System and method for verifying the charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for verifying a charging process of an electric vehicle (400) at a charging station (10), comprising: checking (S10) by a communication module (24) whether there is a connection to a network (32) and a backend server (34); determining (S20) by the communication module (24) that there is no connection to the network (32) and the backend server (34) and reporting the information to a processor (14); generating (S30) a display on a display device of a user interface (16) with the aid of the report that a verification code (50) needs to be entered to start the charging process; comparing (S40) the entered verification code (50) with a verification code (50) stored in a memory unit (20) of the charging station (10); authorizing and starting (S50) the charging process if the entered verification code is consistent with the stored verification code (50), or rejecting the charging process if they are inconsistent. The invention also relates to a corresponding system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for verifying the charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station. Background Art

[0002] It is known to develop hybrid vehicles driven by a combustion engine and an electric motor, or electric vehicles driven by an electric motor, instead of vehicles with a combustion engine, which are fed by a battery or fuel cell unit with hydrogen as an energy carrier, for example. Electric vehicles in particular are becoming increasingly popular with customers.

[0003] Battery-driven electric vehicles have a traction battery, which serves as the energy source for the driving drive of the electric vehicle. The battery can be charged in various ways in a charging station. A charging station for electric vehicles is a charging station conceived specifically for electric vehicles, which in most cases is similar in its construction to a refueling station for conventional fuels. A charging station has one or more charging points, wherein by definition only one vehicle can be connected to a charging point at the same time. In the simplest case, the charging point consists of a socket at which the vehicle can be charged via a cable connection and a charger.

[0004] There are different charging methods. There is AC charging, three-phase current charging and DC fast charging at 400 V to 800 V. High electrical power with high DC voltage and DC current is required for fast charging of energy storage systems in electric vehicles. The higher the power, the faster the battery of the electric vehicle can be charged.

[0005] Some charging stations are accessible to everyone, while at other charging stations electric vehicles can only be charged by users who are authorized for this purpose, in particular also in order to enable safe billing and payment of the drawn charging current.

[0006] To ensure authorization, the charging station is connected to the back-end server via a mobile radio connection or also via other network connections. The user or the vehicle to be charged can be verified by the server to identify and check whether the vehicle is authorized to carry out the charging process. For example, a verification code such as an external identification means (EIM) is installed on the server so that such verification can be performed. Usually, it is necessary to enter a verification code to start the charging process, but this input may not be activated. External verification is performed, for example, by a web-based application or a mobile software application (such as an App) that communicates with the back-end server. Usually, internal verification is performed by a transponder, such as an RFID card. The corresponding reading device is installed on the charging post. In both cases, the back-end server checks accordingly: whether the current user has the right to start the corresponding charging process.

[0007] However, if the network connection to the backend server is disturbed, verification cannot be performed. In this case, the following scenarios may occur:

[0008] - The user is shown a successful authentication, without actually having performed the authentication. However, the user can then charge the vehicle and thus provide charging energy for free.

[0009] A successful authentication is displayed to the user, the authentication data entered by him using the RFID transponder is stored locally in the storage medium of the charging station and the charging energy is billed when the connection with the backend server is established again.

[0010] - The customer is shown that the authentication function is temporarily deactivated. However, the user can still charge the vehicle and provides charging energy free of charge.

[0011] US2010315197 A1 describes a networked charging station for electric vehicles for charging electric vehicles, which are coupled to a backend server of the charging station for electric vehicles, and the backend server performs a verification for the charging request while the communication connection between the charging station and the server is functioning normally. When the communication connection is not functioning normally, the networked charging station for electric vehicles is switched to a local verification mode.

[0012] US2019160957 A1 describes a charging system for charging an electric vehicle, the charging system comprising a charging station and a charging network server. The charging network server is in network communication with the charging station and the mobile device application. A verification code is stored on the charging network server and the charging station to authorize the charging of the electric vehicle when the charging station is disconnected from the charging network server. A charging verification request sent by the mobile device application to the charging network server sends the verification code from the charging network server to the mobile device application. If the verification code entered into the charging station is consistent with the verification code stored in the charging station, charging of the electric vehicle is authorized.

[0013] US 8421592 B1 describes a charging station for charging electric vehicles, which has a transceiver with a local interface and a wireless WLAN interface. The user can send a verification request to the local interface via his user transceiver. The charging station communicates with a front-end server via the WLAN interface. The charging station forwards the verification request with the identification of the charging station to the front-end server, and the front-end server generates a PIN code as a reply to the verification request. The back-end server receives the PIN code and checks the identification of the charging station. The front-end server sends the PIN code to the user transceiver and to the charging station via the wireless WLAN interface. The user uses the PIN code to verify the charging process. Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention is now based on the object of making available a system and a method for verifying the charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station, even when the connection to a backend server is interrupted, which is distinguished by high reliability and safety and allows simple implementation.

[0015] According to the invention, a method is proposed by which the charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station can be verified even if the charging station is not connected to a backend server, in order to thereby establish a basis for access restriction and at the same time for charging capability despite a loss of communication with the backend server.

[0016] This object is achieved with respect to the method by the features of the method according to the invention for verifying a charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station and with respect to the system by the features of a system for verifying a charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station. Other preferred embodiments relate to further developments of the invention.

[0017] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for verifying a charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station. The method comprises the following method steps:

[0018] -The communication module checks whether there is a connection with the network and the backend server;

[0019] - determining, by the communication module, that there is no connection with the network and the backend server, and reporting this information to the processor;

[0020] - generating a display on a display device of the user interface with the aid of the report indicating that a verification code needs to be entered to start the charging process;

[0021] - comparing the entered verification code with a verification code stored in a memory unit of the charging station;

[0022] If the entered authentication code matches the stored authentication code, the charging process is authorized and started, or if they do not match, the charging process is rejected.

[0023] In an improved solution, it is proposed that the verification code is a 4-digit or 6-digit numeric or alphanumeric PIN code.

[0024] Advantageously, the verification code is generated by an initial value key method.

[0025] In an embodiment, the initial value is displayed on the display device of the user interface and transmitted to the verification point by means of the mobile application of the mobile device, wherein the verification point calculates a verification code based on the initial value and sends the verification code to the mobile application on the mobile device.

[0026] The verification point is specifically connected to the backend server.

[0027] Advantageously, in addition to entering the verification code, it is also necessary to identify the transponder on the reading device of the charging station.

[0028] In the improved solution, it is proposed that the verification point sends the verification code to the mobile device in a key-encrypted manner.

[0029] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for verifying the charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station. The system comprises a charging station having a charging device and an energy source, a user interface, a memory unit, a processor and a communication module, wherein the charging station can be connected to a network and a backend server by means of a mobile radio connection through the communication module, and wherein a mobile device can be connected to the network and the backend server and can be connected to the communication module of the charging station. A mobile application is installed on the mobile device. The communication module is designed to: check whether there is a connection with the network and the backend server, and report this information to the processor if it is determined that there is no connection with the network and the backend server. The processor is designed to: generate a display on the display device of the user interface with the report about the need to enter a verification code to start the charging process; compare the entered verification code with the verification code stored in the memory unit of the charging station; and authorize and start the charging process when the entered verification code is consistent with the stored verification code, or reject the charging process when it is inconsistent.

[0030] Advantageously, the verification code is a 4- or 6-digit numeric or alphanumeric PIN code.

[0031] In the improved solution, it is proposed to generate the verification code by using the initial value key method.

[0032] In an embodiment, the initial value is displayed on the display device of the user interface and transmitted to the verification point by means of the mobile application of the mobile device, wherein the verification point calculates a verification code based on the initial value and sends the verification code to the mobile application on the mobile device.

[0033] The verification point is specifically connected to the backend server.

[0034] In a further development, it is proposed that in addition to inputting the verification code, a transponder on a reading device of the charging station needs to be identified.

[0035] Advantageously, the verification code is sent by the verification point to the mobile device in a key-encrypted manner.

[0036] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a computer program product, the computer program product comprising an executable program code, the program code being configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect when the program code is executed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing.

[0038] In the attached picture:

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a verification system for verifying a charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station;

[0040] Figure 2 A block diagram for generating a verification code is shown;

[0041] Figure 3 A flow chart is shown for explaining the individual method steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 4 A computer program product according to an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention is schematically illustrated.

[0043] Additional features, aspects and advantages of the present invention or its embodiments may be seen through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 A charging system 100 for charging an electrically driven vehicle 400 is shown. The charging system 100 comprises a charging station 10 having a charging device 12 and an energy source 14. The energy source 14 can be a power grid of an electricity supply company, a generator, a battery or other device capable of supplying current to the charging device 12. The charging station 10 is provided with a user interface 16, which can be designed in particular as a touch screen or as a screen with operating elements. In addition, the charging station 10 has a reader 18, which is used for contactless data exchange by electromagnetic induction, in particular by means of RFID technology or NFC technology. In addition, the charging station 10 is connected to a memory unit 20, a processor 22 and a communication module 24.

[0045] Furthermore, the charging station 10 is connected to a network 32 and a backend server 34 via a communication module 24 by means of a mobile radio connection 30. Furthermore, a mobile device 40 can be connected to the charging station 10 via the communication module 24. A mobile application 42 is installed on the mobile device 40. Furthermore, the mobile device 40 is equipped with a camera 44.

[0046] For the purposes of the present invention, a "processor" may be understood as a machine or an electronic circuit, for example. The processor may be, in particular, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor or a microcontroller (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit or a digital signal processor), etc., which may be combined with a memory unit for storing program instructions. The processor may also be understood as a virtual processor, a virtual machine, or a soft-core CPU. The processor may also be, for example, a programmable processor, which is provided with a configuration step for implementing the method according to the present invention or is configured by means of a configuration step so that the programmable processor implements the method, component, module, or other aspects and / or partial aspects of the present invention. Features according to the present invention.

[0047] For the purposes of the present invention, a "memory unit" or "memory module" or the like can be understood to mean, for example, a volatile memory (RAM) in the form of a working memory or a permanent memory such as a hard disk or a data carrier or, for example, a replaceable memory module. However, a memory module can also be a cloud-based storage solution.

[0048] For the present invention, "module" can be understood as a processor and / or a memory unit for storing program instructions, for example. For example, a module is specially adapted to implement program instructions so that the processor and / or the memory unit implement functions to implement or realize the method according to the present invention or the steps of the method according to the present invention.

[0049] The communication module 24 may have a serial communication adapter, a wired network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a remote mobile communication adapter, a radio frequency receiver, an RFID reader, a Bluetooth adapter, a Wi-Fi adapter, a ZigBee adapter, an NFC communication adapter, and / or any other device that can be connected to one or more of the other devices. The communication module 24 may send information to one or more different devices and / or receive information from the one or more different devices.

[0050] The user interface 16 can be configured to display information to the user, especially the driver of the electric vehicle 400 to be charged, and receive the user's input. The user interface 16 includes a display device, which can be designed as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode display (LED) or an organic LED display (OLED). Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 16 can include an audio output device (e.g., an audio adapter and / or a speaker). The user interface 16 also includes an input device configured to receive one or more inputs from the user. The input device can include a key, a button, a keyboard, an indicator, a camera, a touch-sensitive operating panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a position detector and / or an audio input such as a microphone. The user interface 16 can be designed as a separate component, such as a touch screen display that includes both a display device and an input device. In this embodiment, controls or keys for requiring user input can be displayed on the touch screen display.

[0051] Figure 1 Only a single charging station 10 is shown, but in practice, multiple charging stations 10 may be coupled to the backend server 34 via a network 52. The network 52 may be the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a virtual private network (VPN), a cellular network, and / or other networks.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile device 40 is a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a tablet computer having a mobile application 42 installed thereon.

[0053] When the charging process of the electric vehicle 400 is performed under normal conditions when the charging station 10 is connected to the charging backend server 34, the mobile application 42 of the mobile device 40 initiates a charging request by connecting to the server 34 and then the server 34 connects to the charging station 10 to authorize the charging process. The charging request of the mobile application 42 is associated with a specific user profile, which contains billing information and / or contact information for the user as well as vehicle identification, vehicle manufacturer, vehicle model, AC current profile, type of energy storage device of the vehicle 400 and / or other information about the vehicle 400 and / or the charging process.

[0054] Additionally, the charging request includes an identification of the charging station 10 for which charging is requested, wherein the identification of the charging station 10 is performed, for example, by scanning an optical machine-readable code (such as a barcode or a QR code) at the charging station 10 by the camera 44 of the mobile device 40. If the user of the mobile application 42 can be authenticated by the identification data reported to the server 34, the user is authorized to start the charging process.

[0055] However, it is known that, due to technical or other reasons, data communication between the backend server 34 and the charging station 10 may be temporarily interrupted, wherein the charging station 10 is "offline" from the network 32. As a result, communication with the backend server 34 is unavailable and the user of the electric vehicle may not be able to charge his vehicle 400.

[0056] However, according to the present invention, even if the communication between the server 34 and the charging station 10 is interrupted, the electric vehicle 400 can be charged. The communication module 24 recognizes that the connection with the server 34 is interrupted and forwards this information to the processor 22. Then, the processor 22 outputs a corresponding indication on the display device of the user interface 16: the communication connection is interrupted and now it is necessary to enter the verification code 50. The verification code 50 can be a numeric or alphanumeric code, such as a 4-digit or 6-digit PIN (personal identification number) code.

[0057] The verification code 50 can be a static code that is reported to the user in advance for the lack of a communication connection between the server 34 and the charging station 10. The entered verification code 50 is compared with the code stored in the memory unit 20, and if the entered code 50 is identical to the stored code, the charging process is started. However, if, for example, an incorrect code 50 is entered three times, the charging process is not provided. However, no user-related charges are generated as a result, since the probability that an unauthorized third party accidentally enters a valid verification code 50 is too high.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown in , the second possibility involves the use of a dynamic verification code 50 according to the initial value key method (English: seed and key). In this case, communication between the mobile device 40 and the network 32 and the server 34 can still be achieved. The charging request to the backend server 34 can also be communicated through the mobile device 40, because there is still communication between the mobile device 40 and the backend server 34. However, since communication between the backend server 34 and the charging station 10 cannot be achieved, a verification point 70 is inserted to enable communication with the user and transmit a suitable verification code 50 to the user. As a result, the user can be authorized to charge at the charging station 10.

[0059] In order to obtain the verification code 50 from the verification point 70, an initial value, for example a 4-digit or 6-digit numeric or alphanumeric value or the telephone number of the charging station operator or the location of the charging station, is displayed to the user on the display device of the user interface 16. The verification code can also be a 2-D barcode (QR-Code) with or without a network link. The user now contacts the verification point 70 with the aid of his mobile device 40. The verification point 70 has access to the server 34, so that even in the event of an interruption of the communication connection between the server 34 and the charging station 10, a user-related billing of the charged energy power can be achieved.

[0060] Contact can be established with the verification point 70 by calling the displayed phone number, opening a website or web application, or sending an SMS. The user forwards the initial values ​​displayed to him on the display device of the user interface 16 to the verification point 70, for example by keyboard input on his mobile device 40 when calling the website or by verbally repeating the displayed initial values ​​when calling a call center. Now, with the help of the initial values ​​reported by the user, the verification point 70 calculates the verification code 50 and reports it to the user, preferably by displaying it on his mobile device 40. In particular, the SA2 algorithm according to the UDS standard can be used to calculate the verification code. The user now enters the verification code 50 into the input device of the user interface 16. If the input is correct, the charging process can be started. However, if, for example, an incorrect verification code 50 is entered three times, the verification process is interrupted and the charging process cannot be carried out.

[0061] In another embodiment, it can be provided that in addition to inputting the verification code 50, a transponder, such as an RFID card, on the reading device 18 of the charging station 10 needs to be recognized. In this way, the safety of only authorized users using the charging station 10 for the charging process can be improved.

[0062] In addition, the verification code 50 may be sent by the verification point 70 to the mobile device 40 in a key-encrypted manner.

[0063] exist Figure 3 2 shows method steps for verifying a charging process of electric vehicle 400 at charging station 10 .

[0064] In step S10 , the communication module 24 checks whether there is a connection with the network 32 and the backend server 34 .

[0065] In step S20 , the communication module 24 determines that there is no connection with the network 32 and the backend server 34 and reports this information to the processor 22 .

[0066] In step S30 , the processor 22 generates a display on the display device of the user interface 16 indicating that the verification code 50 needs to be input to start the charging process.

[0067] In step S40 , the input of the verification code 50 is compared with the verification code stored in the memory unit 20 of the charging station.

[0068] In step S50 , the charging process is authorized and started if the entered verification code matches the stored verification code, or is rejected if they do not match.

[0069] Figure 4 A computer program product 700 is schematically illustrated, which comprises an executable program code 750 configured for carrying out the method according to the first aspect of the invention when the program code is implemented.

[0070] With the method according to the invention, it is possible to reliably and automatically switch from a verification method by means of a network connection to a verification method by means of inputting a verification code 50 at the user interface 16 of the charging station 10. This ensures that even in the event of an interruption of the network connection 30, electric vehicles 400 of a user group authorized for this purpose are charged.

Claims

1. A method for verifying a charging process of an electric vehicle (400) at a charging station (10), the method comprising: - the communication module (24) of the charging station (10) checks whether there is a connection with the network (32) and the backend server (34); - the communication module (24) determines that there is no connection with the network (32) and the backend server (34), and reports this information to the processor (22); - generating, by means of the processor (22), a display on a display device of the user interface (16) indicating that a first verification code needs to be entered to start the charging process; - comparing the input first verification code with a second verification code stored in a memory unit (20) of the charging station (10); - if the entered first verification code is consistent with the stored second verification code, authorizing and starting the charging process, or if they are inconsistent, rejecting the charging process, The first verification code is generated by using an initial value key method. An initial value is displayed on a display device of the user interface (16) and transmitted to a verification point (70) by means of a mobile application (42) of a mobile device (40), wherein the verification point (70) calculates a first verification code based on the initial value and sends the first verification code to the mobile application (42) on the mobile device (40), wherein the verification point (70) is connected to the backend server (34) and can access the backend server (34), wherein in addition to entering the first verification code, it is also necessary to identify a transponder on a reading device (18) of the charging station (10). 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first verification code and the second verification code are 4-digit or 6-digit numeric or alphanumeric PIN codes.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first verification code is sent by the verification point (70) to the mobile device (40) in a key-encrypted manner.

4. A system (100) for verifying a charging process of an electric vehicle (400) at a charging station (10), the system comprising a charging station (10) having a charging device (12) and an energy source (14), a user interface (16), a memory unit (20), a processor (22) and a communication module (24), wherein the charging station (10) can be connected to a network (32) and a back-end server (34) via the communication module (24) by means of a mobile radio connection (30), and wherein a mobile device (40) can be connected to the network (32) and the back-end server (34) and to the communication module (24) of the charging station (10), wherein a mobile application (42) is installed on the mobile device (40); wherein the communication module (24) is designed to: check whether there is a connection to the network (32) and the back-end server (34), and if it is determined that there is no connection to the network (32) and the back-end server (34), then the communication module (24) checks whether there is a connection to the network (32) and the back-end server (34), and if it is determined that there is no connection to the network (32) and the back-end server The processor (22) is configured to: generate a display on the display device of the user interface (16) indicating that a first verification code needs to be entered to start the charging process; compare the entered first verification code with a second verification code stored in a memory unit (20) of the charging station (10); and authorize and start the charging process if the entered first verification code is consistent with the stored second verification code, or reject the charging process if they are inconsistent, wherein the first verification code is generated using an initial value key method, wherein an initial value is displayed on the display device of the user interface (16) and transmitted to a verification point (70) by means of a mobile application (42) of a mobile device (40), wherein the verification point (70) calculates a first verification code based on the initial value and sends the first verification code to the mobile application (42) on the mobile device (40), wherein The verification point (70) is connected to the backend server (34) and can access the backend server (34), wherein, in addition to entering the first verification code, it is also necessary to identify the transponder on the reading device (18) of the charging station (10).

5. The system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first verification code and the second verification code are 4-digit or 6-digit numeric or alphanumeric PIN codes.

6. The system (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first verification code is sent by the verification point (70) to the mobile device (40) in a key-encrypted manner.

7. A computer program product (700) comprising an executable program code (750) configured to implement the method according to one of claims 1 to 3 when the program code is executed.

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