Method and control system for controlling the activation of a service function depending on the usage behavior of a user of an electric vehicle

Abstract

Method for controlling the activation (41) of a service function (23) depending on the usage behavior of a user of an electric vehicle (10), wherein a request (29) to activate (41) the service function (23) is received by a control interface (28) of a service facility (24) which provides the service function (23), wherein an identification feature (12) which is assigned to the electric vehicle (10) and for which the activation (41) is to take place is specified, and if the requested service (23) is unlocked, the service function (23) is activated by the service facility (24), characterized by the fact that Prior to the request for activation (41) by a computing device (26) at least one energy exchange (22) of electrical energy (14) between the electric vehicle (10) and a respective electric charging station (13), an energy class (21) and an energy quantity (18) of the exchanged energy (14) are recorded, wherein the energy class (21) indicates a technology of an energy source (20) which was used to generate the exchanged energy, and the technology indicates at least one of the following energy classes (21): nuclear power, hydropower, wind power, renewable energy, coal power, and an addition value (33) is assigned to the respective energy exchange (22) according to a predetermined evaluation rule (32) depending on the recorded energy class (21) and the recorded energy quantity (18), and the addition value (33) is added to a meter reading (35) assigned to the identification feature (12) in a data storage device (34), wherein the user's usage behavior with regard to the energy source used (20) is linked in such a way that the service function (23) is activated more easily the more often an energy source (20) of a certain technology is used and this is quantified by the evaluation rule (32) by issuing different addition values ​​(33) for the same value of energy quantity (18), depending on the energy class used (21), and the technical coupling between an energy exchange (22) at the at least one charging station (13) on the one hand and a control of the activation (41) of the service function (23) at the control interface (28) of the service facility (24) on the other hand is established by the requirement (36) is described by corresponding request data generated by the user, and the requirement (36) identifies the service function (23) and specifies the identification feature (12), and the service facility (24) for activating the service function (23) requires a threshold value (37) dependent on the service function (23) with respect to the meter reading (35) of the identification feature (12) and for this purpose transmits a request with respect to the meter reading (35) as a booking request with corresponding booking data specifying the threshold value (37) to a control system (25) which has the computing device (26) for recording the energy class (21) and the energy quantity (18) via the control interface (28), and The service function (23) is only activated if the meter reading (35) is greater than the threshold value (37) that depends on the service function (23).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling the release of a service function based on the usage behavior of an electric vehicle user. The method thus controls whether a service function can be used by a user or not. This depends on the user's usage behavior, which refers to the user's electric vehicle. If the user uses their electric vehicle in a predefined manner, this is automatically detected, and the user can then use the service function – essentially as a reward. The invention also includes a control system by means of which the method according to the invention can be carried out.

[0002] As electric vehicles transition to electric propulsion, there is an interest in accelerating this shift by creating incentives for users to convert their electric vehicles to electric drive. One factor that discourages users from switching to a purely electric or hybrid vehicle is the procurement and recharging of electricity, as there are significant differences and therefore uncertainties regarding procurement costs. Electric vehicle owners must also pay with different currencies at charging stations in different countries. Furthermore, they may need to install different smartphone applications (so-called apps) to be able to pay at the various charging stations.Furthermore, electricity costs vary from country to country, making it difficult to get an overview of the expected costs of using an electric vehicle. Even within a single country, electricity costs can differ depending on the source; for example, electricity from a coal-fired power plant may have a different price per kilowatt-hour than electricity from a power plant using renewable energy sources such as solar or hydropower.

[0003] This currently makes it difficult to persuade users to switch to an electric vehicle with an electric drive.

[0004] An example of the aforementioned charging station, which can be used by means of a smartphone and an app installed on it, is known from DE 10 2016 111 420 A1.

[0005] The control of a payment transaction for an electric charging process at a charging station is known from DE 10 2016 209 380 A1, where an app for a smartphone is also used as a basis.

[0006] However, these payment methods offer no technical incentive to switch to an electric vehicle, i.e., an electric vehicle with an electric drive.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2017 216 688 A1 discloses a charging station that, in addition to a charging cable, also has a data transmission cable that can be connected to an electric vehicle. Among other things, this additional cable allows for digital payment processing. This saves the electric vehicle user from having to install an app on their smartphone. However, the user has no control over balancing the differences in energy costs at different charging stations.

[0008] US 2009 / 0313 104 A1 discloses a computer-implemented method for the automatic management of incentives in connection with a transaction for charging an electric vehicle.

[0009] US patent 2014 / 0049216A1 discloses a battery management system for an electrically powered vehicle, which manages the amount of renewable energy in the battery of the electrically powered vehicle.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing a user of an electric vehicle with access to a service function depending on how the user adjusts their usage behavior with regard to their electric vehicle in a predefinable manner.

[0011] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described by the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0012] The invention provides a method for controlling the release or activation of a service function based on the usage behavior of an electric vehicle user. The user can thus influence the activation of the service function through their usage behavior with respect to their electric vehicle. This is controlled automatically by the method. The method therefore technically links the user's usage behavior with the activation of a service function.

[0013] For this to work, the user must first accumulate credit through their usage, which is referred to below as a virtual unit of measurement, here called the meter reading and also the EnergyCoin (EC). The user can thus generate a meter reading of, for example, EnergyCoins through their usage of their electric vehicle, which can then be used to activate a service function. The following steps are provided for this purpose in the method according to the invention.

[0014] The procedure assumes that the service function in question is provided by a service facility. Such a service facility could, for example, be an internet server whose service function is, for instance, enabling the use of predefined software. The service facility can, for this purpose, include at least a microprocessor and a data storage device connected to it, containing program instructions for executing the service function. To request the activation of the service function, the service facility has a control interface that receives a request to activate the service function. This request is not anonymous, but rather uses a specific identifier, i.e., a user ID. This identifier is assigned to the electric vehicle.In other words, the control interface can receive request data describing a request to activate the service function for a specific electric vehicle, identified by its unique identifier. This identifier can be described by identification data and, for example, specify the vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number of the electric vehicle.

[0015] The service provider then checks whether the service function may be activated. If the requested service is subsequently activated, the service provider enables the service function. This allows the service function to be used. An example of such a service function could be the provision of electric charging energy at a charging station. The request could then concern the activation of a charging function, and the charging function will be activated if the service provider grants permission for the service function to be enabled.

[0016] To technically link the activation of a service function to the usage behavior of an electric vehicle user, the invention provides that a computing device records the energy class and quantity of the exchanged energy during at least one energy exchange between the electric vehicle and a respective charging station, i.e., during a charging or feed-in process at a charging station. In other words, the energy class of the exchanged electrical energy is verified. The energy class can be specified, for example, as whether the exchanged energy was generated using a renewable energy source or nuclear power. The quantity of energy is also recorded (for example, in kilowatt-hours - kWh).

[0017] Each energy exchange is assigned an additive value according to a predetermined evaluation rule, depending on the recorded energy class and the recorded energy quantity. The evaluation rule thus combines the energy class and the energy quantity into an additive value. This allows, for example, the additive value to be set higher the more environmentally friendly the energy class and the greater the energy quantity within that energy class. The additive value is added to a meter reading in a data storage system, which is associated with the identification feature. In other words, the additive value is accumulated for the electric vehicle. Therefore, when the user performs an energy exchange with their electric vehicle at an electric vehicle charging station, the electric vehicle's meter reading (i.e., the energy class and quantity of energy exchanged) is updated, depending on the energy class and quantity of energy exchanged.The meter reading of the identification feature is changed in the data storage. It should be noted that this added value can be positive or negative, which in turn can depend, for example, on the direction of energy exchange (charging or feeding into the grid). Operating the electric vehicle at a charging station therefore changes the overall meter reading. This quantifies the usage pattern in terms of the energy class and amount of energy used by the electric vehicle.

[0018] To link this usage behavior to the activation of the requested service, the requested service function is only activated at the service facility if the meter reading exceeds a threshold value dependent on the service function. The user must therefore perform an energy exchange (recharging or feeding energy into the grid) with their electric vehicle at at least one charging station to increase the meter reading in the data storage system. If the meter reading is then sufficiently high, namely higher than the threshold for activating the service function, this ensures that the request for the service function to be activated actually results in its activation.This establishes the technical link between energy exchange at at least one charging station on the one hand, and the control of activating a service function at a control interface of a service facility on the other. The necessary steps of recording the energy class and energy quantity, calculating the total value, and storing the meter reading in the data memory can be performed by a control system with a computing unit.

[0019] The invention offers the advantage that access to a service function, namely its activation, is controlled by charging and / or feed-in processes, i.e., the energy exchange at at least one electric charging station. Thus, a user must adjust their usage behavior with regard to their electric vehicle by exchanging or transferring energy of a specific energy class and a corresponding amount of energy at the at least one charging station in a predetermined direction in order to gain access to a service function, i.e., to activate it. Each service function may require a different meter reading, which is determined by the aforementioned service-function-dependent threshold for activating the service function.

[0020] Overall, the activation of a service function is thus linked to the described usage behavior.

[0021] In this invention, the energy class indicates the technology of the energy source used to generate the exchanged energy. The technology can, for example, specify at least one of the following classes: nuclear power, hydropower, wind power, renewable energy, or coal power. Thus, the user's usage behavior with regard to the energy source used is controlled or linked in such a way that a service function can be unlocked more easily the more frequently an energy source of a specific technology, such as a renewable energy source, is used. This can be quantified by the aforementioned evaluation rule, which can output different sum values ​​for the same amount of energy, depending on the energy class used.

[0022] The invention also includes embodiments that offer additional advantages.

[0023] In one embodiment, the service unit (which provides the service function) and the computing unit, which performs the aforementioned process steps for determining the meter reading, access the data storage in which the meter reading is stored independently of each other. For this purpose, they are connected to the data storage for independent access. For example, the service unit and the computing unit can each be connected to the data storage via their own internet connection. The service unit and the computing unit access the data storage accordingly, with a time delay. In particular, the time delay can be more than 10 minutes or more than one day.In other words, the user can, through their usage of the electric vehicle, first accumulate a meter reading in the data storage until it exceeds the threshold for activating the service function, and then subsequently request the service function at a later, independent time. For example, multiple energy exchanges can be used to generate an additional value, which is added to the meter reading until the total exceeds the threshold. This corresponds to an accumulation of credit, such as the aforementioned EnergyCoins.

[0024] In one embodiment, the data storage system is designed or organized as a blockchain. This secures access by the computing facility and / or the service provider against manipulation. This prevents a user from altering their electric vehicle's meter reading for energy exchange purposes by manipulating the data storage system.

[0025] In one embodiment, the electric vehicle's meter reading (i.e., the reading associated with the identification feature) is reduced by the threshold value to perform the service function. In other words, using the service function—that is, activating and providing it—leads to a reduction in the meter reading. This means that each specific energy exchange enables coupling with a service function only once. In other words, the credit on the data storage, i.e., the meter reading, is consumed.

[0026] To identify which service facility the meter reading was used for, one embodiment provides that a meter reading assigned to a service facility is increased by the threshold value when that facility activates and provides the service function. Thus, the meter reading for the user who uses the identification feature when requesting the service function decreases, while the meter reading of the service facility providing the service function increases. This ensures that the credit gained through the energy exchange (meter reading or EnergyCoins) is not lost but transferred. The credit then becomes available to the service facility, for example, to control the activation of another service function.

[0027] In one embodiment, the respective additive value is also determined by the evaluation rule depending on the direction of energy transfer. Specifically, one possible transfer direction is from the electric vehicle's energy storage system to the charging station (energy feedback from the electric vehicle), and another possible transfer direction is from the charging station to the energy storage system (recharging the electric vehicle's energy storage system). Thus, feedback and recharging can have different effects on activating the service function. The transfer direction can be identified based on the current flow direction, which in turn can be determined by a potential difference between the electric vehicle's energy storage system and the charging station, or by the direction of a magnetic field generated by the current flow.A corresponding measuring circuit can be installed in the respective charging station and / or in the electric vehicle and read out by the computing device.

[0028] In one embodiment, the user is provided with a control interface on a central internet platform, along with other control interfaces from different service providers, each offering its own service function. The platform thus constitutes a marketplace where the user can select the control interface at which they wish to use a service function for their credit balance in the data storage, i.e., their meter reading. In this way, several service providers and their interfaces can be integrated into the internet platform, and the user can control the activation of different service functions at the control interfaces through their usage patterns via the meter reading in the data storage.

[0029] In one implementation, the threshold or price for the respective service function is received from a smart contract on a blockchain. In other words, the threshold that the user's meter reading must exceed to unlock a service function is derived from the smart contract. This makes the threshold, i.e., the price of the service function, tamper-proof.

[0030] The invention also includes the control system already described, which comprises the aforementioned computing device for recording an energy class and an energy quantity, as well as the energy exchanged in at least one energy exchange between an electric vehicle and a respective charging station. The control system further includes the aforementioned internet platform for providing at least one control interface for requesting a service function from a respective service facility. Thus, the control system couples an energy exchange process at at least one charging station with the control of activating a service function of at least one service facility. For this purpose, the computing device can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller. The computing device can be a single computer or a network of multiple computers.The computing device can, for example, be designed as an internet server. The internet platform can also be based on an internet server. The computing device, for recording the amount of energy and its energy class, can be integrated into one or distributed across several charging stations. The amount of energy can be determined, for example, based on the electrical power transferred over time. Current and voltage can be measured for this purpose. Suitable measuring circuits are known from the prior art. Thus, the amount of energy transferred can be measured at each charging station. The energy class can be determined, for example, for an energy exchange process based on billing data, which assigns a technology of an energy source (e.g., green electricity or conventional electricity) to the exchanged energy.

[0031] The control system according to the invention is designed to carry out one embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0032] The electric vehicle used in the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0033] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0034] The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments. The following are shown: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the control system according to the invention; Fig. 2. A sketch illustrating the use of the tax system in paying for service functions; and Fig. 3 A diagram illustrating the use of meter readings as EnergyCoins (digital currency).

[0035] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0036] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows an electric vehicle 10, for example, a passenger car or a truck. The electric vehicle can have a purely electric drive or a hybrid drive (electric drive combined with an internal combustion engine). The electric vehicle 10 can be identified by identification data 11, which represents an identification feature 12 of the electric vehicle 10. A user (not shown) can have connected the electric vehicle 10 to a charging station 13 to exchange electrical energy 14 between an energy storage device 15 of the electric vehicle 10 on the one hand and a power grid 16, for example, a public power grid, on the other. The charging station 13 itself and / or a charger 17 of the electric vehicle 10 can determine the amount 18 of energy 14 exchanged and the direction 19 of energy 14 transfer.Furthermore, a (not shown) control circuit of the power grid 16 or the electric vehicle may have signaled which energy source 20, in particular which technology or energy class 21, effectively generated the energy 14. This may have been recorded during the generation of the energy 14.

[0038] The user in question can benefit from such an energy exchange 22 of electrical energy 14 at the charging station 13 and at other charging points insofar as this energy exchange 22 is recorded and can be used to activate at least one service function 23 of a service facility 24. The service facility 24 can, for example, be an internet server. The service function 23 can, for example, be a digital service, such as a digital shopping function.

[0039] To couple the energy exchange 22 with the service function 23 and, in particular, its activation, a control system 25 can be provided. This system can include a computing unit 26 for recording the energy class 21 and the energy quantity 18, and can also be configured to carry out a procedure described below. For this purpose, corresponding program code can be stored, for example, in a program memory of the computing unit 26. The control system 25 can also include an internet platform 27, which can provide a control interface 28 for activating 29 the service function 23 of the service facility 24. Further control interfaces 30 of other service facilities 24 can be available on the internet platform 27.

[0040] In step S10, the computing unit 26 can determine the energy quantity 18 and the energy class 21 of the exchanged electrical energy 14. For this purpose, the computing unit can receive corresponding charging process data. The energy quantity 18 can be recorded, for example, by a corresponding measuring device 31, such as in the charging station 13 and / or in the charger 17. Only the embodiment with the measuring device 31 in the charging station 13 is shown. In step S11, an additive value 33 can be assigned to the respective energy exchange according to a predetermined evaluation rule 32, depending on the recorded energy class 21 and the recorded energy quantity 18. This additive value indicates how much energy of each energy class 21 was exchanged, and is expressed as a counter-value, also referred to here as EnergyCoin EC.This added value 33 can be assigned in step S12 to a meter reading 35 in a data storage device 34. This meter reading 35 is assigned to the identification feature 12, meaning that for the identification feature there is a meter reading 35 or an account for EnergyCoins EC.

[0041] If the user of the electric vehicle 10 wishes to use the service function 23, they can generate or trigger a corresponding request 36 at the control interface 28, for example, using an app on a mobile device such as a smartphone. The request 36 can be described by corresponding request data that the user can generate. The request 36 can identify the service function 23 and specify the identification feature 12, i.e., reproduce or contain the aforementioned identification data 11. The service facility 24 can require a threshold value 37 with respect to the meter reading 35 of the identification feature 12 to activate the service function 23.For example, a request regarding the meter reading 35 can be transmitted to the tax system 25 via the control interface 28 as a booking request with corresponding booking data, which can specify the threshold value 37. If the meter reading 35 is greater than the threshold value 37 specified in the booking request 40, an activation 41, e.g., with corresponding confirmation data, can be transmitted from the tax system 25 to the service facility 24, for example, via the control interface 28. If the service facility 24 receives the activation 41, the requested service function 23 can be activated by the service facility 24.

[0042] The tax system 25 can be used, for example, in the context described below.

[0043] This shows Fig. 2. A configuration of the tax system 25 in which the meter readings for different users are stored in a blockchain 42 (BC) in the data storage 34. Possible users include end customers 43, private electricity suppliers 44, energy suppliers 45, and banks 46, with the respective user types being represented by a corresponding symbol. The blockchain 42 allows the different users to be linked to each other via digital contracts or smart contracts 47. A database 48 can be provided for further details on the meter readings and their transmission when using a service function 23.

[0044] In connection with the internet platform 27, it is further shown how a user 49 (who may be one of the users described in connection with the blockchain 42) forms a new contract or a new connection as a smart contract 47 at a control interface 28 at a specific time, which may be described by a timestamp, thereby enabling further linking of meter readings between different users. It is shown how the internet platform 27 can be displayed to the user 49, for example, on a mobile device 50 as a control program or application 51.

[0045] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the exchange possibilities for services and goods that arise from the in Fig. The tax system described in section 25 can result. It is shown how meter readings can be exchanged or traded as the digital currency EnergyCoins EC via the internet platform 27. For example, money providers 52 can be linked with private electricity providers 44 and energy providers 45. A private electricity provider 44 could be, for example, the owner of an electric vehicle, a home energy storage system, a photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, an emergency generator powered by hydrogen, and / or fuel derived from a natural, renewable resource (so-called e-fuel). Linking to the internet platform 27 can be done via a trading interface 53. The money providers 52 are represented here as different banks 54, which exchange EnergyCoin EC via a currency conversion 55 into different currencies; EUR, NOK, and USD are shown here as examples.Energy providers can convert EnergyCoins into a specific amount of energy (X kilowatt-hours kW / h) through an exchange rate 56 and / or via a fee, which can result in different exchange rates 57. These rates can be secured as contracts via the described smart contracts 47 and stored in the blockchain 42. Such a smart contract 47 contains all contractual agreements between the customer (user, energy provider, and supplier). A smart contract 47 thus represents a channel for exchanging EnergyCoins EC.

[0046] A further connection 58 to the internet platform 27 can be established by different users 49 who use an electric vehicle. This group of users 49 with electric vehicles 10 is referred to here as members 60. A user 49 who is a member 60 can generate EnergyCoins EC by using their electric vehicle to charge energy or feed energy back into the grid. This is the described meter reading 35, which can be increased by the addition value 33. An electric vehicle is absolutely necessary to generate EnergyCoins EC. An EnergyCoin EC is generated or consumed by charging the electric vehicle, depending on the contract or agreement.

[0047] Other users (49') without an electric vehicle are referred to here as members (61), who cannot generate EnergyCoins (EC) themselves, but can only obtain them via the internet platform (27). Such a user (49') buys energy from a private energy provider or an energy company using the EC platform (27) in a single currency. The EC platform (27) executes the transaction with the banks and transfers EnergyCoins to the seller. This is how a user (49') can also use the internet platform (27).

[0048] The following are details regarding the tax system 25 according to Fig. 2 and Fig. Three further possible application examples are described.

[0049] The valuation rule 32 can, for example, be designed as an allocation table or as a calculation formula. In general, the valuation rule 32 can be a function f for calculating energy coins depending on the energy quantity E and energy class K: EC = f(E,K). The energy class K can be a scaling factor, and the energy quantity can be specified in kilowatt hours (kWh).

[0050] The idea creates a unified platform as a decentralized system for customers (users) and establishes a new link between currency and energy sources such as electricity, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), e-fuel, H2, and / or other environmentally friendly energy sources. The EnergyCoin (EC) is a new, virtual unit of measurement (a virtual, physical quantity).

[0051] The described idea links: • a virtual marketplace (analogous to e.g. Amazon® : - with a cryptocurrency (analogous to, for example, Bitcoin); - with a single currency across borders (analogous to, for example, Euro / 5); • with the ownership of e-vehicle(s); • using blockchain technology; • with the financial system; • with private and non-private energy producers; thanks to a mix of centralized and decentralized systems.

[0052] For example, a separate currency for electric vehicles could be generated, the EnergyCoin (EC). It is a virtual medium of exchange and payment. An EnergyCoin (EC) is not only a medium of exchange and payment, but also a standardized billing system, i.e., a new, virtual unit of measurement for users of vehicles with alternative drive systems, or even for stationary applications.

[0053] To generate EnergyCoin (EC), an electric vehicle (EV) is absolutely necessary. This is the key to participating in this system. Therefore, the described EnergyCoin (EC) is more than just a cryptocurrency. It must be an approved, certified EV from the manufacturer (recognizable by its identification mark); no computer / emulator can generate an EnergyCoin (EC), only the EV itself.

[0054] Trading in EnergyCoins (EC) is possible without an electric vehicle, but EnergyCoins (EC) cannot be generated without one. An EnergyCoin (EC) is generated or consumed by charging an electric vehicle (bidirectional charging) or by driving (consumption of energy or ECs). If the electric vehicle is charged with energy from, for example, a coal-fired power plant, the electric car generates fewer EnergyCoins (EC) than if it is charged with energy from a renewable energy source. This creates an incentive system for the use of green electricity. Consequently, a bonus system and trading in EnergyCoins (EC) are established. For example: The vehicle owner has a photovoltaic system on the roof of his house. He uses this system to charge the high-voltage battery of his electric vehicle. Since this energy comes entirely from a renewable energy source, he is rewarded with EnergyCoins (EC) for this.

[0055] Another example: An incentive is created to encourage the use of green electricity. Consequently, this results in advantages and competition for charging station owners and electricity providers.

[0056] If someone charges their electric vehicle with electricity from their own PV system and consequently wants to resell the energy not used in the electric vehicle, e.g. via the EnergyCoin (EC) platform, the customer has the opportunity to profitably acquire further EnergyCoins (EC).

[0057] The EnergyCoin (EC) is user-based, meaning that multiple electric vehicles owned by the same person can generate multiple EnergyCoins (EC), thus encouraging the ownership of one or more electric vehicles (benefiting both small and large customers). The customer essentially becomes an energy supplier. This also allows for the possibility of increasing one's EnergyCoin (EC) holdings through trading.

[0058] Memberships: The plan is to offer a basic and a premium membership. Basic members can purchase energy via the EnergyCoin platform from private electricity providers and / or other commercial enterprises. All customers can pay for energy with EnergyCoins (EC). These can also be converted / exchanged into equivalent currency amounts, for example, using an "EnergyCoin platform" in cooperation with banks (e.g., checking account), and / or transferred directly to the seller as EnergyCoins (EC). Premium members own an electric vehicle (e-car, e-bus, e-truck). These users can use, sell, and trade their EnergyCoins (EC). EnergyCoins (EC) can also accrue interest. Each customer is treated like an independent bank (microbank), thus creating a decentralized trading environment.

[0059] Furthermore, it is possible to generate, for example, only one user account in an EnergyCoin cloud (decentralized system), where you can combine and manage several sub-accounts (account for child, prepaid account, multiple accounts for multiple vehicles / fleet).

[0060] The entire account management process is handled, for example, via an EnergyCoin app, which can be provided by an operator. This EnergyCoin platform functions like a virtual marketplace (similar to Amazon® or eBay®). On this platform, all electricity providers can transparently list their prices for electricity or alternative energy sources. Customers can then select the most suitable / attractive provider. After each transaction, the platform operator (e.g., Audi) receives compensation in the form of money or other incentives, specifically EnergyCoins (EC), to stimulate EC trading.

[0061] The EnergyCoin (EC) and the entire security system are fundamentally based on blockchain technology, meaning that the prerequisites for trading are secured here (users, exchange rates, energy suppliers, consumers, and other information such as electric vehicles).

[0062] The algorithms for generating an EnergyCoin currency are available (see cryptocurrency); the service needs to be expanded.

[0063] If the EnergyCoin (EC) is based on blockchain technology, it has all the advantages, namely decentralized storage of information, immutable, transparent and anonymous (to the outside).

[0064] The transactions themselves are not stored on the blockchain or the platform (mirrored databases). Optionally, all transaction numbers could be backed up on the blockchain at a defined point in time to prevent data loss.

[0065] The agreements between users are stored in "smart contracts". A "timestamp" immutably records the time of the agreement.

[0066] Ideally, the platform should serve as a central exchange medium for all users and providers. This should prevent economic "bubbles" and offer a genuine, tangible interface to the customer. "One Face to the Customer" (user-friendliness and customer loyalty). The platform and / or the banks participating in the system earn money when EnergyCoin (EC) is converted into Euros.

[0067] The advantages of the described idea are therefore: - EnergyCoins EC promote the use and generation of energy from renewable sources without government subsidies. - The EnergyCoin can be used as a kind of (eco-)quality seal because it can demonstrably prove where the energy (from a renewable source) comes from. - EnergyCoins can be traded, meaning the vehicle can be transformed into a rolling e-charging station: other e-vehicles (cars, e-bikes, etc.) can be charged with energy from a providing e-vehicle and payment can be made with EnergyCoin (EC).

[0068] Bidirectional charging allows for the generation of more EnergyCoins (EC). The customer can then profitably sell their car's energy (this can be in the form of EnergyCoins or a real currency).

[0069] Users can pay at any charging station with their own EnergyCoin (EC) because the EnergyCoin unites all markets across borders. The EnergyCoin simplifies the billing system for electricity between customers and charging station operators. For charging station operators, billing is much easier because different currencies are no longer needed, meaning they don't necessarily have to enter into contracts with credit card companies. This creates an additional profit margin for the charging station operator and an incentive for electric vehicle users (e.g., through discounts).

[0070] The operator of the eco-charging station can earn EnergyCoins with every charging process, as they are rewarded for providing green electricity.

[0071] This would incentivize charging station operators to prioritize offering electricity from renewable sources, thereby creating competition among them. Operators could sell or trade their EnergyCoins (EC) and ideally generate profits. EnergyCoins would provide a strong incentive for purchasing electric vehicles. Furthermore, it could attract customers who simply want to use their electric car as a mobile charging station, enabling them to trade ECs. EnergyCoins (EC) could even be traded on exchanges.

[0072] An operator could generate and regulate their own platform and virtual stable energy currency, thus becoming independent of banks and financial systems. This platform could also be offered to other manufacturers who wish to join.

[0073] The unique feature of this idea is that an EnergyCoin (EC) can only be generated by electric vehicles themselves. The stability of the EC can be secured decentrally in the background using blockchain technology, ensuring it remains unalterable.

[0074] The idea thus relates to a method for controlling the activation (41) of a service function (23) depending on the usage behavior of a user of an electric vehicle (10). The invention provides that, by means of a computing device (26), during at least one energy exchange (22) of electrical energy (14) between the electric vehicle (10) and a respective electric charging station (13), an energy class (21) and an energy quantity (18) of the exchanged energy (14) are recorded, and an additive value (33) is assigned to the respective energy exchange (22) depending on the recorded energy class (21) and the recorded energy quantity (18), and the additive value (33) is added to a counter reading (35) in a data storage device (34), and the service function (23) is only activated if the counter reading (35) is greater than a threshold value (37) dependent on the service function (23).

[0075] Overall, the examples shown here demonstrate how an energy currency can be provided through the invention.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling the activation (41) of a service function (23) depending on the usage behavior of a user of an electric vehicle (10), wherein a request (29) to activate (41) the service function (23) is received by a control interface (28) of a service facility (24) which provides the service function (23), wherein an identification feature (12) which is assigned to the electric vehicle (10) and for which the activation (41) is to take place is specified, and if the requested service (23) is unlocked, the service function (23) is activated by the service facility (24), characterized by , that Prior to the request for activation (41) by a computing device (26) at least one energy exchange (22) of electrical energy (14) between the electric vehicle (10) and a respective electric charging station (13), an energy class (21) and an energy quantity (18) of the exchanged energy (14) are recorded, wherein the energy class (21) indicates a technology of an energy source (20) which was used to generate the exchanged energy, and the technology indicates at least one of the following energy classes (21): nuclear power, hydropower, wind power, renewable energy, coal power, and an addition value (33) is assigned to the respective energy exchange (22) according to a predetermined evaluation rule (32) depending on the recorded energy class (21) and the recorded energy quantity (18), and the addition value (33) is added to a meter reading (35) assigned to the identification feature (12) in a data storage device (34), wherein the user's usage behavior with regard to the energy source used (20) is linked in such a way that the service function (23) is activated more easily the more often an energy source (20) of a certain technology is used and this is quantified by the evaluation rule (32) by issuing different addition values ​​(33) for the same value of energy quantity (18), depending on the energy class used (21), and the technical coupling between an energy exchange (22) at the at least one charging station (13) on the one hand and a control of the activation (41) of the service function (23) at the control interface (28) of the service facility (24) on the other hand is established by the requirement (36) is described by corresponding request data generated by the user, and the requirement (36) identifies the service function (23) and specifies the identification feature (12), and the service facility (24) for activating the service function (23) requires a threshold value (37) dependent on the service function (23) with respect to the meter reading (35) of the identification feature (12) and for this purpose transmits a request with respect to the meter reading (35) as a booking request with corresponding booking data specifying the threshold value (37) to a control system (25) which has the computing device (26) for recording the energy class (21) and the energy quantity (18) via the control interface (28), and The service function (23) is only activated if the meter reading (35) is greater than the threshold value (37) that depends on the service function (23). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the service device (24) and the computing device (26) are coupled to the data storage (34) for independent access and access the data storage (34) at different times. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the data storage (34) for storing the meter reading (35) comprises a blockchain. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, depending on the performance of the service function (23), the meter reading (35) assigned to the identification feature (12) is reduced by the threshold value. [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein a meter reading (35) assigned to the service facility (24) is increased by the threshold value. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective addition value (33) is determined depending on a transmission direction, wherein one possible transmission direction is from an energy storage device (11) of the electric vehicle (10) to the charging station (13) and another possible transmission direction is from the charging station (13) to the energy storage device (11). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the user is provided with the control interface (28) on a central Internet platform (27) together with other control interfaces (28) of other service facilities, each providing a further service function. [8] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the threshold is received from a smart contract of a blockchain. [9] Control system (25) with a computing device (26) for recording an energy class (21) and an energy quantity (18) of energy (14) that is exchanged during at least one energy exchange between an electric vehicle (10) and a respective charging station (13), and with an Internet platform (27) for providing at least one control interface (28) for requesting a service function (23) of a respective service establishment (24), characterized by , that the tax system (25) is designed to carry out a procedure according to one of the preceding claims.

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