This disclosure relates to an energy dispensing device and an energy dispensing system. Globally, 1.3 billion households lack access to electricity. In Kenya alone there are 6 million households that, because of a lack of access to a power distribution grid, use unhealthy, dangerous and expensive alternatives such as kerosene and disposable batteries. The collective effect of millions of households using kerosene-fuelled lighting results in tonnes of black soot and CO2 emissions that is not only harmful to the human body, but also to the environment. Buying a solar home system, or even rechargeable lamps, is unaffordable to the vast majority of residents of developing countries.

Converting to cleaner energy sources would not only benefit the planet, it would help improve people ^' s health. There is a need to provide clean and affordable energy as a utility to off-grid, low-income consumers in developing countries.

According to the invention, in a first aspect, there is provided an energy dispensing device comprising, a base station having

(i) at least one outlet port for supplying energy,

(ii) at least one inlet port for receiving energy,

(iii) an input device that is capable of receiving one or more codes, and

(iv) an embedded module including a processor that processes codes received via the input device; and

an energy storage device that is capable of

(i) being charged, and

(ii) releasing energy from itself,

wherein the base station and the energy storage device are configured to perform a handshaking operation with each other before energy is transferred from the energy storage device to the base station;

and the processor is configured to control the amount of energy released from the energy storage device into the at least one outlet port, based on information contained in one or more codes received via the input device. The energy dispensing device as described above is advantageous because it is able to store and manage energy for the consumption by households that are not connected to a power grid. The energy dispensing device has sufficient flexibility to securely provide a dynamically allocated amount of energy to an end user in a secure way.

Users can connect multiple appliances at a time via the at least one outlet port. Having a handshake between the base station and the energy storage device can prevent unauthorised usage. Energy is made available to release only when users need it. Therefore users of the device can regulate the amount of energy that they use, based on what they are able to afford and their requirements.

The processor may be configured to cause a predetermined amount of energy to be released from the energy storage device, based on a code received at the input device, into the at least one outlet port. The processor may be configured to prevent the release of energy from the energy storage device (i) when the predetermined amount of energy is used up; and/or (ii) when the energy stored in the energy storage device has depleted below a threshold level; and/or (iii) upon detection of any tampering events.

The energy supplied at the at least one outlet may be electrical energy. Electrical energy can be used for powering lamps, mobile phones and many other appliances frequently used in households and businesses.

It can be advantageous that the energy storage device is capable of storing data that is to be transferred between the energy storage device and the base station. The data stored on the energy storage device, for transferring to the base station, can include text, audio or video messages such as information concerning use of the device. The audio messages could also be used for marketing and advertising opportunities.

Furthermore, the base station may be configured to determine and transfer data regarding energy consumption to a local memory associated with the energy storage device, and may also be configured to transfer data representative of any tampering events to a local memory associated with the energy storage device. The energy storage device may be configured to transfer any data, by wired or wireless technology, from its local memory (including data representative of a user's consumption or tampering events) to a third party, such as a supplier of the energy dispensing device or a charging device that is used to recharge the energy storage device.

The local memory may be a flash memory. Flash memory is relatively cheaper than other forms of memory storage and it retains data even without power.

The base station may have a display screen configured to display input received at the input device and/or data received from the energy storage device. In an example whereby the input device is a user input device, it can be useful for users to see the code they have entered on the user input device, via the display screen, to ensure that they have entered the right code. Furthermore, the base station may receive data representative of health messages that can be displayed on the screen. Also, the base station may determine an amount energy remains to be released in accordance with the information contained in the one or more codes received at the input device. The display screen may then display a warning message that the energy available for use is running low in accordance with the amount energy that remains to be released, for example if the amount energy that remains to be released drops below a threshold value.

The base station may have a radio receiver and/or a loudspeaker configured to play audio signals in accordance with the data stored in the energy storage device or data received from a media player connected to an appropriate port of energy dispensing device.

The radio is a popular form of entertainment in millions of households, especially in developing countries like Kenya. The loudspeaker may allow broadcast of audio signals from an internal radio receiver built into the base station and/or allow playing of audio messages in accordance with data received from the energy storage device.

The base station may comprise at least one inlet port configured to receive energy. The base station may be capable of charging the energy storage device with energy received from the at least one inlet port. This can be an alternative method of charging the energy storage device, particularly in instances wherein users live far away from a place that provides charging of the energy storage device. This can increase convenience to the users because they would not need to carry the energy storage device to another location for charging the energy storage device. The input device may comprise a user input device configured to receive input from one or more users. This can be beneficial as it provides the user with control over the energy dispensing device.

The energy storage device may be configured to be removable from the base station. This can allow a user the flexibility to take the energy storage device to places that provide charging of the energy storage device, perhaps located in areas which receive a lot of sunshine so that solar panels can be used. Alternatively the energy storage device can be charged by other means, including mains electricity, diesel generators or clean technology sources of power like wind energy.

The one or more codes received via the input device may be representative of a predetermined number of energy credits. The processor may be configured to deduct energy credits from the predetermined number of energy credits in accordance with an amount of energy released from the energy storage device into the at least one outlet port.

Additionally the processor might be configured to deduct energy credits from the predetermined number of energy credits at a rate that is dependent upon the outlet port to which energy is being released, or is dependent upon a type of device that is connected to the outlet port.

Furthermore the processor may be configured to multiply a weighting factor by an amount of energy released from the energy storage device into the outlet port and use the result of the multiplication to deduct energy credits from the predetermined number of energy credits. The weighting factor may be set in accordance with the outlet port to which energy is being released or the type of device that is connected to the outlet port.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is an energy dispensing system comprising (i) an energy dispensing device described in the foregoing paragraphs,

(ii) a charging device that is capable of charging said energy storage device; and

(iii) a server having a code generator that is configured to generate one or more codes, wherein information in each code corresponds to an amount of energy to be made available to a user of the energy dispensing device, wherein

the processor of the energy dispensing device is configured to cause a predetermined amount of energy to be released from the energy storage device, based on a code received at the input device, into the at least one outlet port; and

the processor of the energy dispensing device is configured to prevent the release of energy from the energy storage device (i) when the predetermined amount of energy is used up; and/or (ii) when the energy stored in the energy storage device has depleted below a threshold level; and/or upon detection of any tampering events. The energy dispensing system as described above is a great advantage to many households because it provides a secure energy supply that can flexibly tailor its release of energy to the requirements of users of the system. The system can provide energy on a pay-as-you-go or prepaid model. Users can monitor and control their power usage based on the codes that they enter. It can further allow the suppliers of energy to track energy supplied to users and the behaviour of their consumption.

The system may be configured to allow a user of the system to pay for credits in order to be provided with a code via a mobile payment method. It can be convenient to pay via a mobile phone platform because statistics show that almost every household in developing countries own at least one mobile phone.

Alternatively a user can pay for credits by purchasing a scratchcard with a concealed code.

The charging device may have at least one connecting inlet for receiving energy. The at least one connecting inlet may be configured to receive energy from one or more solar panels. The capability to make use of solar energy is useful for areas that do not have facilities to connect the system up to a power grid.

The one or more solar panels and the charging device may be configured to perform a handshaking operation with each other before the charging device receives energy from the solar panels. This form of security measure can be useful to ensure that the system is not being abused. The charging device may be capable of transmitting data, by wired or wireless technology, from one or more energy storage devices being charged by the charging device, to the server. The charging device may be capable of transmitting data from the server to one or more energy storage devices being charged by the charging station. Such transmission of data may facilitate consolidation and update of information about energy usage. It can be useful for important information concerning the habits of users to be consolidated at a central server which could aid in improving the level of service provided by the energy suppliers. The suppliers can also be alerted if there is tampering of the devices. Furthermore the server can transfer messages to the charging device to be stored in the memory of the energy storage device. These messages are then capable of being transferred to the base station as mentioned above.

The charging device and the one or more energy storage devices being charged may be configured to perform a handshaking operation with one another before the charging device charges the one or more energy storage devices.

The charging device may have a display screen configured to display system information.

The charging device may have a built-in camera configured to take images of users of the energy dispensing system. It can be an advantage to have a camera for taking pictures of users, and for these pictures to be attached to individual profiles associated with the users. This can allow managers at the charging device to recognise the users and prevent unauthorised use of the device and system. The one or more codes generated by the server may be encrypted. Each code may be unique to a specific base station and optionally can only be used once. This feature can be beneficial to prevent unauthorised use of a code on more than one energy dispensing device.

The system may further comprise a transmitter configured to transmit the one or more generated codes from the server to a mobile phone of a user of the system. It can be convenient for users when they are able to receive a code delivered to their mobile phone, as compared to other methods which may mean that they would have to leave their house and hence would not be an effective use of their time. Furthermore, by having the capability to receive codes on mobile phones, the system provides an immediate portable record of the code. This allows users the flexibility to purchase energy credits wherever there is mobile phone coverage, and input the code only when they have returned home. This is especially beneficial for users whose homes are not in an area supplied with mobile phone coverage. There now follows a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an energy dispensing device. Figure 2 is a block diagram representing an embodiment of an energy dispensing system showing the various energy and data interactions between different devices.

Figure 3 is a block diagram representing an embodiment of an energy dispensing system showing the various handshakes between different devices.

Preferences and options for a given aspect, feature or parameter of the invention should, unless the context indicates otherwise, be regarded as having been disclosed in combination with any and all preferences and options for all other aspects, features and parameters of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 depicts an energy dispensing device 10 comprising a base station 1 1 and an energy storage device 16 which is capable of being charged. When in use, the energy storage device 16 is connected to the base station 11. However in some examples the energy storage device 16 is removable and could be removed when it needs to be charged. Alternatively the energy storage device 16 could not be removable from the base station 11 and may be charged via one or more inlet ports 13. That is, the energy storage device 16 and the base station 11 may be provided together as a unitary/singular component in a common housing. The energy dispensing device 10 can be in any shape and is not limited to the design as depicted in Figure 1. The energy dispensing device 10 can be considered as a modular, possibly encryption- controlled, system having separated/separable parts for energy charging, storage/dispensing and energy use. On the base station 1 1 , there are one or more outlet ports 12 for supplying energy from the energy storage device 16 to appliances such as lamps, mobile phones and the like. The energy supplied can be AC or DC electrical energy. The outlets ports could be one or more or USB sockets, 230V~ sockets, 12V~ sockets, but are not limited as such.

The base station 11 may have an internal radio receiver (not shown) embedded within its housing. Alternatively, a radio receiver or any form of media player can be connected to the base station through one of the outlet ports 12. One or more of the outlet ports may be configured to supply energy specifically to media players only.

A loudspeaker 18 on the base station 11 can be configured to play audio from the internal radio. Furthermore other audio messages stored in the memory of the energy storage device 16, and transferred to the base station 11 , can be output by the loudspeaker 18. An input device 14 is associated with the base station 11. The input device 14 can be a user input device such as an alphanumeric or numeric keyboard with specific function keys. It can be used by a user to enter alpha betic and numeric ch aracters. Users of the energy dispensing device 10 could use the function keys to cause the base station to display the available energy left for them to use; and/or switch different appliances on and off. The user input device can also be used to control the internal radio, if the base station 11 has such a radio built into it. Furthermore the user input device can be used to control the volume of any audio signals being played from the loudspeaker 18.

Alternatively the input device 14 is configured to receive input via automatic transmission such as any wired or wireless technology like bar code readers, near-field communication or blue-tooth technology or via any other communication protocol.

Embedded in the base station 1 1 is a module which includes a processor for receiving codes via the input device 14. The module may be embedded inasmuch as it is located within a housing of the base station, or otherwise associated with the base station. Explanation of how the codes are generated, and how the codes are processed by the processor, are described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Additionally the base station 11 may have a display screen 17. The screen 17 is configured to display various information received by the base station 1 1. This information can be data received by the input device 14; or it can be data transferred from the energy storage device 16 to the base station 11. This data can be representative of text, audio or video images.

Alternatively the base station 11 might comprise a mobile computer, like a touch screen tablet. The mobile computer could then be used to display the various information received by the base station 11. The mobile computer may have capability to transmit or receive data via 3G/GSM or any wireless or wired technology.

The base station 11 may be configured to provide part of a mesh network with other base stations located in its vicinity.

In a preferred embodiment, the energy storage device 16 is a 12v 24Ah (Solar) Lead Acid DC battery with a power capacity of 288Wh. H owever the energy sto rage device 1 6 ca n be of larger or smaller power capacities and voltages. The energy storage device 16 is configured to release energy when it is connected to the base station 11 and/or receives a signal or code approving such release. The energy storage device 16 is capable of storing data representative of audio or video messages that can be played via the loudspeaker 18 and display 17 of the base station 11. Preferably storage of data in the energy storage device 16 is via built-in flash memory. Energy consumption habits of the users of energy dispensing device, and tampering evidence can be stored as data in the memory of the energy storage device 16. This data could be transferred to a charging device 19 which is further relayed to a central server 21 (Figures 2 and 3). Alternatively the energy charging device 16 may be configured to transmit the data wirelessly to the central server 21.

The base station 11 may be configured such that one or more energy storage device 16 can be simultaneously connected to it. In this way, a plurality of energy storage devices 16 be connected to the base station 11 so that the total storage capacity of the installed equipment can be increased. The invention is not limited to one energy storage device 16 with each base station 11.

For security, the base station 11 and the energy storage device 16 are configured to perform a handshaking operation with each other before energy is transferred from the energy storage device 16 to the base station 1 1. One of the requirements before the energy storage device 16 releases energy to the outlets 12 on the base station can be verification that the base station 1 1 and the energy storage device 16 are compatible to be used with each other. Primarily, in this example the base station 1 1 obtains its energy supply from the energy stored in the energy storage device 16.

Alternatively or additionally, the energy dispensing device 10 can use energy received at one or more inlet ports 13 which are configured to be capable of connecting to energy sources such as an array of solar panels. The solar panels can convert sunlight into electricity, and the base station 11 in turn charges an energy storage device 16 with this electricity when the storage device 16 is connected on the base station 11.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described with further reference to Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 2 and 3 show an energy dispensing system comprising an energy dispensing device 10, a charging device 19 that is capable of charging one or more removable energy storage devices 16; and a server 21 that is configured to generate one or more codes, wherein information in each code corresponds to an amount of energy to be made available to a user of the energy dispensing system.

The server 21 comprises a code generator 28 and a database 29. The code generator 28 generates codes in response to receiving an instruction from a payment server 22. The payment server provides an instruction to the code generator 28 in response to a user making a payment. The payment server 22 may be an M-Pesa server. The code generator can be configured to provide the code to a user's device 23 by SMS, as well as storing the code in the database 29. The database 29 could additionally store information transferred to the server 21 by the charging device 19.

The server 21 could be one or more remote computers, located away from the energy dispensing device 10 and/or the charging device 19. Energy credits can be purchased by users before using the energy dispensing system. Users can pay for energy credits, for example, by using mobile payment methods like "M- Pesa", a mobile-phone based money transfer and mobile banking service. The invention is however not limited to such payment methods. Near-field communication methods could also be used for such transmissions.

Alternatively a user can pay for credits by purchasing a scratchcard with a concealed code corresponding to a pre-determined number of energy credits. After scratching the card to reveal the concealed code, the user can then input the code into the input device 14. These scratchcards could be retailed in shops.

The server 21 is linked to the mobile money operators' payment notification centres, and the server is set up to receive notifications that a payment is made by a user. Using a secure and proprietary algorithm, the code generator 28 of the server 21 generates a unique code which is sent to the paying user, for example by SMS message. The unique codes are generated in accordance with the amount paid, and optionally also an identifier of the base station 11 that is registered to the user. This code remains valid until it is entered but cannot be reused on the same or other base stations. The server 21 also maintains payment history and this information may be integrated into a Customer Relations Management (CRM) software. The CRM software collects data and statistics on users including their consumption and payment patterns. It has the ability to automatically send messages to all or individual users. Tailored messages can be sent automatically when certain events happen (e.g. a user has not bought credit for a certain period of time, or tampering has been detected). The server can further comprise a web and/or mobile 3G connected server. Various security measures like encrypted handshakes are implemented to ensure secure transmission of information between the server and other devices in the system. When the user receives the unique code assigned to him after purchasing an amount of credit, he inputs the code via the input device on the base station 11.

After inputting the code into the input device, a predetermined amount of energy credits equivalent to the amount bought by the user is made available for use. The embedded module, having a processor, in the base station 11 is configured to cause a predetermined amount of energy to be released from the energy storage device 16 into the at least one outlet port 12. The processor of the energy dispensing device 10 is configured to prevent the release of energy from the energy storage device when either the predetermined amount of energy is used up and/or the energy stored in the energy storage device 16 has depleted below a threshold level. This threshold level is set by suppliers of the energy dispensing system or can be configured by users of the energy dispensing device 10.

The processor is also configured to prevent release of energy when there has been detection of tampering events.

As indicated above, the one or more codes received via the input device are representative of a predetermined number of energy credits. This predetermined number of energy credits may be considered as a user's account, or may be added to a user's account. The processor of the energy dispensing device 10 can deduct energy credits from the predetermined number of energy credits in accordance with an amount of energy released from the energy storage device into the at least one outlet port.

In some examples, the processor may be configured to deduct energy credits from a user's account at a rate that is dependent upon the outlet 12 to which energy is being released, or is dependent upon a type of device that is connected to the outlet 12. For example, if an external device is connected to the energy dispensing device by a USB connection then the processor may be able to determine the type of device that is being used. Processing energy credits in this way can enable the energy dispensing device to be used more efficiently because energy credits can be deducted more slowly when an efficient device is connected to the outlet, thereby reducing energy wastage and enabling more energy to be used in a useful way for a given number of energy credits. An additional advantage of this method of processing energy credits is that different tariffs can be applied for different outlets 12, with a result that preferential rates can be applied to outlets 12 that are expected to provide energy to devices that provide essential services such as lighting as opposed to what may be considered as luxury services, for example. The processor may set the rate at which energy credits are deducted by setting and applying a weighting factor in accordance with the outlet 12 to which energy is being released or the type of device that is connected to the outlet port. The processor may multiply the weighting factor by the amount of electricity released from the energy storage device (for example in kilowatt-hours (kWh)), and use the result of the multiplication to determine a number of energy credits to be deducted from a user's account. For example, if the processor detects that the device connected to an outlet is a mobile phone or an outlet 12 specific to mobile phones is used, then the processor may be configured to apply a relatively low weighting factor (such as 1) such that energy credits are deducted more slowly. In a similar way, if the processor detects that the device connected to an outlet is television or an outlet 12 specific to televisions is used, then the processor may be configured to apply a relatively high weighting factor (such as 1.5) such that energy credits are deducted more quickly.

One or more outlets 12 might be configured to be connected to one or more light-emitting devices 31. An outlet configured to be connected in this way may perform a handshaking operation with the light-emitting device 31 such that energy will only be released when the operation determines that an appropriate light-emitting device 31 is connected to the outlet. The light-emitting device may be a lamp. The charging device 19, also known as the Charging Station, is typically located remotely from the energy dispensing device 10 and is capable of charging several energy storage devices 16 at one time. The power to charge the energy storage devices 16 can come from any source, possibly grid electricity, diesel or wind generator and, preferably, a solar panel array that is matched to the energy demand of the system.

The charging device 19 also has a display that allows for display of system information. Examples of system information are the profiles of users and data showing their consumption history. The charging device 19 may additionally have a built-in camera to take pictures of the users to be attached to their individual profile.

Alternatively the charging device 19 might comprise a 3G enabled touch screen tablet, and is used exclusively by the manager of the charging device. Software apps could be developed for recording and monitoring of (new) user data; and for recording and monitoring the capacity and performance of the energy storage devices. This information could be displayed on the display screen of the charging device 19 if desired. A series of charging devices may be placed next to each other to charge one or more energy storage devices 16 at one time. The charging device 19 has at least one inlet to receive energy. This inlet is configured to receive energy from solar panels 27 or to be connected to a power grid, for example.

The charging device is configured to measure the amount of solar power received by the solar panels 27, and the amount of power received at the inlet. If less energy is received at the inlet compared to the amount received by the solar panel, then a charging device processor associated with the charging device would detect the event as a tampering event. It will be appreciated that other types of tampering events can be detected and recorded.

When the energy storage device 16 is connected to the charging device 19, the charging device 19 downloads data from the memory of the energy storage device 16. This data may include system performance, tampering and consumer statistics, for example. This data is transmitted to the server 21 where it is stored in the database 29 or other memory. The energy storage device 16 may also upload data from the charging device 19 which may include software updates, new advertorial messages and updated weighting factors. The charging device 19 may receive these updates or changes through wireless or wired communication. Transmission can be via 3G connection or any wireless or wired technology. Some of this system information can be displayed on the display screen of the charging device. The various handshaking operations described above can be either encrypted or not encrypted.

Reference to a user or users includes any person that operates the energy dispensing system and/or device; and is not limited to people living in the households where the energy dispensing device is installed.

The invention can therefore provide an affordable solution that enables dynamic energy management to households in developing countries that do not have access to clean energy. Examples disclosed herein can provide an energy dispensing system regulated by an intelligent meter, with payments for power through a flexible and accessible payment platform which matches the buying ability of low income consumers who would otherwise only be able to afford kerosene o r ca n d l es and could not invest in a system of their own. Such provisions of metered energy in off-grid environment is unique.

There may be provided a lead-acid accumulator or other storage device that includes electronic intelligence enabling encryption control of the release of stored energy, together with a method of use of such a device involving the generation of a code, which may be a pseudo random code, via a mobile device bank account. The code may relate to the value of energy to be released via the storage device

There is also disclosed an algorithm/encryption-controlled base/home station that includes an AC inverter and is capable of mobile telephony communication, FM or digital radio reception and variable (depending on the outlet port employed) tariff AC and DC conveyance of electrical energy released from the storage device.

One or more of the systems and devices disclosed herein can be considered advantageous when compared with equipment that relies solely on solar power for the provision of energy, which means that their equipment would have some difficulty performing well during a rainy season. Furthermore, known systems may not allow for the flexibility in payment amount and timing that low-income people require, whilst the fixed amounts are also higher than most people presently spend on energy, candles, etc. Additionally, equipment that is unmetered and simply based on daily advance payment, can be a disadvantage to consumers who may not use as much energy on certain days while having already paid for a fixed amount of power or duration of usage.

The listing or discussion of an apparently prior device in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the device is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.