Abstract: A method for communicating between an electric vehicle and a charging station for electrically charging at least one energy storage device of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is connected to the charging station during the charging process by a lockable mechanical coupling between a terminal of charging cable connected to the vehicle and a terminal of the charging station. Charging current is fed from the charging station through the charging cable. Information is transferred in the course of the charging process based on a communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station. The information includes a signal transmitted from the electric vehicle to the charging station for locking and/or unlocking the mechanical coupling. The signal triggers the locking and/or unlocking of the mechanical coupling between the terminal of the charging cable and the terminal at the charging station.

Abstract: There is described a precision dispenser for liquids, in particular medications, which allows the remote control of all operations associated with dispensing the medication to the patient so as to avoid abuses.

Abstract: A network-controlled charge transfer device for electric vehicles includes a control device to turn electric supply on and off to enable and disable charge transfer for electric vehicles, a transceiver to communicate requests for charge transfer with a remote server and receive communications from the remote server, and a controller, coupled with the control device and the transceiver, to cause the control device to turn the electric supply on based on communication from the remote server.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for parking and wireless power transfer and communication of messages in a parking and charging system. In one aspect, an apparatus for parking a vehicle for receiving charging in a parking and charging system is provided. The apparatus includes an antenna configured to wirelessly receive information identifying a location of one or more charging stations. The apparatus further includes a user interface configured to display information identifying at least one of the one or more charging stations. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to cause a communication link to be established between the vehicle with and at least one identified charging station.

Abstract: Vehicles and vehicle systems for wirelessly charging portable electronic devices are disclosed. A vehicle includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules, a display, a wireless charger module, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the vehicle to present a wireless charger module input control on the display, detect tactile input indicative of a selection of the wireless charger module input control, and control the wireless charger module, in response to detecting the tactile input, thereby wirelessly charging the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A system for supplying electrical power to a plurality of vehicles from a central power supply through a plurality of electrical outlets includes an outlet control unit for each of the outlets and a vehicle control unit for each of the vehicles. The outlet microprocessor switches the supply of power to the outlet to communicate data to the vehicle. The vehicle microprocessor communicates data by switching a load across the power supply to provide interaction between the microprocessors to manage requirement and availability of power. The data includes whether the power plant of the vehicle is gasoline powered, diesel powered, hybrid or electric battery powered. The microprocessor of the vehicle control unit is arranged to control switches which supply power to selected loads in the vehicle and includes an interface which is arranged to connect to a Canbus communication system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for communicating between an electric vehicle and a charging station for electrically charging at least one energy storage device of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is connected to the charging station during the charging process by a lockable mechanical coupling between a terminal of charging cable connected to the vehicle and a terminal of the charging station. Charging current is fed from the charging station through the charging cable. Information is transferred in the course of the charging process based on a communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station. The information includes a signal transmitted from the electric vehicle to the charging station for locking and/or unlocking the mechanical coupling. The signal triggers the locking and/or unlocking of the mechanical coupling between the terminal of the charging cable and the terminal at the charging station.

Abstract: A system that allows secure identification tokens (e.g., smart cards or RFID tags), often used for enabling such systems, to be securely added to a secure, local database of identification tokens authorized to operate the device, system or service. Such authorizations may be open-ended or have an expiration date. The addition of the identification token is achieved without requiring communication with a central controller by wired or wireless means, but is instead triggered by a message authorizing the addition of an identification token to the local database. The same invention can be used, in some embodiments, to allow magnetic stripe cards or biometric measurements to become authorized to operate or allow access to the system or device or service.

Abstract: A charger for an electric vehicle is provided. The charger supplies a current from a commercial power source to a battery of the electric vehicle. The charger includes a light emitting unit for displaying charging operation information of the charger, a communication unit for performing optical communication with an external device, and a control unit controlling the light emitting unit and the communication unit.

Abstract: A high pressure car wash apparatus providing economy of both water and detergent by the recirculation of a portion of the water and detergent being utilized to a holding tank for reintroduction into the system.

Abstract: A high pressure car wash apparatus providing economy of both water and detergent by the recirculation of a portion of the water and detergent being utilized to a holding tank for reintroduction into the system.

Abstract: A dual function device which provides compressed air for tire inflation and a vacuum machine for cleaning operations at a single location. The air compressor and the vacuum machine are interconnected electrically so that a user may switch back and forth between each function as rapidly as may be required by the user without overloading or stalling the air compressor. A pressure relief valve is also provided in the air compressor outlet pipe to control the air pressure in the outlet pipe, thereby allowing restarts of the air compressor in an unloaded condition. In an alternate embodiment, the air compressor is connected to an air reservior. The timer controls the operation of a solenoid or a vacuum machine. The timer energizes the solenoid, which then opens to provide compressed air from the air reservoir.

Abstract: A battery transfer and charging system for electrically powered vehicles includes a conveyor loop for conveying batteries from a battery receiving station to a battery delivery station. A displacement assembly removes spent batteries of electric vehicles by placing charged batteries into position within the vehicles so as to laterally displace spent batteries. Spent batteries displaced from vehicles are received by the receiving station, where the batteries are tested both electrically and by comparing battery status data against predetermined criteria. Batteries which fail the battery test are automatically removed from the conveyor loop by a elevator assembly. Batteries are automatically charged as they pass through the conveyor loop in an assembly-line fashion. Following recharge, batteries are conveyed to the displacement station for installation within later vehicles.

Abstract: A battery transfer and charging system for electrically powered vehicles includes a conveyor loop for conveying batteries from a battery receiving station to a battery delivery station. A displacement assembly removes spent batteries of electric vehicles by placing charged batteries into position within the vehicles so as to laterally displace spent batteries. Spent batteries displaced from vehicles are received by the receiving station, where the batteries are tested both electrically and by comparing battery status data against predetermined criteria. Batteries which fail the battery test are automatically removed from the conveyor loop by a elevator assembly. Batteries are automatically charged as they pass through the conveyor loop in an assembly-line fashion. Following recharge, batteries are conveyed to the displacement station for installation within later vehicles.

Abstract: A battery transfer and charging system for electric vehicles includes a conveyor loop for conveying batteries from a battery receiving station to a battery delivery station. A displacement assembly removes spent batteries of electric vehicles by forcing charged batteries into position within the vehicles so as to laterally displace spent batteries. Spent batteries displaced from vehicles are received by the receiving station, where the batteries are tested both electrically and by comparing battery status data against predetermined criteria. Batteries which fail the battery test are automatically removed from the conveyor loop by a elevator assembly. Batteries are automatically charged as they pass through the conveyor loop in an assembly-line fashion. Following recharge, batteries are conveyed to the displacement station for installation within later vehicles.

Abstract: A coin-operated automobile tire inflator apparatus encompassing a weather/vandal resistant enclosure topped with customer-attract strobe light, containing compression device with vibration free suspension, inflation pressure regulator, hose retractor reel and vandal-proof coin vault embedded in said enclosure re-inforced concrete mounting base, said base housing vertical traffic guard post with work area flood light.

Abstract: A combined parking meter/battery charger station includes a detachable remote receiver to inform the vehicle operator of charge-level status and other information. Upon sufficient payment or credit, the remote receiver is released so that it may be carried away from the charging station. The receiver includes a visual or audible indicator which may keep the operator apprised of charge status, time remaining on the meter or account information. The audible alert may be used to indicate a full charge or to warn that little time is remaining, or other conditions. Communication from the station to the receiver may either be directly from the station or, alternatively, a station may communicate with a central office associated with a plurality of the stations and broadcast may be made therefrom.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical power in response to deposited coins comprising a mounting post secured to the ground, an input head secured at the upper extent of the mounting post, the input head including a plurality of slots for the receipt of coins to be used for the electrical usage to be provided, a plurality of readouts on the input head, an output module located on the post beneath the input head, the output module including a pair of receptacles, the first electrical receptacle adapted for the receipt of a 110 volt plug with a grounding component and the second electrical receptacle adapted for the receipt of a 220 volt plug with a grounding component as well as horizontal and vertical legs and a microprocessor responsive to the inserted coins for illuminating the readouts for indicating information as a function of the coins deposited such as time, money and voltage as well as an output device for supplying voltage for the selected time and voltage.

Abstract: A parking meter and an electric charging meter are combined in a single apparatus. The combined charging/parking meter may be coin-operated or may be operated using an information-bearing card such as a cash card, a debit card or an IC card. In particular, the charging/parking meter includes a device for receiving and verifying a medium of payment, a device for selecting and visibly indicating some combination of parking time and electric power to be had in exchange for the medium of payment, and a charging device for connecting to and supplying power to an electric car charger inlet. The charger/parking meter may further include a fast-charge setting device for causing the charging device to operate in a fast-charge mode when an amount of parking time selected is insufficient in accordance with a normal charging mode to supply an amount of electric power selected.

Abstract: A combined parking meter and electric energy dispensing apparatus and method can automatically provide, in response to receiving a payment, either parking time or electric energy. When electric current is being consumed by a connected electric vehicle, the invention operates in an electric energy dispensing mode and allocates a received payment thereto. When no electric current flows from the apparatus, then the invention functions in a parking meter mode and allocates the received payment thereto.

Abstract: The invention is a system for dispensing and tracking the use of a plurality of different and discrete consumable items. A dispensing machine is provided which has a supply of the various items to be dispensed arranged in a selected pattern. A program and a memory are in the system to receive and identify data on the user of the machine and the item to be dispensed. The system responds to a request for an item by verifying the authority of the user, generating confirmation of the availability of the requested item, and executing the dispensing of the requested item. The system also generates recordable data regarding the dispensing operation to control the ordering, inventorying and tracking of the dispensed items. A printer can generate a hard copy of the data. Pneumatic matrix switching is also provided to control the selection and dispensing of the consumable items by the system.

Abstract: A coin operated device and method of using such a device which requires a threshold number of coins to activate its operation. Once operation is stopped, however, there is provided a time window, during which the deposit of fewer than the threshold number of coins may restart the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles each identifiable with its own identification code, comprising: a pair of opposing, stationary arrays of locations, each location being capable of holding a reusable article therein and having its own particular location code; a memory adapted to store details of the location codes and the article codes in memory; a data receiver for receiving informational data from a patron; a receptacle for receiving and discharging the articles; a transfer mechanism for placing an article in a location in the arrays or removing an article therefrom, the transfer mechanism being movable relative to the arrays between operative engagement with any of the locations and the receptacle; an article code sensing device adapted to sense the article code of an article carried by the transfer mechanism; and a control device having means for receiving control information and for generating output instructional information and control signals, the control device being respon

Abstract: An improved coin operated vacuum cleaner canister with coin mechanism is disclosed. A blank having a polygonal or rectangular opening is rolled into a canister sidewall. A frame comprising a plurality of straps defining a polygon with an open side is mounted within the opening in the sidewall with the frame depending from the opening into the interior of the canister. A coid mechanism enclosure is detachably mounted to said frame such that a coin mechanism and coin container are receivable within the enclosure. The enclosure includes a flange which surrounds the opening of the enclosure and overlies the sidewall surrounding the opening in the sidewall. The flange is curved generally codiametrically to the sidewall. An alternative embodiment provides a coin duct disposed within the canister for passage of coins handled by the coin mechanism from the coin mechanism into a vault mounted in the base on which the vacuum cleaner is mounted.

Abstract: A hand truck type of device provides a portable jumper battery for motor vehicles. Battery cables which connector clips are stored in the truck as is a power cable for connection to a power outlet so that the jumper battery may be recharged by a charger carried by the hand truck. Electronic circuitry connected to the cables prevents connection to the jumper battery until the connector clips have been properly connected and the vehicle battery has sufficient charge to be sensed. The sensing actuates a periodic signal and permits the system to be turned on. A token responsive switch controls a cycle timer which allows the circuitry to complete the connection to the vehicle battery.