Apparatus for collecting electric vehicle charging data, and method thereof

Abstract

The electric vehicle charging data collection device and method of the present invention have the effect of acquiring vast amounts of data necessary for machine learning of artificial intelligence by varying the charging data collection method according to the charging data collection target, such as a server, an electric vehicle charger, or a user terminal, and providing machine learning data that can more accurately predict various elements required for the installation of an electric vehicle charger.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charger for an electric vehicle, and more particularly to the collection of data related to electric vehicle charging. Background Technology

[0002] As interest and demand for electric vehicles (EVs) as an eco-friendly means of transportation increase, the demand for the installation of charging stations to charge EVs is also rising.

[0003] If the charging volume and resulting revenue of a new electric vehicle charger are projected using information on nearby existing chargers and provided to the customer, it would be of great help to those planning to purchase and install the charger.

[0004] Therefore, recent attempts have been made to improve accuracy in predicting such charging volumes and sales by utilizing AI-based machine learning.

[0005] However, while a large amount of data, including charging data from electric vehicle chargers, is required to improve the accuracy of machine learning, the reality is that securing such data is difficult because chargers are scattered across the country and users' charging times vary widely.

[0006] The inventors of the present invention have been conducting research efforts to solve the problems associated with the collection of charging data for electric vehicle chargers in the prior art. After much effort to create a device and method that enables easier collection of big data for forecasting the demand for electric vehicle chargers, the present invention has been completed. The problem to be solved

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle charging data collection device and a method necessary to predict the expected charging amount and revenue when installing an electric vehicle charger.

[0008] Meanwhile, other unspecified objectives of the present invention will be further considered to the extent that they can be easily inferred from the following detailed description and effects. means of solving the problem

[0009] The electric vehicle charging data collection device according to the present invention is,

[0010] A communication unit for receiving electric vehicle charging data; a control unit including one or more processors; and a storage unit for storing the received electric vehicle charging data, wherein

[0011] The above control unit is characterized by transmitting a certificate through the communication unit to a server storing electric vehicle charging data, and after the server performs authentication based on the certificate, requesting and receiving the electric vehicle charging data stored in the server.

[0012] If the above server is a second server, it is characterized by being able to receive only the electric vehicle charging data approved by the certificate among the electric vehicle charging data stored in the second server.

[0013] When the above server is the first server, it is characterized by being able to receive all charging data stored in the first server without an additional authentication procedure.

[0014] The above second server is characterized as being a server of an electricity supplier.

[0015] The above-mentioned first server is characterized as being a server provided by an electric vehicle charger manufacturer or supplier.

[0016] The above control unit is characterized by receiving charging data from the electric vehicle charger connected to the server when a charging event occurs at the electric vehicle charger connected to the server.

[0017] The above control unit is characterized by receiving charging data from a user terminal connected to the electric vehicle charger where the charging event occurred, when a charging event occurs at the electric vehicle charger connected to the server.

[0018] The above user terminal is characterized as being a terminal for managing an electric vehicle charger in which the above charging event occurred.

[0019] The above user terminal is characterized as being a user terminal currently charging at an electric vehicle charger where the above charging event occurred.

[0020] An electric vehicle charging data collection method according to another embodiment of the present invention is,

[0021] The method is characterized by including the steps of: accessing a server storing electric vehicle charging data; transmitting a certificate to the server to perform authentication; and receiving necessary electric vehicle charging data from the server.

[0022] When the above server is the first server, it is characterized by being able to receive all charging data stored in the first server without an additional authentication procedure.

[0023] If the above server is a second server, it is characterized by being able to receive only the charging data approved by the certificate among the charging data stored in the second server.

[0024] The above-mentioned first server is characterized as being a server provided by an electric vehicle charger manufacturer or supplier.

[0025] The above second server is characterized as being a server of an electricity supplier.

[0026] The method is characterized by further including the step of receiving charging data from the electric vehicle charger connected to the server when a charging event occurs at the electric vehicle charger connected to the server.

[0027] The method is characterized by further including the step of receiving charging data from a user terminal connected to the electric vehicle charger where the charging event occurred, when a charging event occurs at the electric vehicle charger connected to the server.

[0028] The above user terminal is characterized as being a terminal for managing an electric vehicle charger in which the above charging event occurred.

[0029] The above user terminal is characterized as being a user terminal currently charging at an electric vehicle charger where the above charging event occurred. Effects of the invention

[0030] According to the present invention, there is an effect of acquiring vast amounts of data necessary for machine learning of artificial intelligence through various charging data collection methods.

[0032] Meanwhile, it should be added that even if an effect is not explicitly mentioned here, the effects described in the following specification and the provisional effects expected by the technical features of the present invention are treated as described in the specification of the present invention. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electric vehicle charging data collection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate a method for collecting charging data of an electric vehicle charging data collection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of an electric vehicle charging data collection method according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. ※ It should be noted that the attached drawings are provided as examples for reference to help understand the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited by them. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, we will examine the configuration of the present invention as guided by various embodiments thereof and the effects derived therefrom. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known functions are omitted if they are deemed obvious to a person skilled in the art and could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention.

[0035] Terms such as 'first' and 'second' may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms may be used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, 'first component' may be named 'second component,' and similarly, 'second component' may be named 'first component.' Furthermore, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, terms used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted in the sense commonly known to those skilled in the art.

[0036] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, we will examine the configuration of the present invention as guided by various embodiments of the present invention and the effects derived therefrom.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electric vehicle charging data collection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) according to the present invention may include a communication unit (110), a control unit (120), and a storage unit (130).

[0040] The communication unit (110) is configured to perform communication with other devices, such as a server (1) that stores charging data of an electric vehicle charger, an electric vehicle charger (11), or a user terminal. For example, the communication unit (110) can receive various data necessary for the control operation of the control unit (120) from other devices. Additionally, the communication unit (110) can be used to transmit data, such as a certificate of the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100), to the server (1), or to receive charging data from the server (1) or the charger (11).

[0041] For example, the communication unit (110) can perform wireless communication such as 5G (5th generation communication), LTE-A (long term evolution-advanced), LTE (long term evolution), Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth low energy), NFC (near field communication), and WiFi communication, or wired communication such as cable communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0042] The control unit (120) may include one or more processors and memory and is used to collect electric vehicle charging data in various ways.

[0043] Various information necessary for the operation of the control unit (120) may be stored in the memory of the control unit (120). For example, program information necessary for the operation of the processor may be included, but is not limited thereto.

[0044] Memory may include, for example, a hard disk type, a magnetic media type, a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), an optical media type, a magneto-optical media type, a multimedia card micro type, a flash memory type, a ROM type (read only memory type), or a RAM type (random access memory type), depending on the type, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, memory (240) may be a cache, a buffer, a main memory, or an auxiliary memory, or a separately provided storage system, depending on its use / location, but is not limited thereto.

[0045] The control unit (120) can also control the operation of the communication unit (110) and the storage unit (130), and may include a hardware processor or a software process performed on the processor.

[0046] The storage unit (130) can store electric vehicle charger charging data received from the server (1), etc.

[0047] The storage unit (130) may be configured as a hard disk type, magnetic media type, CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), optical media type, magneto-optical media type, multimedia card micro type, flash memory type, ROM type (read only memory type), or RAM type (random access memory type), but is not limited thereto.

[0048] In addition, the storage unit (130) may exist separately outside the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100).

[0050] FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate in more detail the charging data collection method of an electric vehicle charging data collection device.

[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates the process of an electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) collecting charging data from a first server (1), which is a server of an electric vehicle charger manufacturer or supplier.

[0052] The control unit (120) of the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) transmits a certificate to the first server (1) (S100), and the first server (1) determines whether to allow access to the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) based on the received certificate (S110).

[0053] The first server (1) may be a server of the manufacturer or supplier of the electric vehicle charger, or a server for managing the electric vehicle charger separately.

[0054] That is, the first server (1) is connected to electric vehicle chargers manufactured or sold by the same manufacturer or the same supplier, and collects and stores charging data of the electric vehicle chargers.

[0055] Therefore, once the authentication of the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) is completed, data from the first server (1) can be received without restriction.

[0056] The control unit (120) requests the necessary charging data after authentication is completed (S120) and receives the requested charging data from the server (1) (S130). No additional authentication process will be required during the process of requesting and receiving charging data.

[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates the process of an electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) collecting charging data from a second server (2) of a power supply company that supplies power to an electric vehicle charger.

[0058] The process (S210) in which the control unit (120) of the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) transmits a certificate to the second server (2) (S200) and the second server (2) determines whether to allow access to the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) based on the received certificate is similar to the process of communicating with the first server (1) above.

[0059] However, since the second server (2) is not a server of a manufacturer or supplier but a server of a power supply company, unlike the first server, there is a difference in that the second server (2) has data collected from electric vehicle chargers of various charger manufacturers.

[0060] Therefore, even after the certification for the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) is completed, another certification process is required to collect data.

[0061] The control unit (120) requests necessary charging data (S220), and the second server (2) verifies whether the data requested by the control unit (120) matches the certificate already transmitted by the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) (S230), and if it matches, transmits the requested charging data, the control unit (120) can receive it through the communication unit (110).

[0062] The certificate for accessing the second server (2) and the certificate for requesting and verifying data may differ from each other as the first certificate and the second certificate. This is because the second certificate may differ depending on the electric vehicle charger manufacturer, supplier, or managing entity, making it difficult to determine the accessibility of all data based on the first certificate.

[0063] As such, the authentication process for server access authentication and for requesting and receiving data can be varied depending on the type of server, namely the first server (1) and the second server (2) of the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100). This is because charging data may also be sensitive personal information, so collection is permitted only for authenticated subjects.

[0064] Figure 4 is another example of the charging data collection process of an electric vehicle charging data collection device (100).

[0065] The electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) may also collect charging data directly from the electric vehicle charger (11).

[0066] If the electric vehicle charger (11) stores charging data, the process can proceed in a manner not significantly different from the case where charging data is collected from the aforementioned server. However, if the electric vehicle charger (11) does not store its own data, this data must be collected immediately when a charging event occurs.

[0067] Accordingly, the control unit (120) of the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) transmits a certificate (S300) to perform authentication at the first server (1) (S310), and when authentication is completed, notifies the electric vehicle charger (11) of this so that the collection device (100) can directly connect to the electric vehicle charger (11).

[0068] When an electric vehicle user starts charging at the charger (11), the collection device (100) is notified that a charging event has occurred (S330), and the control unit (120) requests charging data accordingly (S340).

[0069] When the electric vehicle charger (11) finishes charging the user, it transmits data such as the location of the electric vehicle charger (11), the start and end times of charging, and the amount of charging. The control unit (120) can receive this through the communication unit (110) and store it in the storage unit (130).

[0070] Figure 5 is another example of the charging data collection process of an electric vehicle charging data collection device (100).

[0071] The collection device (100) may also collect charging data directly from the electric vehicle charger (11) as well as from the user terminal (111) connected to the electric vehicle charger (11).

[0072] Since the user can connect to the electric vehicle charger (11) through the user terminal (111) to proceed with charging, or receive the result of charging from the electric vehicle charger (11) to the user terminal (111), the collection device (100) can receive charging data from the user terminal (111).

[0073] To this end, the control unit (120) transmits a certificate (S400), and the server (1) performs authentication (S410) and notifies the electric vehicle charger (11) of the result (S420). The electric vehicle charger (11) may also transmit the authentication result to the user terminal (111) if necessary.

[0074] Examples of user terminals may include general-purpose computing devices such as desktop personal computers, laptop personal computers, tablet personal computers, netbook computers, workstations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, smartpads, or mobile phones, and may also be dedicated embedded systems implemented based on Embedded Linux, but are not limited thereto.

[0075] After authentication is completed, when the user connects the user terminal (111) to the electric vehicle charger (11) for charging (S430) and an event occurs in which the electric vehicle charging is performed, the user terminal (111) notifies the electric vehicle charging data collection device (100) of the occurrence of the charging event, and the control unit (120) receives this through the communication unit (110) (S440).

[0076] When the control unit (120) receives a charging event, it requests charging data for the ongoing charging (S450), and when the electric vehicle charging is completed, it can receive charging data such as charging time, charging location, charging amount, charger type and fee from the user terminal (111) (S460).

[0077] The control unit (120) can also request and receive past charging data stored in the user terminal (111). If the user consents, it may receive the charging data from the user terminal (111) and provide rewards, etc. for it.

[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of an electric vehicle charging data collection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The electric vehicle charging data collection method according to the present invention can be performed by a control unit comprising one or more processors and a memory.

[0081] The control unit connects to the first server or the second server (S510), transmits a certificate (S520), and receives the authentication result after the server performs the authentication (S530).

[0082] Next, it is determined whether the connected server is the first server, i.e., the manufacturer or supplier's server, or the second server, i.e., the power supply company's server (S540).

[0083] If the connected server is a power supply company's server, i.e., a second server, additional authentication must be performed and the authentication result received (S545). In this case, the certificate used for authentication may be the certificate used when connecting to the server, or an additional certificate may be transmitted to verify the charging data.

[0084] Since all electric vehicle charger charging data is stored on the power supply company's server, only charging data with matching certificates can be obtained.

[0085] Therefore, when connected to the first server, the charging data stored in the first server can be requested and received immediately without an additional authentication step (S545) (S550), and when connected to the second server, the requested charging data can be received after undergoing an additional authentication step (S545) (S550).

[0086] The control unit may also receive charging data from an electric vehicle charger or user terminal connected to the first server or the second server, rather than from the first server or the second server.

[0087] The control unit can receive stored charging data by connecting to an electric vehicle charger or user terminal through a process similar to that of connecting to a server.

[0088] Alternatively, the control unit may receive a charging progress notification from the electric vehicle charger or the user terminal when charging is in progress at the electric vehicle charger, and may receive charging-related data when charging is completed.

[0090] According to the electric vehicle charging data collection device and method of the present invention as described above, by efficiently collecting charging data related to electric vehicle charging in various ways, it is possible to obtain various training data for artificial intelligence required for predicting the installation of electric vehicle chargers, and thus there is an advantage of providing artificial intelligence training data capable of more accurate prediction.

[0092] The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the description and expression of the embodiments explicitly described above. Furthermore, it is added once again that the scope of protection of the present invention cannot be limited by obvious changes or substitutions in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

Claims

Claim 1 A communication unit for receiving electric vehicle charging data; a control unit including one or more processors; and a storage unit for storing the received electric vehicle charging data; wherein the control unit transmits a first certificate through the communication unit to a server storing electric vehicle charging data, and the server determines whether access is allowed based on the first certificate and performs an authentication to allow access, and then requests and receives the electric vehicle charging data stored in the server, and the server includes a server provided by an electric vehicle charger manufacturer, a server provided by an electric vehicle charger supplier, or a server for managing electric vehicle chargers separately, and a first server including electric vehicle charging data collected from electric vehicle chargers manufactured by the same manufacturer or sold by the same supplier; An electric vehicle charging data collection device comprising: a server of a power supply company that supplies power to an electric vehicle charger, and a second server that includes electric vehicle charging data collected from electric vehicle chargers of different electric vehicle charger manufacturers; wherein, when the server is a first server, the control unit can receive all data stored in the first server without an additional authentication procedure; and when the server is a second server, the control unit can receive only electric vehicle charging data approved by a second certificate transmitted through the communication unit among the electric vehicle charging data stored in the second server; wherein the first certificate is a certificate for authenticating whether the server is connected, and the second certificate is a certificate for authenticating whether the electric vehicle charging data included in the server is accessible and the scope of access; and wherein the second certificate is different for each electric vehicle charger manufacturer, supplier, or managing entity. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 An electric vehicle charging data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives charging data from the electric vehicle charger connected to the server when a charging event occurs at the electric vehicle charger connected to the server. Claim 7 An electric vehicle charging data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives charging data from a user terminal connected to the electric vehicle charger where the charging event occurred when a charging event occurs at the electric vehicle charger connected to the server. Claim 8 An electric vehicle charging data collection device according to claim 7, wherein the user terminal is a terminal for managing the electric vehicle charger where the charging event occurred. Claim 9 An electric vehicle charging data collection device according to claim 7, wherein the user terminal is a terminal of a user currently charging at an electric vehicle charger where the charging event occurred. Claim 10 A method for collecting electric vehicle charging data performed by a control unit comprising one or more processors, comprising: a step of accessing a server storing electric vehicle charging data; a step of transmitting a first certificate to the server and determining whether access is permitted based on the first certificate to perform an authentication that permits access; and a step of receiving necessary electric vehicle charging data from the server; wherein the server includes a server provided by an electric vehicle charger manufacturer, a server provided by an electric vehicle charger supplier, or a server for separately managing electric vehicle chargers, and comprises a first server including electric vehicle charging data collected from electric vehicle chargers manufactured by the same manufacturer or sold by the same supplier; A method for collecting electric vehicle charging data, comprising: a second server including a server of a power supply company that supplies power to an electric vehicle charger, and including electric vehicle charging data collected from electric vehicle chargers of different electric vehicle charger manufacturers; wherein, when the server is a first server, the step of receiving the electric vehicle charging data can receive all data stored in the first server without an additional authentication procedure; and when the server is a second server, the step of receiving the electric vehicle charging data can receive only the electric vehicle charging data approved by the second certificate among the electric vehicle charging data stored in the second server; wherein the first certificate is a certificate for authenticating whether the server is connected, and the second certificate is a certificate for authenticating whether the electric vehicle charging data included in the server is accessible and the scope of access; and wherein the second certificate is different for each electric vehicle charger manufacturer, supplier, or managing entity. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 delete Claim 14 delete Claim 15 A method for collecting electric vehicle charging data, characterized in that, in claim 10, when a charging event occurs at an electric vehicle charger connected to the server, the method further comprises the step of receiving charging data from an electric vehicle charger connected to the server. Claim 16 A method for collecting electric vehicle charging data according to claim 10, further comprising the step of receiving charging data from a user terminal connected to the electric vehicle charger where the charging event occurred when a charging event occurs at the electric vehicle charger connected to the server. Claim 17 A method for collecting electric vehicle charging data according to claim 16, wherein the above-mentioned user terminal is a terminal for managing the electric vehicle charger where the charging event occurred. Claim 18 A method for collecting electric vehicle charging data according to claim 16, wherein the above-mentioned user terminal is a terminal of a user currently charging at an electric vehicle charger where the above-mentioned charging event occurred.

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