US 12,341,349 B2
Charging apparatus for vending-related devices, system for charging vending-related devices and method for charging a vending-related device using such a system
Sebastian Müller, Munich (DE); and Alexander Schneider, Munich (DE)
Assigned to rapitag GmbH, Munich (DE)
Filed by rapitag GmbH, Munich (DE)
Filed on May 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/740,629.
Prior Publication US 2023/0369891 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. H02J 50/00 (2016.01); H02J 50/80 (2016.01)
CPC H02J 50/005 (2020.01) [H02J 50/80 (2016.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Charging apparatus for vending-related devices, comprising:
a charging compartment, which is adapted to house a plurality of vending-related devices in an unsorted manner;
an inlet opening for receiving vending-related devices into the charging apparatus;
a wireless charging unit which is adapted to wirelessly transmit power to vending-related devices currently housed in the charging compartment during a charging operation;
a second compartment;
a sorting unit positioned between the inlet opening and the charging compartment and between the inlet opening and the second compartment; and
a communications unit configured to be in communication with the vending-related devices and with the sorting unit, wherein the communications unit is configured to:
receive state of charge information with respect to a state of charge of the vending-related devices; and
provide the state of charge information to the sorting unit,
wherein, depending upon the state of charge information, the sorting unit is adapted to:
transfer vending-related devices to the charging compartment when at least the state of charge is below a threshold; and
transfer vending-related devices to the second compartment when at least one of (i) the state of charge of the vending-related devices is above the threshold indicating no recharging is currently necessary or (ii) the vending-related devices have already undergone a predetermined number of recharging cycles.