WO2015161259A1

WO2015161259A1 - Devices, systems and methods for collecting, generating, tracking and/or sharing energy

Info

Publication number: WO2015161259A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/026482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sanwar Azam SUNNY; Curtis KOONS
Original assignee: Sunny Sanwar Azam; Koons Curtis
Priority date: 2014-04-18
Filing date: 2015-04-17
Publication date: 2015-10-22

Abstract

A system and method for collection and/or sharing of energy. The system and method include universal storage cells chargeable by supplier user devices and used to power consumer user devices. The cells preferably are exchanged via one or more central kiosks and may be used across a wide variety of user devices and technologies.

Description

DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING, GENERATING,

TRACKING AND/OR SHARING ENERGY

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.

61/981,315, filed April 18, 2014, entitled DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING AND/OR SHARING ENERGY, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/052,471, filed September 19, 2014, entitled DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING, GENERATING, TRACKING AND/OR SHARING ENERGY, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to collection and/or sharing of energy. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with devices, systems and methods for collecting and/or sharing energy in which energy is collected in and depleted from universal storage cells.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] Each year, between five (5) and twenty-five (25) billion dollars is wasted in lost energy through use of personal vehicles. Similarly, between one percent (1%) and five percent (5%) of the energy consumed by small trucks is wasted each year, which translates to between one and one-half (1.5) and seven (7) billion dollars per year lost from use of commercial fleets. Although significant efforts are being made to make vehicles more energy efficient and to develop vehicles that operate on alternative energy sources to fossil fuels, such as electric vehicles (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), adoption of such alternative technologies has been relatively slow.

[0006] Current approaches to charging or refilling vehicles powered by alternative fuels present some of the most significant barriers to widespread adoption by the public. Thus far, for example, there has been a failure to provide technology capable of permitting drivers to charge their vehicles in a quick and easy fashion. Existing "refill" stations are prohibitively slow in operation, and are expensive to build, leading again to a barrier to widespread adoption. Typical stations have various kinds of outlet and inlet sockets and plugs (e.g., SAEstandard, CHAdeMO, NEMA and paddle chargers), and require hours to charge a battery fully while drawing power primarily from the electric grid. The fastest-charging plugs may improve aspects of this situation, but faster charging in such a manner puts significant strain on batteries and only perpetuates the wastefulness of energy infrastructure, with electrical grids consistently producing a greater supply than there is demand. No viable alternative to such stations has yet been developed.

[0007] It would therefore be beneficial to provide a solution that addresses one or more of the technological barriers discussed above that threaten to slow or halt the growth of important alternative fuel vehicles.

[0008] This background discussion is intended to provide information related to the present invention which is not necessarily prior art.

SUMMARY

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention address the above-described and other problems and limitations by providing systems and methods for using universal storage cells to power vehicles and other devices having electrical systems.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for providing power for a plurality of device types using replenished universal storage cells includes a universal storage cell, a central kiosk having at least one bay for housing the universal storage cell, a robotic inventory device configured to provide the universal storage cell to a user, and an inventory program stored on a memory element connectable to a processing element and configured to provide instructions to the robotic inventory device. The system preferably includes a universal power gateway configured to adjust energy input and/or output of the universal storage cell to reflect an optimal electrical use state.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention concerns a method for distributing replenished power supplies including the steps of receiving depleted energy status data for a universal storage cell, storing the depleted energy status data in a memory element, and permitting access to the memory element for matching a supplier user with the universal storage cell based on the depleted energy status data. The method further includes the steps of receiving replenished energy status data for the universal storage cell, storing the replenished energy status data for the universal storage cell in the memory element, and permitting access to the memory element for matching a consumer user with the universal storage cell based on the replenished energy status data.

[0012] In regards to a third aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating power distribution, the steps of the method including receiving user requirements data regarding a user, and retrieving a packet of optimal use state data based on the user requirements data from a use state database stored in a memory element. The use state database is populated with data regarding a plurality of optimal electrical use states for electrical systems of a plurality of device types. The method further includes the steps of configuring a universal power gateway based on the packet of optimal use state data.

[0013] In regards to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for providing a forum for managed energy exchange. The steps of the method include providing a central kiosk including a robotic inventory device, providing a plurality of universal storage cells, and providing a storage cell database stored in a memory element and populated with cell ID data and energy status data regarding the plurality of universal storage cells. The method further includes the steps of providing an inventory program stored in the memory element and configured to process information from the storage cell database and provide instructions to the robotic inventory device. The method still further includes the step of instructing the robotic inventory device to transfer stored electrical energy at the central kiosk in response to at least one of (a) market energy value data, and (b) user requirements data.

[0014] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form.

These concepts are further described below in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

[0015] This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0016] Various other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a central kiosk and associated components in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0019] Fig. 2a is a diagram of a central kiosk and associated components in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0020] Fig. 2b is a sectional view of the kiosk of Fig. 2a, illustrating a first level for handling charged/replenished storage cells deposited at the kiosk;

[0021] Fig. 2c is a sectional view of the kiosk of Fig. 2a, illustrating a second level for handling depleted storage cells deposited at the kiosk;

[0022] Fig. 3 a is an elevated side perspective view of a transport module and universal storage cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, with a plurality of storage cells seated in alignment along a platform of the transport module;

[0023] Fig. 3b is an exploded side perspective view of one of the universal storage cells of

Fig. 3a, with electrical terminals shown in expanded detail;

[0024] Fig. 3c is an elevated front perspective view of the transport module of Fig. 3a;

[0025] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an electrical circuit formed by a transport module and universal storage cell assembly, with the circuit being configured to receive electric current for charging the universal storage cells;

[0026] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an electrical circuit formed by a transport module and universal storage cell assembly, with the circuit being configured to provide electric current for charging the electrical system of a user device;

[0027] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an assembly of universal storage cells and a transport module, with the assembly being configured for reduced height profile;

[0028] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an assembly of universal storage cells and a transport module, with the assembly being configured for increased capacity and height profile;

[0029] Fig. 8 is a diagram of system components according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0030] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary computer-implemented method according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept; [0031] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of electronic devices and an exemplary computer network of interconnected data transmission devices and data storage devices with which various embodiments of a network computing device may interact; and

[0032] Fig. 11 illustrates various components of an exemplary network computing device shown in block schematic form.

[0033] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments.

[0034] Furthermore, directional references (e.g., top, bottom, front, back, up, down, etc.) are used herein solely for the sake of convenience and should be understood only in relation to each other. For instance, a component might in practice be oriented such that faces referred to as "top" and "bottom" are sideways, angled, inverted, etc. relative to the chosen frame of reference.

[0035] It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms axial, axially, and variations thereof mean the defined element has at least some directional component along or parallel to the axis. These terms should not be limited to mean that the element extends only or purely along or parallel to the axis. For example, the element may be oriented at a forty- five degree (45°) angle relative to the axis but, because the element extends at least in part along the axis, it should still be considered axial. Similarly, the terms radial, radially, and variations thereof shall be interpreted to mean the element has at least some directional component in the radial direction relative to the axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification describes, certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent to limit the principles of the present invention to the particular disclosed embodiments.

[0037] In this description, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or

"embodiments" mean that the feature or features referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Separate references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are not mutually exclusive unless so stated. Specifically, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, particular implementations of the present invention can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0038] Embodiments of the present inventive concept provide an avenue for expansion of alternative energy technologies, most particularly in the field of alternative fuel vehicles. The inventors have found that universal storage cells may have surprising benefits for the collection and distribution of energy. For example, the universal storage cell may be compatible with a wide variety of technologies used by device manufacturers, thereby broadening the set of consumers from which energy may be harvested, and to which energy may be provided. This may provide a critical mass, so to speak, of users needed to produce a thriving energy marketplace providing plentiful and readily available power sources. Such an alternative energy ecosystem may more closely approximate the benefits realized through use of gasoline-fueled vehicles, and provide a more viable alternative with fewer of the concerns that currently undermine consumer confidence in alternative fuels.

[0039] The universal storage cell may be stored centrally at one or more kiosks, providing locations at which users may drop off and pick up universal storage cells. Such a central kiosk may facilitate quick and efficient universal storage cell exchanges, allowing consumer users to pick up fresh, charged cells while permitting supplier users to drop off replenished cells and pick up depleted cells to charge. The users may additionally be debited for energy they deplete from universal storage cells, and may receive credits for energy replenished in the cells. The central kiosk may also act as a forum for managed energy exchange, whereby an administrator or automated administration program, such as a kiosk inventory program, may facilitate gathering of high value energy into universal storage cells by supplier users and selling of such energy to an electrical grid. The central kiosk may likewise facilitate depletion of low value energy from the universal storage cells by distribution to consumer users and buying such energy from an electrical grid.

[0040] EXEMPLARY SYSTEM EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Turning now to the Figures, Fig. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a central kiosk 30 according to embodiments of the present inventive concept. The central kiosk 30 includes an electrical system 32 having a solar panel array 34 that may provide a source of power to the central kiosk 30. The central kiosk 30 additionally houses and/or is in communication with a network computing device 36 for managing operation of the central kiosk 30. The network computing device 36 may be configured and/or administered by utility company(ies) in certain embodiments, and may additionally comprise and/or be in communication with user interface and manual data entry devices. The central kiosk 30 includes a plurality of bays, including bays 38, 40, 42, 44 for receiving and dispensing universal storage cells (not shown).

[0042] The bays 38, 40, 42, 44 serve as organizational hubs for the central kiosk 30 and as points of exchange with users and other bays or compartments. Namely, the bays 38, 40, 42, 44 may provide a point of access for users to deposit and/or receive cells, and such exchanged cells maybe recorded as received and as residing in certain of bays 38, 40, 42, 44 or as distributed from certain of vacated bays 38, 40, 42, 44. Recording and tracking of the universal storage cells may be performed under the supervision and governance of an inventory program executed by the network computing device 36.

[0043] The bays of the central kiosk may, in certain embodiments, be multi-purpose with respect to distributing, receiving, charging, depleting, internally routing and otherwise handling universal storage cells. Put another way, each bay may be configured to distribute, receive, charge, deplete, route and otherwise handle depleted or replenished universal storage cells. In certain embodiments, however, specific bays may perform designated subsets of these functions. For example, bay 38 may be configured to receive one or more replenished or charged universal storage cells, for example from a supplier user that replenished the energy of the cell(s). Bay 40 may be configured to dispense replenished cells, for example to a consumer user. Bay 42 may be configured to dispense depleted cells, for example to a supplier user for replenishing the energy of the cell(s). Further, bay 44 may be configured to receive depleted cells, for example from a consumer user.

[0044] The bays preferably include at least some of the features described herein.

However, such features are not critical to the present inventive concept unless described as such. For example, the bays may vary in size and shape without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Furthermore, in embodiments where universal storage cells are tracked via barcode, global positioning system(s) (GPS), or other unit and location-specific technologies, one bay may suffice for pickup and user exchanges. In such embodiments, universal storage cells may not be stored, organized and/or tracked in or in relation to such discrete, uniform bays, and may instead may be stored and moved about freely within larger contiguous spaces in the central kiosk in reliance on unit and location-specific technologies for organization and tracking.

[0045] The central kiosk 30 further includes an optical device 46 for recording video footage at the central kiosk 30, scanning barcode information from universal storage cells, and/or recording user credential information, with the foregoing activities preferably supporting receipt and storage of ID data regarding the universal storage cells and/or identity authentication data regarding the users of the central kiosk 30. The inventory program executed by the network computing device 36 may direct the functions of the optical device 46 and receive and store the data it gathers. The optical device 46 is preferably located centrally at the central kiosk 30, for example at a central access gate located along its perimeter, at a central pick-up/drop-off bay or space, or otherwise in a location permitting interaction with all users as part of their activities at the central kiosk 30. There may also be a plurality of optical devices scattered throughout the central kiosk, for example one optical device adjacent or within each bay, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0046] In certain embodiments, universal storage cells may each have an embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter/transceiver, permitting gathering of ID data and identity authentication data regarding the universal storage cells and users by a radio frequency identification receiver at the central kiosk according to known unit-based inventory management techniques. In still further embodiments, ID data and identity authentication data gathering may be performed by a module of the inventory program in communication with one or more data entry devices (e.g., keypads or user interfaces) at the central kiosk and/or with user computing devices, where such devices are configured for entry of such data and for transmission and storage thereof via the inventory program. The foregoing devices, taken together with the optical device(s) described above, may comprise a tracking system for providing ID data and/or identity authentication data.

[0047] The central kiosk 30 may further, in an embodiment, include a printer 47 for providing written receipts and the like to users detailing their transactions and exchanges with the central kiosk 30. The network computing device 36 may alternatively or also transmit electronic receipts and records to user computing devices (not shown) without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0048] Handling and/or internal routing of universal storage cell(s) within the central kiosk

30 may be accomplished using a robotic inventory device 48. As illustrated in Fig. 1, each bay 38, 40, 42, 44 includes a door 46. Each door 46 may be opened and closed to permit access to an interior compartment and insertion or removal of a universal storage cell. The door 46 may be operated by the robotic inventory device 48, which in preferred embodiments operates in response to instructions issued by the inventory program running on the network computing device 36.

[0049] The robotic inventory device 48 is illustrated as an automated piston for operating the door 46. However, in certain embodiments, the robotic inventory device may comprise one or more other robotic elements such as powered carts, lifting and/or swinging hydraulically-powered arms, conveyor belts, and other known automated warehousing devices for moving objects, all without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Therefore, in certain embodiments, universal storage cells may be shuffled from bay to bay, and to and from other compartments within or proximate to the central kiosk, by a plurality of automated machines such as those listed above operating cooperatively, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. The robotic inventory device may additionally be located outside of the central kiosk, and may be attachable to a user device, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0050] The central kiosk 30 additionally includes a tray 50 within each bay for receiving one or more universal storage cells. In some embodiments, the tray is movable within the bay and the central kiosk more generally, and the robotic inventory device may act on the tray to move the universal storage cells about within the central kiosk. Further, the tray may be configured to receive a transport module (not shown) on which universal storage cell(s) may be seated. [0051] Turning now to Fig. 2, a diagram of a central kiosk 60 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept is illustrated. The central kiosk 60 includes an electrical system 62 comprising a solar panel array 64, emergency power backup supply line 66, solar energy input line 68, metered grid line 70, and hardwire boxes 72 mounted on the trays 74 of the bays 76. The hardwire box 72 provides an electrical connection with the universal storage cell(s) (not shown) mounted or resting on the tray 74 via any standard electrical socket/plug, such as those designated "A" through "O" by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA), via a universal serial bus (USB), or via other known wired connection plug such as SAEstandard, CHAdeMO, NEMA and/or paddle chargers. Each bay may further include a converter or other electronic component, which may be fixed to the hardwire box or otherwise situated adjacent the bay, electrically interposed between the universal storage cell(s) and the electrical system of the central kiosk for altering the state of electricity flowing between the cell(s) and electrical system to make such energy more useable for one or both of the cell(s) and electrical system. It is also envisioned that the universal storage cell(s) may be charged at the kiosk or otherwise exchange energy with the kiosk via wireless methods, e.g., inductive charging/discharging, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0052] The electrical system of a central kiosk may include standard building wiring for operating the powered components of the central kiosk, input and output lines providing electrical communication with power sources and electrical grids, solar panels or other power sources dedicated to the central kiosk, hardwire boxes or other structure housing electrical connections to universal storage cell(s), power and/or data communication lines running to and from a network computing device (e.g., in embodiments where the network computing device is not remote from the central kiosk), power buses for providing electrical connections between numerous universal storage cells, an internal grid for providing a central point of access to shared energy sources, other known components for use in managing electrical flow to and from electrical grids, or any combination of the foregoing, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. It is envisioned that the electrical system of the central kiosk will be electrically tied to universal storage cells via one or more converters, inverters or other electronic components for changing the electrical state of current flowing therebetween without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. [0053] The bays 76 of the central kiosk 60 may additionally include data lines (not shown) running through the hardwire box 72 for providing data communication between the universal storage cell(s) and a network computing device 78. Such a data line may optionally be connectable to a USB port of the universal storage cell. In certain embodiments, data may also or alternatively be exchanged between the cell(s) and network computing device using wireless network or other wireless data connections, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0054] The bays 76 of the central kiosk 60 are arranged in two columns 80, 82. Column

80 may be configured to receive charged/replenished universal storage cells at drop-off area 84, while column 82 may be configured to receive depleted universal storage cells at drop-off area 86. The cells may be received individually or in groups. The cells may be seated within a transport module (not shown) or placed directly on the tray 74. Further, in certain embodiments where the cells are placed directly on the tray, the tray may include seating structure for receiving and securing the cell(s) thereon for transport within the central kiosk and/or electrical communication via the hardwire box.

[0055] The central kiosk 60 has an inner void designated as pick-up zone 88, located between the columns 80, 82, for users to enter and pick up universal storage cells. In the illustrated layout, a supplier user may, for example, drop off a charged universal storage cell at drop-off area 84, enter the pick-up zone 88 and retrieve one or more depleted universal storage cells that had previously been dropped off by another user at drop-off area 86. It should be noted that the user designation of "consumer" or "supplier" applies based on the user requirements during the referenced timeframe. For example, an individual could possibly visit a central kiosk under a user requirement to drop off a depleted cell as a "consumer" user, but may in his or her discretion choose to pick up another depleted cell as a "supplier" user, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. A user may likewise be simultaneously designated as both a "consumer" user and a "supplier" user, for example where the user has requirements for both a depleted cell (e.g., for charging by the user's gas-powered vehicle) and for a replenished/charged cell (e.g., for use in powering a personal computing device), without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0056] As illustrated in Figs. 2b-2c, the central kiosk 60 further includes a robotic inventory device 90 which comprises a powered wheel/chassis apparatus configured to move each tray 74 in pre-determined paths within the central kiosk 60. A first level 92 of the central kiosk is configured to handle charged/replenished universal storage cells received at drop-off area 84. Following receipt of the universal storage cells on the tray 74 at drop-off area 84, an inventory program run by the network computing device 78 may instruct the robotic inventory device 90 to follow the pre-determined route within first level 92 to either deliver the universal storage cell(s) to column 82 or to a central repository 94. Similarly, following receipt of the universal storage cells on the tray 74 at drop-off area 86, the inventory program run by the network computing device 78 may instruct the robotic inventory device 90 to follow a pre-determined route within a second level 96 to either deliver the universal storage cell(s) to column 80 or to a central repository 94. Once the trays 74 have arrived at their destination column 80 or 82, lifting/lowering elements (not shown) of a robotic inventory device may be used to position the trays 74 and/or cells for pickup at the pick-up zone 88.

[0057] The trays 74 may facilitate data and energy exchange with the universal storage cell(s) via the hardwire boxes 72, and may also facilitate data collection and exchange via a wireless connection with the universal storage cell(s). The central kiosk 60 may also be configured for wireless connection to the universal storage cells at various other locations throughout the kiosk 60. In certain embodiments, the trays 74 may also deposit or retrieve universal storage cell(s) to and from the central repository 94. The central repository 94 may serve as a compartment housing hardware for enhanced data/energy exchange with the universal storage cells (e.g., it may contain higher voltage/amperage charging apparatuses), for cell maintenance and switch-out, and/or for storage or overflow retention.

[0058] The central kiosk of embodiments of the present inventive concept collects and distributes universal storage cells individually or in groupings. The universal storage cells may be distributed for energy replenishing/charging by a supplier user and/or for energy use/depletion by a consumer user. Replenishing a universal storage cell is preferably accomplished by a supplier user using a transport module, which is an apparatus that receives and couples with at least one universal storage cell and provides an electrical connection between it and a user device. In a preferred embodiment, a transport module will seat between four (4) and eight (8) universal storage cells, will plug into the electrical circuit of each cell at electrical connections or terminals embedded in the cells, and further plug into a user vehicle's electrical system. However, the transport module may accommodate varying numbers of cells, and varying electrical connections according to various implementations, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. In addition, the universal storage cells may exchange energy with the electrical system(s) of a user device via wireless transfers, e.g., via inductive charge transfer, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0059] Turning now to Fig. 3 a, a preferred embodiment of a transport module 97 is illustrated seating several universal storage cells 98. The transport module 97 includes a platform or housing 100 with electrical system 102 including an AC appliances line 104, grid line 106, solar power input line 108, and bypass/ split-charge relay line 110. Transport module 97 is configured for use in a supplier user vehicle (not shown) and also for depositing at a central kiosk. The variety of lines 104, 106, 108 provide versatility in the electrical exchanges the cells 98 may participate in, for example via connection to a complementary set of kiosk lines terminating in a hardwire box or via stand-alone connections provided in the absence of a central kiosk. Bypass/split-charge relay line 110 provides electrical communication with an electrical system of the supplier user's vehicle. (See Figs. 4-5 for simplified diagrams showing input and output electrical flows, respectively, between portions of an exemplary cell and transport module circuit and the electrical system of a user vehicle).

[0060] The transport module of a supplier user in some embodiments is connected to an alternator of the vehicle (typically a gas-powered vehicle), usually via its electrical system, for replenishment and/or depletion. In certain embodiments, the transport module is also or alternatively connected to regenerative braking hardware of the vehicle, via its electrical system or through an independent electrical connection installed for communication with the transport module. It is foreseen, however, that the transport module maybe connected to a variety of energy harvesting, redirecting or generation systems installed in the user vehicle, for example to capture wasted energy of the vehicle, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Such systems may include regenerative shocks, devices that rely on piezoelectric, thermo-electric, and/or kinetic energy recovery techniques, and any combination of the foregoing, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0061] In this manner, a supplier user, who may be driving a gas-powered or other vehicle that wastes energy, captures some of its wasted energy and shares that energy with consumer users, typically through universal storage cell exchange via a central kiosk, as will be described in more detail below. The transport module of a consumer user in certain embodiments is used to power a user device, preferably the vehicle of the consumer user. In certain embodiments, for example where the user vehicle is a PHEV car and/or a gas-powered vehicle, the transport module may be connected to the vehicle at an alternator by-pass and/or a split-charge relay, usually via the vehicle's electrical system. This system configuration may further enable charging of the electrical system of the vehicle, including by charging its traction batteries. The universal storage cells may, therefore, either supplement or serve as the primary energy source for consumer user devices, including vehicles, in varying embodiments. The transport module and/or universal storage cell(s) may further participate in internal battery management for both gas-powered and electric power/hybrid vehicles in certain embodiments. It is envisioned that the universal storage cells maybe used to power other user devices, such as AC appliances (e.g., where the transport module includes an inverter), personal computing devices such as desktop computers, or mobile devices (such as tablets, smartphones, phatblets, netbooks, notebooks, PDAs (personal digital assistants)), wearable electronics, or other computing devices, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0062] The platform 100 of transport module 97 is generally rectangular in shape, with universal storage cells 98 standing vertically next to one another in a row extending along a longitudinal axis of the platform 100. When seated in the platform 100, the side faces of each cell 98 are oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the platform 100. Turning to Fig. 3b, each universal storage cell 98 is generally rectangular in shape with two large side faces 112, and has a relatively small thickness defined by a front face 114, top face 116, and rear face 118. The bottom portion of the universal storage cell 98 comprises a flared base 119 for sliding insertion and releasably fixed seating in the transport module 97.

[0063] The universal storage cells are preferably sized and shaped according to a standard protocol, such as by standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), to further promote the breadth of potential usage of the universal storage cell(s) across varying technologies and applications. The preferred cells are relatively small, for example approximately the size of the average notebook computer or tablet. Furthermore, the universal storage cells are preferably configured for communication pursuant to a standard communication protocol, such as CAN bus standard ISO 11898, MOD bus, XI 0, etc.

[0064] The front face 114 of the universal storage cell 98 includes an embedded battery management system 120 including an energy status display for visually depicting how much energy is being stored in the cell. The battery management system 120 further includes a processor and mass storage device for monitoring and managing electrical input to and output from the universal storage cell 98, and for storing related data and instructions from a network computing device. For example, the battery management system 120 preferably provides real-time energy status data for the storage cell(s) to one or more databases stored in a memory element of the transport module and/or network computing device. User computing device(s) may be used to access such database(s) to retrieve the energy status data, whether via web portal, mobile application or other known means.

[0065] The front face 1 14 further includes a series of all purpose and/or standard sockets which may be chosen in whole or in part from among the standard socket/plug listing set forth hereinabove. The sockets included in the front face of the universal storage cell may, in certain embodiments, be chosen based on the geographic region in which the transport module is to be used, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Moreover, the front face may further include a USB port. The top face 1 16 may include a barcode 122 for tracking of the universal storage cell, for example by scanning at the central kiosk using an optical device or by a user computing device (not shown) such as a smart phone that is configured to scan and convert such a visual barcode into ID data. It should be noted here that the position of the battery management system, sockets, and/or barcode on specific faces of the universal storage cell is not critical to the present inventive concept and such components may therefore be arranged in various configurations across and within the faces of the cell without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. The cell may further include additional embedded components, such an RFID transmitter/transceiver, wireless card and/or radio modem, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0066] Turning now to Fig. 3 c, the components of the platform 100 are illustrated in additional detail and include a dedicated ground wire for the electrical system of the transport module 97. The platform 100 includes cavities 124 that slidably receive the bases 119 of the universal storage cells 98. Each cavity 124 is shaped such that the platform 100 will snugly receive and securely seat the cell' s base 119, and may optionally be supplemented with a releasable locking mechanism (not shown) for further ensuring that the cell 98 is firmly fixed in the transport module 97 during movement.

[0067] Each universal storage cell 98 further includes a pair of terminals 126, with each pair being located near the rear face of the cell and configured for engaging and providing electrical connections with complementary terminals (not shown) comprising a port adjacent the closed end of the cavity 124 in which the cell 98 is seated. Each transport module and each port/terminal pairing has its own unique identification number for tracking collected data attributed to specific modules/cells. The terminals may vary in size and shape, provided they are configured to complete an electrical circuit including at least the universal storage cell(s) and transport module, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Preferably, however, the terminals are of a standard size and shape to allow simple and easy use across multiple users. The terminals may be held against the electrical connections of the port using one or more plastic clip connectors, which are resiliently flexible and configured to press the terminal(s) against the port connections. Data communications between the universal storage cell and the transport module, central kiosk, and/or user computing device may be via the terminals, an independent wired connection, or using known wireless technology, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0068] The transport module 97 further includes an inverter (not shown) for changing direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), and vice versa. In certain embodiments, the transport module may also or alternatively include a converter for stepping up and/or down the voltage of current flowing through the transport module. In certain embodiments, the transport module may include additional electronic components for changing the electricity flowing therethrough to one or more different electrical states, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Examples include diodes, transistors, integrated circuits, processors, optoelectronic devices, resistors, capacitors, inductors, transducers, linear regulators, switches, processing and memory elements for management of the foregoing, and any combination(s) of the foregoing. In some embodiments, some or all of such electronic components may be housed in the universal storage cell(s), without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0069] The foregoing electronic components of the universal storage cell(s) and transport module may be configured to comprise an electrical circuit including at least a portion of the electrical systems of the universal storage cell(s) and the transport module, preferably for further electrical communication and use with a user vehicle. The electronic components, such as the inverter of the transport module 97 and the processor and memory element of the battery management system 120, work together to change the electrical state of electricity flowing to and from the universal storage cell(s) and, in preferred embodiments, may together comprise a universal power gateway. [0070] The universal gateway preferably includes a processor, such as the processor of the battery management system 120 and possibly a network computing device, that is/are configured to change the settings or otherwise manage operation of the other components of the gateway to approximate one or more specific electrical states. An electrical state is a set of one or more specific values for the property(ies) of energy a given electrical circuit, such as voltage, amperage, and waveform (including whether alternating or direct current). The universal gateway of the present inventive concept thus acts on an electrical flow to alter its properties from one electrical state to another, preferably in view of and to approximate an optimal set of values. For example, a user vehicle having a traction battery that was designed and manufactured by a particular provider may be optimally charged at a particular combination of voltage and amperage values, while another vehicle or device may be optimally charged at a different combination or optimal use state. In the context of charging/replenishing a universal storage cell or battery, the optimal electrical use state may be referred to as the "optimal charge state." The universal storage cell of a preferred embodiment may be configured to input or output more than one electrical state concurrently (for example, using a series of internal linear regulators and switches) without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0071] Turning now to Figs. 6-7, transport modules 130, 132 are each configured for use in different user vehicle types. Transport module 130 is configured to receive universal storage cells such that their side faces are generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the platform, thus reducing the height profile of the module 130. This configuration may be more advantageously used in user vehicles such as hatchbacks or in the small vertical spaces in the rear of mini-vans (i.e., with the platform vertically oriented), where a smaller height or vertical profile for the cell/module assembly is required. Transport module 132 is alternatively configured to receive universal storage cells such that their side faces are generally parallel to the vertical axis of the platform, thus presenting a larger height profile. This configuration may be more advantageously used in user vehicles such as trucks or sedans having more room for such a larger profile assembly. It is envisioned that cells may be oriented in a variety of positions with respect to transport modules, including to optimize use with user vehicles having variably sized and shaped storage compartments, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0072] Having now described certain aspects of the system separately, we turn now to Fig.

8, which is a diagram illustrating a number of system 133 components that may also be used to perform embodiments of the method of the present inventive concept, described in more detail below. The system 133 includes a network computing device 134 having a processor 136 of a processing element. The network computing device 134 additionally includes a use state database 138, a storage cell database 140, and an inventory program 142, with each of the foregoing being stored on a mass storage device 144 of a memory element. A network computing device for use with the present inventive concept is described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 10-11. The network computing device 134 may communicate with various other components of the system 133, and other components may communicate with each other, via communication links 146, described in greater detail below with reference to Fig. 10. It should be noted that the communication links 146 illustrated here are for example only, and are not intended to foreclose additional links between components of the system 133.

[0073] The system 133 further includes a consumer user's device 148 having an electrical system 149, a smartphone computing device 150, and a transport module 152 carrying universal storage cells 154. The transport module 152 further includes a converter 156 operably coupled to a control module 157, and each universal storage cell 154 includes a battery management system (BMS) 158. Control module 157 includes at least one processor 160 and a mass storage device 162. The converter 156, control module 157, and BMS 158 together comprise a universal power gateway 164. The system also includes a supplier user's device 166 having an electrical system 167, a smartphone computing device 168, and a transport module 170 carrying universal storage cells 172. The transport module 170 further includes a converter 174 operably coupled to a control module 175, and each universal storage cell 172 includes a battery management system (BMS) 176. Control module 175 includes at least one processor 178 and a mass storage device 180. The converter 174, control module 175, and BMS 176 together comprise a universal power gateway 182.

[0074] The control modules 157, 175 preferably each include a unit control module (UCM) which includes at least a processor that constantly measures converter 156, 174 output voltage, current and temperature, which information is fed back to a power distribution manager (BDM) that includes at least processing and memory elements, allowing the BDM to monitor converter 156, 174 performance as well as manage voltage and current output/input affording both constant voltage and constant current modes of operation. The control module of converters 156, 174 may therefore, in certain embodiments, participate in configuring energy flow into and out of the cells 154, 172 to approximate one or more optimal electrical use state(s), for example in response to configuration instructions from network computing device 134.

[0075] The BDM may further be configured for data communication with an onboard computer system of a user device comprising a vehicle, for example to retrieve on-board diagnostics parameter ID data regarding the vehicle's operation. Such data may be processed alone and/or with data collected regarding the operation and energy status changes of the universal storage cell(s), and provided to the user computing device and/or network computing device. Universal storage cell data is preferably monitored continuously and stored in system memory (e.g., in memory media mounted in the cell, NAND flash device of the transport module, and/or remotely). Results of such processing may be useful metrics such as charge transferred to cell(s) in comparison with gasoline consumed in transit, thereby giving a measure of the efficiency of waste energy capture according to embodiments of the present inventive concept.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, the BMS is configured and/or configurable to manage internal electronic components of the cell(s), including all or part of the universal power gateway (thereby supporting creation of the target electrical states described herein), without limitation to any particular arrangement of internal or external power sources. For example, a universal storage cell may include a variety of internal power sources (e.g., a plurality of unit sources comprising lithium polymer, nickel cadmium, metal hydride, etc.) and/or a variety of external power sources (e.g., various vehicle electrical systems, traditional chargers used with alternative fuel vehicles, etc.). Regardless of which technology is employed, the BMS preferably is configured to configure electronic components of the system to maintain the desired electrical states. In a preferred embodiment, the user may manually enter one or more custom desired electrical state(s) and/or manually select a pre-programmed electrical state, for example via the personal computing device and/or a touch screen provided in connection with the BMS of the cell. The BMS of such an embodiment may, as with other embodiments described herein, configure the electronic components of the universal power gateway, for example a buck boost circuit or the like, to approximate such electrical state(s).

[0077] The system 133 further includes a primary central kiosk 184 having an electrical system 186 including an internal grid 188 electrically connected to input/output lines to external power sources 190, 192 and to bays 194 configured to receive and/or distribute universal storage cells 154, 172. The electrical system 186 additionally includes a solar panel array 196. The system 133 further includes a tracking system comprising an optical device 198. Central kiosk 184 is electrically connectable to an external power grid and power source 200, from which the central kiosk 184 may receive energy and to which it may transfer energy (e.g., at times when the market value per unit energy is low and high, respectively). The network computing device 134 is also in communication with a banking system 201 for exchanging information regarding user credit/debit payments. The system 133 further includes a robotic inventory device 202, configured to move universal storage cells at central kiosk 184 to and from various internal compartments and to exchange such cells with users.

[0078] The system 133 further includes an additional central kiosk 204 having an electrical system 206_.including an internal grid 208 electrically connected to output/input lines to external power sources 210, 212 and to bays 214 for receiving and/or distributing universal storage cells 154, 172. The system 133 further includes a tracking system comprising an optical device 216. The system 133 further includes a robotic inventory device 218, configured to move universal storage cells at central kiosk 204 to and from various internal compartments and to exchange such cells with users.

[0079] EXEMPLARY METHOD EMBODIMENTS

[0080] Various embodiments of the method of the present inventive concept will now be described with reference to the system 133 of Fig. 8. The flowchart of Fig. 9 illustrates steps of an exemplary embodiment of the method. At step 300, the network computing device 134 of system 133 receives ID data, identity authentication data, and energy status data and, at step 302, stores the data in the mass storage device 144 of the network computing device 134. The data is preferably transmitted from a consumer user computing device (not shown), comprising information about a consumer user and universal storage cells 172 that were recently depleted through use in powering a consumer user device (not shown). However, it is envisioned that the data may be gathered and transmitted in whole or in part by hardwire boxes of the kiosk electrical system, wireless cards and/or RFID transmitters/receivers embedded in such universal storage cells 172, optical devices 198, 216, and/or other devices described herein, and any combination of any of the foregoing, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0081] ID data consists of information regarding the unique identity and/or location of universal storage cells, such as unique numbers or barcodes associated with particular cells. Identity authentication data consists of information indicating the unique individual or group identity of system user(s) has been confirmed by a secure process, such as password authentication or confirmation by the system that the user(s) possess a device or characteristic personal to the user (s). Energy status data consists of information regarding the level of actual or potential energy present in an electrical system, for example the charge status of one or more universal storage cells of the system. Preferably, energy status data for cells is reported and/or stored with reference to a universal energy storage standard. A universal storage standard is one that sets forth at least one property of the potential energy stored within a universal storage cell that should optimally be realized, for example a standard that all charged/replenished cells should store energy at twenty- four (24) volts. In a preferred embodiment, the universal storage standard is selected to make the cells useable with a wider variety of user device types across varying technologies.

[0082] The various data types may be transmitted and otherwise exchanged between system components separately from one another, or may be intertwined throughout such exchanges, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. For example, ID data regarding the identities of the universal storage cells 154 may be transmitted as separate bits of data from identity authentication data regarding the consumer user. However, in some embodiments, these two types of data may also be intertwined, for example, when the ID data for the universal storage cells is transmitted via the user's authenticated (e.g., password-controlled) computing device, in which case the mere transmission of the ID data from the computing device may constitute identity authentication data according to the present inventive concept.

[0083] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9, the ID data comprises unique inventory number identifiers for the seven (7) universal storage cells 172. The identity authentication data comprises unique device identifier data (e.g., device serial number, network address, unique software token identifier, etc.) transmitted by the aforementioned user computing device, which may be verified using information stored in the consumer user's profile by the network computing device 134 during the user's account signup process. The energy status data comprises a charge status for each universal storage cell 172, determined by the battery management systems 176, and indicates that each of the cells has been depleted.

[0084] The foregoing data is preferably transmitted by the user in connection with user requirements data indicating what the user would like to do next. User requirements data, like the other data types, may be transferred to the network computing device by any of a variety of conventional methods, including through entry into and transmission from a user computing device across a computer network. Preferably, user requirements data generally indicates the desire to drop off (or pick up, as the case may be) universal storage cells at a central kiosk, in which case such an exchange should be recorded.

[0085] User requirements data generally consists of information regarding what universal storage cells are desired for exchange and how such an exchange preferably should take place. User requirements data may include such information as a total energy requirement, a total number of requested storage cells requirement, and/or a user device type. The user device type data, when provided, may indicate such things as device range, average consumption, and optimal electrical use state. However, user requirements data need only provide a sufficient basis for the inventory program to deduce one or more ways in which it might fulfill the user's needs, and need not be comprehensive, accurate or complete.

[0086] The inventory program may transmit a number of alternative options to the user via a user's computing device, particularly when presented with incomplete or inaccurate/unworkable user requirements data, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. For example, a consumer user may request to drop off depleted cells at central kiosk 184 in a particular zip code, and to pick up replenished cells at central kiosk 204 in another zip code. If device type data for the user's device indicates it is a vehicle having energy needs and range that would not be sufficient to permit travel to the second, pick up zip code, the inventory program 142 may present a list of alternative options for review by the consumer user.

[0087] The user requirements data may, in certain embodiments, include information regarding a projected travel route the user may be planning to take and along which it would be desirable to pick up or drop off cells at a central kiosk or exchange same with another user. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the process for matching universal storage cells to the user, for example by executing an inventory program, include the steps of interfacing with a geographic mapping software application to further inform the choice of which central kiosk may best serve the user's needs. The inventory program of such embodiments may process such information to determine, for example, which central kiosks are both within the travel range of the user's device and holding the correct type of cells.

[0088] The user requirements may, in certain embodiments, otherwise designate specific cells and/or users with which an exchange is desired. For example, ID data regarding available cells may be transmitted by the network computing device to a user computing device, and the user may be permitted to select specific cells to reserve. For another example, a user may be permitted to choose another specific user with whom to form an exchange pattern or relationship. For yet another example, the user may request that the network computing device relay a notification to other users or groups of users requesting they act in some way to help the user realize an exchange of specifically-requested cells, or at specifically-requested kiosk locations or exchange locations. It is envisioned that a variety of user requirement data requests may be issued and acted upon by the network computing device, and other users, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0089] In certain embodiments, it is preferable for the network computing device to additionally receive and store data from the central kiosk(s) regarding the physical location(s) of universal storage cells, for example one or more bays in which they are stored and/or GPS coordinates, which may be linked to user requirement data in the matching process and incorporated into instructions issued to a robotic inventory device for moving or distributing such cells. Similarly, a user may include a preferred pick-up or drop-off kiosk location in transmitted user requirements data, which may for example be obtained by a location search and/or a GPS location function of the user computing device (e.g., smartphone, wearable device, onboard vehicle monitoring systems, etc.). In other embodiments, however, the consumer user may transmit user requirements data indicating a desire to directly convey the universal storage cells to a supplier user for replenishment, in which case the details of such an exchange would be received and stored by the inventory management system upon exchange and confirmation by both users, without the need for storing data regarding cell location in a kiosk. However, it is envisioned that the location of cells may also be intermittently or continuously monitored and stored when checked out to users, for example using a GPS tracking module mounted within the transport module(s), without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0090] It should be noted here that much, if not all, user inputs, transmissions and other interactions with the components of the system 133, including provision of user requirements and other data described herein, may be accomplished through an electronic resource, such as an application, a mobile "app," or a website that might, for example, be executed on and/or accessed via the user computing device. In certain embodiments, portions of the electronic resource are embodied in a stand-alone program downloadable to the user's computing device, or in a web- accessible program that is accessible by the user's computing device via the network described below. For some embodiments of the stand-alone program, a downloadable version of the computer program is stored, at least in part, on the network computing device. A user may download at least a portion of the electronic resource onto the computing device via the network. After the resource has been downloaded, it is installed on the computing device in an executable format. For some web-accessible embodiments of the resource, the user may simply access the resource via the network (e.g., the Internet) with the computing device.

[0091] Returning to discussion of Fig. 8, where the user requirements data submitted by the consumer user indicates a desire to drop the universal storage cells 172 off at the central kiosk 184, the consumer user may do so, and the cells 172 may be recorded as present and ready to be picked up at the central kiosk 184 by a supplier user, to be charged from power source 200 and/or solar array 196, or to be otherwise utilized.

[0092] Shifting now to the supplier user, the system 133 may have received (step 300) and stored (step 302) energy status data regarding universal storage cells 172 according to a check-in and drop-off process by a consumer user such as that described above. Energy status data may also or alternatively have been received and stored according to BMS 176 measurements taken at the central kiosk 184, and/or according to measurements taken by other devices (e.g., via hardwire box connection) at the central kiosk 184. The network computing device 134 may then permit access, at step 304, to a storage cell database 140 containing ID data and energy status data regarding available universal storage cells such as cells 172, to support matching universal storage cells to the supplier user.

[0093] Matching, at step 306, the supplier user with universal storage cells may begin with executing, at step 308, the inventory program 142. The inventory program 142 may then access storage cell database 140 at step 310, and process depleted energy status data against user requirements data relating to the supplier user at step 312. The result of this processing may be the proper matching of depleted universal storage cells 172 with the supplier user. Alternatively or in parallel with the aforementioned processing by the inventory program 142, the network computing device 134 may access the storage cell database 140 to retrieve depleted energy status data and transmit it to the smartphone computing device 168 of the supplier user at step 314. The supplier user may then select one or more universal storage cell(s) for pick-up at step 316, thereby completing the matching process. Pursuant to one or both of the foregoing matching processes, the universal storage cells 172 may be matched, individually or in groupings, with the supplier user. It is, however, envisioned that other known steps for processing and matching elements of data sets may be used without departing from the present inventive concept. Further, in certain embodiments, the inventory program 142 will designate the matched cells as reserved for the user.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, once the universal storage cells 172 have been matched with the supplier user, the supplier user may arrive at the central kiosk 184 to pick up the cells 172. Before or upon such arrival, in a preferred embodiment the supplier user will, at step 318, transmit identity authentication data to the network computing device 134 (see discussion above), enter such data (e.g., a password) manually at the central kiosk 184, and/or present credentials such as a keycard or government-issued identification at the central kiosk 184. At step 320, the network computing device 134, preferably via executing the inventory program 142, may provide instructions to the robotic inventory device 202 to deliver the depleted universal storage cells 172 to the supplier user. In conjunction with delivery of the cells 172, the depleted energy status may be recorded and stored by the network computing device 134 in association with the supplier user's profile, for example in mass storage device 144, at step 322.

[0095] The supplier user may then replenish/charge the universal storage cells 172, for example using the waste energy collection devices and assemblies described hereinabove, and upon drop off of such cells at a central kiosk 184, 204 the network computing device 134 may, in addition to recording the data described above as part of a standard drop-off process, receive and record the replenished energy status data of the universal storage cells 172.

[0096] Shifting to a second consumer user, the system 133 may have received (step 324) and stored (step 326) energy status data regarding universal storage cells 154 according to a cell check-in process by a supplier user such as that described above. Energy status data may also or alternatively have been received and stored according to BMS 176 measurements taken at the central kiosk 184, and/or according to measurements taken by other devices (e.g., via hardwire box connection) at the central kiosk 184. The network computing device 134 may then permit access, at step 328, to the storage cell database 140 containing ID data and energy status data regarding available universal storage cells such as cells 154, to support matching universal storage cells to the consumer user.

[0097] Matching the consumer user with universal storage cells may begin with executing, at step 330, the inventory program 142. The inventory program 142 may then access storage cell database 140 at step 332, and process replenished energy status data against user requirements data relating to the consumer user at step 334. The result of this processing may be the proper matching of replenished universal storage cells 154 with the consumer user. Alternatively or in parallel with the aforementioned processing by the inventory program 142, the network computing device 134 may access the storage cell database 140 to retrieve replenished energy status data and transmit it to the smartphone computing device 150 of the consumer user at step 336. The consumer user may then select one or more universal storage cell(s) for pick-up at step 338, thereby completing the matching process. Pursuant to one or both of the foregoing matching processes, the universal storage cells 154 may be matched, individually or in groupings, with the consumer user. It is, however, envisioned that other known steps for processing and matching elements of data sets may be used without departing from the present inventive concept.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, once the universal storage cells 154 have been matched with the consumer user, the consumer user will arrive at the central kiosk 184 to pick up the cells 154. Before or upon such arrival, in a preferred embodiment, the consumer user will, at step 340, transmit identity authentication data to the network computing device 134 (see discussion above), enter such data (e.g., a password) manually at the central kiosk 184, and/or present credentials such as a keycard or government-issued identification at the central kiosk 184. At step 342, the network computing device 134, preferably via executing the inventory program, will provide instructions to the robotic inventory device 202 to deliver the replenished universal storage cells 154 to the consumer user. The replenished energy status data may be recorded and stored by the network computing device 134 in association with the consumer user's profile at step 344. The consumer user may then deplete the universal storage cells 154, for example by using the cells 154 to charge the electrical system 149 of user device 148.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, each of the consumer and supplier users described above will be credited or debited in their user profiles, respectively, for replenishing or depleting universal storage cells. In certain embodiments, the difference between recorded energy status data at pick-up and drop-off of the users' cells will be calculated and multiplied by a market value per unit energy to determine the amount to be credited or debited. In other embodiments, a relatively complete depletion or replenishment will be anticipated and assumed, thereby permitting crediting or debiting of the user account at or in connection with pick-up only. It is envisioned, however, that a variety of methods may be employed for calculating value conferred by and to users according to the present inventive concept without departing from its spirit. [0100] Furthermore, it is envisioned that the network computing device may provide ancillary information to users based on aggregated energy status data, such as estimated pollution avoided through use of the present inventive concept over a period of time, number of trees saved, and the like. Similarly, the network computing device may associate such aggregated data with the user profiles, and may additionally report some or all such data at a user's request to government authorities and the like, for example to receive carbon or tax credits, where available. The network computing device may also permit profile and aggregated energy data to be shared on user social media platforms, upon user request. The network computing device may, in certain embodiments, combine user data with and/or access additional data from external databases, such as government energy usage databases.

[0101] It should be noted that the steps described above need not be executed in the order set forth in Fig. 9 unless explicitly stated to the contrary. For example, the gathering and storing of data need not occur in any particular order unless otherwise indicated, but may be transmitted, received, stored and processed in a variety of permutations without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0102] ADDITIONAL EXEMPLARY METHOD EMBODIMENTS

[0103] In another preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept, the central kiosks 184, 204 may serve as fora for managed energy exchange. For example, inventory program 142 may be configured to retrieve, receive and/or store market energy value data via network computing device 134. The market energy value data may be taken into account at various stages of the management and handling of universal storage cells.

[0104] When market energy value data indicates a relatively high value at a particular time or within a particular timeframe as determined by pre-determined program parameters and/or by a user/administrator, the inventory program 142 may instruct robotic inventory device 202 and/or components of the kiosk electrical system 186 to deplete one or more universal storage cells so that the resulting energy may be sold back to electrical grid 200 and/or to a local electrical system such as that of a nearby building or group of buildings or devices electrically connectable to the kiosk. Also or alternatively, the inventory program 142 may trigger notifications from network computing device 134 to users, for example to a group of users considered likely to have supplier user requirements, containing an advisory that picking up cells for replenishment may be timely. [0105] Conversely, when market energy value data indicates a relatively low value at a particular time or within a particular timeframe, the inventory program 142 may instruct robotic inventory device 202 and/or components of the kiosk electrical system 186 to charge one or more universal storage cells from electrical grid 200. Available energy sources for charging cells at central kiosks may vary, and in some embodiments may include sources such as solar, wind, coal, nuclear, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass, tidal, and natural gas. Also or alternatively, the inventory program 142 may trigger notifications from network computing device 134 to users, for example to a group of users considered likely to have consumer user requirements, containing an advisory that picking up cells for depletion may be timely.

[0106] The foregoing advisory notifications to users may contain a variety of supporting data, for example visual depictions of historical market energy value trends. Such notifications may trigger some of the recipient users to transmit new user requirements data to the system, for example in alignment with the advisory, thereby causing the inventory program 142 to match cells to such users accordingly, and provide appropriate distribution instructions to the robotic inventory device 202.

[0107] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept, universal power gateways 164, 182 configure universal storage cells 154, 172 specifically to approximate optimal electrical use states of, respectively, user devices 148, 166. Such configuration should preferably be completed prior to distribution of cells 154, 172 to users (see, e.g., steps 320, 342 of Fig. 9) or following distribution but before use by the user(s), but may in certain embodiments occur outside these timeframes as needed.

[0108] Configuration is preferably supported by use state database 138 stored in mass storage device 144 of network computing device 134. The use state database 138 contains packets of optimal use state data, each packet corresponding to at least one user device type, for example to a specific make/model for a vehicle. Each packet preferably includes one or more specified values for the properties comprising an optimal use state for the specified device type(s). The packets may further specify optimal charge state(s) for one or more cells 154, 172.

[0109] In certain embodiments, optimal use state data may also or alternatively be received directly from user devices such as devices 148, 166 and/or from user computing devices such as computing devices 150, 168. [0110] Any of the processors of the processing element of the system, including of network computing device 136, BMS 158, 176, control modules 157, 175, and smartphone user computing devices 150, 168 may, alone or in combination, access the use state database 138, receive optimal use state data from user device(s) 148 and/or 166, and/or receive optimal use state data from user computing device(s) 150 and/or 168. Any of such processors may also, alone or in combination, adjust the settings of one or more electronic components (see discussion above regarding components of universal power gateways) of at least one of the universal gateways 164, 182 to adjust input/output properties and approximate the relevant optimal use state(s). In certain embodiments, there may be multiple optimal electrical use state packets for a given device type, in which case the retrieving and/or configuring processor(s) may be further configured to process additional information in connection with selecting a packet. Such additional information may include user requirements data, for example relating to the location of pick up or drop off, the range of the user vehicle in question, a proposed travel route, or other information that may be relevant to choosing between packets.

[0111] By way of example, the first consumer user of the method described above (with reference to Fig. 9) may have depleted cells 172 via a transport module supplying energy to the user's device (e.g., a car manufactured by a first manufacturer) at 240 V and 24 A. The supplier user matched with cells 172 (at step 306) may have a device type (e.g., a car manufactured by a second manufacturer) having an optimal electrical use state for replenishment of cells 172 of 110

V and 12 A. Therefore, in an embodiment, one or more processors will adjust one or more electronic components of the universal gateway 182 to approximate as closely as possible this 110

V and 12 A optimal electrical use state. Such configuration preferably occurs prior to distribution of the cells 172 (at step 320). In another example, the optimal charge state for the cells 172 may govern the target electronic component settings.

[0112] EXEMPLARY COMPUTER NETWORK

[0113] Fig. 10 depicts an exemplary environment in which components described herein

(e.g., embodiments of the components of system 133) may be utilized, and over which data communications may occur. Exemplary devices included in Fig. 10 include network computing devices 250. The environment may include a network 252 of interconnected nodes 256, user computing devices 254, and user devices 255. Data transfers may be initiated by the network computing device(s) 250 and/or may be requested by the user computing device(s) 254, such as a desktop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like. A user computing device 254 may be running or executing an application or software that requires data to be moved from one location to another or one system to another, to copy or backup data, to update records, or the like.

[0114] The network 252 may be embodied by a local, metro, or wide area network (LAN,

MAN, or WAN) and may be formed using a plurality of known architectures and topologies. In some embodiments, a portion of the network 252 may be formed by at least a portion of the Internet, by communication lines that are leased from other entities, or by combinations thereof. The network 252 may be implemented within a small space such as an office or a building or across a larger space such as a city, a region, or a country. The network 252 may include a plurality of nodes 256 and a plurality of interconnecting links 258. In addition, links 258 may exist between the network computing devices 250 and the network 252, as well as the user computing devices 254, user devices 255, and the network computing devices 250.

[0115] Each node 256 of the network 252 may be a data storage device 260 or a data transmission device 262. The data storage device 260 generally stores data and is typically embodied by a data server and may include storage area networks, application servers, database servers, file servers, gaming servers, mail servers, print servers, web servers, or the like, or combinations thereof. The data storage device 260 may be additionally or alternatively embodied by computers, such as desktop computers, workstation computers, or the like.

[0116] In addition, the data storage device 260 may be configured to transmit and receive data to and from other devices. The data storage device 260 may have various performance specifications, such as bandwidth available, jitter, latency, capacity or throughput, and the like.

[0117] The data transmission device 262 may generally forward or pass data, including data packets, through the network 252 and may be embodied by a hub, a switch, a network switch, a router, or the like. The data transmission device 262 may have a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, wherein each of the input ports may be connected to one or more output ports.

[0118] The link 258, generally indicated in Figure 10 as a double arrowhead line, between any two nodes 256, any node 256 and the network computing devices 250, or any personal computing device 254 or user device 255 and the network computing devices 250 may be formed using wires, such as electrically conductive cables or fiber optic cables, or wirelessly, such as radio frequency (RF) communication using wireless standards such as cellular 2G, 3G, or 4G, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards such as WiFi, IEEE 802.16 standards such as WiMAX, Bluetooth™, or combinations thereof.

[0119] In various embodiments, each data transmission device 262 may be in communication with at least one other data transmission device 262 and, optionally, one or more data storage devices 260. Each data storage device 260 may be in communication with at least one data transmission device 262 and, optionally, one or more other data storage devices 260. Thus, the connection architecture of the network 252 allows any node 256 to communicate with any other node 256 either directly or indirectly.

[0120] The network computing devices 250, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, generally manages a variety of data transfers across the network 252, as described in more detail above. The network computing devices 250 may include a communication element 264, a memory element 266, and a processing element 268.

[0121] The communication element 264 generally allows communication with external systems or devices. The communication element 264 may include signal or data transmitting and receiving circuits, such as antennas, amplifiers, filters, mixers, oscillators, digital signal processors (DSPs), and the like. The communication element 264 may establish communication wirelessly by utilizing RF signals and/or data that comply with communication standards such as cellular 2G, 3G, or 4G, IEEE 802.1 1 standard such as WiFi, IEEE 802.16 standard such as WiMAX, Bluetooth™, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, or in addition, the communication element 264 may establish communication through connectors or couplers that receive metal conductor wires or cables which are compatible with networking technologies such as ethernet. In certain embodiments, the communication element 264 may also couple with optical fiber cables. The communication element 264 may be in communication with or electronically coupled to the memory element 266 and the processing element 268.

[0122] The memory element 266 may include data storage components such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM, erasable programmable ROM, random-access memory (RAM) such as static RAM (SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM), cache memory, hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks, flash memory, thumb drives, USB ports, or the like, or combinations thereof. The memory element 266 may include, or may constitute, a "computer-readable medium". The memory element 266 may store the instructions, code, code segments, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, services, daemons, or the like that are executed by the processing element 268. The memory element 266 may also store settings, data, documents, sound files, photographs, movies, images, databases, and the like.

[0123] The processing element 268 may include processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), analog and/or digital application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like, or combinations thereof. The processing element 268 may generally execute, process, or run instructions, code, code segments, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, processes, services, daemons, or the like. The processing element 268 may also include hardware components, such as finite-state machines, sequential and combinational logic, and other electronic circuits that may perform the functions necessary for the operation of embodiments of the current inventive concept. The processing element 268 may be in communication with the other electronic components through serial or parallel links that include address busses, data busses, control lines, and the like.

[0124] Furthermore, each processing element and each memory element may be distributed over more than one physical locations without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.

[0125] GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

[0126] Although the present application sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and equivalents. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0127] Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[0128] Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, or instructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware. In hardware, the routines, etc., are tangible units capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as computer hardware that operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

[0129] In various embodiments, computer hardware, such as a processing element, may be implemented as special purpose or as general purpose. For example, the processing element may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured, such as an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or indefinitely configured, such as an FPGA, to perform certain operations. The processing element may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement the processing element as special purpose, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or as general purpose (e.g. , configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

[0130] Accordingly, the term "processing element" or equivalents should be understood to encompass a tangible entity or group of tangible entities, be that entities that are physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in which the processing element is temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the processing elements need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where the processing element comprises a general-purpose processor configured using software, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective different processing elements at different times. Software may accordingly configure the processing element to constitute a particular hardware configuration at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware configuration at a different instance of time. Moreover, the "processing element" may, unless more narrowly described, consist of multiple separate tangible pieces of hardware for operating in the described manner to perform certain operations described herein.

[0131] Computer hardware components, such as communication elements, memory elements, processing elements, and the like, may provide information to, and receive information from, other computer hardware components. Accordingly, the described computer hardware components may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiple of such computer hardware components exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) that connect the computer hardware components. In embodiments in which multiple computer hardware components are configured or instantiated at different times, communications between such computer hardware components may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiple computer hardware components have access. For example, one computer hardware component may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further computer hardware component may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Computer hardware components may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and may operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information).

[0132] The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processing elements that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processing elements may constitute processing element- implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modules referred to herein may, in some example embodiments, comprise processing element-implemented modules.

[0133] Similarly, the methods or routines described herein may be at least partially processing element-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processing elements or processing element-implemented hardware modules. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processing elements, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processing elements may be located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment or as a server farm), while in other embodiments the processing elements may be distributed across a number of locations.

[0134] Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using words such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "presenting," "displaying," or the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer with a processing element and other computer hardware components) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information.

[0135] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. For the avoidance of doubt, the term "cell" is used herein interchangeably with the term "universal storage cell."

[0136] Although the above description presents features of preferred embodiments of the present invention, other preferred embodiments may also be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Furthermore, these other preferred embodiments may in some instances be realized through a combination of features compatible for use together despite having been presented independently in the above description.

[0137] It should be noted, in view of the foregoing description, that the word "universal" as applied to specific terms used herein, does not necessarily connote complete universality of such components for use in all applications. For example, a "universal" storage cell may not feasibly be used to power a watch, but may still be considered a "universal" cell. In some embodiments, the term may simply refer to use in an appreciably numerous number of applications.

[0138] It should be noted that, in certain embodiments, the functions described throughout this disclosure as being performed by the inventory program may be performed with or without user input without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. For example, the inventory program may cause a visual representation of a block of system data to appear to a user or administrator. The inventory program may thereafter receive an input in response to said display of the block of data from the user or administrator that causes the inventory program to issue instructions to certain other system components, thereby instructing such other system component(s) in response to the block of data, albeit at least partially in reliance on such input.

[0139] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0140] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A system for providing power for a plurality of device types using replenished universal storage cells, the system comprising:

a universal storage cell;

a central kiosk having at least one bay for housing the universal storage cell;

a robotic inventory device configured to provide the universal storage cell to a user;

an inventory program stored on a memory element connectable to a processing element and configured to provide instructions to the robotic inventory device; and a universal power gateway configured to adjust energy input and/or output of the universal storage cell to reflect an optimal electrical use state.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal power gateway includes at least one of: (a) a converter, (b) an inverter, (c) a universal serial bus (USB), and (d) a control module processor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the universal power gateway is housed, at least in part, by a transport module configured to be coupled with the universal storage cell and to provide electrical communication between a user device and the universal storage cell.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the transport module is further configured to receive at least one additional universal storage cell and to provide electrical communication between the user device and the additional universal storage cell.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the universal power gateway is housed, at least in part, by a housing of the universal storage cell.

6. The system of any of claims 3-5, the system further comprising a use state database populated with data regarding a plurality of optimal electrical use states for electrical systems of a plurality of device types.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the inventory program is further configured to process user requirements data and data from the use state database to configure the universal power gateway.

8. The system of any of claims 3-5, wherein the inventory program is further configured to configure the universal power gateway based on optimal electrical use state data received from the user.

9. The system of any of claims 3-5, wherein the universal power gateway includes the control module processor (d), and the control module processor is configured to configure the universal power gateway based on optimal electrical use state data received from the user.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the universal power gateway includes the control module processor (d), and the control module processor is configured to configure the universal power gateway based on data from the use state database.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transport module configured to be electrically connected with the universal storage cell and to provide electrical communication between a user device and the universal storage cell.

12. The system of claim 1 1, wherein the transport module is further configured to charge the universal storage cell using energy collected from at least one of (a) a moving part of the device, and (b) an electrical system of the device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the energy collected from the device is waste energy.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the device is a user vehicle, and the energy collected from the device derives from at least one of (1) regenerative braking apparatus, and (2) an alternator bypass and/or split charge relay.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the transport module is further configured to power an electrical system of the user device using the universal storage cell.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the transport module is further configured to power the electrical system of the user device at approximately the optimal electrical use state of the user device.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the transport module is further configured to charge the universal storage cell at approximately an optimal charge state of the universal storage cell.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one bay of the central kiosk is movable, and the robotic inventory device is configured to engage with and move the at least one bay to a pre-determined location for pickup of the universal storage cell by the user.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic inventory device is configured to deliver the universal storage cell to the user by actuating a door to one of the at least one bay to provide access to the universal storage cell.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bay is configured to provide an electrical connection between the universal storage cell and an electrical system of the central kiosk.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a converter electrically interposed between the universal storage cell and the electrical system of the central kiosk.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bay is configured to obtain energy status data regarding the universal storage cell.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the energy status data is obtained through wireless communication with the universal storage cell.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein at least one of energy status data and electrical charge is transferred via the electrical connection.

25. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tracking system configured to provide ID data regarding the universal storage cell in conjunction with an exchange of the universal storage cell between the central kiosk and the user.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the tracking system is further configured to provide identity authentication data regarding the user.

27. The system of claim 25 or 26, wherein the tracking system further comprises at least one of the following: (a) an optical device configured to (1) record video footage at the central kiosk, (2) scan barcode information, and/or (3) record user credential information; (b) a radio frequency identification receiver configured to receive a signal from a transmitter embedded in a housing of the universal storage device; and (c) a module of the inventory program configured to receive data from a computing device of the user.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the tracking system comprises the module (c) and the module is configured to receive ID data regarding the universal storage cell and identity authentication data regarding the user.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an additional universal storage cell;

an additional central kiosk geographically remote from the central kiosk and having at least one additional bay for housing the additional universal storage cell; and an additional robotic inventory device configured to provide the additional

universal storage cell to the user;

wherein,

the inventory program is further configured to interface with a geographic mapping application to match the user with at least one of the universal storage cell and the additional universal storage cell.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the inventory program is further configured to perform the matching based on user device energy status data received by the inventory program and correlated with device location status data received from the geographic mapping application.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal storage cell is configured to electrically communicate with the central kiosk and a user device in a standard communication protocol.

32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the standard communication protocol is CAN bus standard ISO 11898.

33. The system of claim 20, further comprising a transport module electrically interposed between the universal storage cell and the electrical system of the central kiosk.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the universal storage cell includes a housing configured according to a standard size and shape protocol.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the standard size and shape protocol is one established by the American National Standards Institute.

36. The system of claim 3 or 5, wherein the inventory program is further configured to configure the universal power gateway based on optimal electrical use state data received from a user device.

37. The system of claim 3 or 5, wherein the universal power gateway includes the control module processor (d), and the control module processor is configured to configure the universal power gateway based on optimal electrical use state data received from a user device.

38. A computer-implemented method for distributing replenished power supplies, the steps of the method comprising:

receiving depleted energy status data for a universal storage cell;

storing, via a processing element, the depleted energy status data in a memory element; permitting access to the memory element for matching a supplier user with the universal storage cell based on the depleted energy status data;

receiving replenished energy status data for the universal storage cell;

storing, via the processing element, the replenished energy status data for the universal storage cell in the memory element; and

permitting access to the memory element for matching a consumer user with the universal storage cell based on the replenished energy status data.

39. The computer-implemented method of claim 38, wherein said matching of the supplier user and the consumer user with the universal storage cell each further comprises at least one of the following steps: (a) executing, via the processing element, an inventory program that processes (1) the depleted energy status data or the replenished energy status data, depending respectively on whether the supplier user or consumer user is being matched, together with (2) user requirements data, and (b) transmitting at least one of the depleted energy status data and the replenished energy status data for the universal storage cell from the memory element to a user computing device.

40. The computer-implemented method of claim 39, wherein step (a) is implemented and the user requirements data of the consumer user includes at least one of (i) a total energy requirement, (ii) a total number of requested storage cells requirement, and (iii) a user device type.

41. The computer-implemented method of claim 40, further comprising the step of matching at least one additional universal storage cell with the consumer user in response to the user requirements data.

42. The computer-implemented method of claim 40, wherein the replenished energy status data is configured, before matching the consumer user with the universal storage cell, to indicate an amount of energy in the universal storage cell in relation to a universal energy storage standard.

43. The computer-implemented method of claim 38, wherein each of the receiving and permitting access steps is performed via a computer network.

44. The computer-implemented method of claim 38, further comprising the steps of: receiving ID data including at least one indicator of a physical location of the universal storage cell within a central kiosk.

45. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein said physical location is at least one of (a) an assigned bay and (b) a spatial location.

46. The computer-implemented method of claim 45, further comprising the step of linking, via the processing element, user requirement data with the ID data for matching the consumer user to the universal storage cell.

47. The computer-implemented method of claim 46, further comprising the step of instructing, via the processing element, a robotic inventory device to deliver the universal storage cell to the consumer user.

48. The computer-implemented method of claim 38, further comprising the steps of: storing user profiles in the memory element for each of the consumer user and the supplier user; and

associating replenished energy status data with the user profiles of each of the consumer user and the supplier user.

49. The computer-implemented method of claim 48, further comprising the step of associating depleted energy status data with the user profile of the supplier user.

50. The computer-implemented method of claim 49, further comprising the step of crediting a payment amount to the user profile of the supplier user based on the replenished energy status data and the depleted energy status data.

51. The computer-implemented method of claim 48, further comprising the step of debiting a payment amount proportionate to the replenished energy status data from the user profile of the consumer user.

52. The computer-implemented method of claim 50 or 51, further comprising the step of determining, prior respectively to the step of crediting or debiting, a value per unit energy applicable to the respective payment amount.

53. The computer-implemented method of claim 40, wherein:

user requirements data type (iii) is processed by the inventory program for matching the universal storage cell to each of the users, and

the user device type for the supplier user is different than the user device type for the consumer user.

54. The computer-implemented method of claim 53, wherein the supplier user device type indicates a first vehicle manufacturer having a first optimal electrical use state, and the consumer user device type indicates a second vehicle manufacturer having a second optimal electrical use state.

55. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, further comprising the steps of: receiving identity authentication data regarding the supplier user and the consumer user from a central kiosk; and

associating, via the processing element, the ID data of the universal storage cell within the memory element with the identity authentication data.

56. A computer-implemented method for facilitating power distribution, the steps of the method comprising:

receiving user requirements data regarding a user;

retrieving, via a processing element, a packet of optimal use state data based on the user requirements data from a use state database stored in a memory element, the use state database being populated with data regarding a plurality of optimal electrical use states for electrical systems of a plurality of device types; and

configuring, via the processing element, a universal power gateway based on the packet of optimal use state data.

57. The computer-implemented method of claim 56, further comprising the steps of: accessing, via the processing element, a storage cell database stored in the memory

element, the storage cell database being populated with cell ID data and energy status data regarding a plurality of universal storage cells; and

executing, via the processing element, an inventory program to match at least one universal storage cell of the plurality of storage cells to the user based on the user requirements data, the ID data and the energy status data.

58. The computer-implemented method of claim 57, wherein the universal power gateway is housed in at least one of: (a) a transport module configured to receive the at least one universal storage cell and provide electrical communication between a user device and the at least one universal storage cell, and (b) a housing of the at least one universal storage cell.

59. The computer-implemented method of claim 58, wherein the universal power gateway includes one or more of the following: (1) a converter, (2) an inverter, and (3) a universal serial bus (USB).

60. The computer-implemented method of claim 59, wherein the universal power gateway further includes a control module.

61. The computer-implemented method of claim 60, wherein the configuring of the universal power gateway includes transmitting configuration instructions to the control module of the universal power gateway.

62. The computer-implemented method of claim 61, wherein the control module includes a unit control module and a power distribution manager.

63. The computer-implemented method of claim 61, wherein the configuration instructions are transmitted via a computer network.

64. The computer-implemented method of claim 56, wherein the plurality of device types includes a plurality of vehicles.

65. The computer-implemented method of claim 57, further comprising the step of directing, via the processing element, a robotic inventory device of a central kiosk to distribute the universal storage cell to the user.

66. A method for providing a forum for managed energy exchange, the steps of the method comprising:

providing a central kiosk including a robotic inventory device;

providing a plurality of universal storage cells;

providing a storage cell database stored in a memory element and populated with cell ID data and energy status data regarding the plurality of universal storage cells;

providing an inventory program stored in the memory element and configured to process information from the storage cell database and provide instructions to the robotic inventory device; and

instructing the robotic inventory device to transfer stored electrical energy at the central kiosk in response to at least one of (a) market energy value data, and (b) user requirements data.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the robotic inventory device is instructed in response to the market energy value data and according to at least the following correlations: (1) deplete a first group of universal storage cells if the market energy value data is high, and (2) charge a second group of universal storage cells if the market energy value data is low.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the market energy value data is low and the second group of universal storage cells is charged from at least one of the following power sources: (i) solar, (ii) wind, (iii) coal, (iv) nuclear, (v) geothermal, (vi) hydroelectric, (vii) biomass, (viii) tidal, and (ix) natural gas.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the market energy value data is high and the first group of universal storage cells is depleted of a first amount of energy, the method further comprising the step of transferring the first amount of energy to at least one of (A) an electrical grid and (B) a local electrical system.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein the robotic inventory device is instructed in response to the user requirements data.

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising the step of transmitting the market energy value data to the user.

72. The method of claim 71 , wherein the market energy value data includes at least one of: (i) a visual depiction of historical market energy value trend(s), and (ii) a recommendation that the user obtain a portion of the plurality of universal storage cells for either depletion or charging.

73. The method of claim 71 or 72, further comprising the steps of:

executing the inventory program to process data from the storage cell database to match at least one of the plurality of storage cells to the user based on the user requirements data; and

instructing the robotic inventory device to transfer stored electrical energy at the central kiosk by distributing the at least one of the plurality of universal storage cells to the user.

74. The computer-implemented method of claim 73, wherein the energy status data indicates an amount of energy in the plurality of universal storage cells in relation to a universal energy storage standard.

75. The computer-implemented method of claim 73, further comprising the steps of: storing a user profile for the user in the memory element; and

associating the energy status data for the at least one of the plurality of universal storage cells with the user profile.

76. The computer-implemented method of claim 75, further comprising the step of debiting from the user profile a payment amount proportionate to the energy status data for the at least one of the plurality of universal storage cells.

77. The computer-implemented method of claim 76, wherein the payment amount is calculated based on the market energy value data approximately relevant to the time at which the at least one of the plurality of universal storage cells is distributed to the user.

78. The computer-implemented method of claim 75, further comprising the step of receiving replenished energy status data for the plurality of universal storage cells and associating the replenished energy status data with the user profile.

79. The computer-implemented method of claim 78, further comprising the step of crediting a payment amount to the user profile based on the replenished energy status data.

80. The computer-implemented method of claim 79, wherein the payment amount is calculated based on the market energy value data approximately relevant to a time at which one or more of the at least one of the plurality of universal storage cells is received from the user at the central kiosk.

81. The computer-implemented method of claim 73 or 80, further comprising the steps of:

receiving identity authentication data regarding the user at the central kiosk; and associating the cell ID data for the at least one of the universal storage cells with the identity authentication data within the memory element.