Multifunctional utility box with electronic paper display and vehicle charging station

Abstract

A system for providing a multifunctional utility box includes a utility box for housing and providing access to utility equipment and an electronic paper display disposed on a first surface from among one or more external surfaces of the utility box. The utility box is fixed at an outdoor location and the one or more external surfaces enclose an interior cavity containing the utility equipment. The system further includes a wireless router configured to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box. The system further uses the power provided to utility boxes to power a charging rack for vehicles separately or in combination with the electronic paper display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing a multifunctional utility box, the system comprising:
 a utility box for housing and providing access to utility equipment, the utility box being fixed at an outdoor location and including one or more external surfaces enclosing an interior cavity containing the utility equipment; and   an electronic paper display disposed on a first surface from among the one or more external surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless router configured to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless router is disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the wireless router includes one or more antenna elements that protrude from the interior cavity of the utility box. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic paper display receives power from a power source disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box. 
     
     
         6 . A method of providing a multifunctional utility box, the method comprising:
 disposing an electronic paper display on a first surface from among one or more external surfaces of a utility box that houses and provides access to utility equipment;   wherein the utility box is fixed at an outdoor location and the one or more external surfaces enclose an interior cavity containing the utility equipment.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising configuring a wireless router to provide a WiFi hotspot centered at the utility box. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising disposing the wireless router within the interior cavity of the utility box. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , disposing one or more antenna elements of the wireless router to protrude from the interior cavity of the utility box. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic paper display receives power from a power source disposed within the interior cavity of the utility box. 
     
     
         11 . A modular system powered by power at a utility box, comprising:
 an electronic paper display on the utility box;   a charging rack including one or more locking mechanisms connected to the power at the utility box; and   a wireless adapter connected to the power at the utility box.   
     
     
         12 . The modular system of  claim 11 , wherein the charging rack includes spaces for more than one type of vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The modular system of  claim 12 , wherein the vehicles include scooters and bicycles. 
     
     
         14 . The modular system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are controlled wirelessly. 
     
     
         15 . The modular system of  claim 11 , wherein the charging rack includes one or more wired connections for charging vehicles. 
     
     
         16 . The modular system of  claim 11 , wherein the charging rack includes an induction coil for charging vehicles. 
     
     
         17 . The modular system of  claim 11 , wherein the wireless adapter sends a signal to the one or more locking mechanisms to actuate the one or more locking mechanisms. 
     
     
         18 . The modular system of  claim 11 , wherein the wireless adapter creates a wireless hotspot centered on the utility box. 
     
     
         19 . A charging system for rechargeable vehicles comprising:
 a utility box; and   a charging rack including charging locations sized to receive said rechargeable vehicles and electrically connected to said utility box.   
     
     
         20 . The modular system of  claim 19 , wherein the charging rack includes an RFID sensor and at least one light sensor.