses various embodiments of systems and methods for providing a multifunctional utility box.
- the detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the several presently contemplated embodiments of these methods, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the disclosed invention may be developed or utilized.
- the description sets forth the functions and features in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.
- FIG. 1 shows a utility box 100 on a sidewalk adjacent to a city intersection.
- the utility box 100 houses and provides access (e.g. via hinged doors 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 ) to utility equipment.
- the utility box 100 is a typical city-owned traffic signal cabinet, which houses electrical equipment for controlling a traffic signal of the intersection.
- the utility box 100 is fixed to the sidewalk and includes a plurality of external surfaces 110 (generally indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 ) including the outer surfaces of the doors 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 , a back surface on the opposite side of the utility box 100 from the doors 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 , side surfaces, and a top.
- the external surfaces 110 enclose an interior cavity containing the utility equipment.
- the utility box 100 has been defaced with graffiti 300 .
- FIG. 2 shows the same view as FIG. 1 but with the utility box 100 replaced with an improved utility box 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the utility box 200 may be the same as the utility box 100 , including a plurality of external surfaces 210 that are the same as the external surfaces 110 and similarly enclose an interior cavity containing utility equipment, except that, in the case of the utility box 200 , an electronic paper display 220 is disposed on a first surface 210 - 1 of the plurality of external surfaces 210 .
- the electronic paper display 220 is represented by the white area on the first surface 210 - 1 of the utility box 200 , where the doors 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 of the utility box 100 were located in the example of FIG. 1 .
- the same utility box 100 of FIG. 1 may be upgraded to include the electronic paper display 220 , thus becoming the utility box 200 of FIG. 2 , in which case the electronic paper display 220 may instead be disposed on the back of the utility box 200 , where there are no doors 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 .
- the electronic paper display 220 may be disposed on one of the doors 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 .
- the electronic paper display 220 may, for example, be an electrophoretic (e.g. microencapsulated) display as used on e-readers such as the Amazon® Kindle® e-reader and may, for example, use any of various related technologies employed in products made by E Ink Corporation.
- the electronic paper display 220 may feature a two-pigment, three-pigment, or multi-pigment electronic ink system.
- the electronic paper display 220 may be sized to fit the first surface 210 - 1 of the utility box 200 or may be made smaller to occupy only a portion of the first surface 210 - 1 .
- the electronic paper display 220 may have generally low power requirements as compared to other display technologies (e.g.
- each utility box 200 may be part of a city-side network for broadcasting such information and/or targeting specific information to specific locations. While a typical utility box 100 may be thought of by passers-by as a useless obstruction and consequently may be a target of graffiti 300 , an improved utility box 200 including an electronic paper display 220 may be viewed as a civil improvement that serves various functions and engages with people, possibly even instilling civic pride. As such, the utility box 200 may be less likely the target of graffiti 300 and other vandalism.
- FIG. 3 shows another example of an improved utility box 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the utility box 300 may be the same as the utility box 200 , including a plurality of external surfaces 310 that are the same as the external surfaces 210 and similarly enclose an interior cavity containing utility equipment.
- the utility box 300 differs from the utility box 200 in that the utility box 300 includes a plurality electronic paper displays 320 - 1 , 320 - 2 on respective external surfaces 310 - 1 , 310 - 2 of the utility box 300 .
- Such multiple displays may be used to expand the viewing area and allow for more viewers or may be used to display different information on different displays. For example, with the utility box 300 located in front of a restaurant as can be seen in FIG.
- a first electronic paper display 320 - 1 may be used to display various city-related information as described above while a second electronic paper display 320 - 2 may be used to display advertisements, promotions, coupons, menu information, etc. associated with the nearby restaurant.
- electronic paper may allow a restaurant or other business to engage in smart coupon advertising, e.g. posting live coupon deals in real time to increase business in times of need.
- the city may, for example, rent such an electronic paper display 320 - 2 out to the local restaurant or other business for a fee (e.g. a monthly rental fee) and allow access to change the display content via a web browser or mobile application.
- the utility box 300 may be a source of revenue for the city.
- FIG. 4 shows another example of an improved utility box 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the utility box 400 may be the same as the utility box 300 , including a plurality of external surfaces 410 that are the same as the external surfaces 310 and similarly enclose an interior cavity containing utility equipment.
- the utility box 400 is a variant of the utility box 300 in that a single, flexible electronic paper display 420 spans multiple external surfaces 410 - 1 , 410 - 2 of the utility box 400 .
- the electronic paper display 420 may, for example, be constructed using flexible, plastic-based thin-film transistor technology as used in the E Ink MobiusTM display. While not separately depicted, it is also contemplated that such a flexible electronic paper display 420 may be disposed on a single, rounded external surface of a utility box such as a cylindrical, spherical, or domed surface.
- FIG. 5 shows a simplified block diagram of an improved utility box 200 , 300 , 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the utility box 200 , 300 , 400 may include one or more external surfaces 210 , 310 , 410 for enclosing utility equipment, with an electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 disposed on the outside of such external surface(s) 210 , 310 , 410 .
- an electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 disposed on the outside of such external surface(s) 210 , 310 , 410 .
- On the inside of the external surface(s) 210 , 310 , 410 i.e.
- the utility box 200 , 300 , 400 may include a wireless router 230 configured to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box 200 , 300 , 400 .
- the wireless router 230 may include one or more antenna elements 240 a (e.g. antennas, antenna strips, etc.) that protrude from the interior cavity in order to improve signal reception of the wireless router 230 .
- the same or a different one or more antenna elements 240 b e.g.
- a wired connection 240 c (e.g. cable or fiber optic connection) may be used by an Internet access point 235 disposed in the interior cavity of the utility box 200 , 300 , 400 for connection to the Internet.
- Configuring the electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 such as changing the display to show updated artwork, advertising, information, etc. may be controlled by a server 260 disposed in the interior cavity of the utility box 200 .
- Such display updates may be controlled remotely (e.g. via a web browser or mobile application) over the Internet via the Internet access point 235 .
- the electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 and/or any wireless router 230 , Internet access point 235 , server 260 , or other hardware may receive power from a power source 250 that is also disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box 200 , 300 , 400 .
- the power source 250 may be an existing power source associated with the utility equipment or may be a separate additional power source associated only with the electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 , wireless router 230 , Internet access point 235 , server 260 , etc.
- the power source 250 may be connected to an electric grid or may provide power independent of the electric grid (e.g. from a battery and/or a solar panel on the outside of the utility box 200 , 300 , 400 ).
- a WiFi hotspot may be centered at the utility box 200 , 300 , 400 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
- Such a WiFi hotspot may allow nearby people to obtain Internet access using devices configured in accordance with IEEE 802.11 standards. Providing such Internet access (e.g. for free, for a fee, for registered members, etc.) may further enhance the value of previously underutilized utility boxes 100 .
- improved utility boxes 200 , 300 , 400 may provide functionality as blockchain portals (e.g. allowing a pedestrian to access the Internet to transact in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency), as Internet of things (IoT) devices (e.g.
- IoT Internet of things
- augmented reality displays e.g. adapting an image or video on the electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 to each individual person's needs and habits for personal tagged augmented reality marketing, etc.
- the external surface(s) 210 , 310 , 410 may the same surface(s) as an existing external surface(s) of a pre-existing utility box, only modified to include an electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 , etc. as described herein.
- the external surface(s) 210 , 310 , 410 may be surfaces of a structure that is completely external to and encloses an existing utility box, such as a triangular or rectangular frame or a dome that is placed over and outside the existing utility box and includes the electronic paper display 220 , 320 , 420 on one or more surface(s) 210 , 310 , 410 thereon.
- an external frame or dome may include an access door for access to the utility box.
- the utility box 512 may be used as an operating charging station 510 for vehicles 514 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the vehicles 514 may be scooters 516 , skateboards 515 and bicycles 518 equipped with electric motors.
- the charging station 510 may include a charging rack 520 .
- the charging rack 520 may include a vertical portion 522 which includes features that keep the vehicle 514 upright when stored.
- the charging rack 520 may further include a horizontal portion 524 which includes features which capture a portion of a vehicle 514 which inhibits movement of the vehicle 514 .
- the vertical portion 522 may include two primarily vertically extending posts 526 .
- the posts 526 may be spaced apart from one another.
- the posts 526 may be connected on a top end portion 528 by a crossbar 530 .
- the crossbar 530 may include separator spines 532 which protrude from the crossbar 530 perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 534 of the crossbar 530 .
- a distance between any two of the separator spines 532 defines a space 536 .
- the space 536 is configured to allow the placement of an upright portion of a vehicle 514 therein.
- the upright portion may include an upright tube connecting the handlebars to the front wheel of a scooter 516 , or a head tube of a bicycle 518 .
- the horizontal portion 524 may include two extension tubes 538 .
- the extension tubes 538 may be attached at a bottom end portion 540 of the posts 526 .
- the extension tubes 538 may include a connecting ring 542 on a base end portion 544 .
- Each post 526 may be placed in a corresponding one of the extension tube connecting ring 542 .
- the extension tubes 538 may be connected by a capture tube 546 which extends between the remote end portions 548 of the extension tubes 538 .
- the capture tube 546 may further include a padded wrap 550 covering a center portion of the capture tube 546 .
- Scooters 516 may be placed in the charging rack 520 so that the capture tube 546 lifts a rear wheel 552 of the scooter 516 off the ground, preventing the scooter 516 from rolling. If a bicycle 518 is placed in the charging rack 520 , a front wheel 554 may be located between the crossbar 530 and capture tube 546 , preventing the front wheel 554 from rolling freely.
- Both the extension tubes 538 and the posts 526 may have attachment plates 556 , which allow the extension tubes 538 and posts 526 to be attached to surfaces.
- the attachment plates 556 on the posts 526 may be attached to a side 558 of a utility box 512 .
- the extension tubes 538 may be attached to a concrete surface 560 adjacent to the utility box 512 .
- the attachment plates 556 may be connected to a side 558 of the utility box 512 or of the concrete surface 560 using mechanical fasteners.
- the attachment plates 556 may be attached using screws or a nut and bolt combination.
- the attachment plates may be attached using an adhesive.
- the attachment plates may be attached using welding.
- the charging rack 520 may have a first section 562 for storing scooters 516 and a second section 564 for storing bicycles 518 .
- Each section 562 , 564 may have variations in the configuration of the components.
- a height of the posts 526 may be greater for the second section 564 in order to allow a portion of the circumference of the front wheel 554 of the bicycle 518 to pass underneath so that the front wheel 554 contacts both the crossbar 530 and the capture tube 546 .
- the extension tubes 538 may have a different length in order to locate the capture tube 546 so that when the front wheel 554 of the bicycle 518 contacts both the crossbar 530 and the capture tube 546 simultaneously.
- the first section 562 may include individual stands 600 for scooters 516 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
- the individual stands 600 may include a stand plate 602 and a stand body 604 .
- the stand body 604 may include a wheel channel 606 in which the front wheel of the scooter may be placed.
- the stand body 604 may further include two side recesses 608 which are configured to accommodate the hubs on either side of the front wheel of the scooter 516 .
- the charging rack may be configured to include only a vertical portion.
- the first section 562 of the rack includes only a vertical portion.
- the vertical portion may engage the handlebars of the scooter 516 and a downtube of a bicycle 518 . Additionally, the vertical portion may engage the front wheel of the bicycle 518 as well as the downtube.
- the charging rack 520 may include a wireless adapter 568 for adding the charging rack 520 to a local wireless network.
- the utility box 512 may include a wireless router that may provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box 512 .
- the charging rack 520 may be connected to a wired port 570 in the utility box 512 , which provides Internet access. Either a connection to the wireless adapter 568 may provide a blockchain portal for transactions, for example, rental of a vehicle 514 as discussed in further detail below.
- the charging rack 520 may be attached to the utility box 512 .
- the charging rack 520 may simply be near enough the utility box 512 to be able to use the power available at the utility box 512 .
- Provision of power to external vehicles or structures may be integrated in to the charging rack 520 .
- Charging any vehicle 514 in the charging rack 520 may be provided via a plug-in connection 572 .
- the plug-in connection 572 may include a port 574 which interfaces with a jack 576 when the vehicle 514 is placed in the charging rack 520 .
- the port 574 may be located on the vehicle 514
- the jack 576 may be located on the charging rack 520 .
- the jack 576 may be connected to a cable 578 which is connected to the charging rack 520 and thereby to the power from the utility box 512 .
- the cable 578 may be left extended from the charging rack 520 when not connected.
- the cable 578 may be connected to a retractor (not shown) so the cable 578 is pulled in to an interior of the charging rack 578 when the jack 576 is not connected to the port 574 .
- the charging rack 520 may include structure so that the jack 576 and port 574 plug directly without the requirement for a cable 578 .
- the charging rack 520 may charge the vehicles 514 via induction.
- the charging rack 520 may include a housing 580 including an induction coil placed in between the extension tubes 538 and the capture tube 546 .
- the capture tube 546 may include an induction coil for inductive charging.
- the induction coil in either the housing 580 or capture tube 546 would create an alternating electromagnetic filed which interacts with a second induction coil in the vehicle 514 to create a current.
- the current charges a battery (not shown) in the vehicle 514 .
- the capture tube 546 may also include one or more sensors 582 .
- the sensors 582 may sense one or more vehicles 514 stored in the rack. These sensors 582 may take any of a number of forms, and more than one type of sensor 582 may be used in combination.
- the capture tube 46 may include light sensors 584 which are covered by the vehicle 514 when the vehicle 514 is placed in the charging rack 520 . When light is blocked from reaching the sensor 584 , the sensor 584 indicates that the vehicle 514 is in the position corresponding to the sensor 584 in the charging rack 520 .
- the capture tube 546 may include a pressure sensor 586 .
- the pressure sensor 586 may be connected to a processor (not shown) which is in turn connected to a memory (not shown).
- the memory may store data indicating the pressure or weight provided by each type of vehicle 514 when the vehicle 514 is placed in the charging rack 520 .
- the memory may store a first pressure for a scooter 516 and a second pressure for a bicycle 518 .
- the first pressure and the second pressure may be multiplied in order to determine how many vehicles 514 total are in the charging rack 520 at any point in time.
- This data may also be used to determine the mix of vehicles 514 of any particular charging station 510 , or an aggregate number of charging stations 510 .
- Each charging station 510 may be connected to a wide area network, for example, the Internet.
- This connection may be established through the WiFi connection described above.
- Each charging station 510 may then send data through the wide area network which may be received by system software.
- the system software may be a software application which receives and reports various status indications sent by each charging station 510 .
- the system software may determine which charging station's 510 data is to be aggregated.
- the data may include vehicle 514 mix data.
- Vehicle 514 mix data may include the number of scooters 516 and bicycles 518 present in the charging rack 520 at any particular charging station 510 .
- all of the vehicle 514 mix data from charging stations 510 in a predetermined city may be aggregated.
- all of the vehicle mix data from charging stations 510 along a specific road may be aggregated, even if that road passes through more than one city. Any number of queries can be written in to the system software or a module provided wherein a user can design their own queries. This vehicle mix data may then be used to determine if vehicles 514 need to be moved to restore a certain type of vehicle 514 to an area which has run low on that particular type of vehicle 514 .
- a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip (not shown) may be added to each vehicle 514 and an RFID sensor 588 added to the charging rack 520 .
- RFID radio frequency identification
- each vehicle 514 may have an individual ID, verification of each vehicle's 514 proximity to the charging rack 520 may be determined.
- This RFID sensor 588 along with the above sensors 582 , could help verify the presence of a particular vehicle 514 in a charging rack 520 .
- This RFID sensor arrangement may not be determinative by itself when the vehicle has be locked in the charging rack to end a rental, because RFID is only able to determine proximity.
- the use of an RFID sensor 88 would offer the ability to identify the proximity of a specific vehicle 514 , rather than simply the presence of any vehicle 514 or a type of vehicle 514 .
- the charging rack 520 may use one or a combination of some of the sensors 582 , or may use all the sensors 582 in order to determine the presence of a vehicle 514 , a type of vehicle 514 , or a particular vehicle 514 in the charging rack 520 .
- the charging station 510 may include a charging rack 520 and a wireless adapter 568 .
- the vehicles 514 may further include a device which locks the wheels of any vehicle 514 that meets a set of predetermined conditions.
- the predetermined conditions may include the vehicle 514 having a wireless adapter 592 which is set to automatically join the hotspot created by the charging station wireless adapter 568 on any utility box 512 controlled by the system software.
- the system software may allow a user to end a rental.
- the wireless adapter 568 on the charging station 510 may send a wireless signal to the wireless adapter 592 on the vehicle 514 .
- the wireless signal may actuate brakes or locks on the wheels which prevent the wheels on the vehicle 514 from turning.
- the charging station 510 may include an RFID sensor 588 , and the vehicles a unique RFID chip.
- the RFID sensor 588 determines that the RFID chip is in proximity of the RFID sensor 588
- the charging station 510 receives a signal from the RFID sensor 588 and sends a corresponding signal through the wireless adapter 568 to the system software.
- the system software changes a setting which allows a renter of the vehicle 514 to terminate the rental.
- the charging rack 520 may further include features on the crossbar 530 which allow for locking the vehicle 514 to the charging rack 520 .
- the features may include a locking mechanism 590 may include actuation that is controlled by electronic signals.
- the locking mechanism 590 may be connectable to other devices via a Bluetooth or WiFi standard wireless connection.
- the user may have software, for example a smartphone application, with which the user may connect with a vehicle rental company.
- the user may scan an identification code (ID code) located on the locking mechanism 590 on the charging rack 520 , the locking mechanism 590 securing a particular vehicle 514 the user wishes to rent to the charging rack 520 .
- ID code an identification code located on the locking mechanism 590 on the charging rack 520 , the locking mechanism 590 securing a particular vehicle 514 the user wishes to rent to the charging rack 520 .
- the information gained by scanning the locking mechanism 590 may then be sent via the app or stored in a memory of the smartphone.
- the user may then provide electronic payment information, such as with a credit card, debit card, or other electronic payment service, such as a payment transfer service, or may pay using an alternate currency, such as a cryptocurrency.
- the software may send an access code to the smart phone using the app.
- the access code may then be sent to the charging station 510 by the app through the smartphone to unlock the locking mechanism corresponding to the scanned ID code.
- the user may then remove the vehicle 514 from the charging rack 520 .
- the process may then be reversed to return the vehicle 514 . Return of the vehicle 14 may be verified by the sensors 82 described above, or by other systems.
- the locking mechanism 590 may be mechanical. That is, the locking mechanism may be accomplished using only mechanical means, even if the actuation of the locking and unlocking is done through electronic means.
- the locking mechanism 590 may be electromagnetic. That is, the locking of the vehicle itself may be accomplished through an electromagnet. The strength of the electromagnet may be high enough Gauss that essentially no person would be able to remove it from the rack. The current to activate the electromagnet may be turned off and on in a similar manner to the way that the mechanical locking mechanism 590 is actuated. That is, a signal is sent to the locking mechanism 590 which ends provision of current to the locking mechanism 590 , allowing a user to remove a vehicle 514 from the locking mechanism 590 .
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/655,015 filed Apr. 9, 2018 entitled ‘MultiFunctional Utility Box with Electronic Paper Display” and provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/728,984 filed Sep. 10, 2018 entitled “Multifunctional Utility Box with Electronic Paper Display and Vehicle Charging Station”, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
- Not Applicable
- Over 30,000 locations in Los Angeles County alone feature city-owned utility boxes such as traffic signal cabinets. When privately owned utility boxes are considered, such as those containing communications infrastructure, the total number of utility boxes is even greater. Nearly every city block contains one or more such utility boxes that pedestrians walk by every day. Unfortunately, utility boxes are all too often the targets of graffiti and other vandalism, creating an eyesore and detracting from the beauty of public spaces. Such vandalism costs local municipalities and utility companies millions of dollars every year.
- Moreover, such utility boxes have power to them. Currently, the power is only used for the functions performed by the utility box, for example, provision of power to, and control of, traffic signals. At the same time, alternative means of transportation are being used in various cities, and particularly in downtown areas. Of these alternative means, scooters and bicycles which are powered by electric motors have proven particularly popular. These vehicles offer the advantage of having no emission because of their electric motors. However, they do require the recharging of their batteries on a regular basis. In most cases, these vehicles are rented for a limited period of time, often a day or less, It is often not convenient for a renter to return a vehicle to a central location. However, it is required that any return location also have the ability to charge the returned vehicles. Thus, an opportunity exists to tap the power present at the utility boxes at most intersections to provide power for vehicle charging.
- The present disclosure contemplates various systems, methods, and apparatuses for overcoming the above drawbacks accompanying the related art. One aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure is a system for providing a multifunctional utility box. The system includes a utility box for housing and providing access to utility equipment, the utility box being fixed at an outdoor location and including one or more external surfaces enclosing an interior cavity containing the utility equipment. The system further includes an electronic paper display disposed on a first surface from among the one or more external surfaces.
- The system may include a wireless router configured to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box. The wireless router may be disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box. The wireless router may include one or more antenna elements that protrude from the interior cavity of the utility box.
- The electronic paper display may receive power from a power source disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box.
- Another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure is a method of providing a multifunctional utility box. The method includes disposing an electronic paper display on a first surface from among one or more external surfaces of a utility box that houses and provides access to utility equipment. The utility box may be fixed at an outdoor location and the one or more external surfaces enclose an interior cavity containing the utility equipment.
- The method may include configuring a wireless router to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box. The method may include disposing the wireless router within the interior cavity of the utility box. The method may include disposing one or more antenna elements of the wireless router to protrude from the interior cavity of the utility box.
- The electronic paper display may receive power from a power source disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box.
- Disclosed is a modular system for advertising and/or vehicle rental. The system draws power from power provided to utility boxes at intersections with electronic traffic signals. The power may be used to power an electronic paper display module, which may include advertising displayed thereon. Alternatively, or in combination with an electronic display module, the power may be further used to power a charging rack for vehicles. The vehicles may include scooters and bicycles. The charging may be accomplished by plugging in vehicles to the charging rack and charging the battery in the vehicle through the corded connection, or may be charged wirelessly through induction charging. The charging rack may include architecture which allows for the rental of the vehicles directly from the charging rack. The charging rack may have a locking mechanism which may be controlled by software, including a smartphone application. The application may be used to rent a vehicle and unlock it form the rack. The app may also be used to return the vehicle, ending the rental by placing the vehicle in the rack. The charging rack may include several sensors which may help determine the presence of any vehicle in the charging rack, or a particular type of vehicle, for example, a scooter or a bicycle, or to determine if a particular vehicle is in the proximity of the rack.
- These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
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FIG. 1 shows a utility box on a sidewalk adjacent to a city intersection; -
FIG. 2 shows the same view asFIG. 1 but with the utility box replaced with an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 3 shows another example of an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 4 shows another example of an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 5 shows a simplified block diagram of an improved utility box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the multifunctional utility box system including the utility box and charging rack; -
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the charging rack including a first section for scooters, and a second section for bicycles; -
FIG. 8A shows a top plan view of the embodiment of the charging rack fromFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8B shows a front plan view of the embodiment of the charging rack fromFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8C shows a side plan view of the embodiment of the charging rack fromFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 9A shows a top plan view of another embodiment of the charging rack; -
FIG. 9B shows a front plan view of another embodiment of the charging rack; -
FIG. 9C shows a side plan view of another embodiment of the charging rack; -
FIGS. 10A and 10B show perspective views of two sections of another charging rack withFIGS. 10A showing a first section for scooters andFIG. 10B showing a second section for bicycles; -
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a scooter stand; and -
FIG. 12 shows a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the scooter stand ofFIG. 11 . - The present disclosure encompasses various embodiments of systems and methods for providing a multifunctional utility box. The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the several presently contemplated embodiments of these methods, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the disclosed invention may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and features in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.
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FIG. 1 shows autility box 100 on a sidewalk adjacent to a city intersection. Theutility box 100 houses and provides access (e.g. via hinged doors 110-1, 110-2) to utility equipment. In the example ofFIG. 1 , theutility box 100 is a typical city-owned traffic signal cabinet, which houses electrical equipment for controlling a traffic signal of the intersection. Theutility box 100 is fixed to the sidewalk and includes a plurality of external surfaces 110 (generally indicated by the arrow inFIG. 1 ) including the outer surfaces of the doors 110-1, 110-2, a back surface on the opposite side of theutility box 100 from the doors 110-1, 110-2, side surfaces, and a top. Theexternal surfaces 110 enclose an interior cavity containing the utility equipment. As can be seen, theutility box 100 has been defaced withgraffiti 300. -
FIG. 2 shows the same view asFIG. 1 but with theutility box 100 replaced with animproved utility box 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theutility box 200 may be the same as theutility box 100, including a plurality ofexternal surfaces 210 that are the same as theexternal surfaces 110 and similarly enclose an interior cavity containing utility equipment, except that, in the case of theutility box 200, anelectronic paper display 220 is disposed on a first surface 210-1 of the plurality ofexternal surfaces 210. InFIG. 2 , theelectronic paper display 220 is represented by the white area on the first surface 210-1 of theutility box 200, where the doors 110-1, 110-2 of theutility box 100 were located in the example ofFIG. 1 . However, it is contemplated that thesame utility box 100 ofFIG. 1 may be upgraded to include theelectronic paper display 220, thus becoming theutility box 200 ofFIG. 2 , in which case theelectronic paper display 220 may instead be disposed on the back of theutility box 200, where there are no doors 110-1, 110-2. Alternatively, theelectronic paper display 220 may be disposed on one of the doors 110-1, 110-2. - The
electronic paper display 220 may, for example, be an electrophoretic (e.g. microencapsulated) display as used on e-readers such as the Amazon® Kindle® e-reader and may, for example, use any of various related technologies employed in products made by E Ink Corporation. Theelectronic paper display 220 may feature a two-pigment, three-pigment, or multi-pigment electronic ink system. Theelectronic paper display 220 may be sized to fit the first surface 210-1 of theutility box 200 or may be made smaller to occupy only a portion of the first surface 210-1. Theelectronic paper display 220 may have generally low power requirements as compared to other display technologies (e.g. liquid crystal displays), may only require power when the material to be displayed is changed, may require no backlight, and may be readable in direct sunlight. Theelectronic paper display 220 may be used to display information including maps, directions, and other location guidance, information about public transportation, information about the city including upcoming events, art, advertisements, and emergency broadcasts. Through the use of theelectronic paper display 220, eachutility box 200 may be part of a city-side network for broadcasting such information and/or targeting specific information to specific locations. While atypical utility box 100 may be thought of by passers-by as a useless obstruction and consequently may be a target ofgraffiti 300, animproved utility box 200 including anelectronic paper display 220 may be viewed as a civil improvement that serves various functions and engages with people, possibly even instilling civic pride. As such, theutility box 200 may be less likely the target ofgraffiti 300 and other vandalism. -
FIG. 3 shows another example of animproved utility box 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theutility box 300 may be the same as theutility box 200, including a plurality ofexternal surfaces 310 that are the same as theexternal surfaces 210 and similarly enclose an interior cavity containing utility equipment. Theutility box 300 differs from theutility box 200 in that theutility box 300 includes a plurality electronic paper displays 320-1, 320-2 on respective external surfaces 310-1, 310-2 of theutility box 300. Such multiple displays may be used to expand the viewing area and allow for more viewers or may be used to display different information on different displays. For example, with theutility box 300 located in front of a restaurant as can be seen inFIG. 3 , a first electronic paper display 320-1 may be used to display various city-related information as described above while a second electronic paper display 320-2 may be used to display advertisements, promotions, coupons, menu information, etc. associated with the nearby restaurant. Unlike regular paper advertisements, promotions, etc., electronic paper may allow a restaurant or other business to engage in smart coupon advertising, e.g. posting live coupon deals in real time to increase business in times of need. The city may, for example, rent such an electronic paper display 320-2 out to the local restaurant or other business for a fee (e.g. a monthly rental fee) and allow access to change the display content via a web browser or mobile application. In this way, theutility box 300 may be a source of revenue for the city. -
FIG. 4 shows another example of animproved utility box 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theutility box 400 may be the same as theutility box 300, including a plurality ofexternal surfaces 410 that are the same as theexternal surfaces 310 and similarly enclose an interior cavity containing utility equipment. Theutility box 400 is a variant of theutility box 300 in that a single, flexibleelectronic paper display 420 spans multiple external surfaces 410-1, 410-2 of theutility box 400. To this end, theelectronic paper display 420 may, for example, be constructed using flexible, plastic-based thin-film transistor technology as used in the E Ink Mobius™ display. While not separately depicted, it is also contemplated that such a flexibleelectronic paper display 420 may be disposed on a single, rounded external surface of a utility box such as a cylindrical, spherical, or domed surface. -
FIG. 5 shows a simplified block diagram of animproved utility box utility box external surfaces electronic paper display electronic paper display utility box utility box wireless router 230 configured to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at theutility box such wireless router 230 is disposed within the interior cavity, thewireless router 230 may include one ormore antenna elements 240 a (e.g. antennas, antenna strips, etc.) that protrude from the interior cavity in order to improve signal reception of thewireless router 230. The same or a different one ormore antenna elements 240 b (e.g. having different signal frequency for connecting to cellular network) and/or awired connection 240 c (e.g. cable or fiber optic connection) may be used by anInternet access point 235 disposed in the interior cavity of theutility box electronic paper display server 260 disposed in the interior cavity of theutility box 200. Such display updates may be controlled remotely (e.g. via a web browser or mobile application) over the Internet via theInternet access point 235. - The
electronic paper display wireless router 230,Internet access point 235,server 260, or other hardware may receive power from apower source 250 that is also disposed within the interior cavity of theutility box power source 250 may be an existing power source associated with the utility equipment or may be a separate additional power source associated only with theelectronic paper display wireless router 230,Internet access point 235,server 260, etc. Thepower source 250 may be connected to an electric grid or may provide power independent of the electric grid (e.g. from a battery and/or a solar panel on the outside of theutility box - As noted above, a WiFi hotspot may be centered at the
utility box utility boxes 100. Along the same lines, it is further envisioned thatimproved utility boxes electronic paper display - In the above examples of the
improved utility box electronic paper display electronic paper display - As is well known, infrastructure for providing electrically power is often hidden from plain sight. For instance, a
similar utility box 512 including electrical power may be utilized for other uses. One of such examples is that power may be tapped to provide advertising on the utility box utilizing an electronic paper display as described above. However, the present invention contemplates additional usages for power from theutility box 512 either separately or in combination with the electronic paper display system. In this regard, theutility box 512 may be used as anoperating charging station 510 forvehicles 514, as shown inFIG. 6 . For example, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 , thevehicles 514 may bescooters 516,skateboards 515 and bicycles 518 equipped with electric motors. - As shown in
FIGS. 6-12 , the chargingstation 510 may include acharging rack 520. Thecharging rack 520 may include avertical portion 522 which includes features that keep thevehicle 514 upright when stored. Thecharging rack 520 may further include ahorizontal portion 524 which includes features which capture a portion of avehicle 514 which inhibits movement of thevehicle 514. Thevertical portion 522 may include two primarily vertically extendingposts 526. Theposts 526 may be spaced apart from one another. Theposts 526 may be connected on atop end portion 528 by acrossbar 530. Thecrossbar 530 may includeseparator spines 532 which protrude from thecrossbar 530 perpendicular to alongitudinal axis 534 of thecrossbar 530. A distance between any two of theseparator spines 532 defines aspace 536. Thespace 536 is configured to allow the placement of an upright portion of avehicle 514 therein. For example, the upright portion may include an upright tube connecting the handlebars to the front wheel of ascooter 516, or a head tube of abicycle 518. - The
horizontal portion 524 may include twoextension tubes 538. Theextension tubes 538 may be attached at abottom end portion 540 of theposts 526. Theextension tubes 538 may include a connectingring 542 on abase end portion 544. Eachpost 526 may be placed in a corresponding one of the extensiontube connecting ring 542. Theextension tubes 538 may be connected by acapture tube 546 which extends between theremote end portions 548 of theextension tubes 538. Thecapture tube 546 may further include apadded wrap 550 covering a center portion of thecapture tube 546.Scooters 516 may be placed in thecharging rack 520 so that thecapture tube 546 lifts arear wheel 552 of thescooter 516 off the ground, preventing thescooter 516 from rolling. If abicycle 518 is placed in thecharging rack 520, afront wheel 554 may be located between thecrossbar 530 and capturetube 546, preventing thefront wheel 554 from rolling freely. - Both the
extension tubes 538 and theposts 526 may haveattachment plates 556, which allow theextension tubes 538 andposts 526 to be attached to surfaces. For example, theattachment plates 556 on theposts 526 may be attached to aside 558 of autility box 512. Theextension tubes 538 may be attached to aconcrete surface 560 adjacent to theutility box 512. Theattachment plates 556 may be connected to aside 558 of theutility box 512 or of theconcrete surface 560 using mechanical fasteners. For example, theattachment plates 556 may be attached using screws or a nut and bolt combination. Alternatively, the attachment plates may be attached using an adhesive. Or still further, the attachment plates may be attached using welding. - As shown in
FIGS. 7, 10A, and 10B , thecharging rack 520 may have afirst section 562 for storingscooters 516 and asecond section 564 for storingbicycles 518. Eachsection posts 526 may be greater for thesecond section 564 in order to allow a portion of the circumference of thefront wheel 554 of thebicycle 518 to pass underneath so that thefront wheel 554 contacts both thecrossbar 530 and thecapture tube 546. Similarly, theextension tubes 538 may have a different length in order to locate thecapture tube 546 so that when thefront wheel 554 of thebicycle 518 contacts both thecrossbar 530 and thecapture tube 546 simultaneously. The simultaneous contact between thefront wheel 554 of thebicycle 518 and the combination of thecrossbar 530 and thecapture tube 546, prevents thefront wheel 554 from rolling or turning freely. Alternatively, thefirst section 562 may include individual stands 600 forscooters 516 as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 . The individual stands 600 may include astand plate 602 and astand body 604. Thestand body 604 may include a wheel channel 606 in which the front wheel of the scooter may be placed. Thestand body 604 may further include twoside recesses 608 which are configured to accommodate the hubs on either side of the front wheel of thescooter 516. - Alternatively, the charging rack may be configured to include only a vertical portion. As shown in
FIGS. 7, 10A, and 10B , thefirst section 562 of the rack includes only a vertical portion. The vertical portion may engage the handlebars of thescooter 516 and a downtube of abicycle 518. Additionally, the vertical portion may engage the front wheel of thebicycle 518 as well as the downtube. - The
charging rack 520 may include awireless adapter 568 for adding thecharging rack 520 to a local wireless network. For example, theutility box 512 may include a wireless router that may provide a WiFi hotspot centered at theutility box 512. Also, thecharging rack 520 may be connected to a wired port 570 in theutility box 512, which provides Internet access. Either a connection to thewireless adapter 568 may provide a blockchain portal for transactions, for example, rental of avehicle 514 as discussed in further detail below. - The
charging rack 520 may be attached to theutility box 512. Alternatively, thecharging rack 520 may simply be near enough theutility box 512 to be able to use the power available at theutility box 512. - Provision of power to external vehicles or structures may be integrated in to the
charging rack 520. Charging anyvehicle 514 in thecharging rack 520 may be provided via a plug-inconnection 572. The plug-inconnection 572 may include aport 574 which interfaces with ajack 576 when thevehicle 514 is placed in thecharging rack 520. Theport 574 may be located on thevehicle 514, and thejack 576 may be located on thecharging rack 520. Thejack 576 may be connected to a cable 578 which is connected to thecharging rack 520 and thereby to the power from theutility box 512. The cable 578 may be left extended from thecharging rack 520 when not connected. Alternatively, the cable 578 may be connected to a retractor (not shown) so the cable 578 is pulled in to an interior of the charging rack 578 when thejack 576 is not connected to theport 574. As a further alternative, thecharging rack 520 may include structure so that thejack 576 andport 574 plug directly without the requirement for a cable 578. - As a further alternative, the
charging rack 520 may charge thevehicles 514 via induction. Thecharging rack 520 may include ahousing 580 including an induction coil placed in between theextension tubes 538 and thecapture tube 546. Alternatively, thecapture tube 546 may include an induction coil for inductive charging. The induction coil in either thehousing 580 or capturetube 546 would create an alternating electromagnetic filed which interacts with a second induction coil in thevehicle 514 to create a current. The current charges a battery (not shown) in thevehicle 514. - The
capture tube 546 may also include one ormore sensors 582. Thesensors 582 may sense one ormore vehicles 514 stored in the rack. Thesesensors 582 may take any of a number of forms, and more than one type ofsensor 582 may be used in combination. For example, the capture tube 46 may includelight sensors 584 which are covered by thevehicle 514 when thevehicle 514 is placed in thecharging rack 520. When light is blocked from reaching thesensor 584, thesensor 584 indicates that thevehicle 514 is in the position corresponding to thesensor 584 in thecharging rack 520. Alternatively, or in addition, thecapture tube 546 may include apressure sensor 586. - The
pressure sensor 586 may be connected to a processor (not shown) which is in turn connected to a memory (not shown). The memory may store data indicating the pressure or weight provided by each type ofvehicle 514 when thevehicle 514 is placed in thecharging rack 520. For example, the memory may store a first pressure for ascooter 516 and a second pressure for abicycle 518. The first pressure and the second pressure may be multiplied in order to determine howmany vehicles 514 total are in thecharging rack 520 at any point in time. This data may also be used to determine the mix ofvehicles 514 of any particular chargingstation 510, or an aggregate number of chargingstations 510. Each chargingstation 510 may be connected to a wide area network, for example, the Internet. This connection may be established through the WiFi connection described above. Each chargingstation 510 may then send data through the wide area network which may be received by system software. The system software may be a software application which receives and reports various status indications sent by each chargingstation 510. The system software may determine which charging station's 510 data is to be aggregated. As one example, the data may includevehicle 514 mix data.Vehicle 514 mix data may include the number ofscooters 516 and bicycles 518 present in thecharging rack 520 at any particular chargingstation 510. For example, all of thevehicle 514 mix data from chargingstations 510 in a predetermined city may be aggregated. Alternately, all of the vehicle mix data from chargingstations 510 along a specific road may be aggregated, even if that road passes through more than one city. Any number of queries can be written in to the system software or a module provided wherein a user can design their own queries. This vehicle mix data may then be used to determine ifvehicles 514 need to be moved to restore a certain type ofvehicle 514 to an area which has run low on that particular type ofvehicle 514. - Alternately or in addition, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip (not shown) may be added to each
vehicle 514 and anRFID sensor 588 added to thecharging rack 520. As eachvehicle 514 may have an individual ID, verification of each vehicle's 514 proximity to thecharging rack 520 may be determined. ThisRFID sensor 588, along with theabove sensors 582, could help verify the presence of aparticular vehicle 514 in acharging rack 520. This RFID sensor arrangement may not be determinative by itself when the vehicle has be locked in the charging rack to end a rental, because RFID is only able to determine proximity. However, the use of an RFID sensor 88 would offer the ability to identify the proximity of aspecific vehicle 514, rather than simply the presence of anyvehicle 514 or a type ofvehicle 514. Depending on the complexity of the deployment of the system, thecharging rack 520 may use one or a combination of some of thesensors 582, or may use all thesensors 582 in order to determine the presence of avehicle 514, a type ofvehicle 514, or aparticular vehicle 514 in thecharging rack 520. - As an alternative to a multiple sensor arrangement, the charging
station 510 may include acharging rack 520 and awireless adapter 568. Thevehicles 514 may further include a device which locks the wheels of anyvehicle 514 that meets a set of predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions may include thevehicle 514 having a wireless adapter 592 which is set to automatically join the hotspot created by the chargingstation wireless adapter 568 on anyutility box 512 controlled by the system software. Once the wireless adapter 592 on thevehicle 514 joins the hotspot, the system software may allow a user to end a rental. Once the rental is ended, thewireless adapter 568 on the chargingstation 510 may send a wireless signal to the wireless adapter 592 on thevehicle 514. The wireless signal may actuate brakes or locks on the wheels which prevent the wheels on thevehicle 514 from turning. - As an alternative to having the
vehicle 514 automatically join the wireless hotspot using a vehicle mounted wireless adapter, the chargingstation 510 may include anRFID sensor 588, and the vehicles a unique RFID chip. When theRFID sensor 588 determines that the RFID chip is in proximity of theRFID sensor 588, the chargingstation 510 receives a signal from theRFID sensor 588 and sends a corresponding signal through thewireless adapter 568 to the system software. In response, the system software changes a setting which allows a renter of thevehicle 514 to terminate the rental. - The
charging rack 520 may further include features on thecrossbar 530 which allow for locking thevehicle 514 to thecharging rack 520. The features may include alocking mechanism 590 may include actuation that is controlled by electronic signals. For example, thelocking mechanism 590 may be connectable to other devices via a Bluetooth or WiFi standard wireless connection. - In one embodiment, the user may have software, for example a smartphone application, with which the user may connect with a vehicle rental company. The user may scan an identification code (ID code) located on the
locking mechanism 590 on thecharging rack 520, thelocking mechanism 590 securing aparticular vehicle 514 the user wishes to rent to thecharging rack 520. The information gained by scanning thelocking mechanism 590 may then be sent via the app or stored in a memory of the smartphone. The user may then provide electronic payment information, such as with a credit card, debit card, or other electronic payment service, such as a payment transfer service, or may pay using an alternate currency, such as a cryptocurrency. After the payment is received, the software may send an access code to the smart phone using the app. The access code may then be sent to the chargingstation 510 by the app through the smartphone to unlock the locking mechanism corresponding to the scanned ID code. The user may then remove thevehicle 514 from thecharging rack 520. The process may then be reversed to return thevehicle 514. Return of the vehicle 14 may be verified by the sensors 82 described above, or by other systems. - In one embodiment, the
locking mechanism 590 may be mechanical. That is, the locking mechanism may be accomplished using only mechanical means, even if the actuation of the locking and unlocking is done through electronic means. In another embodiment, thelocking mechanism 590 may be electromagnetic. That is, the locking of the vehicle itself may be accomplished through an electromagnet. The strength of the electromagnet may be high enough Gauss that essentially no person would be able to remove it from the rack. The current to activate the electromagnet may be turned off and on in a similar manner to the way that themechanical locking mechanism 590 is actuated. That is, a signal is sent to thelocking mechanism 590 which ends provision of current to thelocking mechanism 590, allowing a user to remove avehicle 514 from thelocking mechanism 590. - The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of configuring the charging rack. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/378,217 US20190322187A1 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2019-04-08 | Multifunctional utility box with electronic paper display and vehicle charging station |
US16/555,958 US11458854B2 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2019-08-29 | Multifunctional utility box with display and vehicle charging station |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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US201862655015P | 2018-04-09 | 2018-04-09 | |
US201862728984P | 2018-09-10 | 2018-09-10 | |
US16/378,217 US20190322187A1 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2019-04-08 | Multifunctional utility box with electronic paper display and vehicle charging station |
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US16/555,958 Continuation US11458854B2 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2019-08-29 | Multifunctional utility box with display and vehicle charging station |
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US20190322187A1 true US20190322187A1 (en) | 2019-10-24 |
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US16/378,217 Abandoned US20190322187A1 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2019-04-08 | Multifunctional utility box with electronic paper display and vehicle charging station |
US16/555,958 Active US11458854B2 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2019-08-29 | Multifunctional utility box with display and vehicle charging station |
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US16/555,958 Active US11458854B2 (en) | 2018-04-09 | 2019-08-29 | Multifunctional utility box with display and vehicle charging station |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102019133041A1 (en) * | 2019-12-04 | 2021-06-10 | Westnetz Gmbh | Electric scooter charging station |
IT202000017233A1 (en) * | 2020-07-15 | 2022-01-15 | 3M Smart Mobility S R L | CHARGING STATION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR INDIVIDUAL MOBILITY |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
MX2012012454A (en) * | 2010-04-26 | 2013-09-13 | Proterra Inc | Systems and methods for automatic connection and charging of an electric vehicle at a charging station. |
ES2763324T3 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2020-05-28 | The Aes Corp | Methods, adapters, and appliances for use with electrical devices to manage energy services |
US9007020B2 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2015-04-14 | Green Charge Networks | Charging service vehicles with battery and generator sources |
EP2737601B1 (en) * | 2011-07-26 | 2020-04-08 | Gogoro Inc. | Apparatus, method and article for collection, charging and distributing power storage devices, such as batteries |
ES2748199T3 (en) * | 2011-07-26 | 2020-03-13 | Gogoro Inc | Apparatus, method and article for providing information on the availability of energy storage devices in an energy storage device collection, charging and dispensing machine |
US20130254097A1 (en) * | 2012-03-20 | 2013-09-26 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Methods, Systems, and Products for Charging Batteries |
US9344151B2 (en) * | 2012-11-21 | 2016-05-17 | Facebook, Inc. | Power line communication monitor |
-
2019
- 2019-04-08 US US16/378,217 patent/US20190322187A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2019-08-29 US US16/555,958 patent/US11458854B2/en active Active
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102019133041A1 (en) * | 2019-12-04 | 2021-06-10 | Westnetz Gmbh | Electric scooter charging station |
IT202000017233A1 (en) * | 2020-07-15 | 2022-01-15 | 3M Smart Mobility S R L | CHARGING STATION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR INDIVIDUAL MOBILITY |
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US11458854B2 (en) | 2022-10-04 |
US20190389323A1 (en) | 2019-12-26 |
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