Apparatus, method and article for physical security of power storage devices in vehicles

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,900 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,936 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed May 16, 2012, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,753 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR REDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BETWEEN COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,761 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,772 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASED ON USER PROFILES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,887 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed May 16, 2012, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,880 entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/557,170 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES” and filed Nov. 8, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/581,566 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT” and filed Dec. 29, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,404 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA” and filed Feb. 21, 2012 , U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,949 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Feb. 22, 2012, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,953 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE” and filed Feb. 22, 2012.

BACKGROUND

00021. Technical Field

0003The present disclosure generally relates to the physical security of power storage devices, and particularly to the physical security of power storage devices in vehicles.

00042. Description of the Related Art

0005There are a wide variety of uses or applications for portable electrical power storage devices.

0006One such application is in the field of transportation. Hybrid and all-electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common. Such vehicles may achieve a number of advantages over traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. For example, hybrid or electrical vehicles may achieve higher fuel economy and may have little or even zero tail pipe pollution. In particular, all-electric vehicles may not only have zero tail pipe pollution, but may be associated with lower overall pollution. For example, electrical power may be generated from renewable sources (e.g., solar, hydro). Also for example, electrical power may be generated at generation plants that produce no air pollution (e.g., nuclear plants). Also for example, electrical power may be generated at generation plants that burn relatively “clean burning” fuels (e.g., natural gas), which have higher efficiency than internal combustion engines, and/or which employ pollution control or removal systems (e.g., industrial air scrubbers) which are too large, costly or expensive for use with individual vehicles.

0007Personal transportation vehicles such as combustion engine powered scooters and/or motorbikes are ubiquitous in many places, for example in the many large cities of Asia. Such scooters and/or motorbikes tend to be relatively inexpensive, particular as compared to automobiles, cars or trucks. Cities with high numbers of combustion engine scooters and/or motorbikes also tend to be very densely populated and suffer from high levels of air pollution. When new, many combustion engine scooters and/or motorbikes are equipped with a relatively low polluting source of personal transportation. For instance, such scooters and/or motorbikes may have higher mileage ratings than larger vehicles. Some scooters and/or motorbikes may even be equipped with basic pollution control equipment (e.g., catalytic converter). Unfortunately, factory specified levels of emission are quickly exceeded as the scooters and/or motorbikes are used and either not maintained and/or as the scooters and/or motorbikes are modified, for example by intentional or unintentional removal of catalytic converters. Often owners or operators of scooters and/or motorbikes lack the financial resources or the motivation to maintain their vehicles.

0008It is known that air pollution has a negative effect on human health, being associated with causing or exacerbating various diseases (e.g., various reports tie air pollution to emphysema, asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis as well as various cardiovascular diseases). Such diseases take large numbers of lives and severely reduce the quality of life of countless others.

BRIEF SUMMARY

0009A portable electrical energy storage device security system for a portable electrical energy storage device may be summarized as including at least one controller; and at least one communications module coupled to the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller is configured to: receive information regarding authentication of an external device via the communications module; and in response to receiving the information regarding authentication, unlock a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle.

0010The at least one controller may be configured to make a determination regarding unlocking the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism based on the received information regarding authentication. The least one controller may be further configured to: generate a challenge key to send to the external device; send the challenge key to the external device; receive a response from the external device to the sending of the challenge key, the response including a response code as part of the information regarding authentication; generate an output from a secret algorithm using a secret key and the response code as input, the secret algorithm and the secret key configured to be known only to the portable electrical energy storage device security system and one or more authorized external devices; and comparing the output from the secret algorithm to the response code, and wherein the at least one controller is configured to make the determination regarding unlocking the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism based at least on the comparison. The configured portable electrical energy storage device security system may be coupled to the vehicle or may be integrated as part of the portable electrical energy storage device. The external device may be a portable electrical energy storage device collection and charging machine. The external device may be a device located at a vehicle service center. The at least one communications module may be configured to receive the information regarding authentication of the external device via a wireless signal and communicate the information to the at least one controller to unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism in order to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to the vehicle. The portable electrical energy storage device security system may further include the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism coupled to the at least one controller; and a switch coupled to the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism and the at least one controller, the switch configured to be activated by a control signal generated by the at least one controller of the configured portable electrical energy storage device security system, wherein the controller is configured to: send the signal in a manner to unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism in order to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to the vehicle, if the external device is authenticated based on the information regarding authentication; and send the signal in a manner to lock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism in order to prevent the portable electrical energy storage device from being removed from being operably connected to the vehicle, if, after a defined period of time, the information regarding authentication of the external device can no longer be received via the communications module. The at least one controller may be configured to receive the information regarding authentication via a wireless signal transmitted from the external device. In some embodiments, the wireless signal transmitted from the external device is not detectable outside a specified maximum range from the portable electrical energy storage device security system communications module. The wireless signal may include a rolling code for the authentication of the external device by the at least one controller. The portable electrical energy storage device security system may further include a power interface coupled to the at least one controller and configured to be coupled to the portable electrical energy storage device and the electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to provide power to the electrical energy storage device locking mechanism. The power interface may be configured to be coupled to an auxiliary power source other than the portable electrical energy storage device to provide power to the electrical energy storage device locking mechanism should the portable electrical energy storage device be not able to provide enough power to operate the electrical energy storage device locking mechanism.

0011A method of operating a portable electrical energy storage device security system may be summarized as including receiving, by the portable electrical energy storage device security system, information regarding authentication of an external device; and making a determination, by the portable electrical energy storage device security system, regarding unlocking a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to allow a portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle, based on the information regarding authentication.

0012The receiving the information may include receiving the information regarding authentication via a wireless signal transmitted from a portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine, and wherein the wireless signal received from the collection, charging and distribution machine may not be detectable outside a specified maximum range from a communications module of the portable electrical energy storage device security system. The method may further include sending a signal from a controller of the portable electrical energy storage device security system in a manner to unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism in order to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to the vehicle, if the external device is authenticated based on the information regarding authentication; and sending a signal from the controller of the portable electrical energy storage device security system in a manner to lock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism in order to prevent the portable electrical energy storage device from being removed from being operably connected to the vehicle, if, after a defined period of time, the information regarding authentication of the external device can no longer continue to be received via a communications module of the portable electrical energy storage device. The portable electrical energy storage device security system may be integrated as part of the portable electrical energy storage device. The portable electrical energy storage device security system may be coupled to the vehicle. The making the determination may include comparing a code from the received information regarding authentication to one or more codes associated with the portable electrical energy storage device security system and may further include unlocking the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to the vehicle if the code from the received information regarding authentication matches one of the one or more codes associated with the portable electrical energy storage device; and locking the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism in order to prevent the portable electrical energy storage device from being removed from being operably connected to the vehicle, if, after a defined period of time, the information regarding authentication of the external device can no longer be received via a communications module of the portable electrical energy storage device or if, after a defined period of time, a code from the received information can no longer be matched to at least one or one of one or more codes currently associated with the portable electrical energy storage device security system. The method may further include generating a challenge key to send to the external device; sending the challenge key to the external device; receiving a response from the external device to the sending of the challenge key, the response including a response code as part of the information regarding authentication; generating an output from a secret algorithm using a secret key and the response code as input, the secret algorithm and the secret key configured to be known only to the portable electrical energy storage device security system and one or more authorized external devices; and comparing the output from the secret algorithm to the response code, and wherein making the determination regarding unlocking the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism is based at least on the comparison.

0013A portable electrical energy storage device may be summarized as including a battery cell; and a security system operably coupled to the cell, the security system configured to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle, based on information received wirelessly regarding authentication of an external device.

0014The security system may include at least one controller; and at least one communications module coupled to the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller is configured to: receive information regarding authentication of an external device via the communications module; and make a determination regarding unlocking a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to the vehicle, based on the information regarding authentication. The security system may further include the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism coupled to the at least one controller; and a power interface that is configured to be coupled to the at least one controller and to an auxiliary power source other than the portable electrical energy storage device to provide power to the electrical energy storage device locking mechanism should the portable electrical energy storage device be not able to provide enough power to operate the electrical energy storage device locking mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

0015In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic view of a collection, charging and distribution machine along with a number of electrical power storage devices according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, along with an electric scooter or motorbike, and an electrical service provided via an electrical grid.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of the collection, charging and distribution machine of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a block diagram of a portable electrical energy storage device physical security system for the portable electrical energy storage device of the scooter or motorbike of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in wireless communication in one instance with the collection, charging and distribution machine of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and in another instance with a scooter or motorbike service center, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic view of the locking mechanism controller of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a cross-sectional elevation view of the portable electrical energy storage device of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> coupled to the portable electrical energy storage device physical security system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> and locked in an operable position within the scooter of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the portable electrical energy storage device of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> in which the portable electrical energy storage device physical security system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is integrated with and part of the portable electrical energy storage device of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated alternative embodiment.

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flow diagram showing a high level method of operating the locking mechanism controller of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-6</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating the locking mechanism controller of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-6</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including accepting the portable electrical energy storage device charge, useful in the method of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating the locking mechanism controller of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-6</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including sending a signal to lock and unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism, useful in the method of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0025In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with vending apparatus, batteries, locking mechanisms, wireless technologies, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, power converters including but not limited to transformers, rectifiers, DC/DC power converters, switch mode power converters, controllers, and communications systems and structures and networks have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

0026Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

0027Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

0028The use of ordinals such as first, second and third does not necessarily imply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only distinguish between multiple instances of an act or structure.

0029Reference to portable electrical power storage device means any device capable of storing electrical power and releasing stored electrical power including but not limited to batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors. Reference to batteries means chemical storage cell or cells, for instance rechargeable or secondary battery cells including but not limited to nickel cadmium alloy or lithium ion battery cells.

0030The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows an environment <b>100</b> including a collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>, according to one illustrated embodiment.

0032The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may take the form of a vending machine or kiosk. The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> has a plurality of receivers, compartments or receptacles <b>104</b><i>a</i>, <b>104</b><i>b</i>-<b>104</b><i>n </i>(only three called out in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, collectively <b>104</b>) to removably receive portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors) <b>106</b><i>a</i>-<b>106</b><i>n </i>(collectively <b>106</b>) for collection, charging and distribution. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, some of the receivers <b>104</b> are empty, while other receivers <b>104</b> hold portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>. While

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a single portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b> per receiver <b>104</b>, in some embodiments each receiver <b>104</b> may hold two or even more portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>. For example, each of the receivers <b>104</b> may be sufficiently deep to receive three portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>. Thus, for example, the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> may have a capacity capable of simultaneously holding 40, 80 or 120 portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>.

0034The portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> may take a variety of forms, for example batteries (e.g., array of battery cells) or supercapacitors or ultracapacitors (e.g., array of ultracapacitor cells). For example, the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>may take the form of rechargeable batteries (i.e., secondary cells or batteries). The portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>may, for instance, be sized to physically fit, and electrically power, personal transportation vehicles, such as all-electric scooters or motorbikes <b>108</b>. As previously noted, combustion engine scooters and motorbikes are common in many large cities, for example in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The ability to conveniently access charged batteries throughout a city or region may facilitate the use of all-electric scooters and motorbikes <b>108</b> in place of combustion engine scooters and motorbikes, thereby alleviating air pollution, as well as reducing noise.

0035The portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> (only visible for portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>) may include a number of electrical terminals <b>110</b><i>a</i>, <b>110</b><i>b </i>(two illustrated, collectively <b>110</b>), accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>. The electrical terminals <b>110</b> allow charge to be delivered from the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>, as well as allow charge to be delivered to the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>for charging or recharging the same. While illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> as posts, the electrical terminals <b>110</b> may take any other form which is accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>, including electrical terminals positioned within slots in a battery housing. As the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> may be lent, leased, and/or rented out to the public, it is desirable to control how and in what circumstances the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> may be removed from being operably connected to the vehicle for which they provide power. This control of the physical security of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> helps to prevent theft and/or misuse of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>. Systems and methods for physical security of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>, including a security system for controlling removal of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> from a vehicle, are described in more detail below with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-9</figref>, and are useful in the overall system for collection, charging and distribution of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> described herein.

0036The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> is positioned at some location <b>112</b> at which the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> is conveniently and easily accessible by various end users. The location may take any of a large variety of forms, for example, a retail environment such as a convenience store, supermarket, gas or petrol station, or service or service center. Alternatively, the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may stand alone at a location <b>112</b> not associated with an existing retail or other business, for example in public parks or other public places. Thus, for example, collection, charging and distribution machines <b>102</b> may be located at each store of a chain of convenience stores throughout a city or region. Such may advantageously rely on the fact that convenience stores are often sited or distributed based on convenience to the target population or demographic. Such may advantageously rely on pre-existing leases on storefronts or other retail locations to allow an extensive network of collection, charging and distribution machines <b>102</b> to be quickly developed in a city or region. Quickly achieving a large network that provides for physical security of the of portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> while in the all-electric scooters or motorbikes <b>108</b> enhances the ability to depend on such a system and likely commercial success of such an effort.

0037The location <b>112</b> may include an electrical service <b>114</b> to receive electrical power from a generating station (not shown) for example via a grid <b>116</b>. The electrical service <b>114</b> may, for example, include one or more of an electrical service meter <b>114</b><i>a</i>, a circuit panel (e.g., circuit breaker panel or fuse box) <b>114</b><i>b</i>, wiring <b>114</b><i>c</i>, and electrical outlet <b>114</b><i>d</i>. Where the location <b>112</b> is an existing retail or convenience store, the electrical service <b>114</b> may be an existing electrical service, so may be somewhat limited in rating (e.g., 120 volts, 240 volts, 220 volts, 230 volts, 15 amps).

0038Optionally, the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may include or be coupled to a source of renewable electrical power. For example, where installed in an outside location the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may include an array of photovoltaic (PV) cells <b>118</b> to produce electrical power from solar insolation. Alternatively, the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may be electrically coupled to a microturbine (e.g., wind turbine) or PV array positioned elsewhere at the location <b>112</b>, for instance on a roof top or mounted at a top of a pole (not shown).

0039The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may be communicatively coupled to one or more remotely located computer systems, such as back end or back office systems (only one shown) <b>120</b>. The back end or back office systems <b>120</b> may collect data from and/or control a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machines <b>102</b> distributed about an area, such as a city.

0040In some embodiments, the back end or back office systems <b>120</b> may collect data from and/or control a plurality of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>, such as by generating, tracking, sending and/or receiving one or more codes included in a wireless signal <b>126</b> sent by the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> to an all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> or other vehicle. The sending and/or receiving one or more codes enables access to the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> for removal from a respective all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> while the all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> is in the vicinity of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>. The communications between the back end or back office systems <b>120</b> and the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may occur over one or more communications channels including one or more networks <b>122</b>, or non-networked communications channels. Communications may be over one or more wired communications channels (e.g., twisted pair wiring, optical fiber), wireless communications channels (e.g., radio, microwave, satellite, <b>801</b>.<b>11</b> compliant). Networked communications channels may include one or more local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), extranets, intranets, or the Internet including the World Wide Web portion of the Internet.

0041The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may include a user interface <b>124</b>. The user interface may include a variety of input/output (I/O) devices to allow an end user to interact with the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>. Various I/O devices are called out and described in reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, which follows.

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, according to one illustrated embodiment.

0043The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> includes a control subsystem <b>202</b>, a charging subsystem <b>204</b>, a communications subsystem <b>206</b>, and a user interface subsystem <b>208</b>.

0044The control subsystem <b>202</b> includes a controller <b>210</b>, for example a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC), programmable gate array (PGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or another controller capable of receiving signals from various sensors, performing logical operations, and sending signals to various components. Typically, the controller <b>210</b> may take the form of a microprocessor (e.g., INTEL, AMD, ATOM). The control subsystem <b>202</b> may also include one or more non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media, for example read only memory (ROM) <b>212</b>, random access memory (RAM) <b>214</b>, and data store <b>216</b> (e.g., solid-state storage media such as flash memory or EEPROM, or spinning storage media such as hard disk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media <b>212</b>, <b>214</b>, <b>216</b> may be in addition to any non-transitory storage medium (e.g., registers) which is part of the controller <b>210</b>. The control subsystem <b>202</b> may include one or more buses <b>218</b> (only one illustrated) coupling various components together, for example one or more power buses, instruction buses, data buses, etc.

0045As illustrated, the ROM <b>212</b>, or some other one of the non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media <b>212</b>, <b>214</b>, <b>216</b>, stores instructions and/or data or values for variables or parameters. The sets of data may take a variety of forms, for example a lookup table, a set of records in a database, etc. The instructions and sets of data or values are executable by the controller <b>110</b>. Execution of the instructions and sets of data or values causes the controller <b>110</b> to perform specific acts to cause the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> to collect, charge, and distribute portable energy storage devices, and to send one or more signals that enable access to the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> for removal from the all-electric scooters or motorbikes <b>108</b> while the all-electric scooters or motorbikes <b>108</b> are in the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> . Specific operation of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> is described herein and also below with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> and various flow diagrams (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7-9</figref>) in the context of being an external device which is authenticated in order to allow the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b> to be removed from being operably connected to the all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>.

0046The controller <b>210</b> may use RAM <b>214</b> in a conventional fashion, for volatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The controller <b>210</b> may use data store <b>216</b> to log or retain information, for example one or more codes that enable access to the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> for removal from the all-electric scooters or motorbikes <b>108</b> while the all-electric scooters or motorbikes <b>108</b> are in the vicinity of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>, and/or information related to operation of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> itself. The instructions are executable by the controller <b>210</b> to control operation of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> in response to end user or operator input, and using data or values for the variables or parameters.

0047The control subsystem <b>202</b> receives signals from various sensors and/or other components of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> which include information that characterizes or is indicative of operation, status, or condition of such other components. Sensors are represented in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> by the letter S appearing in a circle along with appropriate subscript letters.

0048For example, one or more position sensors S_P1-S_PNmay detect the presence or absence of a portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> at each of the receivers <b>104</b>. The position sensors S_P1-S_PNmay take a variety of forms. For example, the position sensors S_P1-S_PNmay take the form of mechanical switches that are closed, or alternatively opened, in response to contact with a portion of a respective portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> when the portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> is inserted into the receiver <b>104</b>. Also for example, the position sensors S_P1-S_PNmay take the form of optical switches (i.e., optical source and receiver) that are closed, or alternatively opened, in response to contact with a portion of a respective portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> when the portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> is inserted into the receiver <b>104</b>. Also for example, the position sensors S_P1-S_PNmay take the form of electrical sensors or switches that are closed, or alternatively opened, in response to detecting a closed circuit condition created by contact with the terminals <b>110</b> of a respective portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> when the portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> is inserted into the receiver <b>104</b>, or an open circuit condition that results from the lack of a respective portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> in the receiver <b>104</b>. These examples are intended to be non-limiting, and it is noted that any other structures and devices for detecting the presence/absence or even the insertion of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> into receivers may be employed.

0049For example, one or more charge sensors S_C1-S_CNmay detect charge of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> at each of the receivers <b>104</b>. Charge sensors S_C1-S_CNmay detect the amount of charge stored by the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>. Charge sensors S_C1-S_CNmay additionally detect an amount of charge and/or rate of charging being supplied to ones of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> at each of the receivers <b>104</b>. Such may allow assessment of current (i.e., temporal) charge condition or status of each portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b>, as well as allow feedback control over charging of same, including control over rate of charging. Charge sensors S_C1-S_CNmay include any variety of current and/or voltage sensors.

0050For example, one or more charge sensors S_T1(only one shown) may detect or sense a temperature at the receivers <b>104</b> or in the ambient environment.

0051The control subsystem <b>202</b> provides signals to various actuators and/or other components responsive to control signals, which signals include information that characterizes or is indicative of an operation the component is to perform or a state or condition into which the components should enter. Control signals, actuators or other components responsive to control signals are represented in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> by the letter C appearing in a circle along with appropriate subscript letters.

0052For example, one or more engine control signals C_A1-C_ANmay affect the operation of one or more actuators <b>220</b> (only one illustrated). For instance, a control signal C_A1may cause movement of an actuator <b>220</b> between a first and a second position or change a magnetic field produced by the actuator <b>220</b>. The actuator <b>220</b> may take any of a variety of forms, including but not limited to a solenoid, an electric motor such as a stepper motor, or an electromagnet. The actuator <b>220</b> may be coupled to operate a latch, lock or other retainer mechanism <b>222</b>. The latch, lock or other retainer mechanism <b>222</b> may selectively secure or retain one or more portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) in the receiver <b>104</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). For instance, the latch, lock or other retainer mechanism <b>222</b> may physically couple to a complimentary structure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Alternatively, the latch, lock or other retainer mechanism <b>222</b> may magnetically couple to a complimentary structure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Also for instance, the latch, lock or other retainer mechanism <b>222</b> may open a receiver <b>104</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), or may allow a receiver <b>104</b> to be opened, to receive a partially or fully discharged portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> for charging. For example, the actuator may open and/or close a door to the receiver <b>104</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), to selectively provide access to a portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) received therein. Also for example, the actuator may open and/or close a latch or lock, allowing an end user to open and/or close a door to the receiver <b>104</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), to selectively provide access to a portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) received therein.

0053The control subsystem <b>202</b> may include one or more ports <b>224</b><i>a </i>to provide control signals to one or more ports <b>224</b><i>b </i>of the charging subsystem <b>204</b>. The ports <b>224</b><i>a</i>, <b>224</b><i>b </i>may provide bi-directional communications. The control subsystem <b>202</b> may include one or more ports <b>226</b><i>a </i>to provide control signals to one or more ports <b>226</b><i>b </i>of the user interface subsystem <b>208</b>. The ports <b>226</b><i>a</i>, <b>226</b><i>b </i>may provide bi-directional communications.

0054The charging subsystem <b>204</b> includes various electrical and electronic components to charge portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> when positioned or received in the receivers <b>104</b>. For example, the charging subsystem <b>204</b> may include one or more power buses or power bus bars, relays, contactors or other switches (e.g., insulated gate bipolar transistors or IGBTs, metal oxide semiconductor transistors or MOSFETs), rectifier bridge(s), current sensors, ground fault circuitry, etc. The electrical power is supplied via contacts that can take any of a variety of forms, for instance terminals, leads, posts, etc. The contacts allow electrical coupling of various components. Some possible implementations are illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Such is not intended to be exhaustive. Additional components may be employed while other components may be omitted.

0055The illustrated charging subsystem <b>204</b> includes a first power converter <b>230</b> that receives electrical power from the electrical service <b>114</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) via a line or cord <b>232</b>. The power will typically be in the form of single two- or three-phase AC electrical power. As such, the first power converter <b>230</b> may need to convert and otherwise condition the electrical power received via the electrical services <b>114</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), for example for rectifying an AC waveform to DC, transforming voltage, current, and phase, as well as reducing transients and noise. Thus, the first power converter <b>230</b> may include a transformer <b>234</b>, rectifier <b>236</b>, DC/DC power converter <b>238</b>, and filter(s) <b>240</b>.

0056The transformer <b>234</b> may take the form of any variety of commercially available transformers with suitable ratings for handling the power received via the electrical service <b>114</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Some embodiments may employ multiple transformers. The transformer <b>234</b> may advantageously provide galvanic isolation between the components of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and the grid <b>116</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The rectifier <b>236</b> may take any of variety of forms, for example a full bridge diode rectifier or a switch mode rectifier. The rectifier <b>236</b> may be operated to transform AC electrical power to DC electrical power. The DC/DC power converter <b>238</b> may take any of a large variety of forms. For example, DC/DC power converter <b>238</b> may take the form a switch mode DC/DC power converter, for instance employing IGBTs or MOSFETs in a half or full bridge configuration, and may include one or more inductors. The DC/DC power converter <b>238</b> may have any number of topologies including a boost converter, buck converter, synchronous buck converter, buck-boost converter or fly-back converter. The filter(s) <b>240</b> may include one or more capacitors, resistors, Zener diodes or other elements to suppress voltage spikes, or to remove or reduce transients and/or noise.

0057The illustrated charging subsystem <b>204</b> may also receive electrical power from a renewable power source, for example the PV array <b>118</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Such may be converted or conditioned by the first power converter <b>230</b>, for example being supplied directly to the DC/DC power converter <b>238</b>, bypassing the transformer <b>236</b> and/or rectifier <b>236</b>. Alternatively, the illustrated charging subsystem <b>204</b> may include a dedicated power converter to convert or otherwise condition such electrical power.

0058The illustrated charging subsystem <b>204</b> may optionally include second power converter <b>242</b> that receives electrical power from one or more portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) via one or more lines <b>244</b>, for charging other ones of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>. As such, the second power converter <b>242</b> may need to convert and/or otherwise condition the electrical power received from portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>, for example optionally transforming voltage or current, as well as reducing transients and noise. Thus, the second power converter <b>242</b> may optionally include a DC/DC power converter <b>246</b> and/or filter(s) <b>248</b>. Various types of DC/DC power converters and filters are discussed above.

0059The illustrated charging subsystem <b>204</b> includes a plurality of switches <b>250</b> responsive to the control signals delivered via ports <b>224</b><i>a</i>, <b>224</b><i>b </i>from the control subsystem <b>202</b>. The switches may be operable to selectively couple a first number or set of portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> to be charged from electrical power supplied by both the electrical service via the first power converter <b>230</b> and from electrical power supplied by a second number or set of portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>. The first number or set of portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> may include a single portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b>, two, or even more portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>. The second number or set of portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> may include a single portable electrical power storage device <b>106</b>, two, or even more portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>. The portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> are represented in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> as loads L₁,L₂-L_N.

0060The communications subsystem <b>206</b> may additionally include one or more communications modules or components which facilitate communications with the various components of a back end or back office system <b>120</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), various components of the all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>, and/or various components of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>. The communications subsystem <b>206</b> may, for example, include one or more modems <b>252</b> and/or one or more Ethernet cards or other types of communications cards or components <b>254</b>. A port <b>256</b><i>a </i>of the control subsystem <b>202</b> may communicatively couple the control subsystem <b>202</b> with a port <b>256</b><i>b </i>of the communications subsystem <b>206</b>. The communications subsystem <b>206</b> may provide wired and/or wireless communications. For example, the communications subsystem <b>206</b> may provide components enabling short range (e.g., via Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) components and protocols) or longer range wireless communications (e.g., over a wireless LAN, satellite, or cellular network) with various other devices external to the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>, including various components of the all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>, and/or various components of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b>. The communications subsystem <b>206</b> may include one or more ports, wireless receivers, wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers to provide wireless signal paths to the various remote components or systems. The communications subsystem <b>206</b> may include one or more bridges or routers suitable to handle network traffic including switched packet type communications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networking protocols.

0061The user interface subsystem <b>208</b> includes one or more user input/output (I/O) components. For example, user interface subsystem <b>208</b> may include a touch screen display <b>208</b><i>a </i>operable to present information to an end user, and a graphical user interface (GUI) to receive indications of user selections. The user interface subsystem <b>208</b> may include a keyboard or keypad <b>208</b><i>b</i>, and/or a cursor controller (e.g., mouse, trackball, trackpad) (not illustrated) to allow an end user to enter information and/or select user selectable icons in a GUI. The user interface subsystem <b>208</b> may include a speaker <b>208</b><i>c </i>to provide aural messages to an end user and/or a microphone <b>208</b><i>d </i>to receive spoken user input such as spoken commands.

0062The user interface subsystem <b>208</b> may include a card reader <b>208</b><i>e </i>to read information from card type media <b>209</b>. The card reader <b>208</b><i>e </i>may take a variety of forms. For instance, the card reader <b>208</b><i>e </i>may take the form of, or include, a magnetic stripe reader for reading information encoded in a magnetic stripe carried by a card <b>209</b>. For instance, the card reader <b>208</b><i>e </i>may take the form of, or include, a machine-readable symbol (e.g., barcode, matrix code) card reader for reading information encoded in a machine-readable symbol carried by a card <b>209</b>. For instance, the card reader <b>208</b><i>e </i>may take the form of, or include, a smart card reader for reading information encoded in a non-transitory medium carried by a card <b>209</b>. Such may, for instance, include media employing radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders or electronic payment chips (e.g., near filed communications (NFC) chips). Thus, the card reader <b>208</b><i>e </i>may be able to read information from a variety of card media <b>209</b>, for instance credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, prepaid cards, as well as identification media such as drivers licenses. The card reader <b>208</b><i>e </i>may also be able to read information encoded in a non-transitory medium carried by the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>, and may also include RFID transponders, transceivers, NFC chips and/or other communications devices to communicate information to various components of the all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>, and/or various components of the portable electrical power storage devices <b>106</b> (e.g., for authentication of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> to the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> and/or the all-electric scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>, or for authentication of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b> to the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>).

0063The user interface subsystem <b>208</b> may include a bill acceptor <b>208</b><i>f </i>and a validator and/or coin acceptor <b>208</b><i>g </i>to accept and validate cash payments. Such may be highly useful in servicing populations lacking access to credit. Bill acceptor and validator <b>208</b><i>f </i>and/or coin acceptor <b>208</b><i>g </i>may take any variety of forms, for example those that are currently commercially available and used in various vending machines and kiosks.

0064<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a portable electrical energy storage device physical security system for the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>of the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> in wireless communication in one instance with the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and in another instance with a device at a scooter or motorbike service center <b>318</b>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0065Shown is a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> operably coupled to a locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. In some embodiments, the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> are part of the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>. In other embodiments, the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> are integrated with or part of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z. </i>

0066Also shown is the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> in wireless communication with the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. For example, the communications subsystem <b>206</b> (shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may provide components enabling short range (e.g., via Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) components and protocols) or longer range wireless communications (e.g., over a wireless LAN, satellite, or cellular network) with various other devices external to the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>, including the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. The communications subsystem <b>206</b> of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may include one or more ports, wireless receivers, wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers to provide wireless signal paths to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. The communications subsystem <b>206</b> of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may also or instead include one or more bridges or routers suitable to handle network traffic including switched packet type communications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networking protocols.

0067The portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>may be lent, leased, and/or rented out to the public. Since the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>is typically a relatively expensive component, it is desirable to control how and in what circumstances the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>may be removed from being operably connected or attached to the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> for which it provides power. This control of the physical security of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>helps to prevent theft and/or misuse of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>. For example, the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>may be operably connected to and physically locked or otherwise physically secured in the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> until the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> detects a wireless signal including authentication information from an external device such as the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> or a device at a service center <b>306</b> with one or more wireless communications subsystems such as that described above of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>. Other such external devices (not shown) with one or more wireless communications subsystems such as that described above of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may include, but are not limited to: card keys, access cards, credit cards, access control key fobs, mobile computing devices, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones, battery chargers, other access control devices, etc.

0068The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may periodically, constantly or aperiodically emit a wireless signal <b>126</b> for a locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> listening for such a signal to receive and authenticate the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> in order to trigger the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> to unlock, enabling the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>to be removed from the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>. Also or instead, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> may periodically or constantly emit a wireless signal <b>126</b> to which a collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> listening for such a signal will respond with a wireless signal for the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> to receive and authenticate the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> in order to trigger the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> to unlock, enabling the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>to be removed from the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>.

0069In some embodiments, the wireless signal received from the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may include a code that may be authenticated by the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> in order to ensure the signal is being received from an authorized device. For example, the code may be time-sensitive code such as a “hopping” code or a “rolling” code to provide such security. In the case of a 40-bit rolling code, forty bits provide 240 (about 1 trillion) possible codes. However, codes of other bit lengths may be used instead. The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> memory (e.g., ROM <b>212</b>) may hold the current 40-bit code. The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> then sends that 40-bit code to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> for the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> to unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b>. The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> also holds the current 40-bit code. If the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> receives the 40-bit code it expects, then it unlocks the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b>. If the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> does not receive the 40-bit code it expects, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> does nothing. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> will lock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> if the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is in an unlocked state and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> does not receive the 40-bit code it expects, or is not able to receive any signal over a determined period of time.

0070Both the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> use the same pseudo-random number generator (e.g., implemented by the respective processors of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>) to generate the 40-bit code. The collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may have different pseudo-random number generators to match the pseudo-random number generator of each locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> of each scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> or of each of the portable electrical energy storage devices <b>106</b>. When the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> receives a valid code form the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>, it uses the same pseudo-random number generator to generate the next code relative to the valid code received and communicates wirelessly with the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> to instruct it to also generate the next code using the same pseudo-random number generator, which the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> stores for the next use. In this way, the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> are synchronized. The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> only unlocks the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> if it receives the code it expects.

0071Also, the current 40-bit code or other time-sensitive rolling code may be generated and communicated to one or more other collection, charging and distribution machines within a network of collection, charging and distribution machines (e.g., via the network <b>122</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) so that any collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> may communicate the correct current code to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> when the scooter or motorbike having the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> or the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>having the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> comes within wireless signal range of the other collection, charging and distribution machines. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> may accept any of the next 256 possible valid codes in the pseudo-random number sequence. This way, if the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> for some reason become unsynchronized by 256 rolling codes or less, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> would still accept the transmission from the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>, unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and generate the next code relative to the valid code received.

0072In other embodiments, the hopping, rolling or time-sensitive code may be a universal code communicated by the back end or back office system <b>120</b> to the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and communicated wirelessly to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. For example, this may occur over a WAN, LAN and/or when the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> comes within wireless communications range of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> such as when the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> visits the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>.

0073In some embodiments, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and the collection, charging and distribution machine store a common secret key or code and use a common secret algorithm for authentication of the collection, charging and distribution machine. The common secret algorithm, for example, can be a hash function or other algorithm which takes the secret key and at least one other key or code as input and generates different output based on the secret key and different input. The common secret algorithm may be executed by respective processors of the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and the collection, charging and distribution machine using stored instructions on respective computer readable media of the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and the collection, charging and distribution machine or on respective configured hardware or firmware components of the of locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and collection, charging and distribution machine. The common secret algorithm and common secret key or code may be initially encoded, programmed or installed in the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and collection, charging and distribution machine in a secure fashion such that they are irretrievable or otherwise protected from being discovered. The common secret algorithm and common secret key or code are not communicated between the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and collection, charging and distribution machine during the authentication process.

0074In response to receiving an authentication beacon or request from the collection, charging and distribution machine via the wireless signal <b>126</b> (which may have been sent in response to a wireless signal or beacon received from the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>), the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> generates a challenge key and sends this challenge key to the collection, charging and distribution machine. In response to receiving the challenge key, the collection, charging and distribution machine uses the secret algorithm and the common secret key to generate a response value and sends this response value to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> then verifies the response value by using the generated challenge key and secret key as input to the secret algorithm to generate an output value from the secret algorithm. The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> then compares this output value from the secret algorithm to the response value received from the collection, charging and distribution machine. If the output from the secret algorithm generated by the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and the response value received from the collection, charging and distribution machine match, then the collection, charging and distribution machine is authenticated and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> may then take actions accordingly, such as sending a control signal to the locking mechanism <b>320</b> to unlock. If the output from the secret algorithm generated by the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and the response value received from the collection, charging and distribution machine do not match, then the collection, charging and distribution machine is not authenticated and the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> may then take no action, or take other actions accordingly, such as sending a control signal to the locking mechanism <b>320</b> to lock if not already locked. In some embodiments any authentication process involving using any combination of a public key and or public algorithm may be used.

0075Once the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> can no longer receive the wireless signal <b>126</b> from the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> (e.g., after the scooter or motorbike has already exchanged the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>at the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and is no longer within range of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> wireless signal <b>126</b>), the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> will send a signal to cause the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> to lock to prevent the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>from being able to be removed from being operably connected to the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b>. Also, as described above, if the signal received from the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> or other device contains an invalid code, if not already locked, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> will send a signal to cause the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> to lock to prevent the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>from being able to be removed from being operably connected to the scooter or motorbike. In some instances, where the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> is not part of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> must detect the presence of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>in the scooter or motorbike <b>108</b> before sending a signal to cause the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> to lock.

0076In some embodiments, the wireless portion of the authentication is strongly phased. Nearby, the system challenges some or all portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging and distribution machines that would wirelessly tell the vehicle to disengage the portable electrical energy storage device in order to swap the portable electrical energy storage device. Also, the portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine/service center may be mobile. For example, a service vehicle may come to a broken down/out of charge vehicle on the side of the road and the portable electrical energy storage device can only release when the authenticated service vehicle is nearby. “Nearby”, may be any range of distance selected by the system within range of short range wireless signal. A very short close distance may also be used, for example, as in some embodiments, the system may use technology such as near field communications (NFC) or other near field or very short range technologies.

0077<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic view of the locking mechanism controller of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0078The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> includes a controller <b>410</b>, a communications subsystem <b>406</b>, and a power interface <b>420</b>.

0079The controller <b>410</b>, for example, is a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC), programmable gate array (PGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or another controller capable of receiving signals from various sensors, performing logical operations, and sending signals to various components. Typically, the controller <b>410</b> may take the form of a microprocessor (e.g., INTEL, AMD, ATOM). The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> may also include one or more non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media, for example read only memory (ROM) <b>412</b>, random access memory (RAM) <b>414</b>, and other storage <b>416</b> (e.g., solid-state storage media such as flash memory or EEPROM, or spinning storage media such as hard disk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media <b>412</b>, <b>414</b>, <b>416</b> may be in addition to any non-transitory storage medium (e.g., registers) which is part of the controller <b>410</b>. The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> may include one or more buses <b>418</b> (only one illustrated) coupling various components together, for example one or more power buses, instruction buses, data buses, etc.

0080As illustrated, the ROM <b>412</b>, or some other one of the non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media <b>412</b>, <b>414</b>, <b>416</b>, stores instructions and/or data or values for variables or parameters. The sets of data may take a variety of forms, for example a lookup table, a set of records in a database, etc. The instructions and sets of data or values are executable by the controller <b>410</b>. Execution of the instructions and sets of data or values causes the controller <b>410</b> to perform specific acts to compare a code received from an external device and cause the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> to generate control signals to lock or unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> based on the comparison. Also, such acts may include, for example, operations implementing a pseudo-random number to generate a rolling code as described above. Specific operation of the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> is described herein and also below with reference to various flow diagrams (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7-9</figref>).

0081The controller <b>410</b> may use RAM <b>414</b> in a conventional fashion, for volatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The controller <b>410</b> may use data store <b>416</b> to log or retain information, for example, information regarding user profile information, vehicle profile information, security codes, credentials, security certificates, passwords, vehicle information, etc. The instructions are executable by the controller <b>410</b> to control operation of the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> in response to input from remote systems such as those of external devices including but not limited to: charging devices, vehicles, user identification devices (cards, electronic keys, etc.) vehicles, collection, charging and distribution machines, collection, charging and distribution machine service systems, service centers, user mobile devices, user vehicles, and end user or operator input.

0082The controller <b>410</b> may also receive signals from various sensors and/or components of an external device via the communications subsystem <b>406</b> of the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. This information may include information that characterizes or is indicative of the authenticity, authorization level, operation, status, or condition of such components and/or external devices.

0083The communications subsystem <b>406</b> may include one or more communications modules or components which facilitate communications with the various components of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> (e.g., such as to receive a security code) and/or of other external devices and also, such that data may be exchanged between the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and the external devices for authentication purposes. The communications subsystem <b>406</b> may provide wired and/or wireless communications. The communications subsystem <b>406</b> may include one or more ports, wireless receivers, wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers to provide wireless signal paths to the various remote components or systems. The communications subsystem <b>406</b> may, for example, include components enabling short range (e.g., via Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) components and protocols) or longer range wireless communications (e.g., over a wireless LAN, satellite, or cellular network) and may include one or more modems or one or more Ethernet or other types of communications cards or components for doing so. The remote communications subsystem <b>406</b> may include one or more bridges or routers suitable to handle network traffic including switched packet type communications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networking protocols.

0084In some embodiments, some or all of the components of the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> may be located outside of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>as a separate device that actuates one or more actuators <b>502</b> (shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>) of the portable electric al energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>(e.g., by a wireless control signal) sent via the communications subsystem <b>406</b>.

0085The power interface <b>420</b> is controllable by the controller <b>410</b> and is configured to receive power from the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>via connection <b>314</b><i>a </i>to provide power to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and also to the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> (via connection <b>314</b><i>b</i>). Also, the power interface <b>420</b> is controllable by the controller <b>410</b> and is configured to receive power from an auxiliary source other than the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>via connection <b>314</b><i>c </i>to provide power to the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and/or the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> should the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>be not able to provide enough power to operate the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and/or the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>. The power interface <b>420</b> includes various components operable for performing the above functions such as electrical transformers, converters, rectifiers, etc.

0086<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> coupled to the portable electrical energy storage device physical security system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> and locked in an operable position within the scooter <b>108</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0087Shown is a portable electrical energy storage device holder <b>510</b>, a part of a vehicle <b>508</b>, a portable electrical energy storage device housing <b>302</b>, electrical terminals <b>110</b><i>a</i>, <b>110</b><i>b</i>, a battery cell <b>304</b>, a locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>, a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and an auxiliary power source <b>516</b>. The battery cell <b>304</b> may be any rechargeable type of electrochemical cell that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Also, the battery cell <b>304</b> may comprise any type of rechargeable ultracapacitor array or fuel cell array. As described above, the electrical terminals <b>110</b><i>a</i>, <b>110</b><i>b </i>are accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>. The electrical terminals <b>110</b> allow charge to be delivered from the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>, as well as allow charge to be delivered to the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>for charging or recharging the same through conductive terminal connections <b>312</b><i>a </i>and <b>312</b><i>b </i>to the battery cell <b>304</b>. While illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> as posts, the electrical terminals <b>110</b><i>a </i>and <b>110</b><i>b </i>may take any other form which is accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>, including electrical terminals positioned within slots in the battery housing <b>302</b>.

0088The portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is located outside the portable electrical energy storage device housing <b>302</b> and fixedly attached to a vehicle part <b>508</b> (e.g., a vehicle frame or chassis) that is attached to a holder <b>510</b> in which the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>is placed. The holder <b>510</b> has a top opening <b>512</b> through which the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>may be placed into the holder <b>510</b> and removed from the holder <b>510</b>. Once the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>is placed in the holder <b>510</b>, the holder <b>510</b> surrounds the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>except at the top opening <b>512</b>. The portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> has a slidable bolt <b>506</b> which partially covers the opening <b>512</b> (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) in a locked state to block passage of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>through the opening <b>512</b> and thus prevent the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>from being able to be removed from the holder <b>510</b>. The slidable bolt <b>506</b> is slidable on a bolt track or through bolt housing <b>504</b> fixedly attached to the vehicle part <b>508</b>. When the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is in an unlocked state, the slidable bolt <b>506</b> is retracted (not shown) into the bolt housing <b>504</b> to not cover the opening <b>512</b> and thus allow passage of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>through the opening <b>512</b> of the holder <b>510</b> for the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>to be removed.

0089The portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is coupled to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> via a control line <b>308</b> and power line <b>314</b><i>b</i>. For example, one or more engine control signals received from the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> via control line <b>308</b> may affect the operation of one or more actuators <b>502</b> (only one illustrated) to cause the slidable bolt <b>506</b> to move. For instance, a control signal may cause movement of an actuator <b>502</b> between a first and a second position or change a magnetic field produced by the actuator <b>502</b>. The actuator <b>502</b> may take any of a variety of forms, including but not limited to a solenoid, an electric motor such as a stepper motor, or an electromagnet. The actuator <b>502</b> may alternatively be coupled to operate a different latch, lock or other type of retainer mechanism for the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z. </i>

0090The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> is configured to receive power from the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>via connection <b>314</b><i>a </i>to provide power to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and also to the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> (via connection <b>314</b><i>b</i>).

0091Also, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> is optionally configured to receive power from an auxiliary source <b>516</b> other than the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>via connection <b>314</b><i>c </i>to provide power to the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and/or the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> should the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>be not able to provide enough power to operate the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and/or the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>.

0092The housing <b>302</b> may provide a protection to prevent or deter tampering, and may be formed of suitably strong and resilient materials (e.g., ABS plastic). Such may not only prevent or deter tampering, but may leave a visible indication of any tampering attempts. For example, the housing <b>302</b> may include a strong outer layer of a first color (e.g., black) within an inner layer of a second color (e.g., fluorescent orange) therebeneath. Such will render attempts to cut through the housing <b>302</b> visibly apparent.

0093It is also noted that the housing <b>302</b> may serve as a frangible substrate, or a frangible substrate may be secured to an inner portion of the housing <b>302</b>, for instance, via suitable adhesives. Thus, tampering with the housing may break or damage a circuit connection, rendering the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>inoperable.

0094<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative embodiment the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> in which the portable electrical energy storage device physical security system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is integrated with and part of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated alternative embodiment.

0095Shown is a portable electrical energy storage device holder <b>510</b>, a portable electrical energy storage device housing <b>302</b>, electrical terminals <b>110</b><i>a</i>, <b>110</b><i>b</i>, a battery cell <b>304</b>, a locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>, a portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and an access panel <b>518</b> to plug in an auxiliary power source. The battery cell <b>304</b> is any rechargeable type of electrochemical cell that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy. As described above, the electrical terminals <b>110</b><i>a</i>, <b>110</b><i>b </i>are accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z. </i>

0096The portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is located inside the portable electrical energy storage device housing <b>302</b> and fixedly attached to the interior of the portable electrical energy storage device housing <b>302</b>. The holder <b>510</b> has a top opening <b>512</b> through which the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>may be placed into the holder <b>510</b> and removed from the holder <b>510</b>. Once the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>is placed in the holder <b>510</b>, the holder <b>510</b> surrounds the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>except at the top opening <b>512</b>. The portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> has a slidable bolt <b>506</b> which is configured to slide on a bolt track or through bolt housing <b>504</b> fixedly attached to an interior wall of the portable electrical energy storage device housing <b>502</b>. The slidable bolt <b>506</b> is configured to slide through an opening <b>520</b> in the side of the housing <b>302</b> and into an opening <b>520</b> in the side wall of the holder <b>510</b> aligned with the opening in the side of the housing <b>302</b> to block passage of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>through the top opening <b>512</b> of the holder <b>510</b>, and thus prevent the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>from being able to be removed from the holder <b>510</b> (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>). When the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is in an unlocked state, the slidable bolt <b>506</b> is retracted (not shown) back into the bolt housing <b>504</b> inside the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z</i>, and thus allows passage of the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>through the top opening <b>512</b> of the holder <b>510</b> for the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>to be removed.

0097The portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is coupled to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> via a control line <b>308</b> and power line <b>314</b><i>b</i>. For example, one or more engine control signals received from the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> via control line <b>308</b> may affect the operation of one or more actuators <b>502</b> (only one illustrated) to cause the slidable bolt <b>506</b> to move. For instance, a control signal may cause movement of an actuator <b>502</b> between a first and a second position or change a magnetic field produced by the actuator <b>502</b>. The actuator <b>502</b> may take any of a variety of forms, including but not limited to a solenoid, an electric motor such as a stepper motor, or an electromagnet. The actuator <b>502</b> may alternatively be coupled to operate a different latch, lock or other type of retainer mechanism for the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z. </i>

0098The locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> is configured to receive power from the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>via connection <b>314</b><i>a </i>to provide power to the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> and also to the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> (via power line <b>314</b><i>b</i>). Also, the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> is configured to receive power from an auxiliary source other than the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>via line <b>314</b><i>c</i>. The auxiliary source may be connected to line <b>314</b><i>b </i>through an access panel <b>518</b> in the housing <b>302</b> to provide power to the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and/or the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> should the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>be not able to provide enough power to operate the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> and/or the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b>.

0099The housing <b>302</b> may provide protection to prevent or deter tampering, and may be formed of suitably strong and resilient materials (e.g., ABS plastic). Such may not only prevent or deter tampering, but may leave a visible indication of any tampering attempts. For example, the housing <b>302</b> may include a strong outer layer of a first color (e.g., black) within an inner layer of a second color (e.g., fluorescent orange) therebeneath. Such will render attempts to cut through the housing <b>302</b> visibly apparent.

0100It is also noted that the housing <b>302</b> may serve as a frangible substrate, or a frangible substrate may be secured to an inner portion of the housing <b>302</b>, for instance, via suitable adhesives. Thus, tampering with the housing may break or damage a circuit connection, rendering the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>inoperable.

0101<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a high level method <b>700</b> of operating the locking mechanism controller of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-6</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

0102At <b>702</b>, the portable electric storage device security system receives information regarding authentication of an external device such as the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>.

0103At <b>704</b>, the portable electrical energy storage device security system makes a determination regarding unlocking the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> to allow the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>to be removed from being operably connected to a vehicle, based on the information regarding authentication.

0104<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows a low level method <b>800</b> of operating the locking mechanism controller of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-6</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including accepting the portable electrical energy storage device charge, useful in the method of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>.

0105At <b>802</b>, the portable electric storage device security system receives the information regarding authentication via a wireless signal transmitted from the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>. The wireless signal received from the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> is not detectable outside a specified maximum range from a communications module of the portable electrical energy storage device security system.

0106<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows a low level method <b>900</b> of operating the portable electrical energy storage device security system controller <b>306</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including determining how much energy to release, based on a vehicle performance profile of the vehicle, useful in the method of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>.

0107At <b>902</b>, the portable electric storage device security system receives information regarding authentication of an external device such as the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b>.

0108At <b>904</b> the portable electric storage device security system determines whether the information received is authentic.

0109At <b>906</b>, if the information received was determined to be authentic (e.g., by matching a code received), then the portable electrical energy storage device security system sends a signal from locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> in a manner to unlock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> in order to allow the portable electrical energy storage device to be removed from being operably connected to the vehicle.

0110At <b>908</b>, the portable electric storage device security system determines whether the information is able to continue to be received. For example, the information may not be able to continue to be received once the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> can no longer receive the wireless signal from the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> (e.g., after the scooter or motorbike has already exchanged the portable electrical energy storage device <b>106</b><i>z </i>at the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> and is no longer within range of the collection, charging and distribution machine <b>102</b> wireless signal <b>126</b>).

0111At <b>909</b>, if the information received was determined not to be authentic or the information is not able to continue to be received by the portable electric storage device security system, and if the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> is not already locked, the portable electrical energy storage device security system sends a signal from the locking mechanism controller <b>306</b> in a manner to lock the portable electrical energy storage device locking mechanism <b>320</b> in order to prevent the portable electrical energy storage device from being removed from being operably connected to the vehicle. If the information is able to continue to be received by the portable electric storage device security system, the method <b>900</b> repeats by proceeding again to <b>902</b> to perform the authentication of the information. The method may repeat at periodic intervals or continuously.

0112The various methods described herein may include additional acts, omit some acts, and/or may perform the acts in a different order than set out in the various flow diagrams.

0113The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the present subject matter may be implemented via one or more microcontrollers. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits (e.g., Application Specific Integrated Circuits or ASICs), as one or more computer programs executed by one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs executed by on one or more controllers (e.g., microcontrollers) as one or more programs executed by one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and/or firmware would be well within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure.

0114When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, logic or information can be stored on any non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with any processor-related system or method. In the context of this disclosure, a memory is a nontransitory computer- or processor-readable storage medium that is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that non-transitorily contains or stores a computer and/or processor program. Logic and/or the information can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions associated with logic and/or information.

0115In the context of this specification, a “computer-readable medium” can be any physical element that can store the program associated with logic and/or information for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, and/or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette (magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or the like), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), and digital tape.

0116The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent with the specific teachings and definitions herein, all of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including but not limited to: U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,900 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,936 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed May 16, 2012, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,753 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR REDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BETWEEN COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,761 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,772 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASED ON USER PROFILES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,887 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed May 16, 2012, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,880 entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY” and filed Jul. 26, 2011 provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/557,170 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES” and filed Nov. 8, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/581,566 entitled APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT’ and filed Dec. 29, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,404 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA” and filed Feb. 21, 2012, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,949 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Feb. 22, 2012, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,953 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE” and filed Feb. 22, 2012, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,314 filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor and Huang-Cheng Hung as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES”, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,038 filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Matthew Whiting Taylor as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES” U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,264 filed on Jul. 26, 2012 naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Matthew Whiting Taylor as inventors and entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY”, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,390 filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Ching Chen, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA”, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,343 filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Yi-Tsung Wu, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Jung-Hsiu Chen as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE”, and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,064 filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Yi-Tsung Wu, Jung-Hsiu Chen, Yulin Wu, Chien Ming Huang, TsungTing Chan, Shen-Chi Chen and Feng Kai Yang as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR RESERVING POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT RESERVING POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

0117While generally discussed in the environment and context of collection, charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices for use with personal transportation vehicle such as all-electric scooters and/or motorbikes, the teachings herein can be applied in a wide variety of other environments, including other vehicular as well as non-vehicular environments.

0118The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what is described in the Abstract of the Disclosure, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art.

0119These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.